I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy of The Devil Aspect, a stand alone Gothic thriller set in Czechoslovakia, 1935.

Dr Viktor Kosárek takes up a new position at Hrad Orlú Asylum which houses the six most violent, insane killers in the country, known collectively as the “devil’s six”. His remit is to use cutting edge psychiatric techniques to uncover the evil in them, the eponymous Devil’s Aspect, and lead them to a cure. In the meantime Captain Lukáš Smolák is hunting a vicious serial killer nicknamed “Leather Apron”. These two men’s paths are to cross in strange ways.

I have never read a gothic novel before but being such a fan of Mr Russell’s writing I decided to take the plunge with The Devil Aspect. I was unsure of what to expect, normally finding the supernatural impossible to swallow, so I’m pleased to report that I loved it. The novel is an amazing read from the intriguing and initially incomprehensible prologue (I only saw the full significance of it after finishing the novel) to the final, unexpected twists. It had me glued to the pages as it covers so much ground, incorporating Jungian analysis (in an easily digestible manner) and much folklore and myths - the research effort is obvious but not laboured. The plot, however, is what drives the novel. It has a linear timeline and is alternately narrated by Kosárek and Smolák and steadily builds up to a conclusion I didn’t see coming. It has an easy, readable style which adds to the reading pleasure despite the atmosphere Mr Russell creates. It is a brooding novel, filled with violence, terror and a sort of anticipation of worse to come. Mr Russell’s unfolding of events is masterful with the novel building up slowly to a crescendo at the end.

The setting of 1935 Czechoslovakia adds to the sense of menace. Czechoslovakia is a young country created out of political necessity rather than ethnicity so it has a rich, ancient cultural history which mirrors the new science of mental health versus the old legends superstitions. I like the way the author effortlessly mixes all these angles. To further increase the tension the Nazis and their Aryan nationalism are hovering. It all adds up to a tense, uneasy read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Richly spooky, the long story of the decline into madness of a psychiatrist in Czech/German hinterland is gripping as we watch him 'catch' as if catching a contagious disease, a mental disorder that triggers serial murder. Intertwined with the personal stories are allusions to the descent of the world outside the asylum he is consigned to (where he first went for a new job tending to mental health of the 'devil's six - a man with multiple personality disorder) - clearly Nazis are beginning to rise in this world... in fact the psychiatrist's Czech nationality is anomalous from his first days at the institution. Engrossing (perhaps a bit long), the tales of murder and possession are numerous and each is fascinating. An amazing achievement by this seasoned author.

The blurb for this book screamed out at me. I mean six psychopaths and a serial killer on the loose, what's not to be intrigued about?

I really loved the concept for the novel and couldn't wait to get started.

The timing of the story and setting really work together well. I liked that the convicts are all kept prisoner in a castle which added to the atmosphere. Along with the prisoners, we also have a killer on the loose which had me intrigued as to how all this fitted in together.

I have to admit that the story wasn't as thrilling as I expected it to be. The story is set in sections where we see Viktor, the psychiatrist, speak to each prisoner, trying to delve into their minds to work out what makes them tick. Whilst finding out more about the inmates in part was really interesting, I sadly wasn't as gripped as I would hope to be with this style of book. It is a well written novel but didn't meet the high hopes I had set before embarking on reading it. There are some surprising turns in the story though which ensured I kept turning the pages.

Overall, The Devil Aspect was an interesting read. It is a dark and brooding story and one that is to be savoured more than devoured.

The Devil Aspect is a gothic type ‘horror’ novel set in Czechoslovakia in 1935. Psychiatrist Victor Kosárek takes up a new post in a Medieval castle which is now an asylum for the criminally insane, it houses just six inmates who individually have performed terrifying acts of murder.
Victor has a theory he is desperate to prove that these inmates have a communality to their insanity known as the Devil aspect. As he delves deep into the minds of each inmate we learn in graphic detail exactly what acts of depravity and madness that each has performed.
Meanwhile in another strand to this tale, back in Prague a serial killer is on the loose, named a Leather Apron his crimes appear the imitate Jack the Rippers, the police are getting no where in their hunt for him.
An engrossing well imagined read, though I must admit I had worked out the finale, but how the story developed and unfolded made this an involving and entertaining read.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

As must read for all fans of a dark thriller. Set in Czechoslovakia 1935 in the build up to War and the far right were building a base in Europe however Prague is a dangerous place for another reason the leather apron killer loomed
Dr Viktor Kosarek a Psychiatrist is heading out of Page to take upa now post in Head Orly Asylum which only has 6 patients known as the Devil's 6 guilty of the worst and most hideous crimes in Central Europe. I'm sure your imagination won't need me to explain what tha they are and that the guilty are all held in a Asylum. Dr Viktor had a new theory he is working on known as the Devil Aspect which is as described in the name.
If you like dark thrillers with a edge and plenty of twists and unpredictabilty then you will love this, it is also include incredibly well researched. And a definitely evil led bias as expected and as such it will attack it's own and try to destroy the bad as well as the good. The rise of the far right is touched on but not a leading focus which gives it that touch of reality so often over played or over used in some other books of this period.
I loved the little details throughout this book that are later picked up on and become important such as the opening chapters which are important in any book, don't worryi won't spoil it for you this is an excellent book and from what page 1 you will begin to delve into a dark thriller that will get blacker as you go deeper into each chapter.
Thanks NetGalley and The Little Brown Book Group for my copy of this great book.

The Devil Aspect by Craig Russell, Gothic noir in style it could almost have been set years before 1935. I really loved the writing style, highly descriptive yet perfectly expressed, so no need to keep rereading a sentence. It built up a wonderful and terrifying atmosphere with a young man’s fascination for finding the Devil Aspect to confirm his theory. I found the two words really annoying, they don’t work well together and if you don’t believe in the Devil….even more ridiculous. However, most frustrating of all was the false prospectus we were fed. This isn’t the first time this has happened reading a book and I hope it’s not the start of a trend, so from my perspective I am going to knock a star off. As for the last quarter of the book, I was almost convinced that with the rise of National Socialism and taking in to account the history of the castle there would have been a greater melding of evil within, making a better ending than the twist we were faced with.

Literary Gothic horror. All the ingredients of the genre. A brooding, old castle, deep woods, winter weather. The characters are evocatively drawn and are resonant of both good and evil: but which is which?

Where do I start? I LOVED this novel and feared it at the same time. The setting is just perfect for this type of gothic tale and when I'd finished it and read the author's inspiration, I was even more impressed with how he'd come about the story and enhanced it.

From the gothic castle, to the asylum, to the very idea that a Jack the Ripper character could be killing in Prague, this had every kind of delicious gothic ingredient that I just love. IT was perfect mix where setting is a character but where it also enhances the themes in the novel. The book looks at the ethnic and cultural diversity of the time, the work of an eminent psychologist and the splits in personality which so fascinated him. All woven together in a dark and delightful gothic tapestry.

I was immersed inside the heads and minds of the characters from the first page. This is gripping stuff and despite the chill in the air which came from the pages, I just had to read on.

There's something wonderful about being taken to the spookiest castles in the world and then being told that now this is an asylum for six of the most violent murderers in Europe. A young psychotherapist is looking at them to prove his theory of The Devil Aspect of personality.Meanwhile there is a series of brutal murders that more than resemble those of Jack the Ripper ...the scope for gothic glory, murders, gruesome killings, dark castles on a hill..this is just a feast for the senses. (Best not to eat during reading though)

Ooh I did enjoy reading this and being transported into such a deliciously dark world.