Escaping from Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3) by Kerri Maniscalco -- Restarting August 3rd 2021

[Ari ☾]

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?

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 14 (view spoiler)[ These murders are getting horrible!! i have a bad feeling about the deal Audrey Rose made with Mephistopheles. Houdini could be writing to a sister or cousin or someone other than a lover! I feel like Liza isn't going to appreciate Audrey's meddling here. I do like the other performers so far and the sleight of hand tricks. (hide spoiler)] I have no idea who the murderer is, I don't even have suspects send help lmao

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 22 (view spoiler)[ Ugh I hate this deception Audrey Rose is playing at with Mephistopheles. STOP HURTING MY BABY THOMAS!! I love thomas so much omg. I really hope Liza doesn't end up being a victim (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 29 (view spoiler)[ Whatever Audrey's plan is it better be good!! I love how Thomas is always showing up when Mephistopheles tries to get Audrey alone, I think Thomas does realize she's playing an act, but I don't think he knows the full scope. I don't know whether to suspect Harry or Mephistopheles or the sword dude! THERES TOO MANY POSSIBILITIES (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Oh my god I thought Audrey and Thomas were going to break up for a hot second and I was about to explode!! My heart aches for thomas!! Audrey loves him. I was so worried one of them was gonna die at the end too!!! I loved the tarot inspired murders I love learning about tarot. I was super surprised to learn who the murderer was but I'm glad it wasn't Aiden or Harry! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

33%: (view spoiler)[weelllll shit, liza being a part of the magic show has made it a bit more interesting. here's to hoping she doesn't die or something. (hide spoiler)]
60%: (view spoiler)[well now I know how the fire eater people do their tricks in the circus which is pretty cool. HOWEVER, the whole lion thing was gross and I cringed so hard. I also have no idea who this murderer is and I need a suspect NOW! (hide spoiler)]
85%: (view spoiler)[NOOO NOT LIZA! She can't be in trouble - please tell me she's alive! (hide spoiler)]
100%: (view spoiler)[OMG I WOULD'VE LOST MY SHIT IF AUDREY AND THOMAS DIDN'T GET BACK TOGETHER. I loved the ending and now I'm freaking out about a possible second killer. I need the next book - please tell me it's a thing and who it's about! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

12%
(view spoiler)[ Just fuck already. Your cousin is missing! Focus on that. Smh. Why must we make this into a triangle? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

30%
(view spoiler)[ Aw man sending notes to someone in America, how scandalous. The real Houdini was married but not sure if it was before this time period or not, too lazy to look it up. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

56%
(view spoiler)[ Not creepy at all Thomas. Just sitting in the locked room, in the dark. Why is she just creeping around with this guy anyhow, Thomas is all you need (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

67%
(view spoiler)[ Ummmm they're kissing! Ugh. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

94%
(view spoiler)[ And she's dead. I don't like who the killer is at all, dumb motive, Andre could have just helped her escape instead, he has the tools proven by these murders. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 1-7

(view spoiler)[I forgot how much I love Audrey Rose and Thomas, and their flirtation (well, full blossomed lust/love at this point). I just want them to live happily ever after with no fears about who can see them together, solving murders and being general badasses.

I think the setting of this book is unique. Because they're on a boat in the middle of the ocean, there's less places to hide and you've got a real secluded feel to the story.

Also, cousin Liza ran away with Harry Houdini?!?! Will he show up in the book? Will he be the murderer? I doubt it but it'll be fun to see Audrey Rose and Thomas go up against him.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 8-11

(view spoiler)[I really hope we're not gonna get a love triangle. I have no energy for anyone to try and come between my Audrey Rose and Thomas. So please don't do this.

I don't like Mephistopheles. Also, he's named after a demon from German folklore. Is there some foreshadowing there?? My money's on him being the killer!

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Chapters 12-20

(view spoiler)[Well. Mephistopheles really is the worst, isn't he? I hate seeing him come between Audrey Rose and Thomas. I feel like there's a lot of foreshadowing and it will be reveleaed that he's the devil. There's lots of references to the devil and Satan, and I think it's guaranteed that's where this is going.

(hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

There is already a BR? Great, so i will join you :)

[Ashleigh]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Okay, so I have some feelings about this book.

First of all, eff you for trying to mess with my Audrey Rose and Thomas. They are my precious little babies and I love them and they deserve nothing to be happy together solving murders. THEY DO NOT NEED SOME GUY TO TRY AND COME BETWEEN THEM. That made me sooooooooooooooo mad.

Second of all, Audrey Rose, you are a smart girl. A very smart girl. Where the hell was your brain? Why would you give that man the time of day, and how could you let someone turn your head from Thomas????

Thirdly, the murderer reveal was... kinda weak. I found, by the end of the book, I didn't really care because my heart was tied up in the love triangle situation and I was so set on Mephistopheles being the killer, that the real killer was kinda underwhelming.

Overall, this book was the weakest in the series for me so far but I'm still gonna love every single book in the series. I'm just hoping we get no more love triangle bullshit. Thank you. :)

(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting August 24th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Jaye]

Oh my god I can't believe she did this LOL. A love triangle?? In this economy???

[janel]

I WAS JUST GETTING ON BOARD FOR THE PAIRING (I know, I'm like the only person who wasn't crazy about them) but SERIOUSLY?

I really hate love triangles though, especially this far in

[Jaye]

turniip wrote: "I WAS JUST GETTING ON BOARD FOR THE PAIRING (I know, I'm like the only person who wasn't crazy about them) but SERIOUSLY?

I really hate love triangles though, especially this far in"


RIGHT. And then the guy is literally just thomas again??? What is the point besides to ruin this series for me haah

[Jaye]

The mystery oh god it was just a repeat of the last ones but even more boring. Wow... dead girls....again.... shocked. (view spoiler)[The killer killing because he mad but instead of killing the men he's mad at he kills their daughters lol bye (hide spoiler)]

[janel]

Jaye wrote: "The mystery oh god it was just a repeat of the last ones but even more boring. Wow... dead girls....again.... shocked. [spoilers removed]"

yeah it's starting to feel a little weird that the feminist stance is framed only around Audrey and when other women are involved they're either too dumb to understand that they should want more or helpless victims

[janel]

Jaye wrote: "tRIGHT. And then the guy is literally just thomas again??? What is the point besides to ruin this series for me haah"

Yeah at least give a different dynamic that causes people to consider the other option

[Jaye]

turniip wrote: "Jaye wrote: "The mystery oh god it was just a repeat of the last ones but even more boring. Wow... dead girls....again.... shocked. [spoilers removed]"

yeah it's starting to feel a little weird th..."


It's so bad ugh. Audrey is the worst "not like the other girls"

[Jaye]

turniip wrote: "Jaye wrote: "tRIGHT. And then the guy is literally just thomas again??? What is the point besides to ruin this series for me haah"

Yeah at least give a different dynamic that causes people to cons..."


^^^^
NOT THE SAME KIND OF GUY LOL. Or just don't do a love triangle in a #3 in the first place, rip

[Jaye]

I'm not reading the next one... yikes.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting November 10th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Carolina]

Joining in!

[Karen]

Love the tug-of-war challenge to try and get round to finishing off a series...looking forward to this.

[Claire]

Starting this today! :D

[Carolina]

I started reading this yesterday, November 10th, and I must say it was intense!

Day 1) 21%

3% (view spoiler)[
What a start! Scary and wonderful! I'm already very excited!
The pace has already started fast! And I love this magic show ship scenario!


(hide spoiler)]

11% (view spoiler)[
Audrey and Thomas are so sexy together! I want so much more to see both of them in a lot of scenes together! Pages and pages of the two ofthem kissing. The sexual tension of this scene in the bedroom was palpable.



About Lisa, I think she even commented that she had met a guy who did magic, right? I think she's on the ship and the guy must be Houdini.
(hide spoiler)]

13% (view spoiler)[
I knew it! Lisa is on the ship! And I wrote about it a few pages ago! I knew she would be with the magician! She had sent Audrey a letter about it in the previous book.


(hide spoiler)]

16% (view spoiler)[
This scene with Thomas being "sawed" in half was very good! This book has a crazy pace! I figured he wasn't going to die, but I was still tense.


(hide spoiler)]

So far, so good.

[Jennifer]

I should be starting this shortly too!

[Claire]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Ok, this is totally nitpicky but bear with me here, it actually really bothered me. As a kid I was really into magic tricks, so all the common ones like cutting a person in half, I know how they work, and the way that Thomas explained the trick is completely incorrect.

He explains it by saying he was lying in a compartment below the false bottom of the main box which IS indeed a way you can perform the trick, yes, BUT the trick shown then involved the 2 sides being separated, which is obviously impossible if Thomas is lying there normally if you just think about it, that's a different trick.

The version of the trick that allows you to pull the 2 sides apart requires either 2 assistants or fake feet, but either way it's impossible to do the trick with just a random audience member who is not instructed what to do and doesn't have clothes matching the hidden assistant/fake feet (there are diagrams/videos if you google search this)

Again I know this isn't relevant to the plot but it just really annoyed me 👀 (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[I'm really not a fan of this love triangle being introduced like 75% of the way into the series, having a love triangle during the will-they-won't-they phase is ok I guess but when they're practically engaged to be married, introducing a new potential love interest just feels a bit icky. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 2) 32%

23%
(view spoiler)[
Finally Houdini! I was confused, thinking he might as well be Mephistopheles. But they're two different people.
(hide spoiler)]

25%
(view spoiler)[
I can see a lot of misunderstandings with Thomas and I don't like it at all. Seriously, do you need this in their relationship? I hope I'm wrong.


(hide spoiler)]

30%
(view spoiler)[
She made the deal. Shit! And while she says she's a feminist, I don't think what she's doing for her cousin is cool. She is being selfish. She just wants an excuse to learn his tricks. It will not end well.



Don't get me wrong, I'm not monogamous, so I have no problem seeing more than one relationship in a story, but I don't agree with secrets and lying. This will hurt Thomas and create unnecessary friction. Although the idea is very interesting, I predict a headache. I hope I'm wrong.
(hide spoiler)]

32%
(view spoiler)[
Want to bet that this letter from Houdini is not what she thinks it is? It must be to a sister or his mother, I don't know. The most important parts were stained with paint and Mephistopheles said he bumped into him, that's why it smudged with paint. For me, he himself covered it with ink, because the letter didn't say what he wanted it to say.

What bothers me is that Audrey doesn't question that she's doing all this for her cousin without her consent! In fact, she's doing it for herself, because she wants to investigate, she's curious to learn the tricks... But she's using her cousin as an excuse. What about the feminism she defends? What about the power to choose one's life? She is not letting her cousin choose anything!



And I don't even want to imagine Thomas's broken heart! Did they really need this? They had so much yet to evolve as a couple! Using jealousy to develop a relationship is such a weak argument! I hate this kind of subterfuge. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Carolina wrote: "Day 2) 32%

[spoiler removed]"

(view spoiler)[Ugh, right? I'm so mad at her, she claims to want freedom for women and then tries to police Liza (ok she's doing it because she cares, BUT she got super mad at Thomas for doing the exact same thing in the previous book, hypocrite much?), and she's meant to be smart and not ruled by her emotions but she gets fooled by such an obvious trick with the note. Come ON. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Claire wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Yes! It's as if the author is dosing Audrey's intelligence for convenience, to boost the plot. It's ridiculous for her to accept such a deal without talking to anyone, especially since there are several murders happening on the ship. What do you mean you trust a guy you don't know more than the man who's been with you since the Ripper murders? It makes no sense!
(hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 3) 72%

47%
(view spoiler)[
Thomas is very understanding. He respects Audrey's freedom and limits. Seriously, if he wasn't so wonderful, their relationship would be lost.

What about Mephistopheles managing to convince Audrey to investigate a crime scene without Thomas and her uncle? Really? And she agreeing to it? I don't know, she's being so naive and even a little dumb in this book!


(hide spoiler)]

52%
(view spoiler)[
It doesn't make sense for her to continue without talking to Thomas! She already has the letter to show to her cousin! She has nothing to loose by doing this! My God!!!!! Why does she have to keep her word to a guy she barely knows, putting her relationship in jeopardy, and that guy, on top of everything, is one of the murder suspects???


(hide spoiler)]

61%
(view spoiler)[
Why can't Audrey tell her cousin that she wants to approach Mephistopheles because she's investigating the murder? It would be nothing out of the ordinary. She's just investigating. She did this before. This book is creating troubles for nothing.
(hide spoiler)]

62%
(view spoiler)[
"Which sword is bigger?" Audrey, you naughty girl!


(hide spoiler)]

68%
(view spoiler)[
Thomas knows they kissed, knows they danced together, knows they were investigating a crime scene together... So Audrey and Thomas are alone to talk AND THEY DON'T TALK????!!! What the Hell! After all this, haven't they talked yet? The opportunity was RIGHT THERE! Seriously, unbelievable!!!


(hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

@Carolina - (view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Thomas, that boy is an actual saint 😭 (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch4. Great to be back with Audrey and Thomas. They don’t seem to have much luck with their ability to travel without murder following them.

[Carolina]

Day 4) 100%

76%
(view spoiler)[
Oh, I hope they don't kill Mrs. Harvey !!!!!
(hide spoiler)]

77%
(view spoiler)[
Thank God! She is alive! Seriously, that was tense!
(hide spoiler)]

81%
(view spoiler)[
The discussion between Mephistopheles and Thomas was very funny! Seriously, I love Thomas!
(hide spoiler)]

82%
(view spoiler)[
I knew the letter wasn't from a lover! Seriously, I have so many problems with this!



Even if it was from a lover, Audrey did things without even consulting her cousin first. She could have spoken to her earlier, saying she didn't trust Houdini, or that she was worried for her cousin. But she preferred to do everything her way, disregarding the others.

Besides, I don't understand why, having already delivered the letter to Lisa, she continued this ridiculous thing with Mephistopheles. It seems that the author wanted to cause this kind of conflict at all costs, but didn't think straight out how to do it.


(hide spoiler)]

85%
(view spoiler)[
My God! They got Lisa!
(hide spoiler)]

87%
(view spoiler)[
She is not sure about how she's feeling?



I think it's possible to like more than one person, but the way it's being done... I don't like it at all. It looks like the author wants to follow the YA's love triangle cliché.
(hide spoiler)]

88%
(view spoiler)[
Mephistopheles showed his face. I think I like him. I don't like Audrey's attitude, but I must confess I like him. And the scenes of them together are also sexy. But kissing him right after fighting with Thomas makes me so sad... I don't know. This is all very sad.
(hide spoiler)]

92%
(view spoiler)[
My God! Thomas! Please, nothing bad happen to Thomas!


(hide spoiler)]

94%
(view spoiler)[
My God! He stabbed Audrey !!!!!!

(hide spoiler)]

100%
(view spoiler)[
Wow! This ending was a roller coaster of emotions! I was sincerely afraid that Thomas and Audrey would continue with this misunderstanding. And it's a ridiculous misunderstanding, a cheap plot device to create tension in the last moments. Glad everything was solved! But even so, it doesn't change the fact that many things were very poorly performed.

For example, the killer barely appears the entire book! In previous books, we got in touch with who the killer was, so we felt the impact of the discovery. In that one, when they revealed who the killer was, I was like "Who?".

Another thing, why the name of the book is "Escaping from Houdini"? Houdini barely appears! If Audrey exchanged half a dozen sentences with him, that was a lot! The book should be called "Making a Pact with Mephistopheles".

And why did Audrey learn all these things with the circus people? What did she learn about killer minds by doing this? How did this help in the investigation or in the final moments when they were confronting the killer? It doesn't make sense! It created an unnecessary conflict and confused the plot.

I believe it was possible to develop this story much better, without changing what the author wanted to do. Do you want to create the pact? Then put more things at stake, something she couldn't refuse. Want us to know more about the circus people? Put more scenes with them, make us care about them. Want to put the name of the book "Escaping from Houdini", make the damn Houdini appear in the damn book!!!! Want to create friction between Audrey and Thomas? Then does this respecting the dynamics that both had between them. Want to make Audrey attracted to another guy? Then develops their relationship beyond talking in riddles. Seriously, the author could follow exactly what she wanted and be less terrible. The book didn't seem to make any sense!


Anyway, I hope the next one is better.
(hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 34
(view spoiler)[Lol at her saying that Mephistopheles made her break Liza's heart. Girl, YOU were the one who decided to meddle! Audrey not understanding how magic tricks work I can believe, that stuff was still new and being developed at that time and the tricks were not yet common knowledge, but the lack of common sense is just ughhhhhhh. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[The only reason I'm not more mad at all the dumb stuff in this book is because Audrey got completely told in the end, so... Character development yay? I just hope it stays consistent through the 4th book.

I feel like all this would have been more appropriate if it happened earlier in the series, it feels like she went through character decay during this book just for the purpose of being taught a lesson in the end, she wasn't this bad in the earlier books. Definitely my least favourite book in the series so far, hoping that the finale will be closer in quality to the other two! (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Ch 12 - (view spoiler)[ Wow, I am so lost right now. I have no idea who the murderer is. I keep going back to the title - Escaping Houdini - and keep dismissing Mephistopheles (which is a mouthful to say even in my head as I read). I am also suspicious of the Captain of the ship due to his introduction of the circus.

The position that Liza is in is interesting. I get that she doesn't want to feel like she is caged by her sex, but I didn't think she would ruin her family to achieve her freedom. Of course, Audrey and Thomas are playing the same dangerous game with all their make-out sessions. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

@Claire Claire wrote: "Finished!"

(view spoiler)[I completely agree with everything you said. The problem is not the development of the character. The problem is that it seems that the author had to make her stupid to create this development. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch5. Love Audrey’s passion, but her behaviour is - I think - quite unlikely.

[Karen]

Up to ch15. The thought of being trapped on the ship while these events take place is pretty unpleasant.

[Jennifer]

Ch 19 - (view spoiler)[ Whoa, I don't get that move at all. When Mephisto said he needed Thomas's reaction to be genuine, I assumed it would be in response to something that would happen in the finale in front of a bunch of suspects. Who is currently in the room that is important? Cassie? The Captain? (hide spoiler)]
Ch 31 - (view spoiler)[ Oh, I am so glad Mrs. Harvey is alive. I think I would have missed her too even though she is barely around.

At this point, I have no idea who the killer is, but it is becoming harder and harder to ignore Mephisto as the main suspect. Another thing I can't quite figure out is why the killer is mainly targeting women. I would think his/her need for spectacle, etc. would lead him/her to choose more powerful victims. Nearly all these women were essentially weak and easy to prey upon. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - LOVED IT!!! (view spoiler)[ I really did not know who it was until the reveal. That was great misdirection. I was so focused on what was going on between Mephisto, Thomas, and Audrey that I found it difficult to pick up on any other clues. And thank goodness, Thomas and Audrey are still together. I ship them so much and was actually hoping they would have the Captain just marry them when they got to NY.

So will they try to figure out who did the Ripper-style murder now? Or is it on to something different? (hide spoiler)]

@Claire - do you want to read the next one? I can probably fit it in at the end of this month or the beginning of Dec.

[Jennifer]

Carolina wrote: "@Claire Claire wrote: "Finished!"

[spoilers removed]"

@Carolina & Claire - Where was I? I did not get that at all. (view spoiler)[ I think Audrey's doubts make her a stronger character. I was actually worried that the killer would turn out to be Mephisto and then she would be stuck doubting herself for eternity. I didn't feel like she was stupid in this investigation, more that she let her emotions affect her thoughts too much. (hide spoiler)] Eh, we each see something different when the words form the pictures in our mind, right?

[Karen]

Jennifer, we did set a BR for number 4. Due to start today.

[Karen]

Up to ch27. Audrey has set in motion some gossip-but she looks like she’s in danger of forgetting her big idea.