Monday, September 19, 2016

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco- I Love A Smart-Ass Love Interest

Audrey Rose isn't like most society girls.  Growing up the daughter of a Lord should mean afternoon teas, coming-out parties, and social engagements.  But Audrey Rose would prefer to be apprenticing with her Uncle in his lab-- performing autopsies on the dead.  It's unusual for a girl in these times to want to work, but to have such a fascination with human anatomy and science, is truly odd.  It also must be hidden.

When gruesome murders begin happening in Whitechapel, Audrey's uncle is called in to consult.  Also hanging around is her uncle's irritating know-it-all student, Thomas Cresswell, who Audrey finds herself disgusted by and drawn to at the same time.  Will they be able to figure out who this psychotic killer is before the body count piles up?










I don't read a lot of books set in the 1800's, but when I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to read it.  I love reading books about serial killers and anything to do with true crimes will totally peak my interests.  I don't think I LOVED this book, but my like-factor was pretty high.  It reminded me of Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger without the technology.

I loved the mix of historical fiction (and the way it felt real to the time period), mystery, slight-Steampunkery, and horror.  I was hot and cold on the romance.  I started off annoyed at yet another arrogant love interest that the m/c says she can't stand, but in her head it's totally obvious she's into him.  On the other hand, Thomas grew on me because he became playful and funny and less over-the-top asshole-ish as the book went on.  I really started liking his inappropriateness, especially for the time period.  I don't think it was common for a man to talk to a lady of such high class the way Thomas did, and I started to find it really adorable and funny.

I did figure out who the killer was early on, and I think it will be super obvious to most people who read a lot.  In that aspect it felt like it followed a certain mystery formula that I've read before.  But in saying that, I don't think it mattered that much that I wasn't shocked by the big reveal.  I still liked seeing them get to that point and seeing the WHY of all of it.

I know this is a series, but I'm not really sure what else there is for Audrey Rose to do in future books.  I guess other crimes that aren't quite as famous as the Jack the Ripper case will pop up??  Whatever she'll be doing, I'll be reading it and hoping to see more of Thomas's inappropriate nature.

OVERALL: A creepy, interesting fictional look at the Jack the Ripper murders in the late 1800's.  I loved reading about life in that time period, and while the mystery wasn't that "mysterious" for me, the book and it's characters were strong enough to overcome it.  I definitely recommend this because it's different and cool and atmospheric.

Date Published: 9/20/2016
How I got this book: BEA- Thanks to Little, Brown & Company and Jimmy Patterson books for allowing me to read and honestly review this book.
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson

Add it to your To-Read List!!



This Book Contains:
  • Violence and gruesome descriptions
  • Historical photographs
  • Aristocratic life
  • Fashions of a lady of quality
  • Autopsy practices of the 1800's
  • Barnum and Bailey Circus
  • High tea
  • A psychiatric hospital for criminals
  • Drug use
  • A look at poverty and class difference in that day
  • The beginnings of forensic science

My Rating: 4/5












Character: Audrey Rose Wadsworth
Book: The Diviners (#1) by Libba Bray

  • Evie O'Neill and Audrey have so much in common.  They both do work for their uncles doing unconventional things.  They're both trying to catch a psychopath and end up inserting themselves into the crimes.  For their time periods they're both pushing boundaries.  I think Audrey would pos-i-tute-ly adore Evie.


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14 comments:

  1. I'm really looking forward to this one! My copy should be delivered tomorrow :-)

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    1. I hope you love it (I kind of think you will!!)

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  2. Great review! I wasn't sure about this one despite my love of hist fic and some creepy books but I like smartass love interests and Etiquette & Espionage! Will have to get it from the library :)

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    1. OMG if you liked Etiquette and Espionage AND you like Historical Fiction, you must try this!! I really think you'll love it.

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  3. I loved this book! Totally creepy and great historical fiction. It might be my favorite debut. And have I flailed to you about the sequel? I don't think I have. I must do that ASAP!
    Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally

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    1. Oh yes I'm dying to know if the sequel is Paranormal or what!!!

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  4. Great review! I've see such good reviews of one and the premise is so interesting that I feel like I really should read this one. Love how you described still loving the why even if not being surprised by the reveal!

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    1. It's weird because if I guess the ending I usually don't end up loving the book. But this one had so much going for it, that I was okay with that.

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  5. I love, love, love this one! I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well. I can't wait for book two!

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  6. I've heard great things about this one and am kind of tempted to read it even though I normally stick to SFF. But Jack the Ripper always makes books interesting, and the characters sound fun! Btw I love how you include the little "this book contains" section in your reviews!

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    1. Thank you!! And this book is good enough that I think even if it's out of your norm reading, you would still like it :)

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    2. I completely agree, Michelle. But I'm totally biased since this is like the perfect book for me, lol. New favorite for sure. The wait for the next one is going to kill me.

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  7. I admit I want to read this because of Thomas. Every review I've read, puts him in a good light so I want to meet him for sure. Also, it'd be great to read a mystery in the time period this is set in. Lovely review!
    Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews

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