The Name of the Star

Rory Deveaux leaves Louisiana to attend a London boarding school, arriving just as a series of murders begins to terrorize the city. The killings appear to recreate Jack the Ripper's crimes from 1888, occurring in the same locations on the same dates. The police investigation intensifies as London's fear grows, but Rory becomes entangled in the case after witnessing something no one else saw. Her unique ability draws her into a hidden world of supernatural law enforcement that operates in London's shadows. As the Ripper's pattern continues and the death toll rises, Rory must navigate both her new school life and her dangerous connection to the investigation. Her survival depends on understanding her newfound powers and their connection to London's dark history. The novel explores themes of identity and belonging while examining how cities preserve and transform their histories. Through its blend of contemporary teenage life and Victorian-era crime, the story questions how the past continues to shape modern experiences.

Readers describe the book as a supernatural murder mystery that starts strong but loses momentum. Many note it feels like two different stories merged together - a fish-out-of-water boarding school tale that shifts into a ghost thriller. Readers appreciated: - The London boarding school atmosphere and British cultural details - The protagonist Rory's humor and authentic teenage voice - Historical connections to Jack the Ripper - Unique ghost-hunting premise Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Romance subplot feels forced and unnecessary - The ending rushes through major revelations - Some found the ghost-hunting rules confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (77,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 One reader noted: "The first half reads like contemporary YA, then suddenly becomes supernatural - the tone shift is jarring." Another wrote: "Strong character development but the plot drags before picking up speed in the final chapters."

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🔍 Author Maureen Johnson wrote this novel while living in London, the book's setting, which helped her capture authentic details of British life and culture. ⚡ The book's murders parallel those of Jack the Ripper, but the original Ripper crimes took place in 1888, exactly 123 years before the novel's setting in 2011. 👻 The supernatural elements in the story were inspired by London's rich history of ghost stories and the city's famous "ghost walks" that take tourists through haunted locations. 🏫 Wexford, the boarding school in the novel, was partially inspired by Johnson's own experience teaching at a preparatory school in New York City. 🎬 The book's rights were optioned for television by BBC America, though the series hasn't yet been produced.