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Alastair Stone Chronicles #20
The Madness Below
It waits...
Alastair Stone needs a vacation. He’s literally stepping through the portal to his home in England, when an old friend calls with a horrific tale of a grisly multiple murders committed by teenagers just back from a school camping trip. It doesn’t take long to convince Stone that the supernatural is involved.
Goodbye peaceful vacation, hello magical investigation.
When he teams up with a local cop who’s in the know about magic, he soon discovers the problem is a lot worse than he thought. Even more troubling, they’re not the only ones tracking its source. An organization Stone thought long dead has risen again, and he is determined to find it first.
With the cop’s young son in danger - not to mention countless other people - Stone has no choice but to join forces with his old enemies to prevent an ancient horror from being reborn.
If you like creepy Lovecraftian-style horror and ancient evils awakening from long slumber, you won't want to miss this one!
Alastair Stone needs a vacation. He’s literally stepping through the portal to his home in England, when an old friend calls with a horrific tale of a grisly multiple murders committed by teenagers just back from a school camping trip. It doesn’t take long to convince Stone that the supernatural is involved.
Goodbye peaceful vacation, hello magical investigation.
When he teams up with a local cop who’s in the know about magic, he soon discovers the problem is a lot worse than he thought. Even more troubling, they’re not the only ones tracking its source. An organization Stone thought long dead has risen again, and he is determined to find it first.
With the cop’s young son in danger - not to mention countless other people - Stone has no choice but to join forces with his old enemies to prevent an ancient horror from being reborn.
If you like creepy Lovecraftian-style horror and ancient evils awakening from long slumber, you won't want to miss this one!
- GenresUrban Fantasy
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2019
173 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
70 books334 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 11, 2026
Another great one. The ending?? Can't wait to see how it develops
December 11, 2019
Just wow
Yet again an amazing novel. I was so engrossed I read it within 24 hours. The action was fast pace and never stop. I had to find out what happened next.
I can’t wait for the next stone book.
Yet again an amazing novel. I was so engrossed I read it within 24 hours. The action was fast pace and never stop. I had to find out what happened next.
I can’t wait for the next stone book.
January 15, 2021
I started this series as a lark and have become addicted to them. From the start to the end RLKing keeps you on the edge of her seat and hankering for more.
January 1, 2020
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒘: An Alastair Stone Urban Fantasy Novel, Alastair Stone Chronicles, Book #20
by R.L. King
Once again King delivers an exciting expedition into the magical world of Alastair Stone. The plotting and pacing are excellent, the flow good, the characters relatable and showing growth. Were there things I didn't like? Sure. At location 100, 2% there is a missing word: ...so they wouldn't have freeze their "tushies" off in tents. And, although there isn't what most would call a cliffhanger ending, there was certainly a few ending paragraphs that added nothing to the novel other than leading it to the next. That could have started the next book, and IMHO, it should have been saved for that. King has developed a strong following for her series and has no reason to believe she needs to tease her readers with a look at what is coming next to get them to purchase future series entries. To be truthful, I dislike that little quirk enough that I almost took off a star, but decided I could live with it. This time.
There were also things that made me laugh. At location 3306, 75% is this statement Stone makes to Verity: Past performance is no indication of future results. It immediately made me think that King is obviously not a Dr. Phil fan, as one of his favorite sayings is along the lines of past performance is the best predictor of future behavior.
It was a good, exciting, fun read.
by R.L. King
Once again King delivers an exciting expedition into the magical world of Alastair Stone. The plotting and pacing are excellent, the flow good, the characters relatable and showing growth. Were there things I didn't like? Sure. At location 100, 2% there is a missing word: ...so they wouldn't have freeze their "tushies" off in tents. And, although there isn't what most would call a cliffhanger ending, there was certainly a few ending paragraphs that added nothing to the novel other than leading it to the next. That could have started the next book, and IMHO, it should have been saved for that. King has developed a strong following for her series and has no reason to believe she needs to tease her readers with a look at what is coming next to get them to purchase future series entries. To be truthful, I dislike that little quirk enough that I almost took off a star, but decided I could live with it. This time.
There were also things that made me laugh. At location 3306, 75% is this statement Stone makes to Verity: Past performance is no indication of future results. It immediately made me think that King is obviously not a Dr. Phil fan, as one of his favorite sayings is along the lines of past performance is the best predictor of future behavior.
It was a good, exciting, fun read.
December 29, 2019
It isn't a bad story but it isn't a memorable one either. It feels like the author is running out of ideas for unique, and complicated problems for Alastair Stone to work on. I'm wondering if she doesn't know what to do with the Calanarian world and magic, or about giving Ian a more prominent roll into the story, or about advancing or ending the relationship with Charity, or if Jason is going to keep playing a role now that he is doing his own thing. Some of these side plots are becoming a little stale and need to be toasted to crisp them up, making them a bit more tasty.
Not a bad story. Just okay.
Not a bad story. Just okay.
December 23, 2019
No rest for Stone
Alistair Stone wants nothing more than to spend a quiet holiday, but winds up spending his time in more active pursuits. Old friends and a few new ones accompany him.
Well thought out, solid plot, plenty of action and magic.
I read this book in virtually one day. I strongly recommend it.
Alistair Stone wants nothing more than to spend a quiet holiday, but winds up spending his time in more active pursuits. Old friends and a few new ones accompany him.
Well thought out, solid plot, plenty of action and magic.
I read this book in virtually one day. I strongly recommend it.
December 27, 2019
An exceptional storyline!
When reading series with multiple books I’m always concerned the author or storyline will eventually go off track. The Alastair Stone series readers need not worry.
The underlying plots continue to grow along with the strength of the main characters. If you enjoy the supernatural genre then I urge you to give the Stone Series a try.
When reading series with multiple books I’m always concerned the author or storyline will eventually go off track. The Alastair Stone series readers need not worry.
The underlying plots continue to grow along with the strength of the main characters. If you enjoy the supernatural genre then I urge you to give the Stone Series a try.
December 31, 2019
Absolutely Brilliant!!
R.L. King has written yet another fantastic Stone story that was close to impossible to put down! The characters, both new and old friends, were masterfully written in, with a nicely done mystery/supernatural threat to humanity thrown in for giggles..
H.P. Lovecraft would have loved this one!
I highly recommend this book and entire series!
R.L. King has written yet another fantastic Stone story that was close to impossible to put down! The characters, both new and old friends, were masterfully written in, with a nicely done mystery/supernatural threat to humanity thrown in for giggles..
H.P. Lovecraft would have loved this one!
I highly recommend this book and entire series!
December 15, 2019
Could NOT put it down!
The very best of R L KING so far. Has everything to keep you page turning. So creative and exciting. The characters are incredible. Lots of twists and surprises.
The very best of R L KING so far. Has everything to keep you page turning. So creative and exciting. The characters are incredible. Lots of twists and surprises.
December 22, 2019
Another excellent gripping adventure!!!
This time it felt touch & go whether Stone & Verity would manage to win through. Great new world threat.... dealt with? Or not?... fantastic storyline as always & couldn't put it down. Would love to see more of Ian next time.
This time it felt touch & go whether Stone & Verity would manage to win through. Great new world threat.... dealt with? Or not?... fantastic storyline as always & couldn't put it down. Would love to see more of Ian next time.
January 3, 2020
R.L. King does it again
This book in the series really raises the story to a very a pinnacle, with the story driving me to turn page after page and not wanting to put it down. I felt a drive to see it through to the end. I cannot wait for more...
This book in the series really raises the story to a very a pinnacle, with the story driving me to turn page after page and not wanting to put it down. I felt a drive to see it through to the end. I cannot wait for more...
December 12, 2019
This whole series just keeps getting better and better with every book! R.L. is my favorite author in this genre...I highly recommend each book!
December 18, 2019
Excellent
I am never disappointed in reading anything by R L King. Another great book in the Alastair Stone world. I know that more is on the horizon.
I am never disappointed in reading anything by R L King. Another great book in the Alastair Stone world. I know that more is on the horizon.
December 21, 2019
OMG!! Very Lovecraftian horror mixed with the usual magic troubles of Alastair stone
December 28, 2019
I love this series!! Definitely recommend it!!
January 13, 2020
Lovecraftian horror for Stone
This is a great homage to Lovecraft, as Stone travels to New England at the request of a fellow mage to investigate a grisly set of murders.
This is a great homage to Lovecraft, as Stone travels to New England at the request of a fellow mage to investigate a grisly set of murders.
February 9, 2020
Another great read. Could hardly put it down.
February 18, 2020
Great continuation of the series
Another adventure for Stone. Liked the pace of this one. It was nice to see mundane people joining him on his adventures
Another adventure for Stone. Liked the pace of this one. It was nice to see mundane people joining him on his adventures
March 18, 2021
Great adventure
This was a great read. Similar to some of the first Stone books. Plenty of adventure and a little bit of foreshadowing.
This was a great read. Similar to some of the first Stone books. Plenty of adventure and a little bit of foreshadowing.
September 1, 2023
Love craft had to get his ideas somewhere
Alastair learns where! You knew tentacles would show up sooner of later, and this is it. The stars are right
Alastair learns where! You knew tentacles would show up sooner of later, and this is it. The stars are right
April 30, 2025
A couple of years ago, I read the first 19 Alastair Stone books back-to-back. I got a little burned out, and took a break at that point. I decided to dip my toe back in earlier this month. Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve read books 20-26, plus two novellas. And I can’t wait to read more! That will hopefully tell you how good this series is.
This book drew me in from the first lines, as we learn a little about each of the lives of a group of high-schoolers going on a camping trip. One that is followed by murder, mystery, magic, and mayhem. Stone is asked to look into the events that occur after the trip, events that rock the small American town forever. As Stone investigates, it becomes a race against time to figure out what is happening and how to stop it.
Stone is an excellent character. He is interesting and well-written, as are the supporting characters. The tension ratchets up throughout the story, as Stone and Verity try to bring events to an acceptable, if not exactly happy, conclusion.
This book drew me in from the first lines, as we learn a little about each of the lives of a group of high-schoolers going on a camping trip. One that is followed by murder, mystery, magic, and mayhem. Stone is asked to look into the events that occur after the trip, events that rock the small American town forever. As Stone investigates, it becomes a race against time to figure out what is happening and how to stop it.
Stone is an excellent character. He is interesting and well-written, as are the supporting characters. The tension ratchets up throughout the story, as Stone and Verity try to bring events to an acceptable, if not exactly happy, conclusion.
April 18, 2021
The book opens with about 7 high school students going on a weekend school camping trip chaperoned by 2 of the teachers. One of the students finds something, then later that night after all are in bed, he wakes everyone but the chaperones & tells them he wants to show them something. Later, after the camping trip, a number of grisly murders take place. That's when Alastair is called in by a Reverand mage, to investigate.
I love this series.
I love this series.
May 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews