A #1 New York Times Bestseller 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 … 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.more
If you haven’t read this first book by kerri maniscalco ,your missing one of the best debut reads of all time!!! Stalking Jack the ripper was a incredible read and I love the twist’s and turns and the characters where just as fabulous!! I have read many versions of the ripper,but I will say this is the best one yet!! I have always loved Victorian gothic reads and this one is full of everything I love about gothic genre from a smart strong female heroine Audrey rose to a loveable and likeable thomas. The chemistry between Audrey rose and Thomas is awesome. I did not see the ending of this mystery coming,I read it twice because the twist was so good. I can’t wait to read more from this awesome young writer.Kerri maniscalco is one hell of a storyteller and I’m a fan for life!!
“Stalking Jack the Ripper” by Kerri Maniscalo puts me in mind of Laurie R. King’s “Beekeeper’s Apprentice” but with a more modern pacing. That’s to be expected, I suppose, since “Stalking Jack the Ripper” is shelved YA. This tale set in Victorian England follows a young noble lady with a nose for forensic science. It boasts mystery, adventure, a dash of history, and a splash of romance and a dollop of feminism. As the name indicates, it is part of a series, and one about which I’ve heard a lot of good.
This book had me from the very first line. Audrey doesn’t like the way society views women, and instead of sitting around and drinking tea all day she would rather hang out with her uncle and help him discover better ways to help save lives. In this she has to deal with working with dead bodies. The bodies start to become quite worse when a madman is on the loose tearing apart prostitute’s bodies and taking from them what he desires. A determined girl and a frustrating boy begin a hunt to find this viscous creature of the night.
I absolutely loved this story, and at times I forget that it is not just a story but actual events that did occur, and it is maddening that someone could have actually done the things to these poor ladies that Jack did.
I have always been interested in the Jack the Ripper story and have done research papers and saw the movie From Hell. I think it is so fascinating because the crime was never solved and even today there are so many theories on who he actually was.
In the story Audrey is one of my favorite characters to date. She just seems so real and she is strong and willing to stand up for herself, and Kerri didn’t make her into an annoying feminist that is trying to hard but an actual woman that most girls should look up to despite the horrendous events that occur and surround her.
Thomas is the boy that helps and frustrates Audrey, but she can’t help being attracted to everything about him. She meets him through her uncle and he is smart and determined and together they make the perfect team, and I loved them so much.
When Audrey’s uncle gets accused of being Jack she becomes even more anxious to discover the killer to prove her uncle’s innocence. Things become more intense than they already were.
This was a spectacular YA mystery/thriller. I was addicted to every scene up unto the very end and apparently there will be more books in the series which I can’t wait to read.
STALKING JACK THE RIPPER is the first novel I have read by author Kerri Maniscalco. I would describe this as historical fiction, mystery, thriller, and a splash of romance.
“I fully believe this is only the beginning.”
Set in London during the Jack-the-Ripper murders, we go back to a time where men have all the power, and a woman’s natural role was to become a good wife and manage the household.
Our main female character has other notions. Instead of studying embroidery and looking for a prospective husband, she sneaks out of her father’s home to assist her famous Uncle, with human autopsies.
“Science had never abandoned me the way religion had . . . ”
I loved the historical context of this novel. The characters were engaging, the banter quick-witted, and descriptions lacked for nothing. The only thing I felt disappointed in was that the “murderer” was someone I immediately guessed. However, the fact that this did not deter me from eagerly flipping the pages to see what would emerge next makes me feel as though the murderer’s identity was not the most important element overall in the tale. Rather, the dynamics between the other characters, and historical reverences were key points.
“Roses have both petals and thorns, my dark flower. You needn’t believe something weak because it appears delicate . . . ”
Audrey Rose is mentally not the type of girl one would expect in this era, yet she knew enough to act the part when necessary. The author paints her as having a foot in each world, in my mind. While capable of putting on the airs of a wealthy woman in public, her quick sarcasm–not to mention, assisting in examinations of cadavers–makes her a unique character that I couldn’t help but enjoy learning about.
Then we have the other main character, Thomas Cresswell. Instead of polite (boring) banter, his wit is even quicker than Audrey’s–with a large dose of self-appreciation thrown in.
“. . . The day Thomas Cresswell didn’t show off his brilliance was the day I’d find a unicorn for a pet . . . ”
Overall, I really enjoyed this historical fiction/mystery–even if the “mystery” part was transparent. The writing style was strong and fluid, filled with accurate descriptions of scenes, and dynamic characters that I never grew sick of.
On to the next challenge!
Recommended.
I’ve come to realize that finding a book that will truly change your life is one of the rarest things of all, but I had no trouble finding this book and falling in love within seconds. This book had everything that I never thought I needed: Action, romance, feminism, wit, and tension. It is a pure masterpiece with excellent characters. I am so sad to see that this series is soon coming to an end, but Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell will be with me always. Thank you, Kerri Maniscalco. Thank you for giving me a reason to get up in the morning.
As mentioned before somewhere, I stupidly read the second book first not knowing when I started that they connect, I thought it be different cases and different people. BUT I’m soooo happy to report that it did not take away from the experience and fun reading this book. I also should mention that while I listened to the book I also have it in paperback and read along and check out the awesome some creepy pictures in the book.
She must not have mentioned or I missed it who Jack is in book two because to be honest I had no idea… of course I had several ideas throughout reading this book but must say I didn’t expect that. I really liked her writing whole it is technically historical it also is sooo modern and fun to read.
Audrey Rose is so much fun. She is strong, funny and won’t let anyone stay in her way…… she also is way ahead in her time. I don’t know what else to say about her other than she has become one of my favorite characters.
Thomas is like the perfect match for her and their bantering is just priceless and yet also very ahead of time. I just loved them and you can tell the chemistry between them is off the charts.
I also really enjoyed her uncle, not only was he rather funny he also supported her in many things and not only the Forensic Pathologist part, which by the way was also super fun to read about. From a time when medicine was still very much new and researched.
I still think this would make an awesome TV show but I also would be worried that they would mess it up…. . Overall and in short I loved this book and the second book and look very much forward to book three.
I rate it 5 full
Wow! Why did I wait so long to read this book. From the first sentence of this book I was hooked.
Also Thomas Caswell… <3
I can't wait to read the next book!!
This book was just amazing. The characters were awesome, especially Audrey Rose. She defied the status quo, and that is magnificent. She made herself a tough woman who doesn’t need a man. Besides, I love to hear potential love interests bicker. The book was full of suspense, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout reading it. I also am curious about the serial killer Jack The Ripper, so the title jumped out at me. I was expecting it to be good, but it exceeded my expectations and became one of my favorite books. Of course, I say that about a lot of books. I knew who it was from the beginning, I was able to guess pretty easily, but the book made me question my guess. If I had been able to guess that means that I might not want to read the book anymore. However, this book was still able to keep me until the end, despite my guess being at the very early stages.
All in all, it was… good. Not amazing, not horrible, just… good.
I did absolutely adore both the medical and the mystery aspects. Both were equally fascinating and loads of fun to obsess over. I appreciated the reinforcement of how powerful the women were; Audrey Rose and Liza were easily the most enjoyable, and I would have loved to see more of their dynamic. One thing I didn’t necessarily like, however, were the rest of the characters. They didn’t feel as if they got enough page time, and their personalities were quite bland +/ infuriating (looking at you, Blackburn and Thomas). The “romance” between Audrey Rose and Thomas was frustrating, to say the least. Thomas was so blatantly sexist, but the fact that I was supposed to dismiss this because Audrey Rose fell instantly in love with him and he had half-baked family issues was the cause of a wish to throw this book at the wall.
I do recommend this, if only for the awesome plot and vivid descriptions.
Also: I KNEW IT WAS HIM! The signs are there if you truly look 😉
Firstly, let me say I am not a big reader of historical books and I am a bit squeamish when it comes to cuts, or cutting something open *gags* but I really wanted to give this a go as I desperately wanted to read Hunting Prince Dracula.
And I was so glad I did!
Thomas Cresswell was a very nice surprise as well as the very strong character of Audrey.
Audrey, who prefers cutting up dead bodies than taking tea which is polite society in the era she comes from.
And can you believe it. I was halfway through and I read a spoiler, a massive spoiler. *throws toys out of pram*
Why oh why do people have to do this? It wasn’t even on a retailer and it had no warning! But I carried on even though I knew what was going to happen. Le sigh.
Even with that, this book was dark, graphic (gag!) and so, so fascinating. Morbidly fascinating!
• •
: Stalking Jack the Ripper
: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
: Kerri Maniscalco
: 4/5
I actually had a hard time getting into the book in the beginning. I had the pick up the book for a second time in order to get into the book. Once, I did get into the story, it was really captivating. I liked Thomas as a character and somehow he reminded me a bit of Sherlock Holmes. He was just himself in his own unusual way. The other different types of characters made the story really intriguing as well. What I liked the most was Audrey her character, she was strong and I loved how she tried to find her way as a woman in those times. I also liked the historical aspect of the book, I don’t read a lot of those, so this was a nice change for me and I feel like it was done well. I felt that the plot was a bit obvious, so that was somewhat disappointing. I guessed early on who the murderer was, but I still liked how everything was revealed in the story. Even though, I liked this book a lot… I am not sure if I will read the next book in the series. Oh well, never say never I guess. I think this series will be especially interesting to those who like (serial) murder mysteries and Sherlock Holmes with a strong female lead.
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
This book was amazing finished it in a week.
Fans of crime and horror fiction, as well as those who love blending reality with fiction will likely find a story filled with potential in Stalking Jack the Ripper.
The premise of the story itself was incredibly fascinating. Unsolved mysteries and historical fiction are fun topics to delve into. I did find all the characters likeable enough and am hoping to spend more time getting to know them in the subsequent books in this series. Unfortunately, I found the story to be a bit tedious. I was hoping it would pick up, but I found it never really excited me. However, it was still a good story and I plan to continue with the rest of the books.
The ending was quite heartrending. It leads the reader into thinking about what it might feel like to be torn between protecting the one you love and setting wrong to right. Sometimes the ones we love do terrible things. It’s complicated to love someone and also know they cannot continue as they are. I also really appreciated the author’s humanization of prostitutes. These vulnerable people are humans as any other, yet many harbor hatred toward them or dismiss crimes against them. I’m glad the author allowed for consideration of how these women came upon hard times and did not deserve what became of them.
I recommend this story if you like historical fiction, horror, crime fiction, unsolved mysteries, thrillers, and sleuthing.
I am reviewing an ARC of this book.
This entire series is amazing! Victorian England, interesting nods to literature and history of the era, and a tilt – not a reversal, but a pretty good tilt – on the idea that a Victorian woman would need to immediately marry someone she fell in love with. I love Audrey’s love and interest in medical sciences, particularly post-mortems. I love the mystery-solving aspect. I love the suspense and action. And I love her interactions with her love interest. It can be a little trope-y, but in a way that is endearing, and again, there’s that tilt on the theme of how Victorian women are expected to behave!
Stalking Jack the Ripper, first in Young Adult James Patterson Presents series by Kerri Maniscalco. Audio version narrator is Nicola Barber–prefect accent for the time period. I liked the characters, the plot and the setting. The strong Audrey Rose would rather spend time cutting up cadavers with her uncle and his helper than to do needlework or drink tea. A dash of romance, gore, mystery, and suspense drive this fun read. I enjoyed it— and already have the next 3 books in this series.
I loved reading this book and the rest of the series. I liked the how the mystery unfolded. I never would have thought that the villain would be her own brother. I also liked how witty and entertaining the characters were.
I enjoy an exciting murder mystery and this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. I love the main characters in the book and enjoy reading the second book. Look forward to reading the 3 book soon. I also plan on looking in more of the authors book and find some more exciting books to read.
I was a bit sceptical starting the book. I was not sure if I like it in the beginning but I pushed through and I know that Audrey Rose and Thomas are going to be my favorite couple
She is so spontaneous, so lovely and he is her anchor. I loved their chemistry and I loved the mystery, even though I figured it out soon enough.
I have to admit though that Audrey Rose can be a bit annoying with her prudence and fixations.
I will keep reading the series and I’m sure it’s gonna get better.
I have no words. Incredible Book. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series
Hum… well… I really wanted to love this story, but to be honest it fell flat for me. Everything about this is my jam: Victorian London, 1880’s, serial killer, strong intelligent leading lady, handsome smarta** love interest… I just didn’t feel it. There is nothing “wrong” with the story, it was just too predictable (I guessed the killer at 15%) and the story spent too much time on London life and too little on the murders for my taste. I will admit I was never wholeheartedly intrigued with this I read it because people said I had to to enjoy the next book. Not great, certainly not bad, but lacking. I would recommend it to others though. On to Dracula.