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Alastair Stone Chronicles #41
Hell of a Band
Rock and Roll Will Never Die - But It Can Kill
When Alastair Stone’s casual professor band is invited to open a show for an up-and-coming rock act on the cusp of national success, he can’t deny it’s a dream come true.
That is, until the headliner’s lead guitarist gives a phenomenal performance on a Stratocaster practically bursting with arcane power—and then turns up dead in his dressing room with magical music notes drawn on his forehead and the guitar nowhere to be found.
Spurred to investigate the murder, Stone begins to uncover the Strat’s bizarre history, tracing it back to a shocking tragedy over fifty years ago.
But that’s not the end—not even close. The guitar is far older than Stone ever suspected, and as he faces deadly danger searching for its origin, he encounters the entity behind it—a chaotic being with vast power, whose motives are impossible to fully comprehend.
To end the guitar’s trail of murder and mayhem, Stone and his friends will first need to find it—but that’s the easy part.
The hard part is finding the strength to do what needs to be done to destroy it.
Prepare to lose yourself in this #1 Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series readers are calling “Unstoppable” and “A major winner!” Once you enter the world of Alastair Stone, you won’t want to leave.
When Alastair Stone’s casual professor band is invited to open a show for an up-and-coming rock act on the cusp of national success, he can’t deny it’s a dream come true.
That is, until the headliner’s lead guitarist gives a phenomenal performance on a Stratocaster practically bursting with arcane power—and then turns up dead in his dressing room with magical music notes drawn on his forehead and the guitar nowhere to be found.
Spurred to investigate the murder, Stone begins to uncover the Strat’s bizarre history, tracing it back to a shocking tragedy over fifty years ago.
But that’s not the end—not even close. The guitar is far older than Stone ever suspected, and as he faces deadly danger searching for its origin, he encounters the entity behind it—a chaotic being with vast power, whose motives are impossible to fully comprehend.
To end the guitar’s trail of murder and mayhem, Stone and his friends will first need to find it—but that’s the easy part.
The hard part is finding the strength to do what needs to be done to destroy it.
Prepare to lose yourself in this #1 Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series readers are calling “Unstoppable” and “A major winner!” Once you enter the world of Alastair Stone, you won’t want to leave.
455 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2025
41 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
68 books331 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 8, 2025
Throughout this book I kept going back and forth on whether it should be a three or a four. That is never a good sign. The premise was good. The imagery was vivid. I just didn’t have the need to keep reading and get to the next part like I usually do with King’s work. The last book was the same way. Of course, the main issue with Family Plot was said family. At least this book we get a more interesting foe for Stone instead of a retread of a character that I wish had never moved beyond book 13.
The dragons are still out of the picture for the most part. I hope there will be more visits. I am guessing from now on though the Calanar series is where they will pop up. It is just too dystopian for my taste.
There was never anything in the book that would rate below a three. Nor did anything scream four, but since I always round up that is what it gets.
The dragons are still out of the picture for the most part. I hope there will be more visits. I am guessing from now on though the Calanar series is where they will pop up. It is just too dystopian for my taste.
There was never anything in the book that would rate below a three. Nor did anything scream four, but since I always round up that is what it gets.
September 13, 2025
One hell of a story
I absolutely loved this book. It was amazing to see Stone, his insatiable curiosity, and the rest of the crew back doing what they do best, figuring out the mysteries of the universe. I really enjoyed the intricate details as the investigation progressed. I love all of the Alastair Stone Chronicles, but this type of storyline is definitely my favorite. Not knowing what's around the corner, but each character bringing their expertise and personality to stand with and sometimes pull "Al" out of the messes he finds himself in. As always, my problem is that I can't put the book down and finish it so quickly that I am again awaiting the next book impatiently. You can't go wrong reading this series and I highly recommend you start reading it soon.
I absolutely loved this book. It was amazing to see Stone, his insatiable curiosity, and the rest of the crew back doing what they do best, figuring out the mysteries of the universe. I really enjoyed the intricate details as the investigation progressed. I love all of the Alastair Stone Chronicles, but this type of storyline is definitely my favorite. Not knowing what's around the corner, but each character bringing their expertise and personality to stand with and sometimes pull "Al" out of the messes he finds himself in. As always, my problem is that I can't put the book down and finish it so quickly that I am again awaiting the next book impatiently. You can't go wrong reading this series and I highly recommend you start reading it soon.
September 12, 2025
I have thoroughly enjoyed ALL of R.L. Kings books. the series brings together so many disparate things I have loved about so many other series over the years, and puts it together with a unique twists and turns along the way. I am so thankful I ran across this massive and ongoing series. It has been so enjoyable to read all 41 books in the series so far - along with the 2 off shoots (Calanar and the Happenstance and Bron series). Do yourself a favor and dive into the Stonerverse, LOL! However I like to call it the Raiderverse later in the series!
September 29, 2025
Honestly this story made me nervous for stone and the underlining implication of what may happen down the line. This wasn’t you typical villain you can just fight or destroy but something on another level. It’s interesting we’re being introduced to more supernatural creatures like the “fae” (haven’t been confirmed or denied) because of Stone’s strength was ultimately pulled into a powerful being games.
Of course the side plot about the secret portal was put on the back burner because we had bigger issues to deal with. I always had this theory which spun from the Calanar series if Harrison father was part of some group, because it was was never explain how he was able to travel to other dimensions despite portal travel only being a thing less then 200 years ago. I think in the next few books we’re gonna find out some interesting family history and not just Stones.
Of course the side plot about the secret portal was put on the back burner because we had bigger issues to deal with. I always had this theory which spun from the Calanar series if Harrison father was part of some group, because it was was never explain how he was able to travel to other dimensions despite portal travel only being a thing less then 200 years ago. I think in the next few books we’re gonna find out some interesting family history and not just Stones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
Fun that Stone gets to rock out a bit, even if it ultimately all goes pear-shaped. But then, that's what keeps us reading! The added 'little' complication just juiced up the angst. And we got some Harrison, along with an interesting hint about Nakamura. Which all means much more interesting mystery solving to come.
September 28, 2025
hell of a story
Quite the adventure for Dr Stone and his friends this time. We even get to see Mr Harrison reappear and the beloved Obsidian hotel. A page turning, riveting adventure that keeps you on your toes!
Quite the adventure for Dr Stone and his friends this time. We even get to see Mr Harrison reappear and the beloved Obsidian hotel. A page turning, riveting adventure that keeps you on your toes!
October 20, 2025
Another fun ride in the Stone world
This was a very enjoyable book with a lot of excitement, and new magics revealed. It just amazes me how R L King can come up with so many interesting ideas and plot twists. I hope in the next book we discover Alister's statu.
This was a very enjoyable book with a lot of excitement, and new magics revealed. It just amazes me how R L King can come up with so many interesting ideas and plot twists. I hope in the next book we discover Alister's statu.
September 13, 2025
Very good!
Loved it, have many questions. If I post those here, it would be a major spoiler. Can’t wait for the next one.
Loved it, have many questions. If I post those here, it would be a major spoiler. Can’t wait for the next one.
October 5, 2025
Another great episode in this ongoing series. Lots of twists and turns, plus some dandy foreshadowing of things to come in future episodes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews