Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #1)

by Kerri Maniscalco

[Beth C.]

Jack the Ripper - a name synonymous with death and mystery. With no one ever proving conclusively who the murderer was, the killings have been used in a number of books - both fiction and nonfiction - to show different theories. Here, we have Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a young lady of some means who has been defying her father and learning about forensics from her uncle. When the first killings grip the city, Audrey is thrust into the horror and anxiety firsthand, as she works to unmask the *real* Jack the Ripper.

As a mystery, the book was only partially successful. I figured out what the big twist was going to be long before it took place, and I'm not always the greatest at that. As a romance, well - it's there, though it seems a bit forced and surprisingly quick to develop - especially considering this is Victorian England. Yes, Audrey is pushing against social mores, but it would be extremely unrealistic to push back at ALL of them at the same time. And honestly, at times, it felt more like Sherlock and Watson, but less convincing.

Overall, it's an ok book. I finished it and didn't detest it, and I could certainly see where some would enjoy what it offers. However, I would recommend borrowing it from the library instead of buying it.