A review by reka111
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Roses have both petals and thorns, my dark flower. You needn’t believe something weakbecause it appears delicate

The review contains spoilers!!!


Am I writing a review almost a year later?
Yep, that's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation, so let let me explain. Perhaps the easiest would be to say I was lazy (which isn't a lie, I really am haha) but other than that I just couldn't bring myself to really let this book go.

Basically, I really liked the basic concept. The story itself takes us back to the end of the 1800s - which is one of my eras - and reworks the story of Jack the Ripper.  Even today, the identity of the famous serial killer is shrouded in mystery, but this book approaches his punishment from a new perspective.

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Audrey Rose has definitely become one of my favorite female characters. She is a determined and strong character who does not shy away from the male world and pushes forward, defying the norms of the time.  A real wild fire that cannot be extinguished.

Thomas Cresswell. *faints* I think that's enough about him.  He is one of my loves. All joking aside, I really liked that he helped Audrey in his own strange way in the investigation and did everything to keep her safe. I'm not lying when I say that I could choke sometimes.  But really, despite everything, I loved him.

Nathaniel Wadsworth. To be honest, I misunderstood him, and I didn't. I guessed the truth from the beginning, but either I didn't want to accept it, or I simply ignored the fact itself, I don't even know which is the truth. 
I tried not to look at him like a murderer the whole time. If we don't take the actions he did;  that he brings his mother back to life at all costs, that he ruined his sister's life, that he killed innocent women, then I would definitely give him a chance to start his introduction again.
I saw the potential in him, I saw the chance, but he was unable to hold on to the light.
He didn't deserve to die, at least not now
.  He should have been given a chance to change his fate, to avoid going to hell, to see his mother one last time, but he didn't get that and he never will.  I would like to believe that in another universe, in another life, he would have made a different decision.

Jonathan Wadsworth. A true scientist, both in heart and mind.  I liked that he helped Audrey and that he let her develop and pursue her hobbies. He gave her freedom. He didn't deserve to be beaten up, he didn't deserve to be humiliated like that and finally he didn't deserve to be imprisoned. He's a good and smart man, but apparently the time he spent inside left a mark on him, which I'm not surprised at all.

I loved the atmosphere of the book, the place and the many, many shadows that surrounded me while I was reading. So many secrets, so many lies! And no one knows what the truth is.

The plot was easy to follow and fast, you could move with it as easily as a river.  In a word, I loved every single minute I spent with it!

I would definitely recommend it 
to everyone because it is an amazing read.

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