Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Jack Spintecătorul. Crimele din Whitechapel

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!

Content Warnings

faelorn's review against another edition

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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.

Content Warnings

gisreading's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. I first read it when it came out years ago and had it stick with me as the years passed, constantly reminded of its beautiful work and characters. Originally picking it up due to my personal fascination of Jack The Ripper, I ended up falling in love (in more ways than one, Thomas Cresswell the man that you are <3) with both Audrey Rose and Thomas, alone and as a wonderful couple. There was no part of the story where I was left bored, or not wishing to pick it up to read more. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Content Warnings

sherylkay's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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kaylin5656's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Kinda gory....but I loved the mystery, read the whole thing in an afternoon. Her and the love interest bicker all the time and are very sweet. I was completely shocked by who the killer ended up being, and the ending caught me completely off guard.

Content Warnings

tabea1409's review against another edition

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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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mals_library's review against another edition

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2.0

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lotasoler's review against another edition

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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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