Review: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
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Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #2
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published September 19th 2017 by Little, Brown & Company
Goodreads Synopsis
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?
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.
Goodreads
Review
Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of my favourite books of 2016, so understandably, I was excited - and slightly apprehensive - when my copy of Hunting Prince Dracula landed on my door mat. However, there was nothing for me to worry about, as this was as good, if not better, than it's predecessor. In this sequel, we follow Audrey Rose and Thomas as they go to Romania in order to train at one of the world's best institutes for forensic science. While there, they find themselves involved in a murder mystery (with the rumour that Dracula has risen and is on the prowl again) and once more, at risk themselves. Audrey Rose is having to deal with her demons after the revelation of her brother's crimes, and her role in society and as a female medical examiner, and it takes all of her wits to remain composed, and alive, throughout the entire book.
The plot in this story was so well written, and plotted that I found myself unwilling to put the book down for anything, but, alas, work and sleep butted in. Everything in this book was necessary, and I still can't believe how gifted an author Kerri is. Her characterisations of all the cast, and not just Audrey Rose and Thomas as the main characters, were so well rounded, that each was their own individual, and didn't just meld into one in the background. I'll get onto Audrey Rose and Thomas in a minute, but I loved how we met Dacia and Ileana, and their whole history too. I really hope these two reappear again in future books, because they were so funny and resourceful, and improved the book, though it didn't need much improving to beginning with.
Now, onto our heroes. Both of them are fantastic, and in this book they proved that my love of them, and their relationship, in SJTR was completely warranted. Audrey Rose has a form of PTSD in this book, because of Nathaniel's heinous crimes in London, and this was shown in such a caring and dignified way. Rather than have a character - no matter the gender - being strong and show no emotion all the time, acting as if trauma has no impact on them, Kerri wrote Audrey Rose in such a way that it was natural, and we saw how she dealt with her trauma in a way that suited her. Thomas was a sassy and fabulous as every, and we really saw his softer side in this book too. He allows himself to be vulnerable with Audrey Rose, and it's palpable how much her cares for her, and vice versa. This book cemented their place on my ultimate OTP list, and I hope we see them progress in their relationship more, in the next book! I can't wait to read Escaping from Houdini.
Dates Read:
September 18-19, 2017Rating
5 Stars
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