Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Age: Young Adult
Publisher: Jimmy Paterson
Published Date: September 20, 2016
Pages: 318
Rating: 2/5 Stars
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Listen, I know a lot of people loved this book, and I can totally understand where they are coming from, but… I… just…didn’t…
Content warning: trypanophobia (needles), blood, murder, gore, latrophobia (medical), suicide, autopsy
Characters
I didn’t see much character development at all, especially for the main character, Audrey Rose, and we spend the entire book with her. I just, don’t really know anything about her other than the fact that she likes forensic science and isn’t like other girls. Thomas, someone I see everyone and their mom in love with, was bland to me. I didn’t understand their relationship until the last few chapters of the book.
Writing
One of the first thoughts I had while reading this book was that you could tell that it was a debut novel. The writing felt like it could have aged for a couple more years and it would have been much better if that makes sense. Much of the book was the author telling the reader what to think, instead of allowing the reader to think on their own. The reader is told how strong and independent Audrey Rose is without seeing it for themselves. The ending was the only part that I thought was well-written.
Plot
About halfway through the book, I realized that nothing had actually happened. There was some serious pacing issue, where the narrator, Audrey Rose, would go on and on about her observations of a situation, without anything actually happening. Many of the scenes didn’t push the story forward or give any character development.
Overall, I was really excited about reading historical fiction about a serial killer, a topic I am really interested in. However, I was a little disappointed. I gave a rating of 2 stars because I think the book has some redeeming qualities, and the ending was actually unexpected to me.
Talk to me!
Do you like historical fiction?
What is your favorite horror novel?
Did you like this book? Tell me why!
Let me know in the comments below
Love,
Jackie
I really love Historical fiction books, especially if set in the Victorian Era, but I didn’t like Stalking Jack the Ripper neither Hunting Prince Dracula, the second book of the series. The first was predictable and Audrey Rose was annoying, the second was so slow!
That is exactly how I felt. This was actually my first historical fiction in the Victorian era. I am hoping I can find some others that I enjoy. I was thinking about picking up Hunting Prince Dracula from my library, just for the heck of it, but hearing that it is slow turns me away. It takes me forever to read slow books! I have such trouble pushing through them.
I read this book a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it but I’m yet to pick up the sequel…
I have been debating on whether I will. I placed a hold on it at my library just in case. We will see if i ever read it.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy this too much! Great review!
Thank you!
I started this yearssssss ago, I just put it down one day and never felt the urge to pick it up again. I’m glad I don’t seem to have missed out!
That is exactly what I did with the Peculiar Chilren book. I read a couple chapters and then never picked it up again. I was really close to doing that for this one, but for some reason I really wanted to make it to the end.
I can totally see why people love this book! There are so many good and interesting scenes that I genuinely enjoyed reading.
I hope you enjoy it! I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
im not a fanof historical fiction … but i love horror. so now im kinda tempted by this series?!
The horror is definitely there with this one. More of the gruesome horror type. But I didn’t get any spooky vibes, but that could be because I watch a lot of horror films lol. I’m desensitized. I hope you do enjoy it if you ever pick it up!
I’ve heard so many mixed things about this book but I personally don’t think I could cope with the gore!
It is pretty descriptive. I wasn’t expecting it. But I know a lot of people loved it.