Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco Blog Tour: Review and Favorite Quotes

About the Book

Title: Escaping from Houdini Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3 Written by: Kerri Maniscalco Published: June 6, 2018 by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this third installment in the #1 bestselling Stalking Jack the Ripper series, a luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of scandal, madness, and horror when passengers are murdered one by one…with nowhere to run from the killer. .   Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.  But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?

My Review

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at ALA in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I am a huge fan of this series. When I read the first book two years ago I fell completely in love witht he characters, the setting, the mystery, everything. I was so excited to see Kerri again at ALA and pick up a copy of this book. So excited in fact that I didn't wait to read it, something I almost never do. Yes, friends, I read this book three months ago and I waited to share my review.

My favorite part of this book and the series in general is the character. I absolutely adore Audrey Rose. She is such a fantastic protagonist and my favorite kind of female heroine. She's not perfect and while she is completely badass she is still feminine and vulnerable sometimes. But the best part of Audrey Rose is that she is entirely herself and who she wants to be despite what society might expect from her. This book is so much about trying to figure out exactly what she wants with her future. I loved seeing Audrey Rose figure that out even if I didn't totally agree with all the decisions that she made throughout the book.

But my favorite characters are probably the secondary characters. It seems strange to call Thomas a secondary character but I guess that's what he is. Who cares what he is, because Thomas is amazing and my absolute favorite. Thomas is in rare form in this book and is a hilarious and fantastic snark machine. He always makes me laugh especially at the magic shows. Some of my favorite quotes come from Thomas interacting with others. One of those people I love him interacting with is the ringmaster. I don't want to give too much away about him but he is the sort of over the top charming sort of person that I think a lot of people are going to like. I however am hardcore Team Thomas and was a annoyed at him for trying to come between my ship. But I will say, he was a complex and interesting character like a lot of the members of the circus.

Speaking of the circus, this setting was completely amazing. I am not usually a big fan of books set during circuses. I know so many people love fantasies in circuses but for me they always seem too over the top magical and not at all realistic. This however felt realistic. It was grounded in reality of actual circuses at the turn of the 20th Century. I felt the wonder and mystery that characters were feeling and I was just as fascinated with everything that was going on. But I think the characters in the circus also made it all the more interesting. I wanted to know about them and about the circus.

The only thing that I didn't love as much about this book was the mystery. I'll be honest, the mysteries in this book are not at all complicated. I have solved every single one of them and usually I solve them with a throw away comment that leads me directly to the killer who is only revealed. Their motivation is then revealed as the book develops. I am perfectly okay with that. I like solvable mysteries. The only problem however is that there needs to be a good explanation as to why they are doing what they are doing and how it is all connected. Here I didn't quite get that. Even when everything was all said and done there really wasn't much of that cohesion to the mystery. Plus there really was no connection to the overall narrative of the series. I know this series was only going to be three books but then it ended up being four. I think maybe this one just kind of felt like a companion that is connected to the series but indirectly. I wish it had added more to the larger story but maybe it will in the end.

Overall this was a really great read. I loved being able to reconnect with Audrey Rose and Thomas, and to go with them on another great adventure to a fascinating historical circus setting. I wish the mystery was a little more cohesive but I still really enjoyed it.

I give Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalso 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you liked the first two books in the series then you have to read the next book in then series. On the whole this is a truly brilliant historical mystery series and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction or crime novels.

About the Author

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. Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Website: http://www.kerrimaniscalco.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KerriManiscalco
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/KerriManiscalco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KerriManiscalco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerriManiscalcoAuthor

Favorite Quotes

And now as part of the blog tour for this book I want to share some of my favorite quotes. I don't usually make a note of quotes while I am reading but when it came to this book I did do that. There are some overall amazing quotes that just resonated with me. Then there are some hilarious Thomas quotes that made me so happy.

Follow the Tour

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Giveaway

Prize: One ARC of Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco (USA only)
 Starts: 9/12/18
 Ends: 9/26/18

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have you read Escaping from Houdini? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Escaping from Houdini Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3 Written by: Kerri Maniscalco Published: September 18, 2018 by Jimmy Patterson (Little, Brown Books) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this third installment in the #1 bestselling Stalking Jack the Ripper series, a luxurious ocean liner becomes a floating prison of scandal, madness, and horror when passengers are murdered one by one…with nowhere to run from the killer. . Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they’re delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly. But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea. It’s up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer’s horrifying finale?

 
Why I'm Waiting:

I have loves this series from the beginning, from before the beginning. I remember hearing about it when it still had the original name #bookshipster. Either way, the first two books in this series have been some of my absolute favorite books of the past two years so clearly I am anxiously awaiting finding out what happens next in the series. Plus I mean, come on, how cool is that concept? A carnival on a ship with a magic show from Houdini and young women are disappearing... yes, please.

But if I am being completely honest, I want to read this book because I need to find out what happens to my favorite characters. I love Audrey Rose and Thomas so much and I ship them hard so I need them to see them together. And I am hoping for some more Daciana too (still holding out hope for a Daci novella. YOU HEAR ME, KERRI!)

I am definitely going to be picking up a copy of this book. I know that Kerri is going to ALA so I am really pumped to see her again and get a signed ARC but I am also very interested in these audiobooks. I love the narrator and kind of want to listen and refresh on the first two books before diving into this one. But either way I am planning to get my hands on this book and probably multiple copies because I need it real bad.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #2 Written by: Kerri Maniscalco Published: September 19, 2017 by Jimmy Patterson Books (Little Brown Books) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller 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?  Following the grief and 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.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher  in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

This book was so fantastic! You probably know that I was hotly anticipating this book and was incredibly excited to receive a copy in the mail from the publisher. T I loved Stalking Jack the Ripper and I was excited to read the second book in the series for more Audrey Rose and Thomas, more mystery, and more historical settings. And that is exactly what I got. I got an amazing historical mystery.

The thing, I think, that most impressed me about this book was the mystery. I really enjoyed the mystery in Stalking Jack the Ripper but I did find it a little predictable. That was not the case with this book. This mystery definitely came as a surprise for me. There were some aspects that I was able to predict but the big reveal was definitely shocking and I loved that. I do wish there were a little more clues along the way but I'm not too mad at it. It's sometimes hard to catch me off guard and I appreciate a book that is able to do that. Plus I went into this book hoping for an interesting and engaging mystery which is what I found in this book.

I think I may have been more excited about this book than the last one because of the fact that the main mystery and plot revolved around Dracula. I love all books that involve Dracula, be it the fictional vampire or the actual historical figure Vlad Tepes. And I was not disappointed by this one. Kerri definitely did her research into the figure and his history and incorporated them in interesting ways. She also incorporated a lot more of the Romanian and Eastern European folklore as well. It gave the book a great atmosphere and slightly dark quality to it. These books are not scary but the have the perfect kind of fall and Halloween atmosphere for me. I mean we're dealing with serial killers so of course there is plenty of blood and murder. It added a great dimension to the book and because we're talking about Dracula it gave the impression of supernatural quality while still being rooted in truth.
v That's a pretty apt assessment of the book, rooted in truth but still full of atmosphere. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and I like when it takes actual historical figures and/or events and explores them in a more creative way. This book definitely had that creative part down but it also had the historical. I love the Victorian setting because of the tendencies for females to break out of gender norms and that is definitely something that Kerri explores here. But it also such a lush setting. The historical setting here was just that. From the Orient Express to the Transylvanian castle it was amazing to explore these historical settings and what they were like at the time. It was also really interesting to explore what forensics was like back them. This aspect was particularly interesting because of the school that the characters attended. In general I really loved the historical fiction setting of this book.

However, my favorite thing about this book was the characters. In the two books I have become completely attached to Audrey Rose and Thomas. Audrey Rose is a fantastic protagonist. She's tough, resourceful, intelligent, and up for any adventure. I love the fact that she is trying to be genuinely herself even if it's not what is expected of her but also worries about what society thinks of her. She's trying to be a forensic investigator but still maintain her femininity and those are my favorite kinds of strong characters. And then there is Thomas. This is very much a Thomas book as we learn more about him and his past. I absolutely adore Thomas. He's everything also tough, intelligent, and resourceful. And in this book he was even more flirty. He has a great roguish quality to him. Plus, oh the banter. The banter between these two was so good!

This book also had some really good secondary characters. The school allowed us to meet a whole host of new and different characters. Most of them didn't get a ton of screen time which made them not all that memorable but I did like Professor Radu who had this great Remus Lupin quality to him, and Anastasia who was a fun companion for Audrey Rose. But I think my favorite new character was Thomas's sister Daciana. She was really fun and another example of a female who is breaking away from gender norms. Plus her interactions with Thomas were great. But I will say, I did miss some of the characters that were introduced in the first book like Liza and Audrey Rose's Uncle so I hope they come back in the last book. Something makes me think they will.

On the whole, Hunting Prince Dracula was an amazing read. I was hotly anticipating it and I was not disappointed. It had an amazing plot full of mystery and the perfect amount of atmosphere, a great lush historical setting, and amazing characters you will fall in love with.

I give Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! If you liked the first book you have to read this one. And if you haven't read it and you like historical mysteries or are looking for a fall read that is dark but not scary then check this one out.

Have you read Hunting Prince Dracula? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #2 Author: Kerri Maniscalco Published: July 11, 2017 by Berkley (Penguin) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller 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?  Following the grief and 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.

Why I'm Waiting:

I was recently sent a copy of this book from the publisher and I am super excited to read it. Like I basically pooped my pants when I opened this book. I Snapchatted my unboxing so you may have witnessed it firsthand. I really loved the first book in this series. It was my favorite debut of last year and one of my favorite reads. It was that good.

For one thing I really love these characters Audrey Rose and Thomas are amazingly likable chatracters. I am not a hge fan of Sherlock Holmes stories or retellings, or even Sherlock Holmes (don't hate me) but I love these characters even though they are based on Sherlock. I don't know what makes them so much more likable but I did fall for them in the first book and I can't wait to find out what happens next to them.

But also I love the world of this book.  If you know me you know that I am a huge fan of historical mysteries. I love a good mystery in general (Stalking Jack the Ripper had an amazing one) but one that is set during a historical time period is even more up my alley. The author of this book (who is an absolute delight) described the first book as Victorian CSI and that is exactly what it is. It's a police procedural crime scene investigation but in the Victorian Era. It's amazing

But the thing I am most excited about for this book is the new location and new plot. I am a huge fan of books that are about Dracula, especially if they are involving the historical figure Vlad the Impaller who Dracula is based on. One of my all-time favorite books is The Historian so I am really intrigued to see how Kerri handles Dracula and his mythology. Plus getting a look at her Pinterest board I know there is going to be some gorgeous and amazing settings throughout Romania and Eastern Europe.

I was excited about this book even before I knew what it was about or what it was called. By the end of Stalking Jack the Ripper I knew that the sequel was going to be about Dracula and I could not be more excited. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and I can't wait to read my ARC> 

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Hunting Prince Dracula along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Challenge Wrap Up: Debut Author Challenge

In the month of December I've been doing weekly posts and challenge wrap ups. In addition to doing a favorite books of the year thing, I want to talk about some of my favorite books in the categories that I did challenges for. I did a total of four challenges this year and I think they each deserve some individual attention. This week I am doing debuts and the Debut Author Challenge.

The actual challenge is to read 15 debuts a year but I always go crazy and read way more. My goal for the year was to read 25 debuts and I beat that. I read a total of 31 debuts for the Debut Author Challenge hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Yes, that's right, I read twice as many debuts as the challenge, because I couldn't help myself. And as I have read 155 books so far for the year which means 20% of the books I read in 2016 were debuts. That's a lot of debuts.

And while I found some really fantastic ones, I wasn't totally in love. Usually at least one debut is in my top ten books of the year and I don't think that is the case this year. And don't get me wrong, there were some really fantastic ones, and there is a book that was one of my favorites but it's not in the top tier I guess. But seriously, a handful of them were big disappointments. Although we're not here to talk about those books. We're here to talk about the good ones. Here is the list of some of my favorites. In no particular order...

1.) The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads )

This book was on my list of favorite books of the year for most of the first half of 2016 but unfortunately some fall releases kicked it off. Sorry, book. But honestly, it was really good. It's a very close call whether this was my favorite debut of the year or not.

This is one of those books where the lives of seemingly unrelated people all connect in an interesting and compelling way. It feels very much like a contemporary even though it is technically historical fiction. But honestly, I loved that. But I also liked the historical fiction elements. It's set in Alaska during the 1970's making it one of the most unique historical novels I've read in awhile. Plus I really connected with the characters who were looking to get out of their small towns and make something of themselves.

All in all this was a really fantastic and emotional story. I totally loved it and would recommend it to basically everyone. It flew a bit under the radar I think and I wish more people would read it, it's really good.

2.) The Abyss Surrounds Us by Emily Skrutskie - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads)

This is one of those books that was not what I expected but it ended up being way better than my wildest dreams. I'm not sure I knew what I was getting myself into with this book but I thought it was going to be more hard sci-fi with space travel and it was more science fantasy/dystopia/I don't know what to call it.

The only thing I really want to call it is amazing. It had a little bit of everything. For one thing it had pirates, which was honestly super hot this year which I am not complaining about. That would have been enough but it also had sea monsters, trained sea monsters, who attack pirates. Then there is the fact that it has diverse characters and a great f/f romance. see how it had a little bit of everything? Not to mention that the plot was amazingly thrilling that I flew through and loved every second of. It was a really fantastic and engaging story.

This is another debut that I think flew under the radar for a lot of people. It's a really fantastic read that has a little something for everyone. And if you are looking for SF/F with diverse characters then you should definitely pick this one up. But even if you aren't looking for that, read it.

3.) The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You by Lily Anderson - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads)

As soon as I learned about this book I knew I needed to read it. I mean come on, it's a Much Ado About Nothing retelling (shout out to one of the many Shakespeare retellings which I loved this year) with nerdy teen protagonists. That's super up my alley.

And it was honestly so good. Of course when we are talking about Much Ado it's all about the humor and the awkward interations between the characters. This had some really amazing ones. The perfect love to hate romance, great friendships, and just generally great characters. I'm not a huge contemporary reader but I love ones like this. Ones with humor and heart. Plus on top of that there was a fun mystery here and you all know I love a good mystery.

 I would totally recommend this book. If you are a contemporary reader or not, this is a book I think you will enjoy. It's a fast and fun read that you should check out as a palette cleanser or if you are looking for something fluffy. Or if you know, you like nice things.

4.) Kingdom of Ash and Briar by Hannah West - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads)

I didn't even know about this book until BEA. On the first day I was walking around with one of my friends (shout out to Rachael) and she stopped by the publisher to pick this book up and I was intrigued so I too asked for a copy. I'm so glad I did.

This was probably one of the most creative fantasies I read this year. It reads a little bit like a retelling with elements from some of your favorite fairy tales (yes, Sleeping Beauty like the title alludes) but it also had a very amazing fantasy world. It's one of those books that feels familiar and creative at the same time and those are some of my favorite kinds of fantasies. It's not a perfect read but it was a really great YA fantasy standalone and one of my favorite debuts of this year,

If you haven't read this book and you are at all interested in it, definitely read it. I think it's something that will appeal to a broad audience because it's one of those books that is reminiscent of the classic fairy tales and fantasies that we loved as kids but still feels new and different.

5.) Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads )

This book makes my list of favorite debuts because I was honestly surprised by how much I liked it. It's not the kind of book that I would usually gravitate towards but I think that was one of the reasons why I ended up liking it so much.

I'm not a big contemporary reader and one of the things that I liked about this book is that while it is definitely a coming-of-age story it is a book that plays with the tropes of contemporary YA and it does that in such a creative way. There's sort of this book within a book thing where the main character is trying to live the ideal bookish life so she can write the ideal book. That in and of itself was fascinating. But on top of that, the main character of Reshma was kind of terrible. And I mean this in the best possible way. Like this is a book about an unlikable character and I love that.

This is a book that I think will appeal to fans of contemporaries or those who don't necessarily like them. The way that it plays with the tropes will appeal to a broad audience and makes for an interesting read for sure. If you're like me and like unlikable characters then definitely check this out.

6.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco - My Review
(Amazon / Goodreads)

Last but certainly not least, is my favorite debut of 2016 and the one that will be making my favorites of the year list. This is another book that was one of mymost anticipated debuts of 2016 and didn't disappoint. Nope, this book was everything I was hoping it would be and more.

I was super excited when I heard that there was going to be a YA historical mystery centered around Jack the Ripper so obviously I picked up a copy of the book at BEA and met the author who is a delight, by the way. And it was seriously amazing. For one thing it had an amazing historical fiction setting. I love books set in Victorian England because of the built in drama that comes with that setting. But one that had mystery and CSI elements made it even better. And while the mystery was easy to solve, it didn't feel predictable and there was actually a really interesting twist at the end that had me all the more interested and engaged.

Basically this book is total Cassi bait and I loved it. I couldn't stop reading it and I really can't wait for the next book in the series. It was so amazing and without a doubt my favorite debut of 2016.

Honorable Mentions:

7.) The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye - My Review
I was going to include this in my top 6 but I already talked about it in my favorite audiobooks of the year and I honestly think that the main reason I loved this is because it's the perfect book in the audio format and it's narrated by Steve West who is utter perfection.

8.) Ivory and Bone by Julie Eshbaugh - My Review
This was one I really did consider putting in my top six as well. It was really really good. I loved how creative it was with the genderbent Pride and Prejudice, the prehistoric setting, and the semi-first person perspective.

9.) Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - My Review
This is a case where I loved a book in the moment, or should I say immediately after finishing it, but over time I lost a little bit of my love. Although honestly it was a really great YA fantasy and I am super excited for the sequel/

There you have it, all my favorite debuts of the year. I loved a lot of them and despite being disappointed by many I did read some really great debuts this year. But the biggest victory for this is that I read a total of 31 debuts. I doubled the challenge which is not too shabby. For a full list of all 31 books check out my Debut Author Challenge tab.

What debuts did you read this year? What were your favorites? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper Series: Untitled #1 Written by: Kerri Maniscalco Published: September 20, 2016 by Jimmy Patterson (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion... Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.  Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.  The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at BEA. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

You probably know that was a book that I was seriously looking forward to. It's a totally me book and I've talked a few times about how this was, without a doubt, one of my most anticipated debuts of this year. And I am happy to report that I loved it! It was everything I was hoping it would be, a fantastic historical fiction book with a great mystery and engaging characters.

I'm a big fan of historical fiction and Victorian England is one of my absolute favorite time periods to read about, which is one of the reasons I was looking forward to reading this book. And the historical aspect here was totally fantastic. I love Victorian England because it's a time where strong female characters are starting to break out of their gender norms and societal expectations. It makes for a really great conflict and characterizations. And here that's what I got, but it was kind of subtle but I appreciated that. It explored some interesting themes about the changing society and the role for young women of means in that society, but it didn't go into a lot of depth. That wasn't the focus of the book, it was just one interesting facet.

No, the focus of this book and the historical fiction aspect was about Jack the Ripper. That was a huge part of the plot and setting of this book. I'm not super familiar with the actual Ripper murders but you can tell that the author is. She did her research into what happen to each of the victims and it's particularly gruesome sometimes. And the book and history was elevated by images from the time period including crime scene photos, anatomical diagrams, and letters written by the actual murder.  It was another interesting layer to the story that helped immerse you in the time period and the story. Speaking of the story, the author also crafted a totally different reason as to how and why this particular Ripper did what they did. I usually enjoy this kind of historical fiction where actual events are used as the back drop for original people and events and I enjoyed that here for sure. It made for a great read.

However, the thing I do know about Jack the Ripper is that the actual murderer was never discovered so there was some wiggle room there. And that wiggle room then lead to a great mystery. That was one of my favorite parts of this book. Here the mystery is simple but solvable. I had a few potential suspects but it wasn't until the very end when it all unfolded that I was really able to figure it out. I hate when a mystery drags you along despite you knowing the answer, and that didn't happen here. There was a lot of suspense and doubt while at the same time there were clues unfolding. It kept me engaged and interested through the whole thing. And that to me is the mark of a good YA mystery.

As for the characters they likable and engaging, especially the main characters. They definitely have this whole Sherlock and Watson thing going on, which I surprisingly appreciated. I don't really love Sherlock but here having the Watson be our protagonist and using the hyper intelligent mystery solving sparingly helped. They were able to create charismatic characters who work together well and did a great job at solving mysteries. It's not something I typically enjoy but here is worked. And as far as the secondary characters go, with my uncertainty around who the murderer was it made for a fun blame game as I analyzed the characters which made me appreciate their complexities. All in all it all worked well together.

But a lot of things about this book worked. Stalking Jack the Ripper is a fast and engaging read. I didn't want to put it down, I breezed through it in a few days with a couple days of break in between and I honestly wish I could have read it in one sitting. It would have been easy to do that. It's a fantastic historical mystery and a great debut, maybe even my favorite debut of the year so far.

I give Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. Definitely buy this book. It's seriously fantastic. I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries or anyone looking for a quick YA read with a good mystery. Plus then you can start flailing with me about the prospect for the second book in this series. I was chatting with the author on Twitter and she shared her Pintrest board and it looks seriously fantastic. I cannot wait!

Have you read Stalking Jack the Ripper? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper Author: Kerri Maniscalco Published: September 20, 2016 by Jimmy Patterson (Little Brown) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...  Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world. The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why I'm Waiting 

I could probably not be more excited about this book. It has been on my TBR for about a year now when I first heard about it back when it had a different name and was just a synopsis. It's a total me book. For one thing it is historical set during the Victorian era with a strong female protagonist who is subverting genre and society's expectations to be who she want to be not who they think she should be. Then on top of that you have the serial killer mystery elements and the fact that it has period photographs. Everything about this sounds creepy, complex, and captivating.

This has been one of my post anticipated debuts for the fall and I was so excited to get a copy at BEA and meet the author. Kerri was so sweet and it was great meeting here. Plus it means I got an advance copy of the book and can read it as part of ARC August which is super exciting.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Swan Riders along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Lines You'll Find Me in at BEA

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF BEA! If you were not aware, I am currently off in Chicago attending all the crazy, hectic, exhausting event known as Book Expo America. I f you have been following me for the past few years you know I like to do a top five books I'll be waiting for at BEA. It's just a way to highlight some books that are there and to inform anyone going what lines you can maybe find me in. So if you're there and you see me, say hi.

1.) Heartless by Marissa Meyer
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 8, 2016 by Macmillan

Synopsis: Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Why I'm Waiting: This should be pretty obvious, I loved The Lunar Chronicles so I would basically read whatever Marissa Meyer wrote next. But this is a villain origin story, something I love, about the Queen of Hearts. Seriously, sign me up.

2.) Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Black
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 6, 2016 by Harper Teen

Synopsis: Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest

Why I'm Waiting: I have not read any Kendare Black despite her stuff seeming like something I would love. But this is very much up my alley. Dark fantasy with political intrigue and three slightly villainous ruler. Total me book.

3.) Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulhurst

(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 22, 2016 by Balthazar + Bray (HarperCollins)

Synopsis: Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine (called Mare), sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, each discovers there’s more to the other than she thought. Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. Soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.

Why I'm Waiting: The world, and especially my life, needs more f/f Sci-Fi/Fantasy. SO obviously when I learned about this book months ago I knew I needed to read it. I was so excited to see that it was at BEA so it's one of my must haves.

4.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: September 20, 2016 by Jimmy Patterson (Little Brown Books)

Synopsis: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion... 

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why I'm Waiting: I love historical fiction and honestly the darker and more mysterious the better. Not only is this book just that but it takes place during one of my favorite periods to read about and it has a strong female protagonist that subverts gender norms. I've been following this book since before it had a name change and I'm so pumped for a copy.

5.) Gemina by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 18, 2016 by Knopf (Random House)

Synopsis:The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Why I'm Waiting: I only just got confirmation this would be at BEA but I could not be more excited. I absolutely loved Illuminae. It was so creative and engrossing and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm slightly nervous because I don't read books about aliens but come on, I have to read this one.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you at BEA with me? Will I see you in any of these line? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!