Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco- Review

I've seen Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco everywhere on twitter, so I thought I would finally take the time to see what all the hype was about!!

This is set in England in the late 1800's, and it follows the story of Audrey Rose Wadsworth, coming from a prominent family, she is expected to act and behave as a high-society lady. But, we find out, in the first sentence of the book, that is not who Audrey dreams of becoming. She is highly intelligent and sees and wants more for herself then what society expects of her. She is secretly apprenticing with her Uncle Jonathan who is a professor and mortician, training her in this very unladylike profession. We meet her fellow apprentice, Thomas Cresswell, highly sophisticated, extremely observant, and incredibly smart, and did I mention handsome? They slowly warm up to each other and are eventually the ones who decide to take things into their own hands. With dark family secrets being uncovered, along with haunting questions, and even more disturbing answers, the search for Jack the Ripper is much more than it seems.

SPOILERS

I have to say I was slightly disappointed by this book, I think it's because it was extremely over hyped, so I was expecting a very intricate story line along with unexpected plot twists. But, I was left feeling incredibly underwhelmed. The story and plot in general fell flat for me, I wasn't gripping the edge of my seat, it didn't leave me breathless in anticipation. It wasn't HORRIBLE, the romance between Thomas and Audrey definitely saved the book for me, that's for sure. Also, if you are squimish about detailed events of brutal murders, or cutting up cadavers this may not be the book for you. I did really enjoy the creepy, horror aspect of this book. I think it set the scene very well for the murdered women found and the overall chilling events that Jack the Ripper inflicted in real life.

I just felt the fact that the author made Nathaniel, Jack the Ripper?? Like, why? It didn't make any sense to me, at all. He had no real motive, or reason to be so horribly cruel in his murders. I just really didn't like it... he seemed like the easy way out in my opinion. I guessed him from the beginning but was sincerely hoping Maniscalco wouldn't disappoint me like that. I knew it wouldn't be the father because that was TOO obvious, but I just felt the plot of this story was not very strong. The mystery aspect was definitely not it for me. Everything was too convenient, especially the ending? Her father just suddenly is okay with her being a mortician and is willing to send her away to Romania to go to school?? Everything tied up way too nicely in the end for me to make it believable.

Thomas Cresswell and Audrey Rose really are the only reason I was able to finish and enjoy this book. Audrey is such a fierce young woman, she appreciates both the feminine things in her life but also blood, and cutting open people, in a very non-feminine way. But, I have to say, the author made her problematic at times. I will point out at this book is NOT feminist, and if that was the point, it was poorly done. This book was so caught up on separating Audrey from societal rules that it completely ignored and overshadowed other women in the narrative. "I was thankful I wasn't the kind of girl to lose my mind over a handsome face." This was incredibly unnecessary, along with making Audrey the only capable woman in this book. I understand that during this time women were not allowed a place that society did not deem acceptable, but this could've been written a lot better. Also, her Indian heritage is basically just glossed over. Audrey could've easily been a new favorite of mine, and I wish Kerri took more time to reflect on some of the things Audrey does/says.

Thomas Cresswell, please be the father of my children, LMAO. I love him, absolutely couldn't get enough of him. He is SO charming and flirty, but also very grounded and mysterious. I feel like there is a lot left to uncover when it comes to him, in this book we get brief look at his ominous childhood. I really want to understand him more, how can he shut off his emotions so easily? What made him that way? I want to know all the dark parts of Mr. Cresswell. The way him and Audrey are always having witty banter, and always trying to one up each other intellectually!! Ugh, where do I find one? He is described as "devilishly handsome", tall, somewhat detached emotionally, but so insanely observant and conclusive!! The way he could conduct reasoning out of simple acts just through observant... his mind.

Their relationship was ADORABLE. The angsty strangers to enemies to academic rivals to lovers? YES MA'AM! I loved them and omg, Thomas is so SOFT and quote worthy when it comes to Audrey!! "My heart belongs only to you.", "Sit here and I'll rock you gently until you or I both fall asleep." AND "There is something about saying my name that sounds like a blessed curse,". YOU'RE WELCOME!

With everything said, this book was really entertaining, I might try and read the second one to see if it gets better.