Waiting on Wednesday: Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that highlights pre-publication/upcoming releases that readers cannot wait to get their hands on. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Title: Capturing the Devil
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publication date: September 10, 2019
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books 
Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Historical

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 | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Review & Favorite Quotes of Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3)
Author:  Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery

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?

---

Once again, Kerri Maniscalco has astounded me with her storytelling. I cannot and will never get enough of Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell. I love the chemistry between these two characters, their banter, and how Thomas, truly a Victorian gentleman, always treats Audrey Rose with respect and as an equal. They are my ultimate OTP. Now in Escaping from Houdini, things are shaken up between these two and I’m not going to say I was the hugest fan in riding those waves, but when these two characters are on the same page with each other, their partnership is outstanding. 

I love that Escaping from Houdini stays true to the first two books and portrays feminism in the best light. As the main female lead, Audrey Rose Wadsworth is witty, sassy, and so intelligent. She defies many characteristics of a stereotypical Victorian woman, and instead is a proto-feminist of the era. I love that she is deep into solving mysteries and murder with science and rational deduction. She wants to know the truth and how things tick, and she is not afraid to dig deeper into danger to find her answers. 

Overall, the setting of this novel made the mysterious story even more intriguing. I was captivated by the details of Victorian fashion and mannerisms, as well as the illusions and magic of the traveling carnival performers and entertainers on board a ship. Mix in history, quirky banter, the sleuthing of Sherlock Holmes, the atmospheric allurement found in Caraval, and you have Escaping from Houdini delivering on all levels of entertainment, education, fascination, and mystery.

WIN One ARC of Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco (USA only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

 
Note: Thank you to the The Fantastic Flying Book Club for having me on this blog tour. And a huge thank you to Jimmy Patterson Books for providing me an ARC to read and review for free in exchange for an honest review. All statements and opinions are my own. Please note that all quoted material are not final and may change in the final publication of the book.

Waiting on Wednesday: Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that highlights pre-publication/upcoming releases that readers cannot wait to get their hands on. It is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

 

Title: Escaping from Houdini
Author: Kerri Maniscalco 
Publication date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Genres: Young Adult

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 | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Books of 2017 (so far)

HOSTED by The Broke and the Bookish

---

This week’s topic is…

Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017 (so far)

(CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO BE LINKED TO ITS GOODREADS’ PAGE or MY REVIEW)

What are some of your favorite books of 2017? Which books of 2017 would you highly recommend that I read?

 

 

 

Raves & Craves: Hunting Prince Dracula Street Team Blog Tour & Giveaway

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
By: Kerri Maniscalco
Release Date: September 19, 2017
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Horror, Romance

About the Book:

In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller 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.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

 ***

PRAISE FOR HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA

“There are plenty of suspects and red herrings as well as tense escalations….A scenic, twisty mystery.”
―Kirkus Reviews

 “Readers of the previous mystery will be thrilled to have more of this likable duo. [A] delightful romp into an 1888 Gothic mystery with a hint of romance.”
―School Library Connection

 ***

About the Author:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Twitter   |  Facebook   |   Instagram   |   Website   |   Tumblr   |   Pinterest

---

THE RAVES: A SHORT REVIEW

I am absolutely in love with Kerri’s rich way of storytelling and her well-developed characters. While reading, Hunting Prince Dracula, I was transfixed with the mystery, thrills, chills, spooky setting, and the amazing character development. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, and I will tell you one thing, I did not see any of those surprising revelations coming at the end. WOO I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

Additionally, I absolutely adore the two main characters, Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell. I love the chemistry between these two characters. I really enjoyed the banter and witty remarks they bounce off each other, which always had me swooning and laughing. Audrey Rose and Thomas are my favorite OTP. 

Overall, Hunting Prince Dracula is so well-paced and is very intriguing from start to finish. Audrey Rose and Thomas’ adventure in Romania is suspenseful, mysterious, and will have you on the edge of your seat. Not only does this book contain scenes that will give you goosebumps, but I also found comic relief in Thomas’ quirky comments. If you love the Sherlock Holmes series and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this book (and the whole series) is for you. 

THE CRAVES: BAT TRAIL MIX

While reading any book, I usually have a snack at my side. Hunting Prince Dracula is filled with thrilling and chilling scenes, and I was often creeped out by the detailed scenes of bat attacks and gigantic spiders. So in regards to a snack-able crave for Hunting Prince Dracula, I decided to create a BAT TRAIL MIX. Hoping to create a trail mix that parallels a bat’s favorite foods/diet, and after watching numerous YouTube videos of cute bats eating different fruits and insects, I made sure to include seeds and fruits in the trail mix, along with a few of my favorite munchies.

Ingredients:
For this snack, you will only need a few ingredients. Because you often find bats eating fruits and seeds, I included fresh green grapes (you can add any berries or fruits you like), pumpkins seeds, and sunflower seeds. With my own spin, I included a few of my favorite snacks to add a bit of saltiness, which were pretzels and Cheez-its.

Directions:
In a bowl, add and mix all the ingredients. WHA-LA! You have the perfect trail mix fit for a bat and yourself.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Week One
August 21^st ~ Paper Cuts: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 22^nd ~ Literary Legionnaire: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 24^th ~ Arctic Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 25^th ~ 21^st Century Once Upon A Times: A “Drink Your way through SJTR: Tea Edition”

Week Two
August 28^th ~ Hiver Et Café: History of Prince Dracula
August 29^th ~ Justice Reads: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 30^th ~ Nicole’s Novel Reads: Travelling Etiquette and tips for Victorian Women
August 31^st ~ Sophie Reads YA: Favourite Stalking Jack the Ripper Fanart
September 1^st ~ LILbooKlovers: Top Ten Quotes from Stalking Jack the Ripper

Week Three
September 4^th ~ One Way or An Author: Hunting Prince Dracula Phone Backgrounds
September 5^th ~ A Blinding Book: Hunting Prince Dracula Aesthetic
September 6^th ~ Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile: Review & Snacks
September 7^th ~ Rattle the Stars: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
September 8^th ~ A Gingerly Reviews: Hunting Prince Dracula Review

Week Forth
September 11^th ~ The Plot Bunny: Hunting Prince Dracula Ctomer Ideas
September 12^th ~ Blame it on The Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 13^th ~ The Reader & the Chef : Hunting Prince Dracula’s Menu
September 14^th ~ Books, Tv, and More…Oh MY!!: Top Ten Favourite Traits of Audrey & Thomas
September 15^th ~ Unquenchable Reads : GIF, GIFS, and more GIFS

Week Five
September 18^th ~ Rattle the Pages : A Glimpse Back in Time: Vlad The Impaler edition
September 19^th ~ Beyond the Book Reviews: Character Wears of the 21^st Century
September 20^th ~ The Heart of a Book Blogger : Hunting Prince Dracula Mood Board

Street Team Blog Tour: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

 

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
By: Kerri Maniscalco
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Pages: 366 (Hardcover)
Format: ARC

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.

Goodreads   |   Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |  Indiebound

---

 My Top Five Raves of Stalking Jack the Ripper

1. From start to finish, Kerri Maniscalco’s writing is gritty, passionate, and bold. Each chapter kept me alert and intrigued, and I could not wait to discover what was on the next page. 

2. This novel meshes history, Gothic, mystery, romance, and science together so superbly. I felt like I was watching episodes of Sherlock, Bones, Penny Dreadful, and Pride & Prejudice clashing together as one.

3. Audrey Rose is sassy, independent, and headstrong. As our main character, she’s a heroine I enjoyed rooting for. I loved her feminist attitude and her snarky rebuttals she delivered to those who doubted her capability to hold her own in a male-dominated society.

4. This is the perfect read for Fall/Autumn. Through a Young Adult lens, Maniscalco integrates Jack the Ripper’s savage, grotesque murders in a setting that is flawlessly reminiscent of the dark and dreary, Victorian streets that plague many notable nineteenth-century classics. Stalking Jack the Ripper is a perfect mystery book to curl up with when the weather is chilly, an oak-burning fire is crackling, and the leaves are changing colors. 

5. The verbal repartee between Audrey Rose and Thomas is fiery, daring, swoony, and hilarious. I loved how blatantly forward Thomas is in Audrey Rose’s presence, and how accepting he is of her passion in science. I could not get enough of these two characters. 

FINAL INSIGHTS!

Overall, I thought this book was brilliant. I enjoyed playing detective, and  admired Maniscalco’s research and presentation of madness, science, and feminism in the nineteenth-century. I am a fanatic of books that take place during the Victorian Period, and adding a new retelling of Jack the Ripper had me drawn to this story like a moth to a flame. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, romance, and a whole lot of mystery, then you definitely need to add Stalking Jack the Ripper to your to-be-read list.

About the Author:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. Stalking Jack the Ripper is her debut novel. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history, and is the first in a new series of gothic thrillers.

Twitter   |  Facebook   |   Instagram   |   Website   |   Tumblr   |   Pinterest

 

Top 5 Wednesday: Books You Want to Read Before the End of the Year

TOP 5 WEDNESDAY is a weekly meme created by Lainey @ GingerReadsLainey and is currently hosted by Samantha @ Thoughts on Tomes. Every Wednesday a new topic is listed on the Goodreads group, and you list your top 5 books related to the particular topic.

This week’s topic is…

 Books You Want to Read Before the End of the Year

I’ve heard people raving about this book, but I’ve also heard that this book made people cry. I want to read this book, but I also don’t want to cry. See I’m in a conundrum here. Hopefully, before the end of the year, I’m in a mindset that has prepared me to read The Serpent King. 

Stalking Jack the Ripper has been on my radar for quite a while, and I have been lucky to be invited to be part of the book’s blog tour. I cannot wait to read this one soon! 

I love Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniel series. Whenever a new Kate Daniels book shows up, I buy it, read it in one day, and then patiently wait for the next book in the series. If you love urban fantasy, a sassy and strong heroine, and awesome banter between two crazy-about-each-other-characters, definitely pick up this series. 

Kristen Simmons is one of my favorite authors in the YA community. I cannot wait to read her new book, Metaltown, and rave about how awesome she is some more. Plus this cover is artistically BEAUTIFUL. 

HOLY MOTHER OF BOOKS, DAT COVER! I am a cover fanatic, and yes, I will buy a book based off its cover, even if I do not know the synopsis. But I’ve read this synopsis of this book, and it just makes me want to read it even more. The synopsis had me at, “Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London…” GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!

What books do you hope to read before the end of the year?