Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Review by Lauren
source: copy from BEA16; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Groomed to be the perfect highborn Victorian young lady, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has a decidedly different plan for herself. After the loss of her beloved mother, she is determined to understand the nature of death and its workings. Trading in her embroidery needle for an autopsy scalpel, Audrey secretly apprentices in forensics. She soon gets drawn into the investigation of serial killer Jack the Ripper, but to her horror, the search for clues brings her far closer to her sheltered world than she ever thought possible.
Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of the books I KNEW I needed to get when I attended BEA 16, so I was really excited to get an ARC as well as meet the fantastic author, Kerri Maniscalco, who signed my copy. But you’re here to know what I thought about the actual novel, right? Well, it’s amazing. Seriously. I find the Jack the Ripper murders to be fascinating, especially because they were so horrific and yet nobody has officially been named as “Jack.” Stalking Jack the Ripper takes a lot from actual history and creates a new fictional story where a young girl fascinated by science and studying under her uncle becomes entangled in the murders, desperate to know the true culprit.
Audrey Rose Wadsworth is an intelligent and fierce character. She loves science and despite being a young woman in Victorian times, she is determined to learn as much as she can so that she may help people in the future, especially since she lost her own mother to illness. It’s through her uncle that she meets Thomas, who is an apprentice under him as well. Thomas is a bit insufferable at times, but you can’t help but love him right away. He’s clearly attracted to Audrey, though he loves to mess with her all the same. He’s a big of a young Sherlock, often deducing things about people correctly by simply examining them and putting one and one together. I loved that he didn’t care that Audrey was interested in science. He worried about her and wanted to keep her safe, but he also didn’t coddle her or keep her away from the gruesome details of the Ripper murders.
Along with Thomas and Audrey’s uncle, we get Audrey’s father who is lost in grief over losing his wife, and Audrey’s brother, who is desperate for Audrey to be happy but also wants to keep her safe. All the characters just made up the world that Maniscalco “created.” I put it in quotes because this isn’t fantastic. These are real places and these murders did occur, though the author obviously takes artistic liberties, especially when naming the murderer, since they have not actually been solved. I loved the ending, and it was definitely not what I expected, so kudos for that!
I need more now!
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It sounds like a very interesting book! Good to hear that the ending was unexpected and ideal for you 🙂
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
I need this book in my life like now – it sounds fab!
xx
I definitely need to grab this one, I don't think I've seen a bad review for it yet.
I have been reading some good reviews for this one, and I am tempted to drop everything and read it.
Oh this sounds so good! I've been curious about it and now I know I need to add it to my wishlist!
I am in love with this cover!! So glad to hear the inside lives up to the outside!
I really want to read this!
This book sounds so interesting! :D!! I recently got a library card (this is a big deal to me, hahaha)–I hope the library has it!! 😀
Love that cover. It is a really interesting story for sure. Glad you enjoyed!
This books looks interesting to me. Great review, very well written! ♥ Please also check out my latest post about Tokyo Disneyland + a few tips. Hope to hear from you soon! 🙂
Love, Airish
Gorgeous Glance
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I've seen a few reviews for this one lately Lauren and it's making me excited to grab a copy too. I love strong female protagonists, and Audrey sounds brilliant. I love how she bucks the trend of her era, it what would be a male dominated environment. Brilliant review Lauren and can't wait to grab a copy too <3
I so wanted this one! I was sad when I was denied on NG but I really need to buy it!
I am really curious to see if we will continue with these characters and Itoo love how it ended.
That's great you managed to get this book at BEA as you were so excited about it. I am glad to hear it was such a good read. The characters sound fun to read about. And yay for an unexpected ending!
I've seen this book around quite a bit, but never really paid much attention to it, I do like the take the author decides to go with mixing up the factual with the fictional! I'm pleased to see that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Have I ever mentioned I have an incurable obsession with Victorian times!? That said, Stalking Jack the Ripper sounds fantastic! Especially since it offers a strong female protagonist that doesn't seem to shy away from a good challenge 😀 Great review, Lauren!
Oh my goodness, this looks so good! No wonder you wanted a copy! I love the whole premise of this book. Thanks so much for sharing your review. I can't wait to pick up a copy!
I agree that I loved all of the realistic elements that went into the book even though it was obviously fictional. Glad you loved this one – I thought it was a really great, unique read!!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This one definitely sounds interesting – and that cover? It's awesome!
Glad you liked this one. I'll have to keep it in mind when shopping Amazon. 😉
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[…] this time period and the types of ideas he put toward trying to solve a crime. It was a little like Stalking Jack the Ripper in that […]