Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper
This book has been on my TBR for a long time, and I was not disappointed. Stay tuned for my review of Stalking Jack the Ripper!
Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: 5 stars
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Date Published: 20 September 2016
Goodreads Description: 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.
Spoiler Free
I loved this book. I’m going to rave about it today. I’m a true crime fanatic, and the Jack the Ripper case has always intrigued me. I have all the Ripper case files, notes, crime scene pictures, newspaper clippings, everything. I even did a presentation on him (or her, I kinda like that theory) in high school. This book appealed to my inner Sherlock Holmes. I love a good mystery, and the dark twist at the end gave me so much satisfaction (not in a weird way).
Maniscalco’s writing style is amazing. It pulls you right in and it’s very easy to read. The feminist in me also wanted to yell most of the time, this book gave me so many emotions. Audrey Rose is not a normal 1800’s woman. She’s fascinated by science and medicine, but her father doesn’t approve at first. The book is macabre and gruesome and morbidly fascinating. I would give anything to be Audrey Rose, solving crimes with the handsome Mr Cresswell. The vivid and gruesome descriptions only add to the realism of it all, making me feel as if I’m right there with Wadsworth and Cresswell. I would read this book over and over, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.
Characters
Wadsworth: Audrey Rose is my favourite female character, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a feminist. Okay, that’s a lie, I am. It makes me so mad when a man thinks he can control a woman, or when a man thinks he owns a woman. If I lived in 1888, I would be Jill the Ripper. Audrey Rose handles it with such class, still following her own head and using her logic and brains to solve problems. She’s beautifully written, as well as all the other female characters. Wadsworth is reckless sometimes, but so is Sherlock Holmes. Audrey Rose is seeking the truth and nothing will stop her.
Cresswell: SWOON. I don’t know what it is about arrogant assholes, but I love them. Cresswell is rich, handsome, cold and intelligent. He compliments Audrey Rose beautifully, who is the more emotional one, but he has his own depth and his own story. The banter between him and Wadsworth is gold, and it only adds to the tension between them. I love his sarcastic quips. I love everything about this man.
Spoilers
I’m skipping this one because I honestly don’t want to give away who Jack the Ripper is in the end. The story takes a Frankenstein twist, which I loved. READ. THIS. BOOK.
Story and Plot
I have to be honest here, I was almost sure Cresswell was going to be Jack the Ripper. I had several of my own existential crises because I was in love with him too. What does that say about your own psyche if you fall in love with a serial killer? NOTHING GOOD. I need this book to be made into a TV series. The story was so good, it kept me guessing until the very end. There were so many misdirects, but logical misdirects. I followed Wadsworth’s train of thought perfectly. She made logical leaps and conclusions, even if she was reckless from time to time. I hope her relationship with Cresswell grows further in the next few books because they are OTP.
General Thoughts
What did you think about Stalking Jack the Ripper? Are you a true crime fan as well?
You can find more of my reviews here.
I’m so glad you loved this one. I really did too, and I’m a huge true crime fan and I find the case of Jack the Ripper to be fascinating! I hope you like the second book just as much. 🙂
-Lauren
Thank you! I definitely need to get my hands on the second book.
I have not heard of this book. But now after reading your review I shall certainly add this to my tbr pile.
Also I love how delicate and beautiful yourblog is.
Thank you so much. Stalking Jack the Ripper is definitely worth the read.
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the review 🙂
This sounds like something I could really get into. Great review and thanks for the book recommendation!
oooooo sounds good! I love books like this and will have to add to my towering TBR!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I still haven’t read this but your review has gotten me intrigued now.
I’ve seen this book so many times at the store. I need to just get it and stop thinking about it.
Yes doooo it. It’s beautifully written.
I haven’t read but loved reading review looks like a interesting one will add to my tbr
This sounds stellar! Excellent review
I love this review! I have this book coming in the mail today and I am reading it for EmojiAThonso I’m glad you loved it!
I hope you love it! Please let me know your thoughts after you finish.
I am intrigued! Great review.
I ADORE this series! Creswell is even more swoony in Hunting Prince Dracula!! I can’t wait for Escaping Houdini.
I feel like I’ve seen this one and was mildly interested, but your review has renewed my interest!!
I have this on my to-reads! So happy that you loved it!
I’m not a huge fan of Jack the Ripper but I do find the different fictional accounts written are quite fascinating.
I really need to read this book as it looks so good and I love Jack the Ripper stories. Great review
The cover looks really interesting but doesn’t sound like my type of book.
OOOOooohhh. Yes PLEASE!!! Fantastic cover. Fantastic title. Fantastic synopsis. And Fantasti review.
Thank you so much!