Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

30 reviews

kathrynleereads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Not being a big fan of fiction (although I am more partial to historical fiction), I wasn't sure whether I was going to enjoy Stalking Jack the Ripper. So when I say I loved this book, I want you to understand how deeply I mean it. 

While the plot did drag a little in the middle (which I've heard is true for a few of Kerri Maniscalco's books), the characters more than made up for it. 

Audrey Rose and Thomas are the perfect team in that neither of them is perfect, but their imperfections complement each other flawlessly. 

My only complaint (not even a complaint, more of just a note) is that I correctly guessed the identity of the Ripper in the first 50 pages (mostly off of a fluke). I was very convinced that I was right, so watching Audrey Rose focus on all the different suspects they went through got a tad bit frustrating, as I was confident they were wrong.

I can't wait to see where Audrey Rose and Thomas go from here!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Gore, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Cannibalism, and Medical trauma

Minor: Sexism and Stalking

faelorn's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I got Stalking Jack The Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco for $5 at a Barnes and Noble sale, so I went into this book blind. The blurb was one quote on the back - something that would ordinarily turn me away from a book - but I bought it nonetheless. A cheap book will always do me in. That being said, it was a good book. I typically don't particularly like YA novels - especially not romance ones (gasp, I know) - but this one was genuinely enjoyable to me. Audrey Rose is a fun FMC, and I can see her inspiring any young adults who read this book to pursue their career even if they face stigma, just as she does. At first, I was going to rate this book somewhere around 3.25, but the day after I finished it, I found myself actually a little sad that I couldn't read the book more. I think that alone shows that I quite enjoyed it.

The Good:
- This is a fun read. The pacing is good, the two main characters have fun chemistry, and it balances suspense with character emotion well. I found myself lost in time reading this, and I really enjoyed that.
- I did not guess the killer! While in hindsight it was a little obvious, the book does a great job of controlling where your suspicions lie through the characters.
- Okay, I have a soft spot for egotistical MMCs. I'll admit it. Thomas was perfect. He's teasing, annoying, and the perfect mix of rolling-my-eyes-at-him and enjoying how he interacts with the FMC, Audrey Rose.
- I love how much it focuses on the crimes, as grim as that sounds. It's hard to balance romance and suspense, and this book does it well! I liked the pacing around it a lot, and really enjoyed how the detective work had it's own time to shine. The medical procedures around the bodies of the deceased were also really interesting.
- I loved the little section at the end of the book that explained changes the author made from real life events. It was super fun to read and you could tell that a lot of respect for the real-life victims was there.

The Iffy:
- This is 50/50 for some people, but wow do they not spare you the details of the crime scenes. Just be wary if you have a weak stomach.
- I know I'm meant to dislike Audrey Rose's father, but I wish we saw more redeeming qualities around him. He was painted as a tortured man who lost his wife, but didn't see much sympathy around it. Spoilers for a key event ->

I also didn't think him kicking Audrey Rose out of the house was in character. It's a nitpick, I know, but I can't imagine such an overprotective father just saying "alright, I give up. To the streets with you, lil' miss."

The Bad:
- Wow, Audrey Rose cannot fathom not being related to Jack the Ripper. Admittedly, her assumptions are fair, but even when someone points out it may not be the case, she banishes the thought immediately. I would've loved to see more uncertainty about it, or more denial of the thought, really.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Death of parent

thettvpanda's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Stalking, and Murder

uselesspirateraven's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Sexual violence, and Religious bigotry

writerique's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I found this book, back when I read it years ago, to be quite enjoyable and it actually is what got me back into reading. I really enjoyed the chemistry and clean YA romance for the age I was, and the mystery was enthralling. I also loved how the author touched on sexism in such a vital era in the world and how that affected the protagonists development. However, I found the plot twist to be a bit out of left field and perhaps a reread would be beneficial, but the ending, imo, fell flat to me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

The book has images of various topics within the medical examination field, however none are graphic.

tabea1409's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

tmholsman_1994's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely fell in love with this story when I first read it and I just fell even more in love with it upon reread. This was my first historical fantasy book and I fell in love with the genre. I really loved Kerri Maniscalco's take on Jack the Ripper. I love how Audrey Rose didn't care what society thought of her fascination with studying science and dissecting bodies. instead of doing what society deems appropriate. I loved the growth of Audrey and Thomas' relationship and I am very excited to read more of their adventures. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Cannibalism, and Death of parent

Minor: Mental illness and Suicide

lotasoler's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

kartandbag's review

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I decided to reread this (since the last time I read it was 2017-2018? And I just got the last two books. 
I went through and annotated and it gave me a fresh view on the book. I think I cried when I found out who the killer was before, but this time around  I'd gone through all the clues and knew who it was by the end. 
It being a historical fiction adds to the definition of the main character being a women, she's often looked down upon but she almost never allows it to get in her way. 

And I have to say, I think I also fell for the love interest by the end. (though, maybe not book boyfriend worthy; Yet!) 

It took me around 4 days to finish the book (while I read all of Acotar in a span of a week) so I'd say it is a slower read to really grasp every ounce of information. 

I also loved that she adds information at the end of the book so you really capture what information she used to inspire her and be accurate. 

Stay tuned for Hunting Prince Dracula, as Ill be rereading and annotating that one as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Classism

Minor: Confinement, Terminal illness, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Stalking

vixenreader's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Despite how tricky the premise is, it is much more respectful than you think it would be. The romance is a bit trite, but it does become quite sweet over time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Beware of dismemberment, prostitution, abuse of prostitutes, fear of disease, whorephobia, poverty, and death of a sibling.