Blog Tour, Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper
by Kerri Maniscalco

BookCrushin is thrilled to be a part of the Stalking Jack the Ripper Blog Tour and for our stop today we bring your our review! Hope you check this newly released mystery out!

 

Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

Category: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Publication: September 20th, 2016; Jimmy Patterson
Purchase: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, Book Depository

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.

 

Review:

[book rating=4/5]

As someone semi-obsessed with true crime in general — and a heavy focus on serial killers — and an infatuation with Jack the Ripper, I was immediately drawn to this story. I really had no idea what all to expect, but Maniscalco exceeded all of my hopes.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth is more than the average girl being groomed to marry. She has a fascination with forensic science and when we are introduced to her, she is participating in an autopsy alongside her uncle. This branch of science is already frowned upon, but even more so when it’s a young girl/woman showing interest. It just so happens that the infamous Ripper killings are taking place and of course, Ms. Wadsworth cannot help but be part of discovering the who behind it all.

From the very first page I found myself drawn into this story. It is such an imaginative tale, entwined with historical events that I found myself captivated. The way Maniscalco wove in fictional elements was quite brilliant. And yes, I completely understand that changes were made, liberties were taken, etc, but they all worked. It is also quite obvious how much work went into keeping details straight while also attempting to stay true to the time period. The mystery element (the whodunnit, if you will) will keep you glued to the pages and have you guessing right along with Audrey Rose.

Every character was brilliantly written. I feel as though they all had quirks that felt modern, but also fit into the period. And Audrey Rose was quite a wonderful little feminist in the making. Her wit, intelligence, and refusal to be anything other than herself made me cheer. She’s relatable to every teen who just wishes to forge their own path. But Thomas? Goodness. Handsome, snarky, inappropriate, and contains a great sense of humor. He’s the perfect companion for our heroine. As they continued to spend time together, I couldn’t help but want a little romance between them. You’ll see. I loved their banter and interactions. In fact, some of my favorite scenes were between the two of them! The rest of the cast is great as well, but you should meet them on your own.

Stalking Jack the Ripper was even better than I was hoping. The historical elements alone were enough to keep me reading, but it was the manufactured bits that made this book even more engaging. It’s filled with twists that most people won’t see coming. I had my suspicion of who the killer was early on, and surprisingly found myself to be correct. However, thanks to the narrative and pieces of evidence Audrey Rose would uncover, I even began to doubt myself. I think half the fun is trying to puzzle out the who and why, and I definitely didn’t uncover the why! This is a great debut and will appeal to readers of any genre.

 

Author Bio: Kerri Maniscalco

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. Stalking Jack the Ripper is her debut novel. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history, and is the first in a new series of gothic thrillers.

It will be available everywhere September 20, 2016.

Links:
Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Instagram ** Goodreads

 

Tour Schedule:

September 20th
A Reading Nurse & The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Welcome Post

September 21st
A Thousand Words A Million Books – Review + Favorite Quotes
With Love for Books – Review
The Brooke Book Bank – Review
Paminthecity – Review
The Eater of Books! – Promotional Post

September 22nd
A Crave For Books – Review
Emily Reads Everything – Review
Jrsbookreviews – Review
Goldilox and the Three Weres – Review
The Reader and the Chef – Promotional Post

September 23rd
Hiver et Cafe – Review
The Avid Little Reader – Review
BookCrushin – Review *THAT’S US*
Reading Is My SuperPower – Review
Two Chicks on Books – Promotional Post

September 24th
Wishful Endings – Review
A Dream Within A Dream – Review
NovelKnight – Review
Soph Reads Books – Review
Waiting For Wentworth – Promotional Post

September 25th
Bookish Wanderess – Review + Playlist
Curling Up With A Good Book – Review + Favorite Quotes
The Best Books Ever – Review
Library of a Book Witch – Review + Playlist
Once Upon a Twilight – Promotional Post

September 26th
coffee and characters – Review + Favorite Quotes
Ink of Blood – Review
Storybook Slayers – Review + Favorite Quotes
Roadside Reader – Review
The Bookkeeper’s Secrets – Promotional Post