The Whitechapel Full Moon Society

by Elizabeth DeLozier

Set in Victorian London during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, this gripping, original novel is perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab, Dana Schwartz, and Sarah Penner.

When Caroline Foster arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society in search of her missing brother, she finds a dilapidated façade belying an interior as opulent as any exclusive gentlemen’s club. In exchange for room and board, Caroline is hired as the Full Moon’s maid, where she is given three don’t ask personal questions, stay out of the iron-barred room on the second floor, and remain in her bedroom from sunup to sundown on the full moon.

But when it is revealed that the previous maid was murdered—an early victim of Jack the Ripper—and her brother has left behind no answers, only more questions, Caroline begins to suspect her hosts might be hiding something. As more bodies turn up with a connection to the Society, Caroline fears she may have unwittingly stumbled into a bedtime story, the kind with monsters and curses, family secrets and ancient lore.

Tantalizing and pulsing, Elizabeth DeLozier’s sophomore novel gives an exciting alternative look into the infamous Jack the Ripper story with a major, supernatural twist.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Fiction, Historical, Victorian

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth DeLozier holds a BA in Spanish literature, a BS in biological anthropology, and a doctorate in physical therapy. An avid traveler, animal lover, and history nerd, she lives in Southern California with her husband, twin sons, and rescue dogs. Eleanore of Avignon is her debut novel. For more, follow her on instagram at @elizabethdelozierwrites.

Reviews

[Saranya · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I got my hands on this arc, I was so excited to dive in, but the beginning was so slow that it brought me into a reading slump.

Set in Victorian London during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, the novel follows Caroline Foster, who arrives at the mysterious Whitechapel Full Moon Society searching for her missing brother. Behind its crumbling exterior lies an opulent gentlemen’s club with strict rules:
1. Don’t ask personal questions
2. Stay out of the iron-barred room on the second floor
3. Remain in your bedroom from sunup to sundown on the full moon

The supernatural storyline promises gothic suspense, while the Ripper thread leans into historical crime. But rather than amplifying each other, they pull focus, leaving both underdeveloped. The paranormal elements were present in atmosphere without fully delivering while the Jack the Ripper investigation accelerates too quickly, leading to a rushed, underwhelming conclusion.

Overall, it had a good potential with a good storyline.

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:

I received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Dutton Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: 25 Aug 2026

[lorenzodulac · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re cooking with gas now!! I enjoyed this one a lot.
The setting is London in the late 1880s, the time of Jack the Ripper. In fact, scattered throughout the book there are letters written by the Ripper himself. Caroline is hired as a maid at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, where the woman before her was killed by, you guessed it, Jack the Ripper. All the while she’s looking for her brother Charlie who’s disappeared, but her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers.
She even gets attacked at a point as things start to evolve. The twist I didn’t see coming, it left my jaw on the floor.
Which brings me to the only thing that’s lowering my rating a bit: the fantasy-ish element. I don’t know, it kind of read like a cop out, I thought it would work but it didn’t really in the end, it took me out of the story. It could’ve been left out and I would’ve liked the book more overall. But that’s fine because everything else was top tier.
And I do know it’s an important part of the book. I just didn’t like it lol.
I would still wholeheartedly recommend though. If you like Victorian London with a murder-y, paranormal twist, this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Dutton publishing for the ARC - this one started a little slow but I got lost in the details of domestic servant life in England in the 1800s so I dint really mind. And then the mystery started unfolding with increasing momentum. I became so engrossed during the final 40% of the book that relived my 11 year old nights staying up under the covers on a school night, furiously reading with a flashlight, consequences be damned when I have to wake up in the morning! It was a satisfying conclusion, even with the kooky supernatural twist that mostly served as a distraction from the mysteries at the heart of the story: where was Charlie, and who was Jack the Ripper? If you enjoy a mystery, don’t mind a little supernatural twist to your story, enjoy some ancient lore, and are fascinated by the mystery of Jack the Ripper, this niche book will really hit the sweet spot for you!

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier was a great historical fiction novel centered on the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The author did an excellent job immersing the reader in Victorian England. I truly felt like I was there alongside the characters. I especially enjoyed the main character’s storyline and found it engaging and well developed.

That said, I did wish the gentlemen attending the Full Moon events weren’t tied to mythical creatures. I think it would have been more impactful if their secret society was rooted in something more realistic…such as being 🏳️‍🌈 and having a safe place to gather during a time when society wasn’t accepting. That angle could have added even more emotional depth and realism to the story.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in this time period. 👏👏👏

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished an ARC on The Whitechapel Full Moon Society from Netgalley and wow! 5 Stars!

spoiler free review.

There was a huge twist at the end which definitely took me by surprise. I'd like to think I'm usually pretty good at guessing characters intentions but this one I completely missed and genuinely had me gasping out loud when I read it. I always enjoy rereading books to see if I can pick up on any clues I missed the first time so I can't wait to reread this one.

I will definitely be purchasing this when its released August '26.

Now off to read Elizabeth DeLozier's other book!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished The Whitechapel Full Moon Society in less than 24 hours. This novel carried a quiet, persistent pull that made setting it down feel almost impossible.

While it begins a bit slowly, around page 53 I realized I was itching to return to it whenever I put it down.

Delozier does a delightful job of feeding us bits of information, one drop at a time, just enough to keep our curiosity involved, but not too much to overwhelm us. They effectively humanize the women of this period: figures so often overshadowed by the frenzy surrounding the mysterious Jack the Ripper. While some elements of the story were predictable, they were predictably satisfying. Like a well-constructed music box, the narrative gradually clicks into place, each turn more gratifying than the last.

There was a moment in the story where I feared Delozier might lead us a certain way, but to my delight, the author took us on a much more effective, timely, and engaging journey.

This book is extremely readable. A true delight for readers who enjoy historical fiction, folklore, crime novels, or all three.

[Larissa Soares · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not an avid true crime consumer, nor do I know much details about the Victorian era, but I was completely sold for this!

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society follows the story of Caroline Foster, a young woman who has recently sold all her goods to pay for her dead father’s death, and moved to London to live with her brother. However, as soon as she arrives in London, not only does she realises that her brother is missing, but the infamous the Jack the Ripper is lost in Whitechapel (same neighbourhood her brother lives in) making victims.

The mystery in the book doesn’t try to jump out and scare you like modern thriller. DeLozier doesn’t lean on thrills or high-speed chases, she just keeps dropping these subtle, weird hints that creates a slow build up until you’re slammed with the truth. It felt like watching those trippy folk-horror movies from the 70s and 80s. The book has that hazy, dreamlike middle ground where you aren't sure if the supernatural is real or if the characters are just caught up in a collective fever dream. Like that classic Gothic trope where the "monster" might just be a metaphor for the period's unexplained violence.

When it comes to the setting, everything felt solid to me; the boarding house dynamics, the class differences, how women had to navigate the world, the way people talked about the murders. I’m not a Victorian expert (very far away from it actually), but it all felt right, you know? And even if some details weren’t 100% historically accurate, I wouldn’t care. This is historical FICTION with FANTASY elements, so judging it for being “inaccurate” would be ridiculous.

Now, I’ve seen people complain that the supernatural element wasn’t needed, but I completely disagree. The fantasy hints made the mystery so much more thrilling. As I’ve mentioned, you’re constantly wondering if Caroline’s questionings are actually real. That edge of “wait, could this be true?” was what kept me hooked. That said, I get why some readers might be frustrated. The supernatural isn’t the focus, it’s more like this undercurrent of mystery that doesn’t fully reveal itself until near the end. If you’re expecting a full-on Victorian fantasy, you might be disappointed by how little you actually see. And if you hate fantasy entirely, even these hints might annoy you. But for me? It was good. I don’t think I would’ve been this engaged if this was just a historical mystery about Jack the Ripper.

Now, one thing that really bothered me was how long it took for the story to actually get moving. To be honest, it felt like the plot didn't truly start until the halfway point. Since the book is so character-driven, the story just hits a wall whenever the main character isn't focused on the mystery. I found myself stuck reading pages of errands, kitchen chores, and petty arguments between guests when I really just wanted to get to get back to the mystery. I kept wishing Caroline would take a more active role. If she doesn't seem to care about finding her brother, it’s hard for me to stay invested in it.

I also felt like I was being told how to feel instead of being allowed to decide for myself. We constantly hear Caroline saying she doesn't trust the men at Full Moon or that there’s "something wrong in the air," but her experience doesn't really back that up. Most of the people in the boardinghouse are actually perfectly nice to her. Because we don't see them doing anything genuinely suspicious or shady, her distrust is unearned. It felt like the author was trying to force a specific mood onto the scene rather than building a situation where I’d naturally feel uneasy on my own.

Despite the elevated vocabulary and complex sentences (the Victorian writing style is normally not my favourite), the book never feels hard to read or understand. DeLozier manages to capture the rhythm of a 19th-century classic while keeping the language clear enough for a modern audience. To me it felt like watching a theater play: dramatic, hyper-focused on sensory details, and exaggerated. I would also say that the style isn't just a decorative choice, but fundamental to the story. If it were written like a standard modern thriller, the whole "Victorian London" vibe would disappear, and the experience wouldn't be nearly as effective.

So, even without having extensive knowledge of Jack’s story and victims, or how London worked in the 1880’s, I still enjoyed it!

[Elizabeth Hailwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society from NetGalley, thank you so much!

The gorgeous cover and the intriguing title are what first caught my eye when browsing. Jack the Ripper? The full moon? Sign me up!

I went into the book mostly blind (after forgetting what I’d read in the blurb) and I was hooked pretty much straight away. There were lots of questions raised fairly quickly (Where’s Charlie? Why is Charlie a secret? What’s Jack the Ripper got to do with all this?) but in a readable, not overly complicated way.

I loved how the author stayed as true to 1888 London and the story of Jack the Ripper as possible before interweaving and reimagining it as the story progresses. I think, once I’d figured out where we were going with the “full moon” part of the book, I perhaps expected there to be a bigger reveal, it felt a little bit rushed at the end. But it almost didn’t matter as I was so invested in the other side of the story.

I think the characters are likeable and the book was overall an easy, enjoyable read. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Caroline Foster first entered the residence on 212 Old Montague Street in Whitechapel and felt the eyes of the residents on her, I was hooked. This was going to be my kind of book. And it was.

A penniless young woman in search of her brother and a final mysterious letter from him convince her to seek employment at the boardinghouse, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society, where he last lived, and try to solve the secrets surrounding his disappearance. The odd assortment of residents and the conditions of her employment only add intrigue.

“..you are never, under any circumstances, to enter the east wing of the second floor.

…Lastly, and most importantly. One night per month we host a…a supper party. You will help me serve dinner, then immediately retire to your room. You will lock your door and not open it until the following morning after the sun has risen."

The characters are interesting and all play a part, no matter how small, in the story. In fact, they add to it and give it a flavor that might otherwise have been missed.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Whitechapel murders, primarily because aside from Caroline’s search for her brother Charlie, the boardinghouse is in Whitechapel and there is much mention of the murders and the search for Jack the Ripper. The author Elizabeth DeLozier has conducted research into these 19th century murders and also recommends Hallie Rubenhold’s nonfiction book The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, which I’ve read. While DeLozier does make clear she has taken liberties in writing her fiction book, she has also taken great pains to portray the true nature of the Ripper’s victims, instead of the sensational descriptions in the press at the time and also today.

I am now anxious to read Ms. DeLozier’s previous book, Eleanore of Avignon.

Thanks to NetGallery for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of The Whitechapel Fullmoon Society: A Novel in return for a review from Netgalley.

This is the author’s second novel. The Whitechapel Fullmoon Society: A Novel is set in Victorian England and centres around the main character, Caroline Foster. She is a young woman who finds herself with nowhere to go when her father dies and leaves the family in debt. She travels to London in search of her brother who has stopped all communication with her. This is also a very dangerous time in London as Jack the Ripper is killing his way through Whitechapel.

While working as a maid at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society boarding house for men, she investigates her brother’s disappearance. Everything is not as it seems at the boardinghouse. There are secrets and Caroline finds herself in danger.

This was a good read!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book - I am always drawn to Jack the Ripper content, and I liked that the author made a shout out to The Five in her authors note.

The writing really shines in its setting and description - I could picture Whitechapel well. Some of the "supernatural" elements were unnecessary and predictable and I dont know if the Jack the Ripper cases were the correct framework for this mystery, but I did enjoy it. I did not connect with the main protagonist in the way I hoped to - that being said, it was a good length for a slow burn mystery. Not too grisly, fairly respectful and diverse. No complaints at all!

[Sarah Harney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dutton for an ARC of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society via NetGalley.

This was a bit outside my usual genre but the mix of historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery made for a fun and unique read! I loved that Caroline was a strong female main character who took charge of her own destiny even when her situation was grim. I also enjoyed uncovering the secrets of the Full Moon Society. A great choice if you are looking to branch out and try something other than the "typical" mystery book.

4 stars

[sylvia ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

{ received an arc of the book }

I loved the cover, and the description of the book sounded right up my alley, so I was happy to get my hands on a copy.

As for the story itself, I was pretty invested during the first half of the book. It was an easy read, and I found myself anticipating where the story might go.

I actually forgot it was classified as fantasy until the fantasy element appeared, and that’s where the book lost me. The fantasy aspect felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the story. The mystery was also very predictable, with a lot of it explained directly by the characters; told rather than shown. There wasn’t much buildup to the final events, and unfortunately, the ending wasn’t very satisfying either.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing spin on the story of Jack the Ripper with a paranormal twist. The characters were well-written, and the descriptions of Whitechapel were historically accurate. I found myself ignoring other things I should have been doing because I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to her next novel whenever that happens!

[Malvina Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in two-ish days, especially on a rainy afternoon, some coffee and a cat to enjoy it more. First ARC copy read from Netgalley :)

I had completely forgotten the supernatural part at first, but I think it was perfectly balanced in the story. The two story lines are tied, but not too oddly linked, and they both are interesting. The plots keep you engaged from start to finish, though I did find some little part right before the beginning of the second half of the book to be slightly slower. But the rest of the book is well paced, written with a flowy and pretty prose, that delivers enough details to feel fully immersed. Will probably buy one copy for myself when it's out !

[Evie Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Elizabeth DeLozier and after reading this, I'm already on the hunt for Eleanore of Avignon. DeLozier has a way with writing that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked on the emotions as well as the action of the story. I was reading in between cooking and cleaning and even foregoing sleep so that I could finish this book. My sleep is precious to me but this book made it difficult to put it down long enough to get rest. I wanted to know what was going to happen and in the end, I loved the journey of this book and its characters. 

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society follows Caroline Foster, recently orphaned and now in London to find her only remaining family, her brother Charlie. Caroline finds the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, the last known residence of her brother's, and gets hired as a maid, hoping to find clues as to where her brother has gone. She's given three rules to follow, don't ask the guests personal questions, remain in her room the entire night of thr full moon and don't enter the barred east wing. But Caroline is worried about her brother and she thinks the Society is hiding something. At the same time, Jack the Ripper is stalking the streets and a previous maid of the Society was one of the first Ripper victims. Caroline thinks the two are connected and that figuring out the truth about the Society will reveal who Jack the Ripper is and help her find her brother. 

I was hooked from synopsis alone but I will say once the book starts, I was pulled in immediately. Caroline proved to be a resourceful lead, doing everything she needed to do to settle her father's accounts after his death and then making a plan to join her brother in London. The book picks up with her already on the train on her way to the last address she had for her brother. We know that he told her not to folliw him, that things weren't safe and he would come for her but Caroline is out of options so she takes matters into her own hands and leaves to find him. Already this proves the strength she has, the will it takes to go out and do something she has never done, having lived a fairly sheltered existence thus far.

As for the owner and guests at the society, I was invested in learning about all of them. I thought Mrs. Easton, who was the owner of the establishment, was a fair boss and maybe even particularly forgiving as I'm sure there was a lot of learning on Caroline's part as she started work as a maid. I thought the reveals about the guests and how they were linked to Charlie was well-done in the sense that several reveals I didn't see coming and their impact on the story were both important and maybe even heart-wrenching. In a way, this book is as much about the idea of a found family as it is a murder story and mystery and I am all for the emotions wrenched out of me with that addition.

I was making different theories over fhe course of the story about what happened to Charlie and the reveals are given with enough left behind to keep the reader flipping pages. A good writer leads the reader to where they need to go and allows them time to take in the information and be ready to move on and DeLozier keeps this story moving perfectly. As Jack the Ripper plays a part in this book, readers are given smippets of the letters that were sent to taunt the police which helped ramp up the tension. There were also pieces of news stories and both helped in teminding readers about the true fear that kept people indoors when this serial killer was on the loose. The fact that they were never found also hangs over the reader, adding another layer of tension to the story.

I read the Author's Note and I believe the respect that DeLozier gives the victims in this book is something to be admired. The book might be giving another idea about what happened with this serial killer but it also gives a look at the kind of lives those women may have had, showing them to be what they were, women who had plans, hopes and dreams, partners and loved ones. It says a lot about DeLozier that this was something purposefully added to the book to highlight the tragedy of what happened to those five lost souls. I've moved the book DeLozier mentioned, The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold up to the top of by reading list as a result of reading this book.

I'm sure it's obvious what kind of lore has been added to this story but I'm not going to explicitly state it at this time. What I will say is that I enjoyed the take that DeLozier developed for this story. The history of forgotten tales and the beliefs in the time of this story were a unique take that I thought added a depth I did not expect to a story about monsters and curses. To say anything else would spoil this part of the book., so suffice to say, it had the right hook to reel in readers. The characters it involved and the connections made were enough to keep enthralled with the tale. By the time the book was over, I was happy with where the characters had been left and I had hope for where they would go, all sugns pointing to a great story. 

Read this book if you like murder mysteries with a twist of monsters. You can't go wrong when monsters are added to a story.


Rating on my scale: After careful consideration, I'm giving this the whole 10 stars on my scale. In the end, I loved the reveals, I loved the characters, I loved the ending. This was an unexpected delight and I can't wait to try reading something else by DeLozier in the near future.



My thanks to Netgalley, Dutton and Elizabeth DeLozier for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

When we first meet Caroline Foster, she is on a train traveling to London on a search for her mysterious and missing brother, Charlie. She is traveling alone and bears all the markers of being young, inexperienced, and quite naive, a risky combination in late 19th century Britain. We learn that Charlie's existence is a secret that Caroline has kept from her father, as his headstone marks him as having died as an infant, and we learn that he existed in her life intermittently, visiting her sporadically over the years but still forming a loving bond that prompts her search. We also learn that she is a riches-to-rags story, her late father having squandered his fortune on a gambling addiction, and that she was recently forced to sell her childhood home in order to settle her father's debts. So, she is penniless and her last hope is finding her brother in London to have a stabilizing male presence in her life. It is clear at this point that she has no other option that her late father made no efforts to establish her with a husband before his passing, and she is looking for Charlie to whisk her away and start a new life together when they finally reunite.

Caroline travels to the address included on the envelope of Charlie's letters, the WhiteChapel Full Moon Society, where she manages to install herself as the household's new maid, effectively an assistant to the owner, the headstrong and hardworking Mrs. Easton. Mrs. Easton runs a fairly tight ship; the tenants are fed and tended to round the clock and there is always some meal in the process of being prepared. In exchange for her services, Caroline receives a meager pay and is only asked to follow 3 rules: do not ask personal questions, do not enter the East Wing, and on the night of the full moon supper, and she is to lock herself in her room after dinner and not come out until the next day. And, of course, she proceeds to break all three over the course of the book. Because, would Gremlins have been the same movie if those infamous 3 rules not been broken? I think not.

When Caroline first shows up, the tenants and Mrs. Easton all deny knowing where Charlie is, which Caroline immediately suspects is not true. So she resolves to use her newfound access to the private quarters of each tenant, since she is now responsible for tidying up their spaces, changing linens, and emptying out their chamberpots (yuck), to do her best at snooping, trying to sniff out as many clues as she can get, little by little. She proves herself to be a competent housemaid, having adapted quickly despite her cushioned upbringing, and eventually integrates herself into the daily coming and goings of the house. We meet the enigmatic Robert Ridley, or Rab, who is immediately positioned as the love interest and every one of their interactions is tenser than a bomb defuser deciding which wire to cut. And, as the story moves along, we generally are taken on the ride with Caroline as she tries to solve this mystery and find her brother.

On the whole, Caroline is a foolhardy character and her constant and tiresome dreams of reuniting with her brother hint at an almost incestuous fascination. Too much time is spent with her imaging Charlie's arms around her, his smell, the curve of his face, etc. It got a little bit creepy and regardless of that, much of the time, it was just hard to like her. It is hard to sympathize with someone who spends all of their time snooping, eavesdropping, crossing boundaries, violating personal space, lying, and keeping secrets. She spends the majority of the book collecting bits of information illicitly and we are painfully walked through her thoughts as she forms erroneous conclusions out of context. Plus, when you remember that she used to be rich, the word "entitled" inevitably enters the mix somewhere. And it was frustrating to watch her take risk after risk and form wildly inaccurate conclusions when the evidence presented the exact opposite.

Despite all of this, I was completely enveloped in this story. Not only are we given the fictional mystery of Caroline's missing brother, the author centers the story on a real life mystery by placing it in East End London 1888 - the stomping grounds of old Jack the Ripper himself. In this partly fictional/partly factual version, Jack the Ripper is terrorizing the neighborhood where the Full Moon Society house is located and the mutilated bodies of women are turning up down darkened alleyways on a monthly basis. The city is frightened, the police are stymied as to the identity of the killer, and unhoused and working women are terrified to be outdoors at night.

On the whole, this was an excellent period piece and a great mystery. The story was well-written and so engaging that it was easy to forgive Caroline's faults when you knew she would be uncovering clues. As much as I disliked Caroline for being such a nosy snoop, as much as I held my breath thinking that she was going to get caught, and as much as I was silently cursing her never to do that again, I could not wait for the reveal of the fruits of her labor. A lot of what made the book so appealing to me was the fact that we were walked through the clues at the same time as Caroline and we were also given pieces to the puzzle that were only solved by continuing to read. And it was such a rewarding experience.

This is a 5-star book for me for sure. It was not just a good story, it was well-told, well-written, and well-imagined. I'll be checking out this author's other works very soon.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy and much luck to the author when this gets published.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I give 5 stars because not only did I start and finish it two days, and essentially one sitting (I had to sleep in between). But the premise, the writing, the characters and the plot twists in a story I thought I knew, all kept me on my toes and wanting more.

As an avid true crime nerd and a lover of historical fiction, I picked up this ARC (through NetGalley) with high expectations. I wanted to see a new spin on a gruesome tale that has left many wondering for over 100 years. It is safe to say my expectations were met and thoroughly exceeded. A historical fiction, that remains mostly true to the events and time period in which is covers, but with a supernatural twist one I did not see coming until nearly 80% of the way through the book.

I think why it works so well is because (at least up until very recently and there is still some doubt) the case of Jack the Ripper has gone unsolved with no real evidence pointing to who did it, and the time since their - presumably his - crimes have long since passed so there is room to take creative liberties. I think the way it was handled, with the names of the victims kept, but giving them more dignity than they were offered at the time - and still are in many of the things written about it today - labelled as prostitutes and sex workers was refreshing.

The pacing was well done, though there were times when I wished it would move faster simply because I wanted to reach the next plot point, but it felt almost intentional. As the reader, I was forced to slow down and wait things out with Caroline so when the stakes were high, but there was nothing she could do but mull over things again and again, her frustration could be felt.

The characters, were all written in a way that gave them a lot of depth despite all being portrayed through the perspective of Caroline. We as the reader are only given as much as Caroline can gather about each of them through what possessions they have in their rooms and her interactions with them. And of herself we are only given the amount of information she actually knows or has been told and therefore believes. We are left wondering is she reading things wrong? Is what she's been told correct, misremembered over time? Is there something she's not picking up on? Which yes there was, to all of these questions that I had. Which brings me to my next point

There were parts of the story, carefully threaded and laid out that I picked up before they were confirmed (GO ME, detective at work!!). It truly felt like a true crime podcast - my favourite form of true crime consumption - where the events and people are introduced in a way that you can't trust anyone, not even the narrator in this case. I spent so much of the book doubting Caroline's voice and trying to figure out if she was the paranoid one, or maybe it was me.

I kept a note next to me, writing down all my inner commentary and burning questions at just what the hell was happening... to which they were later revealed and boy was it satisfying to be able to look back and say I knew it - there was also some times of kicking myself for not realising other things until Caroline herself figured them out. The constant, who do I believe, and who do I trust, the why so many secrets and the why are you so interested in this or that really made me think.

More on being made to think, I found myself having to go and look up the definition of a number of words, some more because they were historical descriptions that I wasn't familiar with, others because I simply did not know the meaning. A process that I - maybe an unpopular opinion - love. To be intellectually stimulated and forced to broaden my vocabulary is something I thoroughly enjoy. And is something that I have not found for a while in the books I've found myself reading, so it was a pleasant change. This alongside the content of the book following a pre-existing timeline, with real people, but integrated with fictional elements was captivating.

ARC received through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Murder, sexual assault, attempted rape, mutilation, drug use (administered and unwitting) slight period typical homophobia, period typical misogyny, slight period typical racism

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society was a gripping, suspenseful and heartfelt read.

But first, the plot: Caroline Foster is a noble down on her luck. In a bid to escape the crushing poverty brought on by her father's gambling debts, she goes to London to find her missing brother, Charlie. However, when she arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, she is told that her brother hasn't been there for months, and they almost close the door in her face. Desperate, VCaroline says that she's looking for a position as a maid, which the Society desperately needs. She is reluctantly hired, as the last maid was killed by none other than Jack the Ripper. As Caroline settles into life at the Society, caring for it's diverse and strange guests, she is given three rules: don't go to the iron barred door on the second floor, don't ask personal questions and remain in her room during the full moon. Will Caroline be able to find her brother? What is the Society hiding? Where will the Ripper strike again?

The characters were a huge part of this novel, and they did their job well. I loved Caroline in particular; her love for her brother is realistic and heart-wrenching, and she has a tenacity that resonated, especially at the beginning of the novel when her desperation was palatable. However, her extreme devotion to her brother might turn some readers off, as he is never far from her thoughts, and that may get repetitive. In addition to this, she is a character with flaws, and exhibits homophobia and racism towards the Society's guests. However, she does grow out of this, and by the end, I was fully rooting for her character. Just be warned it takes a bit for her to get there.

The side characters (namely, Charlie, the boarders, (including Rab her love interest) and the proprietress of the boardinghouse are either vivid (in the case of Rab and the manager of the boardinghouse) or at least serviceable (like with most of the lodgers.) I wish the lodgers were more fleshed out, but a few of them do get scenes where they shine, and they are all men with him I'd love to learn more about. This also extends to their big secret, which I won't elaborate upon for spoiler reasons, but I wish we spent a bit more time with it. I appreciate the representation (of both PoC and differing religious practices) and it was done in a 'realistic' way if that is a deal breaker. The same goes for the queer rep, but due to spoiler reasons, I will not elaborate.

The setting of this novel was done well too. I really felt the grime and pollution of industrial London, along with the unexpected patches of beauty in the darkness. However, as the book mostly takes place in Whitechapel and another poorer district of London, it feels a bit claustrophobic. It also means that there is a level of convenience and coincidence that shouldn't happen in a large city but that is mostly forgivable.

The mystery was compelling as well, if a bit obvious once mulled over. However, the book has a few red herrings that did trick me, so that was appreciated. The real life victims of Jack the Ripper were treated with respect which I appreciate as well. I usually stay away from true crime stories because of a glorification of the killer, but I'm glad the author was more tasteful than most.

All in all, I really did enjoy this book, even if certain parts left me wanting more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC!

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Check out my blog for drink parings and other reviews: https://theredreaderreviews.blogspot.com

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I FLEW through this book. I picked it up one night, just to get a taste of what the narrative felt like….and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Wondering what was going to happen next. Where was Charlie? What was he entangled in? How the heck was Caroline going to figure this out, penniless and alone in the world? The authors did an excellent job of drawing the reader in, painting a vivid picture of late 1800s London and sketching the portrait of an intriguing cast of characters. For me, everything jumped off the page. I also appreciate the prose, there were some beautiful turns of phrase that seemed unique to the authors s style. As this was a Netgalley ARC (thanks for honoring my request) I am not sure I’m allowed to pull a quote.

I have more to say however, I feel I need a moment to ruminate on this tale. I think my greatest delight was when I read the author afterword and she directly referenced The Five by Hayley Rutherford. This is one of my favorite past nonfiction reads. It focused solely on the victims of Jack the Ripper and humanized them. Painted a picture of White Chapel and the difficult, oft impossible circumstances women of a certain station faced. The choices they had to make when they had little to no choices left. That resonated throughout the book, as the author treated the victims with grace. Highly recommend honoring those women by reading that book!

I enjoyed this exploration of this time in history and a plausible, if fictional, take on who The Ripper may have been. I found it believable and I also enjoyed watching Caroline navigate this world that was so new to her. The fall from noblewoman to penniless orphan could have been a death sentence in that era. That she used her wits and secured a position as a maid was highly fortunate. Also to understand the workload of someone of that station and the bone tired drudgery of the Victorian era in general was well done.

I also enjoyed how the mystery of the Society slowly unfurled as well, and mysteriously and curious as monkshood. The authors observations and how well she paints outcasts,humanizes those who are a little different. Really well done.

My only complaint is that I feel slightly bereft to part from these characters so suddenly. We only just scratched the surface of the enigma that is the Whitechapel Full Moon Society and we did not get to revel in the supernatural, like I so longed to do. Simply a taste. Therefore, dear author: I beseech you for a sequel. Hear me out: yes, you wrapped this story up nearly, and efficiently, however, I think there is room to elaborate on other sensational crimes of the time or unique happenings of the era. I’ll draw a list together, happy to support this endeavor . ;-)

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is an atmospheric, slow-burn mystery that skillfully reimagines Victorian London at the height of Jack the Ripper’s terror, blending historical intrigue with folklore and a restrained supernatural edge. Elizabeth DeLozier creates a story that feels both familiar and fresh, grounding its suspense not just in murder, but in secrecy, grief, and the dangerous act of asking questions in a world determined to keep women silent.

Caroline Foster is an easy protagonist to root for—resourceful, observant, and quietly determined. Her search for her missing brother provides an emotional anchor to the story, giving weight to every risk she takes while working as a maid inside the enigmatic Whitechapel Full Moon Society. The house itself is one of the novel’s greatest strengths: opulent yet claustrophobic, governed by rigid rules that immediately signal danger. Each restriction, each unanswered question, deepens the sense that something ancient and unsettling lurks just beneath the surface.

DeLozier excels at atmosphere. The fog-soaked streets of Whitechapel, the constant fear of violence, and the ever-present shadow of Jack the Ripper create a sustained unease that never fully lifts. The pacing is deliberate, favoring tension and immersion over spectacle, which allows the mystery to unfold gradually and keeps the reader locked into Caroline’s limited perspective. When the supernatural elements do emerge, they feel purposeful rather than gratuitous—woven into the narrative in a way that complements the historical setting instead of overwhelming it.

The novel’s handling of the Ripper murders is notably respectful. Rather than sensationalizing violence, the story acknowledges the humanity of the victims and situates the crimes within a broader social context, reinforcing the novel’s emotional and ethical grounding. While some plot developments may be anticipated by seasoned readers of historical mysteries, the execution remains satisfying, and the final revelations bring the threads together with confidence and care.

Ultimately, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is a richly textured blend of historical fiction, mystery, and folklore that prioritizes mood, character, and restraint. Fans of gothic settings, secret societies, and reimagined history will find much to admire here. DeLozier delivers a compelling and immersive read that lingers long after the final page, offering a haunting and thoughtful alternative take on one of history’s most infamous eras.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is a historical murder mystery set during Jack the Ripper's reign of terror in Victorian London. There's a dash of fantasy sprinkled on top, and the hints of a budding romance which are not the focus of the book. It's an enjoyable read which handles its real world historical subjects respectfully. Readers of historical mysteries are likely to enjoy it.

The book follows Caroline Forester, a sickly young woman of a posh upbringing who finds herself in diminished circumstances after the death of her father. She travels to London to find her semi-estranged brother who hasn't written or visited in months. There in Whitechapel she finds the Full Moon Society, a mysterious boarding house her brother previously lived. Making it her home base while she investigates his disappearance, she gets a job there working as a kitchen maid.

London is described with rich, vivid prose. A great deal of care has been paid to historical accuracy. The language throughout is well chosen and a pleasure to read. There is a strong sense of time and place that's complimented by good narration. Like the streets of Whitechapel, the boarders at the Full Moon Society are fully rendered, with each of the retinue becoming a distinct character in only a few scenes. The characters alongside Caroline with more attention are well-rounded and likeable. I'd happily read another book following the same motley cast.

Where this book falls down a little is in the structure and pacing. You can likely guess what the dash of supernatural flare in the book is merely from the title, and if not, most readers will pick up on it in an early chapter. Caroline, meanwhile, never picks up on it despite the hints being woven throughout the book. The big reveal (the "well, it's about time!" of it all) doesn't come until the very end of the book, at which point it feels a bit rushed and like Caroline is catching up to what we all already guessed. Additionally, the mystery that drives Caroline—what's happened to her missing brother—is solved as an afterthought to the book's central mystery, the identity of Jack the Ripper, which is only ever of background interest to Caroline. These issues fumbled a bit at the end of what was otherwise a very strong book that I devoured quickly. I still enjoyed it despite that, but lovers of tricky mysteries might be let down by the twists.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Dotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is a paranormal historical mystery filled with intrigue, suspense and even a little thrill. Our main character, Caroline, has lost her father and her fortune and heads to London to find her brother for sanctuary. When she arrives at his boarding house, she finds out that he hasn’t been seen for months, and a mysterious killer has been murdering prostitutes. Caroline takes a placement at a maid at the boarding house, determined to learn the secrets that the house and its inhabitants seem to be hiding. Set against the 1880 Jack the Ripper murders, this story has twists and intrigue, where not everything is what it seems.

This story was compelling and engaging. Caroline’s characterization is well done, a low-ranking noble’s daughter seeking to make her way after a series of gambling debts have bankrupted the family. The story feels very rooted in the historical context of 1880 without being verbose, and detail is given to social class and the Jack the Ripper murders.

The paranormal element of this story provided a lot of the suspense within the story, but the revelation about the nature of the supernatural really only happens at the end of the story. The author has three mysteries (the Jack the Ripper murders, Charlie’s disappearance, and the suspicious nature of Whitechapel) and is able to weave them together and pluck them apart as suits her, which is a nice touch.

The publisher’s blurb cites both Sarah Penner and V. E. Schwab as authors with similar books, and I think Penner is a much better comparison than Schwab. The book does not have Schwab’s fantastical elements woven throughout, nor does it have her compelling romances. However, this book absolutely parallels Sarah Penner’s books in both style and content, and I think that any fan of Penner’s would probably find this book intriguing.

I enjoyed myself thoroughly while reading this book, curious about the mysteries unfolding and the final result. I found myself satisfied with the end of the story, especially with the big twist at the end. I was surprised with the end but it also made sense, which is always what you hope for when reading a mystery.

Thank you to Dutton for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Camille (beancounterbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (rounded to 4)

Add a dash of spooky supernatural to Victorian London during the time of Jack the Ripper murders and you get this perfect-for-fall mystery.

I’m a fan of historical fiction, specifically when there are (a) real people involved and/or (b) mysteries, so this was definitely my cup of tea. The premise is relatively straightforward: what happens when a sheltered girl raised in wealth in the country comes to big city London to search for her missing brother after receiving a mysterious letter from him warning of danger?

You know Caroline will be a fish out of water when she’s on the train to London and the other people around her are ~shocked~ she’s headed to Whitechapel—she knows nothing of its rough reputation. Add in the mysterious boardinghouse her brother last stayed and its cast of oddball characters & we’re off to the races.

The reader gets to experience the vast wealth disparity in Victorian London as we travel with Caroline from her family’s country estate to one of the poorest and most notorious slums in London. Our plucky heroine is not scared off by poverty and a bit of hard work and we get to see her learn to navigate this completely new world.

There is a fair amount in here as to what the servants of the time did in a day and while some might think it drags on, I enjoyed the reminder of just how much daily life has changed since this time (running water! electric/gas stoves! washing machines! indoor plumbing!) especially as Caroline balances her newfound work with her search for her brother.

I really enjoyed how the supernatural elements of the story were intertwined with the real life killings of women by Jack the Ripper. These women were not “just” victims of violence. They are humanized and lived in characters—a rare sight when engaging with content about serial killers.

This book asks a lot of questions and mostly does a good job of answering them. Once the pieces start coming together, the action is nonstop and I stayed up until 2am because I had to know how it ended. I think the ending could have been a bit more drawn out but I genuinely enjoyed the ride to get to the whodunit (among other things).

[Rebecca Noothed · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Generally speaking, if the plot involves Victorian London, I’m in and this book focuses on a very specific time period: the months that Jack the Ripper terrorized the city’s East End. Given the fascination with Jack the Ripper (even now) it’s natural that someone would eventually say, “but what if there were werewolves?” And I’m glad they did! I figured I would enjoy this book based on the teaser but I didn’t expect to like it this much.

The story starts with the MFC, a recently impoverished daughter of a country lord, on her way to London to find her brother. I was convinced she was going to end up robbed and murdered before she actually got to London but she makes it. She investigates her brother’s disappearance while strange things are happening in the boarding house she works in as a maid. Caroline isn’t particularly clever or cunning but she does her best and the story is well written.

The beginning was a little slow and I got nervous around 70% of the way through when nothing had really happened but it came together in the end. The author did a good job weaving a story around facts and lore about the Ripper and the women he murdered. There has always been speculation about his identity and theories like it was a police officer or doctor or member of the peerage who were committing these crimes and the powers that be covered it up. People also often overlook his victims as real women with full lives and focus on their names and grisly deaths. The author gives one victim, Mary Jane Kelly, her own backstory as a character who suffers domestic violence and ends up destitute. There is good juxtaposition between the macabre fascination with the murders and greater social commentary on the working poor and industrialization of the 19th century.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and once I got going I didn’t want to slow down. If you like a good historical thriller or supernatural-adjacent story this is for you. Fans of the tv series The Alienist (Netflix) or The Nevers (HBO pre-Joss Whedon cancellation, now lost to the wild blue yonder of Tubi).

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier
Thank you to NetGalley for the early ARC.

A captivating historical fiction novel centered on the hunt for Jack the Ripper and a missing brother. The author excels at immersing the reader in Victorian England, creating an atmosphere so vivid that I felt as if I were standing alongside the well-developed characters. As a fan of true crime and historical fiction, I had high expectations for a new spin on this gruesome, unsolved tale, and DeLozier met them.

The story remains mostly true to the historical events of the period but introduces a supernatural twist about 80% of the way through the book. This creative liberty works well because the original Ripper case remains unsolved, allowing room for such imaginative shifts. I found it particularly refreshing that the names of the victims were kept, yet they were afforded more dignity than they are usually given in historical accounts or modern retellings.

The pacing is intentional, occasionally forcing the reader to slow down and experience the same frustration and "mulling over" as the main character, Caroline. Because the entire story is told through Caroline’s perspective, the reader only knows what she knows or believes. This creates a sense of profound doubt, questioning if she was misremembering events or if I was missing clues, making for an intellectually stimulating experience.

🍵Final Verdict
The narrative structure mirrors the feel of a true crime podcast, where no one—not even the narrator—can be fully trusted. Overall, integrating real people and timelines with captivating fictional elements. This is a must-read for those who love a meticulous historical mystery but crave a daring, unexpected payoff. DeLozier honors the victims of the past while spinning a supernatural web that is both intellectually satisfying and genuinely surprising.

[jordyn ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Dutton for the eARC

The cover for The Whitechapel Full Moon Society caught my eye on Netgalley as I was scrolling -- and then I saw the title. You all know, by now, how much I love werewolves. I was sure this book would have them, and well, it's a historical fiction novel, too. Right up my alley.

I can say that this book was enjoyable, but unfortunately, it's not REALLY a werewolf novel. It's 100% more about Jack the Ripper and what/who he was. We see our main character, Caroline Foster, as she is at her life's worst point. Her alcoholic gambling addict father has passed, and she's left alone in the world with a mountain of debt. She pays everything off, sells the grand manor, and gets herself to London. She's trying to find her brother, Charlie -- this was a good basis for the start of the book, but after awhile it gets a bit old.

Caroline makes a series of really dumb decisions that somehow end up working out for her. She tracks her brother to a men's boarding house and then...well...she ends up getting job as a maid there.

Again. Stupid decisions. She's never done a day of work in her entire life. But hey, somehow she muddles through and figures it out. No one appears to notice or care? Which felt...off.

Anyway, there's a whole series of mysteries about six layers deep in this book. I enjoyed them and was genuinely wondering about a few of them, but I do wish some had been solved earlier in the novel. It felt like we were being strung along for longer than we really needed to be. Everything IS answered by the end of the book, though, which is nice.

So, overall, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society was fun, but a little longer than it needed to be, and more than a little unrealistic. I think I would have enjoyed it more if there had been a little more realism? Four stars.

[J. Blake Myersmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is described as "...a bedtime story, the kind with monsters and curses, family secrets and ancient lore" and "...[an] alternative look into the infamous Jack the Ripper story with a major, supernatural twist." Instead, it is an extremely slow burning mystery (around the 70% mark, our protagonist laments that she hasn't discovered anything despite months of subtle investigation) with zero supernatural elements. Yes, the (I don't consider this a spoiler due to the title and description laying it on quite thick) werewolves are revealed at the very end, but they are almost unrecognizable from the traditional morphing monsters we know, and their lycanthropy is only ever a red herring to the main mystery.

I wanted to like this book so much that I finished it despite wanting to DNF at the 50% mark, hoping it would redeem itself. Once I'd reached the end and it hadn't, I tried to view it retrospectively without the lens of its Goodreads description, but that only improved it slightly. From that perspective, it was easier to focus on the positives: DeLozier's descriptions of 1888 London are visceral and immersive, Caroline is a realistic depiction of an anxious heiress, and as she uncovers information at a glacial pace, there's something that keeps the pages turning. Whether it's empathy for the protagonist, true curiosity for the twist on the Ripper murders, or something else, I can't tell. I will say I was very moved by the final scene, though.

Despite a diverse and interesting cast of boarders, they are underutilized in the narrative since our focus is so clearly on Caroline and (as one of her rules as a maid) she cannot interact with them. Like many mysteries, this book ends with an enormous info dump, but there are still (somehow) questions left unanswered. I think there are definitely people out there that will enjoy this book, but I am unfortunately not one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book!

[Raymond Muraida · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite PBS Masterpiece Mystery series is Miss Scarlet and the Duke. A show that takes place during late Victorian time period that is set in London, a city filled with murder, thievery, and intrigue, that explores the societal norms of the times, particularly the role of women. As I read The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier, I kept imagining the main character, Caroline, would fit well in that PBS series. Being a woman during those times was difficult and Caroline has many challenges, throughout the novel, that puts her on the trail of finding her brother, Charlie, who has disappeared. DeLozier has done a marvelous job with her research of the time, place, language and people. Her descriptions of that period in London were very immersive, as I felt I was there.
The novel is not simply a historical mystery. As the title implies, there is a secret society set in Whitechapel. And yes, we can say Jack the Ripper! Not only is there a secret society, but it relates to a full moon, which gives the story a supernatural twist, but don’t let that turn you off as the focus is on Caroline and her search for the truth.
While the body count rises during Caroline’s time in the city, I’m afraid Ms. DeLozier may have shown her hand too soon. At one point, midway through, I turned to my wife and said, I know who the killer is. Maybe I got lucky, maybe the clues were too obvious. Who knows. Also, I met many characters throughout the novel, mostly the boarders where Caroline worked; however, many of them were underutilized or undeveloped. That said, I enjoyed my journey with Caroline and I hope you do too!
An E-ARC of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society was provided by NetGalley and Dutton in exchange for my honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is a richly imagined blend of gothic mystery and supernatural suspense, offering a fresh, eerie reimagining of Jack the Ripper’s London. From the moment Caroline Foster steps through the Society’s crumbling façade and into its unexpectedly opulent halls, the novel wraps you in a fog‑shrouded world where nothing is quite what it seems.

Caroline is a wonderfully compelling heroine—resilient, curious, and driven by a fierce loyalty to her missing brother. Her arrival at the Society feels like stepping onto a stage set for secrets: barred rooms, whispered rules, and a staff who seem to know far more than they dare say. The tension builds beautifully as Caroline uncovers unsettling clues, each one tightening the sense that she’s wandered into a story where folklore and reality bleed together.

Elizabeth DeLozier captures Victorian London with vivid, cinematic detail—the grime of Whitechapel’s streets, the opulence of hidden clubs, the dread that hangs over a city haunted by a killer. The supernatural twist is woven in with impressive subtlety, adding depth and intrigue without overshadowing the historical roots of the narrative. As more bodies surface and the Society’s true nature comes into focus, the novel becomes a gripping exploration of curses, family legacies, and the monsters we fear—both human and otherwise.

With its gothic atmosphere, sharp pacing, and a heroine worth rooting for, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is a captivating read for fans of V. E. Schwab, Dana Schwartz, and Sarah Penner. Dark, imaginative, and deliciously unsettling, it offers a fresh take on one of history’s most infamous mysteries while delivering a story entirely its own.

with thanks to Elizabeth DeLozier, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC