Stalking Jack the Ripper Review

Synopsis from Edelweiss:

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.

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.

About: Stalking Jack the Ripper is a historical young adult mystery written by Kerri Maniscalco. It was published on 9/20/16 by Jimmy Patterson, an imprint of Little, Brown, and Company, 336 pages. The genres are young adult, historical fiction, mystery, and horror. This book is intended for readers ages 15 and up, grades 10 and up. This is the author’s debut novel. There are 4 books to this series: book 1 is called Stalking Jack the Ripper, book 2 is called Hunting Prince Dracula, book 3 is called Escaping from Houdini, and book 4 is currently untitled. According to the publisher’s website, “Little, Brown and Company was founded in 1837 and for close to two centuries has published fiction and nonfiction by many of America’s finest writers. Early lists featured Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Emily Dickinson‘s poetry, and Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, all of which are still available today.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Stalking Jack the Ripper on 1/11/18 and finished it on 1/22/18. This book is a terrific read! I love the humor most of all. Audrey Rose’s brother Nathaniel’s “well-placed quib” makes me laugh to no end. I like following Audrey Rose’s thinking process, especially of her competitiveness with Thomas. I also like her strong determination to pursue her interest in forensic science despite the blockage with her father’s disapproval and it being a men’s world. I like Thomas’ puzzle solving skills and his devilish/charming/shameless flirting. I like Audrey Rose and Nathaniel’s brother and sister’s relationship.

This book is told in the first person point of view following Audrey Rose Wadsworth, 17, an aristocrat daughter to the overprotective Lord Edmund Wadsworth. Edmund’s brother is Jonathan, a Professor specializing in medical examining of cadavers. He and his students dissect dead bodies of murder victims and figure out the cause of death. The year was 1888 and schools in this particular profession are for boys. In order for Audrey Rose to follow this profession, she would have to dress as a boy. Furthermore, she will have to lie and make excuses to leave the house if she wants to apprentice in her Uncle’s laboratory because her father doesn’t approve of her passion. Among her classmates, Thomas Cresswell is brilliant and he knows it because he constantly challenging her in the theories of what the murderer did to his victims before they fall into their death. It irritates Audrey Rose that her body reacts to Thomas’ handsome face, but it also brings out her competitiveness to prove his theories wrong. Jack the Ripper has claimed to be the serial killer but finding out the real identity of who Jack is worries Audrey Rose because of the trail leading from the victims to the people she knows. Time is running out while she’s debating whether they are truly capable of murder or if it’s just a coincidence.

This book is very well written and developed. Despite the horror with cutting up cadavers, it’s still tolerable to read. All of the characters are all well liked. The plot is interesting. I like the black and white pictures throughout the book. It helps with imagining the story as I read. I like the shocking reveal and I’m glad to not have guessed who Jack is because the read is much more enjoyable. Thomas’ humor is contagious and I smile at everything he says. I love the ending. One thing I love most in a historical fiction is the sophisticated language. I devour the proper smart conversations. I love those intelligent insults that doesn’t sound like an insult because it’s well worded. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!

Pro: cover, fast paced, page turner, suspense, mystery, sophisticated language, humor, witty,

Con: none

Spoiler (Highlight to read): Nathaniel kills off many people to obtain parts to bring his mother back. Nathaniel is Audrey Rose’s older brother.

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping:  Book Depository

About the Author:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside New York City, where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. Stalking Jack the Ripper is her debut novel. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history. (Photo obtained from Goodreads and info obtained from Edelweiss).

More Information about Jimmy Patterson Books

Website: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/imprint/little-brown-and-company/jimmy-patterson | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimmyPattersonBooks | Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimmy_books | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmypattersonbooks

***Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from the library and my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine