The Last Devil to Die

I took my time finishing this fourth installment, not because it wasn’t enjoyable, but because I burned myself out reading the series back-to-back. I always complain when a series is ongoing and I have to wait for the next book, yet trying to finish several completed ones in a row turned out to be exhausting. I really should have paced myself. I need to keep that in mind in case I find myself buried in another series.

As for the book itself, this installment floored me. Not because of the mystery, but because of the heartbreak.

We’ve seen Stephen’s mind slowly decline, but nothing prepared me for that moment of clarity when he makes a decision that completely shattered me. It broke my heart—for him and for Elizabeth. The mystery wasn’t particularly difficult to guess, but the emotional weight of the story made it difficult to keep going. After the letter scene, I had to put the book down for a while. By the time I picked it up again, I’d lost my place and had to start over. That alone says a lot about how much it got to me.

The mystery itself wasn’t the strongest in the series. I suspected the box was the reason for Kaldesh’s murder early on. The link to the university’s archaeology department was a clue that cemented my guess. The heroin subplot served as a clear distraction.

There were still a few good twists, though. I knew Connie was up to something, but I didn’t expect the full extent of her involvement. Ibrahim’s storyline also surprised me, not in a negative way, just in a way I didn’t see coming. I was oblivious. Was there ever a clue from the previous installments? 

One of the best parts of this book for me was Joyce. In earlier installments, I found her a little irritating. This time, though, I gained a new respect for her. What I once saw as annoying was really her way of staying strong. Beneath it, she has a quiet emotional intelligence that shines through. I love her for that.

I already have the next book waiting, but I think I need a moment to grieve Stephen first, much like Elizabeth.