By Kerri Maniscalco
This is the second installment from Maniscalco in her Stalking Jack the Ripper series. And it is great! Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell return as late 19th Century forensic scientists – that’s right, forensics. In the 1800’s. The startling photographs and images that accompany some of the chapters serve as a stark reminder how new these methods were, and how barbaric the medical profession still was.
Audrey Rose and Thomas, still recovering from the Jack the Ripper case left behind them in London, are on their way to the National Forensic Academy in Romania. Yes, that Romania – hence the title. After their frosty welcome at the school, Dracula’s legendary castle, exsanguinated bodies begin appearing, challenging their acumen, each one’s history, and any mental demons that are still antagonizing them.
What I enjoy about this series is that it features a strong female lead in a time when there were not very many of them at all. She is also a master in a scientific field, where we should continue to encourage women to break down boundaries. As Audrey Rose is affluent, she can obviously be allowed “eccentricities” that someone in a lower class or demographic would be denied, but I don’t fault her for the family into which she was born, and applaud how she is utilizing her opportunities.
Audrey Rose is the only female student at the academy. She manages to define the terms of her courtship, relationship, and studies during a time when no woman had a say in any of these things. What I think made this installment better for me than the first one is the introduction of so many other strong, female characters that are empowered to name their terms, sometimes to devastating consequences. Dare I say I, devoured it…pun intended.
Soundtrack
Nightmare by Halsey – obviously works on a serial killer level, but I also enjoy the part where she talks about being mad because someone should be and not being told to smile like a little lady
Carmina Burana – there is a climactic scene of a literal blood bath that this was ringing in my ears for
Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max – if you read it, you get it
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- Strong heroine, but even more badass, secret, female warriors to save the day ultimately
- Audrey Rose showing up a bunch of male “leaders in their field” despite her own very recent trauma, and even saving a few of them from murder
- Secret. Passage. Ways. Leading to a labyrinth/obstacle course/gauntlet finale!
Cons
- I really hated finding out who the villain was…again.
- A bit trope-y that the only man she can find who appreciates her worth happens to be devastatingly handsome and wealthy beyond measure…but gosh I still love him too!