The whole story is sort of like a house of cards so intricately set up but it ultimately falls down. The start of Stalking Jack the Ripper is executed wonderfully. The author, Kerri Maniscalco, sets up an interesting twist on the true story of Jack the Ripper. Where a girl, remember this book takes place in the Victorian Time Period, is studying death and autopsy. The second and third acts is where it falls apart. The second acts doesn’t deteriorate in quality as much as the third, however we can now see some flaws in the Maniscalco writing style. In the character building it is more show than tell especially in the character Thomas. She tells us that he can be cold one minute and charming the next. Maniscalco’s description of the character and his actions doesn't sell you on what she has told you. The third act is where this house of cards falls down. There might be spoilers in this part but the short version is that the main character's beliefs change almost randomly and the ending uses a deus ex machina. One of the biggest clue for the main characters is a WHAT A PSYCHIC TOLD THEM. This breaks the beliefs of the main character who only believes in science and uses a flimsy excuse to justify believing in what the psychic said has said. The biggest flaw is the twist. In a good twist you can see it coming. In this one the author just chooses the twist with the most shock value. Overall, this book is a 2.8/5 due to a stronger beginning and a lackluster ending.
About This Book
Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...
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.
The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.
