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A review by alexiab
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
this book was somehow exactly what I expected and not at all what I expected, but overall was an enjoyable ride. the mystery aspect was fairly predictable, but I'll assume that's the YA aspect of the book popping out.
I expect the rest of the series will further develop Thomas and Audrey Rose since they really didn't do much other than try to solve the mystery, but the lack of development in their relationship and just jumping to "HEY I THINK WE'RE IN LOVE?" was a little jarring. Considering how often the book reminded the reader of the time period and "propriety" it was surprising to see so little time spent on actually building any kind of romance between them other than the casual flirting Thomas would throw around. Shouldn't my mans be trying to court her? shouldn't they be bonding? I'd like to have seen them spend more time actually *talking* to each other.
I know the book was trying to make us sus Thomas from the get go - what with the blurb on the back basically setting him up as the killer - so that might have gotten in the way of their relationship actually feeling flushed out since half the book Audrey Rose thought he might be a murderer, but COME ON. I NEED MORE.
ALSO I was *very* surprised to see that Audrey Rose - and I suppose her brother as well - was half Indian and yet it didn't play a bigger part in the story. I loved the way she would be thinking about the Indian food and sari's her mother brought her in her childhood, it was a nice layer of their culture weaved into her past, and I would like more of that to be present in the story. especially a period piece. how would her ethnicity affect her life in 1888? there's no way she's just strutting about in a white man's world with zero racism around her. and while I'm all for not making every character of colour experience racism (because man, poc deserve more than just stories about racism) if we're gonna do a jack the ripper story I gotta think 1800's england was at least SOMEWHAT racist?? feels like we're just ignoring the topic by removing it entirely. if we're gonna constantly remind the reader that Audrey Rose has a hard time as a woman, we can't pretend racism doesn't affect her life as well.
also WHY IS THERE A WHITE LADY ON THE COVER IF SHE'S HALF INDIAN? definitely selling this book the wrong way. yeesh.
anyways. decent story. I'm looking forward to seeing if there's improvement in their relationship as the series goes on.
I expect the rest of the series will further develop Thomas and Audrey Rose since they really didn't do much other than try to solve the mystery, but the lack of development in their relationship and just jumping to "HEY I THINK WE'RE IN LOVE?" was a little jarring. Considering how often the book reminded the reader of the time period and "propriety" it was surprising to see so little time spent on actually building any kind of romance between them other than the casual flirting Thomas would throw around. Shouldn't my mans be trying to court her? shouldn't they be bonding? I'd like to have seen them spend more time actually *talking* to each other.
I know the book was trying to make us sus Thomas from the get go - what with the blurb on the back basically setting him up as the killer - so that might have gotten in the way of their relationship actually feeling flushed out since half the book Audrey Rose thought he might be a murderer, but COME ON. I NEED MORE.
ALSO I was *very* surprised to see that Audrey Rose - and I suppose her brother as well - was half Indian and yet it didn't play a bigger part in the story. I loved the way she would be thinking about the Indian food and sari's her mother brought her in her childhood, it was a nice layer of their culture weaved into her past, and I would like more of that to be present in the story. especially a period piece. how would her ethnicity affect her life in 1888? there's no way she's just strutting about in a white man's world with zero racism around her. and while I'm all for not making every character of colour experience racism (because man, poc deserve more than just stories about racism) if we're gonna do a jack the ripper story I gotta think 1800's england was at least SOMEWHAT racist?? feels like we're just ignoring the topic by removing it entirely. if we're gonna constantly remind the reader that Audrey Rose has a hard time as a woman, we can't pretend racism doesn't affect her life as well.
also WHY IS THERE A WHITE LADY ON THE COVER IF SHE'S HALF INDIAN? definitely selling this book the wrong way. yeesh.
anyways. decent story. I'm looking forward to seeing if there's improvement in their relationship as the series goes on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Medical trauma, and Murder