The Infernal

by Kim Wilkins

Australian musician Lisa Sheehan has got life sussed, but then, one-by-one, her fans start to turn up dead, their bodies hideously mutilated, and Lisa is haunted by memories that are not her own. Can these 20th-century murders be linked to events in Elizabethan England?

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

478 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Also writes under the name of Kimberley Freeman.

Reviews

[Kait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved this book. It's the only book that has honestly scared me, and it was FANTASTIC.

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on Halloween and could not put it down. The wind and rain were hammering outside and my cat was on the bed with me. Scared myself half to death. It has all the ingredients of a thoroughly chilling read that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book!!! It was thrilling, scary, intriguing and suspenseful! I love that it was based in my home town of Brissy. I'd yet to find a witchy book that was up my ally, but this was it! Gilbert can hold a grudge harder than the best of us!

I picked this book up at the Lifeline Bookfest. The brief bio mentions the author was at UQ studying English and this was her first book (in 1997). I googled her and she's now a professor at UQ and has over 25 books published! It was so trippy to see how life turned out for her, it made me feel so happy! I will definitely be devouring as many of her books as I can!

[Celeste Everitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all Kim Wilkins' books and this was no exception. Dark, captivating and always a page turner! This book was like reading two stories at once :)

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a re-read from many years ago (about 25 years ago), and my reading maturity and preferences have changed. I remember liking this book a lot the first time. This time, it was a bit of a chore to get through; it felt padded and a wee bit labored, as if the author revisited plot points over and over in an attempt to either stretch the length of the book, or as if the author didn't quite trust the reader to pick up on the plot, so felt she had to hammer it home. First-person narrative can either work really well, or fall flat. This fell a bit flat. Still enjoyed it, but wished it were a trimmer, leaner, sharper story.

[Chani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Brisbane, Australia this book is centered in and around the live music/band scene, which was exactly where I spent my 20s. Unfortunately I DNF this book because I really enjoy reading character-lead fiction and the stereotypes in this story are not inspiring. I guess I'm interested in reading more stories that jump out of the expected, old cliches and challenge the boxes we have set up. If it were a little fresher I think I might have engaged. A YA reader may get more out of it.

[Maureen Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book when it first came out and I absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it, I remember.

I was going through a lot of old books I had stored away for many years and came across it. I was so happy I still had it.

I couldn't bear to donate it to charity so I've kept it and will read it again. It is a fantastic book.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was outstanding! It had me on the edge of my seat I couldn't put it down, was definitely intimate. Definitely recommend this book

[Jala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read. It plays like a movie in my head!

[Patricia Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the others loved it

[Jessica C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly brilliant.

[Melanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started to read this book, enough time had elapsed since purchasing it that I'd forgotten the synopsis. So my first thought upon reading about her rock band was "Oh dear, another 'War for the Oaks'."

However, that was far from the case. It is a very dark urban fantasy and a horror novel. It centers around Lisa, who slowly begins to remember a previous life in which she was a witch, and ruminates on whether evil deeds in one life can impact you in later incarnations.

There's no Fae; in fact, the only non-human element is barely there. Instead, it's full of witchcraft, Satanism and religious debate over what it really means to sell your soul to the devil.

Like The Autumn Castle, the plot is a bit predictable; the majority of the mystery can be figured out far before the ending. But the writing as well as the creepiness of the action makes up for that.

[Sarah Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern story, of past lives that catch up with you. This one is a definite must for any girl that has ever wanted to escape in to another time only in this story the other time is not left behind but rather catches up to this sassy main characters present. Again another one full of fantasy and horror but exactly the right portion of both to make it extremely exciting and exhilarating. This one has been my favourite for some time……if you can get your hands on it, then don’t let it go!

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive debut novel. My main criticism would be around character development - that is, the characters didn't really change over the course of the novel...or their previous lives for that matter. Still, very readable and a satisfying ending. I can see why it won an Aurealis Award for Best Horror novel.

[Lavender Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn about whther to give this a 3 or 4 star rating as it has been a while since I read it. I really enjoyed the past live set in Elizabethan London but not so much parts set in 90's Australia.

It's not one that i would want to read again but enjoyed it the first ime round enough to recommend it to anyone who likes their fantasy and horror romanced up and with a twist.

[Embla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Australian author Kim Wilkins' debut novel immediately sets the standard for her future efforts: a compelling writing style that brings forward well researched and rich stories where myths, legends and the occult sneak in the lives of contemporary, well defined characters. "The Infernal" mixes underground music with magic and the quest for eternal life: a tool for power or the road to damnation?

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, great time capsule of 90's gothic/rock music scene. Hilarious, true-to-life characters, over-the top spiritual elements (would you have them any other way?), accessible yet intelligent writing.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Have never read Kim Wilkins before but am glad I did. Have bought as many of her previous books as I can get my hands on.

This was one of those books that I didn't want to finish.

If you haven't read this yet, please give it a try. You are missing a treat.

[Lee Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the few books that I actually read while waling around, it was just impossible to put down.

[Michele]

Brilliant!

[Sassbot5000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favorite Wilkins book but I enjoyed it. I didn't feel the magic in this book like I have her others.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Kim Wilkins read and hooked from the first page...

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

she's great. I truly wish she were published in the US..not just the UK and Australia.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

[Ticonderoga Publications · Rating 5 out of 5]

Standard Ticonderoga Disclaimer: We published this book because we loved it!