Stalking Jack The Ripper Series

Stalking Jack The Ripper
Stalking Jack The Ripper Book One
Written by Kerri Maniscalco
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror
352 Pages
Published October 2016
Available from Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★★
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.
A victim is found in East London, a commoner woman and sex worker dissected by the perpetrator. Prohibited by her widowed father and reluctantly encouraged by sibling Jonathan, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has an inquisitive perception for forensic science and investigation, assisting her father's estranged brother Jonathon to analyse and preserve evidence, dissecting cadavers to determine the cause of death.

Audrey Rose is a determined, tenacious young woman redefining societal gender roles during the Victorian London period. Since her mother passed, her widowed father is distant, preoccupied and believes son Jonathon is responsible for Audrey Rose in his absence. As the daughter of Lord Wadsworth, Audrey Rose is a character of contrasts. Inquisitive and courageous in the pursuant of forensic science although remaining feminine and aristocratic. Unconventional in young adult literature and wonderfully distinctive. 

Thomas Cresswell is a student of forensic science and protege of Uncle Jonathon. An intelligent scoundrel investigating the infamous Leather Apron homicides. Thomas is a handsome, charismatic character and although enigmatic, is conscientious and perceptive. Beneath his mischievous disposition, Thomas encourages Audrey Rose and considers the seventeen year old his equal.

Thomas incites discussion and reasoning as the two investigate the slain sex workers, Audrey Rose is confronted by the gratuitous violence against women and compelled in the pursuit of justice. The narrative also explores the relationship between Audrey Rose and her father Lord Wadsworth, widowed and estranged from his brother. Although Audrey Rose strives for his approval, her father forbades her pursuant of forensic science. Victorian East London is exquisite and atmospheric, societal women accustomed to traditional decorum although the modernist feministic philosophy of Audrey Rose is inspirational.

Stalking Jack The Ripper is a remarkable and meticulous narrative, extraordinary and captivating.

Hunting Prince Dracula
Stalking Jack The Ripper Book Two
Written by Kerri Maniscalco
Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror
320 Pages
Published October 2017
Available from Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
Bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer... Or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine... And to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
The snow falls softly in Bucharest as the carriage journey reaches Institutului Național de Criminalistică și Medicană Legală, the Academy of Forensic Medicine and Science in Romania. The prestigious program is discerning and only permits astute, ingenious scholars from Europe and abroad. The villagers of Brașov are speculating the return of the Prince of Wallachia as mortal remains are discovered, the institute castle once home to The Prince of Darkness and a region immersed in Strigoi mythology.

Audrey Rose continues to endure traumatic distress often hallucinating, the remnants of her East London experience. The Romanian school of Forensic Medicine and Science suggests no reprieve as Audrey Rose and Thomas observe a young man slain before arriving at the prestigious institute. The ritualistic slaughter continues as victims are exsanguinated and brought to the institute for a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Once again Audrey Rose is challenged by the male dominated environment, headmaster Moldoveanu a misogynistic, authoritarian man and warden to a charming young woman who is lodging at the institute during the winter. Anastasia provides Audrey Rose with companionship and along with chambermaid Ileana, begin a tentative and supportive friendship. Throughout the narration, mental wellness is a point of contention for Audrey Rose and Thomas, impacting their friendship as Thomas undermines Audrey Rose and her capacity at the institute. Thomas often contends with self impassiveness, preserving his sensitivity but in Hunting Prince Dracula, Thomas begins to dismantle those barriers.

Inspired by Romanian folklore and The Impaler, Hunting Prince Dracula is wonderfully composed, opulent and theatrical. Kerri Maniscalco is a remarkable author, grandiose and accomplished.

35 comments

  1. I'm so glad you enjoyed these! I LOVE Stalking Jack the Ripper and hope to reread it soon before jumping into the sequel.

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    1. The sequel is just as great, a little slower in the beginning though. I loved the Romanian mythology in Hunting Prince Dracula, it felt incredibly opulent. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

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  2. I enjoyed these too. I actually think I loved book two a bit more than book one, but they were both great!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. They certainly were Nicole. I really enjoyed both but for different reasons but both were incredibly atmospheric. I can't wait for the final in the series!

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  3. How did I not have Stalking Jack the Ripper on my radar? This sounds brilliant, I don't even care if the ebook for the second book is a bit pricier. It looks like the second book delves into mental health which is interesting and totally appropriate considering the first book sounds like a whole lot happened so it's good to see the second book handled the aftermath realistically.

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    1. It explores post traumatic stress disorder that Audrey Rose experiences in the aftermath of London. The series is phenomenal Becky and the beautiful slow burning romance is based on equality and support of one.another, which was absolutely lovely. I bought the paperbacks actually which were cheaper than the eBook copies I believe.

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  4. I've had the series on my radar for a while now. I love the era and the premise. I don't know when I'll be able to get to it but I hope I can soon. Great reviews!
    Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review

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    1. I would love to start reading more historical young adult titles too actually, I always forget how much I really enjoy them. A brilliant series though, the mystery, intrigue, slow burn romance.

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  5. I bought the first one because it sounded fantastic, so I am really excited to hear that you really enjoyed the both of them as well. It sounds like the setting is really good and so are the characters. I love how it features the Ripper in one story and Dracula in the other :D so interesting

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    1. Me too Lily. The characters are incredible, I love both Audrey Rose and Thomas as individuals and supporting one another. I do hope you can pick it up soon, would love to see what you think of it.

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  6. This series has been on my radar, and I really want to read it. I love the time period, and am intrigued by the Audrey Rose's pursuit of redefining gender roles in this age.

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    1. It's one of my favourite aspects of the series Sam. Being a young society women especially, she's expected to dress appropriately, serve tea and engage with other women of her ilk. Audrey Rose does but she also believes in women exploring male dominated fields and being treated equally.

      She also begins to wear britches which would have been awfully scandalous during the era.

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  7. Eeep I want to read these!! I generally steer clear of historical fiction, but like EVERYONE raves about these and I also really like the titles.😂 SO. Someone tell me to stop rereading The Raven Cycle interminably and go read these.😂(Not that I'll stop TRC but ya know...)

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    1. You should stop reading those immediately. I insist. Actually, you'll love this series I can almost guarantee it. Murders, intrigue, plot twists. It's incredible.

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  8. Oh, I absolutely adore both of these books! I'm so glad to see that you loved them too. I'll be really interested to see what happens in the third one. I think Audrey and Thomas are exceptionally well-written characters, and I do love my characters. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I'm finding it difficult patiently waiting for book three Lauren. My goodness I love these two, they also remind me of Watts and Mycroft from Ellie Marney's Every series.

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  9. I live for unconventional historical heroines. I must check out this series. I can't wait to learn which historical psychopath the heroine searches out next :D

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    1. It's such a wonderful series Sarah, you'll absolutely love it!

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  10. I always waffle back and forth on starting this series. It's gotten so many mixed reviews.

    I'm (mostly) catching up on my books though so now I can go back and make time and take a few chances.

    For What It's Worth

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    1. Both are brilliant reads Karen and worth making the time to binge.

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  11. I've been hearing about this book everywhere and it sounds fantastic! I love the feminist stand in here and how the writing sounds absolutely captivating. Thanks for the lovely review Kelly!

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    1. You'll absolutely love the series Jeann, it reminds me so much of Ellie Marney's Every Series and the relationship between Watts and Mycroft.

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  12. the cover is very well done! mirrors the weapon and the story perfectly, I am glad the story lives up to the hype.

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    1. The covers are absolutely stunning aren't they, this is one series that not only lives up to the hype but far surpasses it.

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  13. Oh my. I'm loving the sound of this one. And look at those lovely covers! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I may be trying this series once I'm done with atleast half of my TBR ;)

    xx
    Vanessa @ Blushing Geek

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    1. Definitely worth grabbing a copy of book one Vanessa, it's absolutely brilliant! Would love to see what you think of it.

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  14. I hadn't seen/heard of these. They sound fantastic and unputdownable.
    I actually haven't got much in the way of "Historical Fiction" on my TBR, so i'm loving the fact you've brought theses to my attention :-) awesome reviews <3

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  15. I bought the first book in this series just a few weeks ago! I have always been in love with the cover - it is just so PRETTY - and I adore mystery/thrillers so I knew I had to get it when I saw it in my local indie book store.

    I didn't read your review for the second book mainly because I don't know much about it and would love to keep it that way! But I did read the first :D And it makes me even more excited about reading Stalking Jack the Ripper. I like the sound of Audrey Rose and Thomas, especially. And I think I can already tell I'm going to ship it, haha. I'll have to make time to read it ASAP! Thanks for the lovely review, Kelly <3

    (I will just mention that sex workers prefer to be referenced as sex workers rather than prostitutes.)

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    1. My apologies if my words have offended anyone, ignorantly I just mimicked the language the characters used but should have known better. I'll edit that shortly.

      You'll definitely ship the relationships in book two Chiara, there is a beautiful young couple who I can't reveal because their association is a spoiler and an integral part of the storyline. But I loved it.

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  16. I had no idea this was a series, but have seen the first book around and it certainly piqued my curiosity. I must admit it's the second book synopsis that has totally hooked me in though, I'm going to give the first book a whirl! :D

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    1. They're both incredible for entirely different reasons. Book two feels more atmospheric and I really enjoyed the new characters the storyline introduced as well. It's a series I can't recommend enough.

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  17. Part of me thinks Audrey Rose needs a break from stupid men, and the other part of me wants her to show them all just how brilliant she is :) This series just keeps getting better doesn't it? Audrey certainly is a female character I could get behind!

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    1. She's amazing! She's a wonderful balance between determination, beauty and intelligence. I love how perceptive she is.

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  18. Oh I want to read them so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. It's such a wonderful series Joan, I hope you really enjoy them.

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