The fifth book in the New York Times bestselling series by L.J. Smith.

The Asylum is the fifth book in L.J. Smith's bestselling Stefan's Diaries series, which reveals the backstory of brothers Stefan and Damon from The Vampire Diaries series. This paperback features cover artwork from the hit CW TV series The Vampire Diaries, starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder.

Trust has never come easily to Stefan and Damon, but now that Samuel-a vampire from Katherine's past bent on revenge-is determined to ruin their lives, the Salvatores must join forces to defeat their foe. Samuel has already ruined Stefan's chances at a normal life, and now he's framing Damon for the Jack the Ripper murders, too. With the help of Cora, a human girl, Stefan and Damon track Samuel from the glittering ballrooms of London to the city's asylum, which Samuel uses for his own nefarious purposes. However, while finding Samuel is easy, Damon and Stefan quickly learn that stopping him may be nearly impossible.

Full of dark shadows and surprising twists, the fifth book in the New York Times bestselling Stefan's Diaries series raises the stakes for the Salvatore brothers as they face new loves, old treacheries, and unimaginable threats. Fans of L. J. Smith's New York Times bestselling Vampire Diaries series as well as the hit television show won't be able to put the latest Salvatore adventure down.

In a city stalked by a legendary killer, can the brothers trust each other long enough to survive?

• Brothers at Odds: Stefan and Damon Salvatore must set aside their bitter rivalry to face a common enemy. But old wounds run deep, and their fragile truce could shatter at any moment.
• Historical Fantasy: From glittering ballrooms to the city's darkest corners, this supernatural thriller plunges the Salvatores into a gaslit world of secrets and danger.
• Jack the Ripper Reimagined: When Samuel frames Damon for the most infamous murders in London's history, the brothers must race against time to clear his name before he's captured.
• Katherine Pierce's Shadow: The villainous Samuel is a ghost from Katherine's past, and his quest for revenge will unearth secrets that will change everything the brothers thought they knew about her.