Title: Stalking Jack The Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Release Date: September 20th, 2016
Standalone/Series: Trilogy
Genre: Young Adult – Mystery – Historical
Goodreads link
My rating in stars: 4 stars
My rating in words: Really liked it
WHAT IT’S ABOUT:
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.
MY THOUGHTS (SPOILER-FREE):
“Monsters were supposed to be scary and ugly. They weren’t supposed to hide behind friendly smiles and well-trimmed hair. Goodness, twisted as it might be, was not meant to be locked away in an icy heart and anxious exterior.”
If you ask me, Stalking Jack The Ripper is the perfect read for a dreary, dark autumn night. I read it for the Halloween Readathon and got more than I expected. Though it was not a perfect book and I did have a few issues with it, I still highly enjoyed it overall. Here’s a quick rundown of what I loved and what I loved a little less.
I absolutely loved:
Audrey Rose. Stalking Jack The Ripper has a lovely, spunky, intelligent and brave heroine. I loved her quite quickly and enjoyed her narration a lot. I could see her as a tv show heroine, one you can both look up to and identify with that has a lot of character development to go through but you still root for every step of the way. She was a delight to read about.
Thomas Cresswell and his interactions with Audrey Rose. The super-deductive and know-it-all Thomas is is the perfect Sherlock Holmes to Audrey Rose’s Watson. Together they don’t only form the perfect sleuthing, crime-fighting duo, they are also hilarious. Their funny bickering is a great balance to all the horror and gore of the story. And on top of that, they were made to be shipped.
The creepy, atmospheric writing. The story of Jack The Ripper is one of those classic murder mysteries and the name itself already brings a certain atmosphere to mind. But this story was such an intriguing take on the classic and the writing really helped bring everything to life again. It wasn’t that hard to picture the misty, eerie streets of Victorian London. Especially because of the real and creepy pictures used thoughout the story. Like I said, the perfect read for a dark and dreary night.
The feminism. Audrey Rose is quite ahead of her time and I did enjoy all the feminist themes throughout the book. Yes, it did feel a bit forced at times and maybe even a little too modern for that time period, but I found that I didn’t care that much about that. I loved all the girl power that both Audrey Rose and her cousin Liza demonstrated, both in their own way.
I loved a little less:
The predictability. I figured out the identity of Jack The Ripper about 20% into the story. And once I figured that out, it was painfully obvious the whole time and it took quite a bit of fun from the story. I did still highly enjoy the story as a whole, but I had honestly expected quite a bit more from the mystery.
So while I had a few issues with Stalking Jack The Ripper, overall I highly enjoyed it and am ready for more adventures with this delightful sleuthing duo.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Roses have both petals and thorns, my dark flower. You needn’t believe something weak because it appears delicate. Show the world your bravery.”
“I was determined to be both pretty and fierce, as Mother had said I could be. Just because I was interested in a man’s job didn’t mean I had to give up being girly. Who defined those roles anyhow?”
“There’s nothing better than a little danger dashed with some romance.”
“Wield your assets like a blade, Cousin. No man has invented a corset for our brains. Let them think they rule the world. It’s a queen who sits on that throne. Never forget that. There’s no reason you can’t wear a simple frock to work, then don the finest gown and dance the night away. But only if it pleases you.”
“Without lifting his head from his own journal, he said, “Not having any luck figuring me out, then? Don’t worry, you’ll get better with practice. And, yes”—he grinned wickedly, eyes fixed on his paper—“you’ll still fancy me tomorrow no matter how much you wish otherwise. I’m unpredictable, and you adore it. Just as I cannot wrap my massive brain around the equation of you and yet adore it.
Loved it! I hope you love HPD! Great review!
I’m so looking forward to HPD! 🙂
I really enjoyed this book too, especially Thomas and Audrey Rose. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
Yes, Thomas and Audrey Rose were such fun characters! I’m so looking forward to reading Hunting Prince Dracula too 🙂
I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I haven’t read it yet but I’m completely intrigued. I love a good historical fiction based on actual people – and that era and locale is awesome. I will read this someday!
It’s definitely a fun book, and yes the era and locale are already so awesome 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy it when you decide to pick it up!
I can deal with the predictability so I think I would really enjoy this one. This sounds perfect for me! Brilly review!
Yes it’s definitely such a fun book overall so if you don’t mind a little predictability I highly recommend it 🙂
I’ve had this on my TBR but then I heard some mixed opinions and I have been hesitant. Knowing that you loved it though has me dying to read it again. I’ll definitely be picking this one up.
I’m not really any good at picking stuff up in books… So we’ll see if I can figure out WHODUNIT 🙂
Great review!
I do hope you’ll enjoy this one if you choose to pick it up! And if you do, definitely let me know if you were able to figure out who the culprit was 😉