Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

11 reviews

kartandbag's review

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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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vixenreader's review against another edition

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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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iseefirede's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0


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m4evzie's review

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adventurous dark informative mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

3/5 stars.
first half was so booooooooring and cluttered with info! and the author cant write a good empowering female character for shit bro
😭 audrey is just so “i'm not like other girls!" and her character doesnt seem to have a unique trait whatsoever? and its just too unrealistic, i swear.
what a way to start 2024 i guess.
i mean, for a bit, the plot was intriguing and i was engaged with it by the 60% mark, but the ending disappointed me too much.
thomas was a fun character tho, not particularly well-written, but he’s charming and quick-witted and probably has adhd a.k.a i like him the best bc hes just so me.
props to this book for giving us absolutely nothing!!!!

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tiramisuandpasta's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.75


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wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

5.0


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jia_pet's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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ivy123's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

I am so happy to start the year off reading something I really enjoyed.

Stalking Jack the Ripper sees our main character Audrey Rose investigating the Jack the Ripper murders alongside her uncle and a quick-witted companion Thomas. This was an interesting fictionalization of the murders in a way I had not seen before and I loved the banter between Audrey and Thomas.  The historical photographs copied onto certain chapters were an entertaining touch making the world feel even more real. I also loved Audrey's determination to study forensics and anatomy against the wishes of others and her flaws making her a believable character. I did not exactly see the twist coming at the end of who Jack the Ripper was but it also did not seem so surprising when revealed.

At the same time although I loved this novel I can see where others are coming from in their critiques. Audrey does appear the Watson to Thomas's Holmes and the I am not like other girls trope was screaming at you from the page from the moment you set out. However, these things did not really bother me as I was entertained the whole way through. I also did not set out thinking this would be 100% accurate to it's real-life counterpart and Kerri Maniscalco is honest that creative liberties were taken with the facts to fit the story. This was ok as well since I did not go in looking for a historical book.

Overall a great debut novel and I can not wait to start the next in the series.

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melis_246's review against another edition

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

0.75

The ending was shit

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bubothereader's review

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adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m not normally a huge historical fiction fan, but @kerrimaniscalco knows how to write one that I want to read.  
The intrigue, the plot, the gasps. I read about 300 pages in one night up until 3:30 a.m. because I didn’t want to put it down. 

The characters are top notch, her foreshadowing is superb, without being heavy-handed—I didn’t know what would happen, but when the reveal occurred I saw all the dominoes fall into place. Such an Agatha Christie move!! 
The atmosphere was bone-chilling. I’d get scared and put the book down, shake it out, then pick it right back up. 
The writing was a great style for Victorian England as well. Very believable. 
The romance was something I shipped and felt natural. No insta-love. Very well-paced. Plus, i appreciate that Audrey Rose didn’t lose her head about him either—she questioned him and his motives. A reasonable approach to a relationship. 

This is a 5-star read for me. I’ve not felt this jazzed about a book in a few months. Will pick up the sequel next year!

TW: the book is fairly gory, deals with murder, shows autopsies, and has some gaslighting moments. 

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