“Stalking Jack The Ripper” – Kerri Maniscalco

Picture it, Whitechapel London, 1888, women are being found brutally murdered, organs missing from their bodies… and no one knows who is responsible. Meanwhile Miss Audrey Rose Wadsworth, daughter of a Lord with all the wealth and privilege one could have at the time, is secretly studying forensic science with her uncle and alongside the insufferable Thomas Cresswell. When the investigations begins to hit a little close to home Audrey takes matters into her own hands, trying to solve this vicious murder before anyone else dies, and before it’s her own kin sent off to Bedlam.

This is one of those books that I would see in the store and be like “oh that looks interesting” and then never buy it or would “put it on my to-read list” and then never read. Anyway, I had recently read the HistoryChannel publication of Jack The Ripper that they released, a short little 100pg magazine about his reign of terror in 1888, and I was in a Ripper mood so I was like “why not” and I finally got it out of the library.

Let. Me. Just. Say. That I wish I had written this book. It was everything I love about reading, honestly. It was captivating, well written, it was fun, it had horror, suspense, thrill, a little romance, a little science,  gore, and it was set in Victorian London? Yes please! Honestly, I was enamored. I immediately sought out the sequel but sadly it wasn’t available so I am having to read something else in the meantime. Great job Maniscalco honestly. Pure delight. I can’t wait to see what “Hunting Prince Dracula” (The sequel) is like!

Happy reading!

“Slow Dance in Purgatory” – Amy Harmon

Okay… so, backstory, I literally read this book because the cover of the sequel (and the title) reminded me of Dean Winchester (the love of my life) in an AU. So I was like “well might as well read them”. And then SHE DESCRIBED JOHNNY (the main boy) AS SMELLING OF SUNSHINE AND LEATHER. This is not only a beautiful description but LITERALLY the EXACT WORDS of how I described the scent of Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) that time I hugged him (okay, that sounds creepy out loud…) but anyway. It was so specific and so perfect I fell in love a little bit more with this book and the characters.

So the premise of the book is that Maggie can see ghosts/spirits. She largely ignores this fact about her life. Until she sees Johnny. Johnny died in the 1950s in a tragic accident at the school, where he’s remained ever since. Maggie and Johnny form a friendship and a romance that transcends space and time but it’s destined to end in tragedy.

Honestly loved this book. Yeah, it’s cheesy I get that. Yeah I know I went in with a bias because of my love of “Supernatural” and everything not the show Supernatural. But come on! Ghosts. Tragedy. True love!? What’s not to get excited about? I love Maggie, her backstory and her traits. I love Johnny his tragedy and being. I love Gus and Irene and Shad.

Also the book ends on a cliffhanger. Like a pretty frustrating one so I was very glad the second book was already written. I’m currently reading it and dying.

I think this book is great for the sappy romantic and the occult lover. And if you’re both its a perfect combo!

I’ll let you know shortly how the second book is. . .