This is the second installment of Maniscalo’s thrilling murder mystery series, Stalking Jack the Ripper.
Synopsis:
Following the horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper’s true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe’s best schools of forensic medicine… and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life’s dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school’s forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer…or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?
Overall Thoughts:
Maniscalco has done it again! I was so happy return to these characters! Maybe I’m just not good at solving mysteries, but the endings surprise me every time. The first thing I really appreciated about this book, is that it didn’t give away the ending of the previous book. While I would say it’s important to read the books in order for the character/relationship development, you can still read this one without the ending of Stalking Jack the Ripper being spoiled for you.
“I’d say it was pleasant to meet you, your highness, but I was raised not to tell untruths.”
Another element I appreciated was the amount of research this author does when writing her stories. Not only with all the medical terminology, but with the myths and legends she included by the setting.
“To be clear. When you invited me on ‘an adventurous evening,” this wasn’t how I imagined it going, Wadsworth.”
In book 2, Aubrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell’s adventures take them to the icy country of Romania where they attend one of the best schools for forensic science. Or at least fight for a spot to attend. Throughout the story, Aubrey and Thomas are battling for one of two spots against other ambitious and talented forensic scientists — while also trying to solve the mysterious murders happening in the castle. Some stabbed through the heart and others drained of blood… has Dracula returned?
“Focus on how handsome I am. How much you want to press your lips against mine. And definitely do not panic, Wadsworth. If you scream, I am going to join you, and then we’re both in trouble.”
Overall, I found this to be an excellent sequel to Maniscalco’s Hunting Jack the Ripper debut and can’t wait to continue with the series!
About the Author:
For those who haven’t read my review on Stalking Jack the Ripper and Maniscalco’s other book, Kingdom of the Wicked, I’ll include the “about the author” section here too!
Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.
As a child, her grandmother was chronically ill, and taught the importance of always being able to escape on an adventure between the pages of a book, regardless of any physical limitations.
Maniscalco credits her grandmother with fostering her imagination—a stream wasn’t just a stream, it was a babbling brook. And if she looked closely enough, her grandmother promised she might see fairies dancing around the ring of flowers in the backyard.
Her father, a retired chiropractor, had anatomy books and sculptures in his office, which introduced her to her interest in forensics when she was a teen. She was fascinated with his stories of college, where he studied cadavers as part of his degree. It would later spark the idea for her medical-minded heroine, Audrey Rose.
Her mother is another source of inspiration, showing, by example, the many definitions of a strong, capable woman.
More Books by Kerri Maniscalco:
Stalking Jack the Ripper Collection
- Stalking Jack the Ripper (1)
- Hunting Prince Dracula (2)
- Escaping from Houdini (3)
- Capturing the Devil (4)
- Becoming the Dark Prince (Novella)