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Young Adult Annotation: Stalking Jack the Ripper

 



Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper

Genre: Young Adult

Publication Date: 2016

Number of Pages: 337

Geographical Location: London, England

Time Period: 1888

Series: #1 in the “Stalking Jack the Ripper” series

 

Plot Summary

Audrey Rose is the daughter of a lord and expected to be a proper lady in the Victorian era. She is constantly questioning why she can’t be viewed as capable as the males around her. Unbeknownst to her father, Audrey often visits her uncle’s laboratory to study forensic medicine, where she fights to be more knowledgeable than the males studying there. Audrey finds herself in the midst of an investigation of a serial murderer. Stalking Jack the Ripper brings a scientific approach to a murder mystery and includes a lot of history from the time period it is set in.

 

Subject Headings: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Science

 

Appeal

Characterization

The characterization is strong, with an emphasis on the main character and how she is different from other girls and able to break society rules.

 

Story Line

Romance, history, science, and mystery are all strong themes in the story.

 

Pacing

This book relies more on description than dialogue and therefore some sections read slowly.

 

Setting

Although the book is set in London, it feels as though it could have been set anywhere. The time period, however, is important to the book because of how the expectation of women during that time affected Audrey’s circumstances. 

 

Similar Authors and Works

- A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro

This book also tells the story of a young female who gets involved in solving a murder and involves some romance as well.

 

- Fable by Adrienne Young

Filled with adventure and romance, this book features a young heroine who must find her place in a world built for men.

 

- The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

This book is also heavy on forensic science. Seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney is the daughter of a coroner and has always been fascinated by forensics. She finds herself involved in helping find a murderer.

 

 

Comments

  1. Bobbi SchoonApril 5, 2021 at 3:38 PM

    Christina,
    This series has been on my list for a long time - would you recommend the book? I tend to love YA and crime/mystery based stories but your feedback that some of the sections moved slowly is making me wonder if this book is for me after all. What is your opinion?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina MartinApril 7, 2021 at 9:46 AM

      I have very mixed feelings about the book. I enjoyed aspects of it and was fascinated by the premise, but some parts rubbed me the wrong way. I love a mystery with a strong, female main character, but Audrey puts other women down and is constantly talking about how she "isn't like other girls." That was such a strong theme throughout the book that I couldn’t ignore it. I did really like the science and exploration of a real, historical crime though.

      Delete
  2. Alisha CrumpApril 7, 2021 at 12:16 PM

    Hi Christina!

    I loved this book! I liked that the author included copies of actual historical pictures and documents. This inclusion really helped to add some texture to the novel. I especially loved this idea of a girl going against societal expectations and dabbling in a profession that is not considered ladylike. I do not read a lot of young adult novels, so I read this awhile ago when a coworker recommended it to me. I have also read the other books in the series, which I enjoyed, but not as much as this first book.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Erin CataldiApril 14, 2021 at 3:58 PM

    I've never heard of this book but you did such a good job with your summary and appeals that I am very interested. Full points!

    ReplyDelete

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