About the Book -Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
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?
“At some point, we’re all someone’s hero and another’s villain. It’s all a matter of perspective.”
Read on for our review of Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Our Review of Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Oh my god !! what a series. It might have taken years for me to complete this series but yes I think the entire Ripper series has been one of the best. Yes, the books ranged from being the absolute best to somewhat mediocre but in general Stalking the Jack Ripper shined for me because of one reason. Thomas. Yes. Thomas Cresswell. The Dark Prince. I have no shame in admitting that I continued with the series only because I couldn’t wait to be back in the world where Cresswell existed. The character is so charming and perfect that the whole reason why I hated the previous book was that he didn’t get much screen time and the book was just awful to him. Ok, so fair warning. I have an obsession with Thomas Cresswell so the review might end up being all about him. The series had one of the best romances I have ever come across. Do you know why? because it is subtle and only brought up in small doses and not screaming love yous from the rooftop. I think that was the charm of the romance of this book. It was elegant, subtle and not cheesy. (well ok maybe except this one which slightly has that cliche and cheesy romance .. and to think that this author went on to write the Kingdom of the Wicked series.. God !! don’t even get me started on that)
Interestingly, the finale comes back to where it all started. It’s like a poetic justice. I thought it was brilliant as to how the book travelled through the entire series and landed on Ripper for its finale. The plot was brilliant and the execution was brilliant.
As much as I loved the series and book, I can’t break my habit of nitpicking after all why am I writing a review if not to rant…right? So I only had one major trouble with the book The Romance. ironically I also loved this series for its romance…. Hold on I will explain
The romance in the book went from one to 100 at rocket speed. Like all the previous books at the beginning of this book, the couple would have slight touches or stolen glances and more romance in gestures and words adding to the elegance of it and partly apt for the era and setting of it. Suddenly few chapters down, romance is on another level making you wonder how it escalated to this level.
I actually loved the series for its romance which was just carefully knitted and sort of platonic. It maintained that till the second book, the Third book was a disaster according to me, especially in terms of the romance. In this book, I wasn’t very thrilled with how the romance had completely taken on a different route and more on a cliche mode but then things happen by the middle of the book that was completely unexpected and the way the book tailed back to what the series is all about, I was back in love with the series. I personally feel that the book shines in the second half and might be brilliant at it.
I will forever be in love with Thomas Cresswall and this book to me is a pure homage to one hell of a guy that is, Prince of Darkness and Deduction. (Are the Thomas Cresswell Fan clubs open for new members?)
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would say that all the hype around the series is justified because all four books have a good mystery, (ok you can totally skip the third one 😛 ) Girls, you can totally read this series for Mr. Cresswell and boys, you can also read this series for ….Mr Cresswell ( might as well take some notes while in there 😛 ) But in all honesty, the best part of the series is the investigative thriller at its heart. Even with romance, and personal dilemmas, the book never stops focussing on the investigation. Everything is well-knitted and seamlessly added without taking away from the core plot.
Squirrel Rating
