Sophie Reads YA: Jimmy Patterson

2020 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

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2019 New Release challenge

Review: Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4) by Kerri Maniscalco

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Capturing the Devil
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #4
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published September 10th 2019 by JIMMY Patterson

Goodreads Synopsis
In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?
Goodreads

Review
This book, I think, will be difficult to review. Firstly, because of how much I have adored this series, especially the first two books; and secondly, because of how disappointing the third book was. I know many people, after Escaping from Houdini, were contemplating not finishing this series, and I will admit that I was one of them, at first. I didn't know if Kerri would be able to bring the series, and especially the characters, back to the amazing selves after whatever had happened in EFH, but I needed to have some closure, if nothing else. Well, I am glad to say that I adored this book, and Kerri had managed to salvage my love for Audrey Rose and Thomas right at the end.

Now that they have arrived in America, and are overcoming the difficulties they faced on the crossing, they are hoping to marry as soon as possible. They love each other more than anything, and even a case of murders at the Chicago World Fair won't get in their way. While working together to try and discover who is behind the disappearances and the murders, they're also planning their wedding, and won't stop at nothing until they are married. That is, until a spanner is thrown into the works. Now faced with heartbreak, once again, it'll take them everything they have about them, and within themselves, to survive with their hearts intact, both literally, and figuratively.

Like I said, this book was as if EFH hadn't happened, and we had the Audrey Rose and Thomas that we have always loved. None of the silliness or complete 180's we had in EFH, but their characters were as perfect as when we first met them, and their love for one another was obvious to anyone. I've always thought of them as one of my OTPs, and this book has helped to cement them in that status. I am sad that the series is done, but happy with how it ended, and really can't wait to see what Kerri does next - I've had Kingdom of the Wicked preordered since January!

Dates Read:

September 14-15, 2019

Rating
5 Stars

4 Stars

Review: Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3) by Kerri Maniscalco

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Escaping from Houdini
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #3
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published September 18th 2018 by JIMMY Patterson

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?
Goodreads

Review
I feel so conflicted writing this review. After loving both Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula, I was expecting that this book would be the same, and I would fly through it as soon as I picked it up, and never wanted to put it down. I had such high hopes, and in the end, I was disappointed - so much so that I nearly DNFed the book, and said goodbye to the entire series. Going into the book, we meet Thomas and Audrey Rose aboard the HMS Etruria, crossing the Atlantic on their way to the United States with Audrey Rose's uncle Jonathan, for a new case. On their week long voyage, they are expecting to relax and enjoy their selves, de-stressing after the Romania case. Yeah, like that will ever happen with these two! Rather, young women of the upper classes are going missing, with some even turning up dead in awful scenarios. As such, Audrey Rose and Thomas as drawn into the case, and soon Audrey Rose - as usual - finds herself at risk, as she fits the profile of the victims, down to a T. The Carnival is also in town, with Mephistopheles at the helm, and they slowly draw Audrey Rose in, to the detriment of all.

Now, I haven't ever hidden the fact that I love Audrey Rose. In both of the previous books, she was well rounded, real, and just fantastic. This book was like a complete 180 on her character. She changed so much, that I had to force myself to read the book until the very end, with the wish that she would redeem herself in some way. I've seen other reviewers complain about this same fact, but Thomas was bland and hardly ever in the book. His whole persona was destroyed in this book. If I'm being honest, the introduction of Mephistopheles was the catalyst that caused this book to be so disappointing. He was added as a second love interest for Audrey Rose. Why did we need that?! Audrey Rose & Thomas are engaged - and happy - and the adding for Mephistopheles was just a plot point that neigh on ruined everything. He managed to turn Audrey Rose's head with nothing - there was nothing about his that I could understand that would entice Audrey Rose, but there we go. She became so secretive, and treated Thomas horribly, and I ended up hating her by the end of the book. I'm not even going to talk about Audrey Rose and Thomas' relationship in this book, because to do so would just make me scream, and none of us want that!

The plot in this book was the weakest of all three, but that could be because I don't find the circus or carnival that interesting, though the introduction of Houdini was a nice plot point. It's basically because Mephistopheles was shoved down our throats at every turn that cause me to sort of skim read a lot of the book, even though it took be four days to complete. The final chapters, and epilogue in particular, are the main reason this book is a 4 star read, and the only reason why I've pre-ordered Capturing the Devil is to see if Kerri can reclaim the story back to what I've loved, or whether I should just imagine the series ended at the last page of Hunting Prince Dracula. Let us hope Capturing lives up to my expectations!

Dates Read:

September 20-23, 2018

Rating
4 Stars

#RockMyTBR 2017 Challenge

Review: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco

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Hunting Prince Dracula
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, 2017

Rating
5 Stars

2016 Debut Author Challenge

Blog Tour & ARC Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Stalking Jack the Ripper #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

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Stalking Jack the Ripper
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson

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.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This in no way impacted on my view.

After my Easter holidays, I went back to uni and knew the next few months would be hectic. It was may last semester, I had one essay and three exams, and then I would graduate. So, like any self respecting student, I decided to find a new tv show to binge. My choice: Ripper Street. In about ten days, I watched all four series of it, and became somewhat obsessed with Jack the Ripper. So imagine my surprise when I got a notification on twitter that I had won a copy of Kerri's upcoming debut, all about Jack the Ripper - it seemed like fate. Because I'm in England, I had to wait a little while for my copy to get here, but once I did, I dropped all my revision (luckily my assignment had already been submitted), and dived right into the book.

Stalking Jack the Ripper is about the unconventional Audrey Rose - a 17 year old, daughter of a lord, who spends most of her time with her uncle in a morgue. She prefers the act of undertaking to being in Society, at teas, balls, etc. When her uncle is approached by the police to investigate a series of gruesome murders, she finds herself drawn into the seedy underbelly of life in Whitechapel in the 1880s.

I adored Audrey Rose. This era in British history is one of my favourite, and YA heroines always fit the bill nicely. Audrey Rose isn't some dowdy, girl from the Ton; no, she is strong, and knows what she wants, and will do anything to get it. Fortunately, her uncle supports her plans, even if her father does not. Her favourite times are spent with her uncle, investigating, and even the presence of the arrogant Thomas Cresswell doesn't dampen her spirit. When it seems that Audrey could be in explicitly linked with the so-called 'Leather Apron', her and Thomas's investigations bring them to danger at every turn.

There wasn't a lot of romance in this book, but the foundations were laid for more to come, and now it has been announced the book is part of a series, I can't wait to see how it develops. Thomas is snarky, and arrogant, but exactly the guy Audrey Rose needs.

There's a lot of twist and turns in the book, and though I felt I kept up with the well, there were still times I was shocked by the revelations. It was a new twist on the already famous Jack the Ripper story, and I need to find more of these type of books - if you can recommend any? Now, I need to try and be patient for the next instalments in this series, but I don't know how well I'll do at that

P.S. if you can't really read scary stories on a night, don't read this. I wasn't overly scared, but there's loads of awesomely gruesome images, and it kept me up at night - but that's more because I couldn't put it down. BTW, if you haven't watch Ripper Street, I'd recommend that too.

Dates Read:

April 29-30, 2016

Rating
5 Stars