The Devil Aspect - Craig Russell

I can't begin to explain how disturbing this story is.  Its fascinating but really delves into the dark recesses of the mind.  We are following Victor Kosarek a Doctor of Psychology in Czechoslovakia before WWII.  He is a brilliant psychologist who is in search of the "Devil Aspect" in his patients.  He had some trying times that led him to yearn to discover what causes such horrible Psychosis. 

He is new at an asylum where the Devil's Six are being held.  They are the worst of the worst.  They have done unspeakable things and cannot be put with common criminals or be released back into society.  Victor is there to pull prove his theory with these exceptionally mad persons. 

It's a story of mystery, murder, supernatural, and a splash of love. It keeps you guessing for the most part but I saw some of it coming from a mile away.  It flips between the asylum and Prague where a detective is trying to find the "Leather Apron".  A mad man who is carrying out horrible crimes against women.  It really was an interesting book but there was a point...a point where we meet Mr. Hobbs where I thought, I am so not sleeping tonight.  It's disturbing but keeps you wanting more. 

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery suspense all the while hinting at a supernatural element.  Check it out, but I don't recommend reading before bed. 

I got this book for free from NetGalley to read and give my honest review.

SPOILERS



The first time we met Hobbs, I KNEW this book was going to freak me out.  I love horror but for a simpleton who only speaks chec to bust out in plain English...what is happening!?!??

I did find the whole foreboding from Judita to be silly.  So she can sense that her people will be slaughtered (she's Jewish).  It was a silly aspect I did not need. I liked the character but the weird visions were not necessary.

My only other issue and the reason I dropped the stars to 3.5 is I figured it out.  I wasn't positive but I knew that Filip was Victor.  I wrote a note saying "I don't think Filip is real".  And the whole his daddy was a butcher.  I said "so he's CLEARLY Leather Apron". 

Then is went full "Fallen".  All we needed was for someone to start singing "Tiiiiiiiime is on my side...yes it is".  Hobbs is a demon...or is he....no he is. 

When Judita goes in with Victor I knew the voice was going to come from him.  That's my only complaint, no shock for me because I figured it out halfway through. 

The twist at the end when we end up in 1969 with Alice, that was good.  That was the redeeming part for me.  Hobbs is real, not a figment of a broken mind and he is the embodiment of evil.