Reviews

Stalking Jack the Ripper // I’m Spooked

Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published On: Sept. 20, 2016
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Genre: YA Fantasy, Thriller

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Synopsis:

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.

Wow, hello Halloween!!

Nothing like starting off October with a terrifyingly creepy retelling of the Jack the Ripper story to set the spooky mood!!

I’ve had the first two books of this series on my shelves for awhile now, and I got this urge yesterday to finally pick up the first book.

This book is dark. Like, I thought I was ready for this one, but I definitely was not. I tend to stay away from books that I know are going to really creep me out, but since this one is YA and has been highly regarded within the book community, I figured it was a relatively safe bet. And it was, but I still turned all my bedroom lights on while reading.

**There will be spoilers in the bottom half of this review, so please tread with care if you haven’t read the book!**

  • The plot was super fast paced: At some parts I did think it dragged a bit, but when I really sit down and think about everything that happened, I can’t really imagine any moments that I wouldn’t have included. Things just went from one point to the next and it kept me on my toes the entire time.
  • The clues sprinkled throughout: From the very first chapter, I noticed that the author was sprinkling in little details and sewing seeds of distrust about all of our characters. I imagine this is a common thing done in most thriller/suspense books, but I did realize the intention and admired her for her foreshadowing!
  • THOMAS: Like need I really say more? For some reason I went into this thinking he was this like tall, shy, timid boy and I was SO wrong. I’m glad. I adore his snark and could see his feelings for Audrey Rose growing authentically. He’s so charming yet kind of an ass and incredibly vulnerable, too, which made me so soft for him. I can’t wait for him to continue to steal my heart in the next books!
  • The romance was fast-paced without feeling rushed. While not a main plot-point, I think some may find the romance a bit too insta-lovey, because it does move pretty fast. I felt that it was just right (given that the rest of the story moves quickly), and enjoyed seeing these characters grow together.
  • It was like, super gory: I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad one, but it’s the first book I’ve read that was explicitly dark in this way and it was definitely interesting to read! I did have to skip over a few pages at the ending though, because that was just a liiiiiittle too far.
  • The way that Audrey Rose and Thomas embrace their differences and don’t let society tell them who they’re going to be: This is a two way street, so see my notes in the dislike category as well, but I loved how Audrey Rose and Thomas were basically like “screw decency, we’re doing ____” and did it. Like more-so with Thomas than with Audrey Rose because she definitely comes against some challenges, whereas Thomas is just so unapologetically himself and I ugh I just adore that boy.
  • The “feminism”: Yes, Audrey Rose is a baddie and isn’t going to let herself be tied down to the traditional roles of women. However, this book still had a lot of “I’m unique BECAUSE I don’t embody the traits of other women”. Maniscalco writes these traditional pretty, Victorian era girls who are only focused on tea parties and gossip and then juxtaposes Audrey Rose next to them to make her more likeable, which to me just isn’t it.

SPOILERS BELOW!!! BEWARE!!

  • The ending was….a lot?? Okay, I won’t lie and say I ~totally~ guessed who the murderer was from the beginning, but I did by about the 75% mark. I would’ve really liked how this story wrapped up if it wasn’t for them about to let him go. Like, this man just brutally murdered and dismembered multiple women and you’re just going to….let him run away because you don’t want to see him dead? Audrey Rose says multiple times throughout the book that she won’t rest until she sees justice for these women, but when it’s finally time for justice to be served, she turns her head and looks the other way. I think I lost some respect for her, and she definitely became a lot more juvenile after making that choice.

SPOILERS END.

I mean, I loved this. Another one that I read in 24 hours. I think it was the perfect book to kick of October and I’m planning to dive right on in to Book 2.

My rating:

Have you read this series yet? What do you think? Do you approve of my choice to kick off Halloween?

Thanks, guys! (:

15 Comments

  • Jenna @ Bookmark Your Thoughts

    I thought the first book was okay. I feel you with the ending though! And I do love the subtle feminism in the book but still staying historically accurate as much as possible. I’m reading book two and it’s better. Parts of me binge it and parts of me get bored. We shall see ha-ha!

  • Linda @ flourishreader

    So glad you did a review for this one! 🖤 I binged book 1 & 2 in two days and couldn’t put both of them down. I have to agree on most reader’s opinion that compared to the rest of the series SJTR is “okay”. I might have said that already but the sequel is great!! 🧛‍♂️ And, talking about Thomas: I like the banter with Audrey Rose and he just is one of the sassiest characters I have ever read about. 😎

    • erin

      Totally relate – I’m already halfway through Book 3!! I think you said you loved Book 2 which I 100% agree with, that setting?! Amazing!! Honestly I’m annoyed w Audrey Rose right now (with the whole “circus” thing…) but I’m hoping we get back in Audrey Rose/Thomas saving the day in Book 4!! ♥ ♥

  • Dini @ dinipandareads

    Great review! I had super high expectations for this one and I think that might’ve been the reason why I felt let down by it. I mean, I liked it but I was expecting to LOVE it because everyone and their mum seems to and said I would, so I had a bit of a sad *womp womp* moment. It was definitely scarier than I expected though! Oof, reading this with a small night light and then encountering some of the photos in the story was a shocker for sure 😅 Totally agree with what you said about the ending. But also, like, it was so obvious by then and at that point I was basically shouting at the book going: “you both are supposed to be super smart! how are you not seeing all the clues?!” 😂Haha

    • erin

      I think it’s super interesting to see how people feel about this one!! I missed the period when it was being SUPER hyped, but yeah it’s hard when there’s so many people talking about it and setting high expectations! Maybe that’s why I loved it so much – I missed the 2016 hype!! The photos are SO spooky oh my gosh like don’t hit me with those at 1:00 AM please Kerri Maniscalco!!! My heart cannot handle it 😂 ♥

  • Tasya @ The Literary Huntress

    You read very fast haha I was just commenting on your other post 😀 I have this book for a while on my TBR now and I hope to get to it this month since it just seems perfect for the weather. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I heard a lot about Aubrey’s “feminism” and I don’t think I would enjoy it either, but I’m happy the other aspects still hold up well.

    • erin

      Oh my gosh I’ve FLOWN through this series, I’m already on the last book! I think it’s probably one of my favorite series of all time now, god help me 😂 Yes definitely definitely read it this month, it’s the perfect season!! Hope you love it ♥

  • Ali

    You read this so fast, that alone makes me interested. I’ve heard so many things about it and Thomas Cresswell, I’m verrrry curious. The “I’m not like other girls” thing is so annoying to me in books though! Why must author’s include that pointless trope in their books?!

    • erin

      For sure give it a try, I guess it’s not for everyone but it sure as heck was for me!! It gets a bit better throughout the rest of the series, but oh yes that first book like c’mon miss Kerri I did not need that trope!!

  • Ruby Rae Reads

    YES YOU SAID EVERYTHING THAT EVER NEEDED TO BE SAID. I’ve only read to book three, really liked the second book but book three is absolute trash. I just,,, geez really struggle wit Audrey Rose and her fake ass feminism ugh. Thomas Cresswell carries the series on his back tbh. Glad you had such a good time with this one <3<3

    • erin

      Oh totally, book three is such a disaster but so far book 4 has made up for it!!! Thomas Cresswell is the loml and I literally cry that he’s not real ugh I need more Cresswell content!!

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