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Alastair Stone Chronicles #40
Family Plot
Family. Can't live with 'em... Can't kill 'em.
The last person Alastair Stone wants anything to do with is his twin sister Acantha. Having her consciousness stuffed inside another body has done nothing to improve her.
So when one of the Windermere druids reaches out to him with news that Acantha’s disappeared—and by the way, she’s also losing her mind—he’s in no particular hurry to help track her down.
The only problem is, while he wouldn’t put Acantha out if she were on fire, her growing madness is already threatening innocents.
When he reluctantly heads to the Middle East with Verity and Ian to locate her and bring her home, he discovers she’s formed an alliance with a dangerous enemy—and their plans might end up costing him something worse than his life.
If all this isn’t enough to keep him busy, he’s discovered a hidden room in the Surrey house—one that holds secrets as potentially perilous as they are intriguing.
The last person Alastair Stone wants anything to do with is his twin sister Acantha. Having her consciousness stuffed inside another body has done nothing to improve her.
So when one of the Windermere druids reaches out to him with news that Acantha’s disappeared—and by the way, she’s also losing her mind—he’s in no particular hurry to help track her down.
The only problem is, while he wouldn’t put Acantha out if she were on fire, her growing madness is already threatening innocents.
When he reluctantly heads to the Middle East with Verity and Ian to locate her and bring her home, he discovers she’s formed an alliance with a dangerous enemy—and their plans might end up costing him something worse than his life.
If all this isn’t enough to keep him busy, he’s discovered a hidden room in the Surrey house—one that holds secrets as potentially perilous as they are intriguing.
455 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2025
60 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
68 books332 followersR. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 4, 2025
There's a lot to unpack in this one, both in terms of story, and a good dose of character psychoanalysis. A cozy mystery, the search for Stone's bats#*t-crazy sister, and the reappearance of an old enemy (not a spoiler - Stone tends to p*ss people off, so he has plenty). Even exotic locales.
What more could you possibly ask for?
What more could you possibly ask for?
August 8, 2025
I went into this book with some trepidation. I loathe his siter and was disappointed when the character was reintroduced some books ago. Go figure that the person who schemed to have Verity and Alistair raped would be even worse after being resurrected. I also don’t buy for an instance this Nessa we are supposed to swallow. She had planned to kill her grandson new from the womb! Bloody hell. Anyone or group of people who think that it is Kosher to sacrifice another is not redeemable. Any god that would require such an act would not be the benevolent, bringer of knowledge the sect seems to worship. No, the exact opposite in fact. The more learned one becomes, the more violence is shown to be wrong.
And yet, here we are. The old biddy is being given a makeover to tone down her edges. We are told repeatedly that she has a good heart. Well, Hitler liked dogs...
I originally gave the book 3 stars. Not just for the issues above, but for having Stone be a complete idiot.
However, the story had elements that deserved 4 stars, especially parts dealing with the Surrey house. Since I always round up, it gets four stars, but just barely.
Hopefully, we are done with Stone’s birth family. Thalassa and Morgana humanize him. I was worried the books would turn into a variation of Bewitched. I don’t recall Darren changing a diaper, but of course that era would have never shown it. I get the sense he would have been as clueless as Stone. I was ten the first time I changed a diaper. I never realized people worried about how to do it.
Having the dragons on Calanar means we only get mother and child sparingly. A chapter here or there is more than enough. Stone has enough of the English stodginess that any more would be out of character. Of course, that means we don’t get the dragons we love either.
The next book looks fun with Alistair jamming with his band. I hope we get the FBI again. Ren was a nice addition to the series.
And yet, here we are. The old biddy is being given a makeover to tone down her edges. We are told repeatedly that she has a good heart. Well, Hitler liked dogs...
I originally gave the book 3 stars. Not just for the issues above, but for having Stone be a complete idiot.
However, the story had elements that deserved 4 stars, especially parts dealing with the Surrey house. Since I always round up, it gets four stars, but just barely.
Hopefully, we are done with Stone’s birth family. Thalassa and Morgana humanize him. I was worried the books would turn into a variation of Bewitched. I don’t recall Darren changing a diaper, but of course that era would have never shown it. I get the sense he would have been as clueless as Stone. I was ten the first time I changed a diaper. I never realized people worried about how to do it.
Having the dragons on Calanar means we only get mother and child sparingly. A chapter here or there is more than enough. Stone has enough of the English stodginess that any more would be out of character. Of course, that means we don’t get the dragons we love either.
The next book looks fun with Alistair jamming with his band. I hope we get the FBI again. Ren was a nice addition to the series.
December 28, 2025
This book took several turns I didn’t expect lol. First finding a new dimensional portal in the surrey house which was exciting bringing old and new story elements I felt that have taken a back seat. Second the emotional journey that stone goes through revisiting old wounds from the past. Lastly an old nemesis rising again to cause trouble but should’ve know he was alive especially we never seen the body.
The portal room side plot was exciting because the series really took a backseat in regards of that particular since the discovery of the rifts and stone constantly saying he’ll on day learn from Harrison. Now that we have a door right in the house will push the dynamic duo to learn some new cool magics and secrets. Been a long time coming and I’m ready for some dimension hoping shenanigans.
I mentioned the emotional aspect of the story mainly because it’s shows how much Stone life change since his beauty nap. Stone mentioned finally finding that piece missing from his life which was a partner willing to accept him and who else other than a dragon lol. I was apprehensive when the entire Morgana storyline started several books ago and now I can’t see stone without his lovely ladies. I think the big part was that Thalassa herself also change and became not only physical but emotionally invested in Stone’s wellbeing.
Ending off the review of old nemesis Rictor coming back was a little underwhelming especially the way it was done. I guess it’s because Nessa was involved and I still don’t like the harpy. No matter how old or whatever excuses they make she still done to much evil and I don’t think she ever apologized to Stone either. I was hoping she died with Acantha since she can’t live without her. Seeing how the sister plot line wrap up it makes me wonder why brings her back in blood ties for her to fizzle out again. I was expecting more makes me wish the author just brought new compelling villains instead.
The portal room side plot was exciting because the series really took a backseat in regards of that particular since the discovery of the rifts and stone constantly saying he’ll on day learn from Harrison. Now that we have a door right in the house will push the dynamic duo to learn some new cool magics and secrets. Been a long time coming and I’m ready for some dimension hoping shenanigans.
I mentioned the emotional aspect of the story mainly because it’s shows how much Stone life change since his beauty nap. Stone mentioned finally finding that piece missing from his life which was a partner willing to accept him and who else other than a dragon lol. I was apprehensive when the entire Morgana storyline started several books ago and now I can’t see stone without his lovely ladies. I think the big part was that Thalassa herself also change and became not only physical but emotionally invested in Stone’s wellbeing.
Ending off the review of old nemesis Rictor coming back was a little underwhelming especially the way it was done. I guess it’s because Nessa was involved and I still don’t like the harpy. No matter how old or whatever excuses they make she still done to much evil and I don’t think she ever apologized to Stone either. I was hoping she died with Acantha since she can’t live without her. Seeing how the sister plot line wrap up it makes me wonder why brings her back in blood ties for her to fizzle out again. I was expecting more makes me wish the author just brought new compelling villains instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2025
Riveting tale of twists and turns some predictable, others not
MS rolling did it again, she wove a magical, mystical cloak and eager tale that only her protagonist could decipher and then forced him confront it as only Alistair Stone could do with his wit, grit, charm and power with a little help from his friends and extended family. This was truly Alistair Stone at his finest..it us a tale the Stone readers will find, intriguing, fascinating, and frustrating at times. Can't wait for the next book in the series to be released this fall.
MS rolling did it again, she wove a magical, mystical cloak and eager tale that only her protagonist could decipher and then forced him confront it as only Alistair Stone could do with his wit, grit, charm and power with a little help from his friends and extended family. This was truly Alistair Stone at his finest..it us a tale the Stone readers will find, intriguing, fascinating, and frustrating at times. Can't wait for the next book in the series to be released this fall.
June 7, 2025
That was interesting.
I just wanted to yell at Alastair, same way you do when the movie character makes a stupid move, and everyone knows it’s a trap, and the hero lands in a disaster. I did enjoy it, I thought it moved a little slower than other books in this series. This volume seemed to summarize multiple books, there are many directions the plot may go from No. 40.
I just wanted to yell at Alastair, same way you do when the movie character makes a stupid move, and everyone knows it’s a trap, and the hero lands in a disaster. I did enjoy it, I thought it moved a little slower than other books in this series. This volume seemed to summarize multiple books, there are many directions the plot may go from No. 40.
June 4, 2025
You've done it again
Another amazing story. I loved all the action and the storyline was amazing. I will be again waiting on pins and needles for Stone's next adventure. You are amazing.
Another amazing story. I loved all the action and the storyline was amazing. I will be again waiting on pins and needles for Stone's next adventure. You are amazing.
June 6, 2025
Unexpected twists!
As always a page turning hit! So many surprises and twists! I always find these so hard to put down I even lost some work time! Can’t wait for Stone’s next adventure!
As always a page turning hit! So many surprises and twists! I always find these so hard to put down I even lost some work time! Can’t wait for Stone’s next adventure!
June 12, 2025
Very Good
Family Plot is an exceptionally good Alistair Stone story featuring his insane twin sister. Then, as usual, there are a couple of developments which turn into side stories which add to the fun.
Family Plot is an exceptionally good Alistair Stone story featuring his insane twin sister. Then, as usual, there are a couple of developments which turn into side stories which add to the fun.
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June 5, 2025King knocks it out of the park - again! It's amazing to me how so prolific a writer can just keep getting better, but she does it.
June 5, 2025
Another Fantastic Story
Shew, not what or who i expected…and no spoilers….but amazing lead to future stories and a nice self awareness on occasion;-)
Shew, not what or who i expected…and no spoilers….but amazing lead to future stories and a nice self awareness on occasion;-)
August 19, 2025
Love this series!
Another great story in the Stone saga! Echoes of the past, magic and mystery. I look forward to the next book with anticipation!
Another great story in the Stone saga! Echoes of the past, magic and mystery. I look forward to the next book with anticipation!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews