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So I don't like horror, and a story about someone recreating the Jack the Ripper murders in modern day was already a book that I was more than ready to pass on. But then it turns out that the story veers off into the supernatural and for some reason we are now encountering ghosts and the secret police force charged with keeping London safe against them. That's where I was completely lost. If this wasn't a school assignment I wouldn't have finished it at all. I think people who like horror mightn
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I was sucked into this book right from the beginning. The first half of the story was really interesting, but once Boo comes in and you find out what the deal with the ripper is its all downhill from there. Apparently this is a series, not so sure how fast I'd be to pick up the next one. However, I imagine your average Maureen Johnson fan would enjoy this as well as teens who aren't into the whole paranormal romance craze, this just has a hint of ghosts.
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Set in London, this supernatural mystery is suspenseful, well written and unique. Rory Deveaux arrives at a British boarding school just as a string of murders begin in London. All the characters are three dimensional and realistic and although this is a supernatural mystery there are wonderful moments of humor to break up the horror and grim murders. A good story that captures one's attention from beginning to end.
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There aren't a lot of writers more flexible than Maureen Johnson, and this book is one of her best. A twist of paranormal, of history, of horror, and of high school good times as Rory, from a small town in Louisiana, heads for London with her college-professor parents who are on sabbatical, and lands at her new boarding school on the same day as that school becomes the epicenter of a wave of murders. Not just any murders, either, but murders that are the work of a seemingly-uncatchable Jack the
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This is one of those books that I only read because it was on the YALSA book challenge and then I ended up adoring it.
Altogether, a great ride!
*CAUTION: Semi-Spoilers ahead*
While reading, I went back and forth between loving this book and being somewhat disappointed. I started out loving it, especially the Ripper intrigue, and was upset when the paranormal element came in. I really appreciated the explanation for said paranormal aspect, though, which made me embrace the legitimacy of the plot once more.
*CAUTION: Semi-Spoilers ahead*
While reading, I went back and forth between loving this book and being somewhat disappointed. I started out loving it, especially the Ripper intrigue, and was upset when the paranormal element came in. I really appreciated the explanation for said paranormal aspect, though, which made me embrace the legitimacy of the plot once more.
I was really drawn into this book and stayed up late finishing it. While I didn't find the mystery part completely satisfying (view spoiler), I really liked the characters and the world building. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series!
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I wasn't sure about a "Jack the Ripper book" but this was engaging and fun, just like Maureen Johnson's other books. I'll definitely read the next in the series once it comes out.
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It helps that I was in London while I read this, but I really liked the idea of using Jack the Ripper in contemporary fiction. He's a figure that's hard to forget.
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Jack the Ripper is back. Or someone copying him.
Sep 13, 2011
Shannon
marked it as to-read
Jan 03, 2012
Allison
marked it as to-read
Jul 05, 2012
Gillian Dawson
marked it as to-read
Jul 18, 2012
Joanna
marked it as to-read
Jan 07, 2013
Jaime Oakeson
marked it as to-read
Jan 17, 2013
Ms. Pansulla
marked it as to-read
Feb 01, 2013
Karl
added it
Feb 18, 2013
Kimberli
marked it as to-read
