“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?”
Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published: September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Romance, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller/Horror
Stars: 5 Content Rating: 4
Synopsis:
Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion…
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.
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Hello book junkies! Or is that just me? I first fell in love with this book for the cover. Yes, scroll back up and check out that cover. It is so gorgeous. Then I read the title and was so curious. It sounded so intriguing. I added this to my TBR list ages ago and never got to it until a few friends and I decided we needed to read it! Oh my goodness. It was so much better than I was expecting it to be. I’m not even sure what I was expecting exactly but it was so much better than I thought.
It takes what is known of the real serial killer “Jack the Ripper” and puts it into a fictional scenario. This book totally brought the stories to life. Even most of the timeline is correct. The year is 1888 and Audrey Rose is the daughter of a Lord and has all the privilege one could want, only she is curious curious woman who loves science and in 1888 that is just plain crazy. Her uncle is a forensic scientist and does research on the human body. He allows her to study under him and help him puzzle out deaths and crimes along with his apprentice Thomas Cresswell.
When the murder becomes more than one, and the bodies are found missing organs the mystery to solve the case becomes Audrey’s top priority. She has made it her mission to stop Jack the Ripper before another innocent woman is murdered.
I really enjoyed the characters. I love that Audrey Rose is a science geek but still loves being a girl and pretty things. I love the banter between Audrey and Thomas. I enjoyed them together and glad there is a sequel. I do have to say that I did predict the ending but it kept me guessing on if I was right clear till the end. I really enjoyed the ride that was this thriller. I’m not one to read thrillers just because usually I read at night and they get my brain going and I freak myself out. ( I can’t handle them) I gave the content rating a 4 because some of it is pretty descriptive and a little horrific but it was done well. I don’t think it was too much or feel that it would give you nightmares, but I still wanted to warn you.
I already ordered the sequel ‘Hunting Prince Dracula’ and can not wait to continue this series. There is also another coming out in the fall called ‘Escaping from Houdini’ that you should keep your eye out for!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo,
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