Things are looking up for Alastair Stone. He's just moved into his new house, Jason's opening his investigation agency, and best of all, the University has finally hired a new professor for the Occult Studies department.
Carefree days never last long for Stone, though. The smart, sexy new professor turns out to have secrets—dangerous secrets. When he agrees to help her track down a powerful magical artifact, Stone is drawn into a deadly conspiracy involving a mysterious and reclusive clan, alchemical mayhem, and crimes even more horrific than either of them suspected.
And as if all that weren’t enough...his cat has started talking to him.
R. 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.
Stone and Claw, Alastair Stone Chronicles, Book #15 by R.L. King
Now THIS is the Alastair Stone I've waited 15 books to see!
This Alastair is a mage in full power. One who is confident in what he is capable of, yet still wanting more knowledge. One who can stare what, in earlier books, might have been certain death in the eye and calmly protect his friends and wreak havoc on his enemies. Finally!
In this episode, Stanford has finally found a temporary professor to help fill out the Occult Studies program. From the moment he meets her, Stone knows there is something different about her, but he isn't prepared for what he eventually discovers. Once he knows her secret, and why she's chosen to come to California, he is fully committed to helping her find and recover an ancient artifact that is vital to the survival of her people. This soon pulls Verity and Jason into the mix, as our team battles magically enhanced thugs and follows a trail of destruction to reach their goal. And, along the way, Stone discovers that the empty mansion he inherited and moved into isn't unoccupied after all, as the shade of a former resident seizes the opportunity to solve his murder by occupying Stone's cat, Raider.
King has outdone herself with this one. Full of action, danger, and daring-do, the book carries the reader along, the unseen sidekick in the adventure. Editing and proofing were near perfect. I found only one error -- just a wrong word ('One' where it should have been 'Once.'). Plotting and pacing and flow were spot-on. The characters, while staying true to themselves, still showed plenty of growth and development. And incidental return characters, such as Stone's fellow professor in Occult Studies, Hubbard, even gets his own spotlight. Nice. And one more mundane joins Stone's small circle of acquaintances who now know that the stuff of nightmares and horror movies is real. And, of course, for me, there is always the joy of a book that ends with most all the major issues resolved -- no cliffhanger!
So, if I could have given the book 10 stars, I would happily have done so. It's going to be hard to top this one, King. I'm hoping #16 can at least match this one!
Alastair Stone has finally moved into his new house that Adelaide had left him in her will. Jason has just opened his new detective agency, with Stone's help by investing in it. And the University has finally hired another professor to fill the vacancy when Mortensen was killed.
However, there seems to be a slight haunting problem with the house, his cat has started talking to him, & the smart & sexy new professor seems to have secrets of her own, dangerous secrets. She does not appear to be whom she claims.
With Stone as Jason's first new client, Jason sets about tracking down the history of the house Stone had inherited, as well as anything he could find on the new professor. In the meantime Stone does some sleuthing of his own, & as usual, his investigations do not always turn out anything close to straight forward or easy, but takes him down dangerously twisted pathways.
Another excellent Dr.Stone story! We have the continuing relationship of Verity and Alastair and Jason has finally become a private detective! Now we have a new mystery with a few surprises and Raider has an interesting part to the story! The department at the university is still looking for someone to replace Dr.Mortanson. You will meet an unusual lady who adds a few twists to the story but it makes it interesting and the ending is the best part.
Another satisfying magical story in the Alistair Stone series. Everyone, Alastair, Verity, and Jason are finally back together in this book 15 solving the identity of a mysterious woman, the theft of a magical artifact, and why a ghost is haunting Stone's house.
I love this series because of its excellent relatable characters and not being over the top crazy with its fantasy plots and stories.
This book is an excellent addition to the series. When you read the Stone Chronicles, you are never disappointed. You quickly fall into the story finding yourself immersed. R.L. King does a great job with character development and you can't help but love them. Also, little hints that are not answered but you know will be addressed some time soon. Highly recommend.
This was a fantastic addition to the Alastair Stone Chronicles series! The main returning characters keep maturing and growing and are quite wonderful! The mystery is pretty solid, keeping you guessing until the big final show-down. Aspects are hinted at throughout the book, catch them if you can! Well done King!!
I've finished another spectacular installment of the Chronicles of Alistair Stone series. They just get better and better! I can't say enough good things about this series! I hope you will try them out yourselves. You will not be disappointed! This I can guarentee!
I really enjoyed this one. A great addition to the series and it hints at more things to come while continuing plot threads from previous books as well. Definitely recommend it.
I absolutely love this series! The latest installment did not disappoint. I couldn’t put it down. Stone is great, like a grown up Harry Potter. I can’t wait for the next adventure!
This series just gets better and better. Every character has an amazing depth, and you never know when a past character will again come to the for. Somply cannot wait for the next one!
I loved all of the books. Can't wait for the next one. Very well written good story along with surprises and twist and turn you don't expect. I would recommend it to anyone
With each successive novel, the author continues to grow the main characters and enlarge Alastair Stone’s reach while providing new and exciting adventures. A must read!
Alastair Stone books are very relaxing to read and are very enjoyable to read. I find myself to be very interested in the use of magic throughout the series.
Alastair is learning to use his new powers. Verity, Jason and Alastair's relationship is growing stronger. This book has shape shifter adventures. Fun to read book.
one of the better Alastair Stone Books.have now read all 15..if you are a Harry Dresden Fan you will like this series of books. I am always waiting for the next new book.
This series has everything could possibly want. Great characters and imaginative story line. Intricately woven with enough twists and turns to suck you in.