Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco || I’m… underwhelmed?

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper #1

Kerri Maniscalco

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.

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson

Published: September 20th 2016

 

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Descriptions of  Corpses/Dissections/Gruesome Murders, Disturbing Images

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“Fear is a hungry beast. The more you feed it, the more it grows.” 

I don’t read a lot of murder mysteries, but I bought the first two books in this series, so why not get to it now? And I must say, I’m disappointed in a way. If I can guess who the killer is 50% in, there’s an issue.

Audrey Rose is a modern woman studying forensic science despite it being looked down upon for women to do so. She works with her Uncle and his assistant, Thomas Cresswell, to autopsy a string of savagely killed corpses to find the serial murderer, Jack the Ripper.

“There’s nothing better than a little danger dashed with some romance.” 

Like I’d mentioned above, horror or overtly gruesome books aren’t usually on my radar, but I’m trying to get into new things. And the concept was interesting— this book would have been great, but it was the slowest thing. I trudged through this one. The visual aids were really intriguing and added to the atmosphere of the story, so that kind of kept my interest when pacing decided to take a break.

However, I really liked both Audrey and Thomas as our focal characters. They were probably the best parts of the story and they make a good pairing, but the duo do have a sort of Sherlock and Watson feel to them, so that was inevitable.

The romantic relationship between Audrey and Thomas was another part of the book that made this read not too difficult to get through. The banter was the best thing, though I didn’t know how to feel about Thomas in the beginning — and I mean the very beginning, but he was so blunt and upfront with his feelings towards Audrey, it didn’t leave much room for angst which I wasn’t in the mood for, so A+.

As I mentioned in the beginning of this review, I guessed who the killer was 50% in. And you know why I’m so upset about it? I’m not that smart. I have missed the most obvious clues before. And when I say obvious, I mean obvious. But the blurb on the back and a certain disappearance for the last 40% of the book made it pretty evident.

And this was just in general really hard to get through. Everything was so long— it wasn’t as if nothing was happening, there was never an empty moment. It just dragged and dragged. Which probably solidified the 3 star rating. However, great story, great characters and it made me feel smart for figuring out the killer so I guess that’s more of a plus?