Stalking Jack the Ripper

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth leads a double life in Victorian London. Despite her noble upbringing, she secretly apprentices in forensic medicine under her uncle, performing autopsies and studying corpses against her father's wishes. When a series of brutal murders terrorizes London's Whitechapel district, Audrey Rose joins the investigation alongside her uncle's enigmatic student, Thomas Cresswell. The two work to uncover the identity of Jack the Ripper while navigating the dangers of Victorian society's expectations for young women. The investigation draws Audrey Rose deeper into London's darkest corners as she examines crime scenes and analyzes evidence. Her determination to solve the case puts her reputation, relationships, and life at risk. This gothic thriller combines historical elements with themes of female empowerment and scientific progress, challenging nineteenth-century gender roles through its protagonist's pursuit of a traditionally male profession.

Readers highlight the Victorian London atmosphere, forensic science details, and chemistry between the two main characters. Many reviews note the book succeeds as both a murder mystery and historical fiction romance. The protagonist Audrey Rose receives praise for defying gender roles while remaining authentic to the time period. Common criticisms include predictable plot twists, slow pacing in the middle chapters, and graphic autopsy descriptions that some found excessive. Several readers mentioned the romance overshadowed the murder investigation. "The forensic details felt well-researched but the mystery solution was obvious halfway through" - Goodreads reviewer "Thomas and Audrey's banter carried the slower parts" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (184,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.0/5 Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (1,900+ ratings) The book performs especially well with YA historical fiction and mystery readers ages 14-25.

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro A modern female descendant of Sherlock Holmes investigates murders at a boarding school while performing forensic analysis and uncovering Victorian-era secrets.

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd A teen girl follows her disgraced father's research to a remote island where she encounters murder, medical experiments, and dark scientific discoveries.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly A young woman in 1890s New York City investigates her father's death through morgue visits and crime scene analysis while navigating high society expectations.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson A student at a London boarding school becomes entangled in a series of murders that mirror Jack the Ripper's crimes while developing supernatural abilities to track the killer.

A Beautiful Poison by Lydia Kang Three friends in 1918 New York use their knowledge of chemistry and medicine to solve murders during the Spanish influenza epidemic.

🔍 Author Kerri Maniscalco wrote the first draft of Stalking Jack the Ripper during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), completing it in just 30 days. 🎬 The novel was the first young adult title acquired for James Patterson's YA imprint, Jimmy Patterson Books. 🔪 While the main character Audrey Rose is fictional, many elements of the story incorporate real historical facts about the actual Jack the Ripper murders, including authentic autopsy reports and crime scene details. 🏥 The book's portrayal of forensic science is grounded in actual Victorian-era medical practices, and the author conducted extensive research at the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia to ensure accuracy. 👗 To capture the authentic voice of a Victorian-era teenager, Maniscalco immersed herself in period etiquette books, fashion magazines, and personal diaries from the 1880s.