Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper #4) by Kerri Maniscalco - Restarting September 7th 2021

[Maddie]

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?

[Ashy Khaira]

Chapter 1 to 14 (view spoiler)[omg there were 2 of them that made up jack the ripper and he is now in america.audrey and thomas are soooo damn cute together.ohhh the uncle is the romantic fool,more so compared to the father.who the heck is sending those letters? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashy Khaira]

Chapter 15 to 28 (view spoiler)[oh god i hate thomas's father.how can he do that to thomas.thomas is legally an adult and should be bale to make his own decisions.also gotta love the spunk and sass that is audrey's grandmother.i wonder if they can foil thomas's fathers plans (hide spoiler)]

[Ashy Khaira]

Chapter 29 to 41 (view spoiler)[omg the ripper knows that they are in chicago and burnt the journals.but how does he know where they live though or that they are in chicago?also what the actual heck happened to minnie?could her husband be behind the murders?he does have blue eyes after all as mentioned by that guy whatever his name is (hide spoiler)]

[Ashy Khaira]

Finished (view spoiler)[ holy heck the ripper is indeed minnie's husband and was unhappy that nathaniel did not allow him to in any weird way harm audrey.but she is real badass in fighting back and hurting him despite her leg injury.and sharp witted thomas,even poisoned he guessed what was going on.but at least they got married and thomas's fathers plans got spoiled woohoo (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch 11 (view spoiler)[ugh I am loving this. My OTP is engaged!!! I scream 🥰 I can’t wait for them to be married and they’ll just be the happiest ever together. It’s crazy that Nathaniels ghost is still haunting my babies 😩 also I don’t remember what happened to Audreys leg. Why does she have a limp? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 24 (view spoiler)[OMG NOOOOO my babies 😭 so close but so far now. Thomas’s father is a right asshole. But man I freaking love Audreys grandmama. She is a queen. I hope they find a way to dissolve Thomas and Ms. Whitehalls engagement without everything going to shit. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 37 (view spoiler)[ omg I love them for running. I’m so glad Thomas’s father wasn’t able to take him back. Hopefully the queen will help them out 🤞 I’m so glad Dacianna and Ileana helped them figure out where “Jack” was going next. Also I loved how rude Grandmama was to Lord Cresswell he can fucking shove it (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ CRESSWELL & CRESSWELL DETECTIVE AGENCY YES!!! I AM SO HAPPY. Also when Audrey was trapped in the murder castle that was terrifying. I laughed a ton of times hearing the phrase "murder castle" tho. I was so scared when Thomas was poisoned and her uncle!! So glad they're safe now. And thank god for the Queen putting lord Cresswell in his place lmao! (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ashy Khaira wrote: "Chapter 1 to 14 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ i never thought Uncle Jonathan would turn out to be the romantic sap lol(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Jaye]

My enjoyment of this series dropped so fast oh man. Book two still my favorite

[Jaye]

Better than the last book for sure (which I hate SO freaking much) but oof

[Jaye]

I love the idea of (view spoiler)[Connecting the final book to the first; it just makes sense but??? this connection was so dumb?? who even was that dude??? I know he was a real murderer but it feels like the author just saw him and was like ah, he was also jack the ripper (hide spoiler)]

[Jaye]

About the ending: (view spoiler)[at least they ended up together but all the mess about their first wedding was just so pointless! (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Do you know when this BR will start again?

[Karen]

It's due to start on the 15th November (today). I've just finished book 3 so am going to get onto it. Claire was down to read it with me, but I know there's a lot of BRs planned around now so a lot of us are not quite up to all the dates initially arranged.

[Karen]

Haven’t actually started yet (16/11/19) and just seen that this thread has been requested for 25th. I’ll start reading it then.

[Claire]

Hello hello! I'm a bit late but started last night :D

(I accidentally put all my long books at the start of the month so my BRs weren't spaced very well)

[Claire]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[Dude what the heck??? Nathaniel had a murder partner who followed them to America and is continuing the killing? (I actually recently played a game where a serial killer turned out to be two men, one who killed the women and the other who took 'mementos', weirdly similar) (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[OH COME ON. I mean ok, we're only a quarter of the way through the book so I knew that the wedding wasn't going to just go to plan, but COME ON.

This Miss Whitehall better not get super annoying, I had to stop watching kdramas for a reason. My patience for irritating love rivals is non-existent at this point. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[Omfg why is literally everything going wrong at once? There's so much going on aaaaaaaaa! This is legit turning into a kdrama whyyyyyy :<

Upper class family politics are the worst, seriously, what's the point of all that wealth if everyone is just constantly miserable and your children despise you? The saddest thing is that those social structures are still common today amongst certain cultures, it's ridiculous.

And oh, right, there are murders happening still, I'd almost forgotten 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

I'm going to be a little late, sorry! I'm busy finishing up on some books :D

[Claire]

No worries! I don't know why I decided to start it at such an awkward time right in between the two planned dates 😂

[Claire]

End of Part 1
(view spoiler)[Ok, I'm less mad at Audrey for some of the dumb stuff she did in the last book now I guess.

"My struggle was between what life I wanted for myself, not which man I wanted to spend it with." - I can accept this!

Also sorry Thomas but Sir Isaac Mewton is my new fave :D

Okay so Chicago, cool, but what about Daciana and Ileana? Their dad still has blackmail material on those two, what makes them so sure that he won't use his info against them? If they're going to run off anyway why didn't they just do that in the first place?

I know that their excuse here is 'it was for work, we had to leave' but still, their dad isn't exactly the most reasonable guy, they had no reason to think he wouldn't make good on his threats against Daciana and Ileana after Thomas ran off. I'm not really following their logic here? (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 32
(view spoiler)[Marrying a guy named Henry huh? I'd bet anything that this is the same Henry with the bone saw who they bumped into at the start, ya know the one who really awkwardly introduced himself by name for no apparent reason? I was waiting for him to come up again 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 36
(view spoiler)[Oh noooooooooo

From Google: "Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as Dr. Henry Howard Holmes or, more commonly, as H. H. Holmes, was an American serial killer."

I can't believe it took me this long to google for H H Holmes' full name, oops!

Y'all, I'm gonna be real unimpressed if Henry seriously turns out to be the killer and not a red herring or something. We all knew that the killer would be H H Holmes so anyone who knew his full name could have figured out who the killer would be literally on page 10. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[Okay... there are are two Jack the Rippers. It's funny how this series is coming full circle! The first case is Jack the Ripper and the last case is Jack the Ripper lol. I wonder who the second is... (hide spoiler)]

@Claire That is interesting! What game is it?

[Claire]

@Emma - I kinda spoiled part of the plot of the game by describing it but it's (view spoiler)[AI: The Somnium Files, it's a Japanese Visual Novel style game with really cool murder mystery and scifi elements! (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 44
(view spoiler)[Hmmmmmmmm could Minnie be working together with Henry? That's similar what they did in a certain tv show loosely based on H H Holmes' murder hotel. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[Wow, that ending with Holmes reminded me so much of another book I read recently! You know you consume waaaaaaay too much murder mystery media when you can't get through a book without being reminded of other stories like a billion times 😂

I'm not happy with the fact that the killer was clearly telegraphed to anyone with knowledge of H H Holmes on page 10 in a very blatant and awkward way. Big yikes. Not to shade the author, but I think it was a bad decision, it would have been much better for Henry just bump into them but not introduce himself for no reason at that point, it was SO suspicious right off the bat. If his name not been brought up until Part 2, I may have overlooked him for a bit longer and the mystery would have been much more satisfying.

That whole dilemma with Miss Whitehall feels like it was solved way too fast and way too easily considering it took up basically the entire middle section of the book, but I'll happily choose 'solved too fast' over chapter after chapter of annoying drama and the whole obnoxious love rival cliche, I was afraid we'd have to go through the whole girl-hate thing, I'm glad that never happened.

I really like that Audrey and Thomas lived together for 2 years before getting married officially, it's very fitting considering how modern minded they are.

I definitely had a few issues with the plot in this book, but it was still incredibly enjoyable and I had a great time reading it! Can't wait for Kerri Maniscalco's next series :D (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[Why do I feel like something bad will happen at the wedding? (hide spoiler)]

Claire wrote: "@Emma - I kinda spoiled part of the plot of the game by describing it but it's [spoilers removed]"

Thanks, Claire :D

[Emma☀️]

Chapter 37 (view spoiler)[Huh... I wonder if Henry is the killer. It would be too obvious and I will be disappointed if he is. Also, the drama with Miss Whitehall is so unnecessary. I kinda forgot the murders were also taking place lol (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Finished (view spoiler)[A good ending to the series! But the reveal of the murderer really disappointed me. I really enjoyed the last few chapters. They were action-packed and gripping. Overall, I'm satisfied with the ending but I'm slightly disappointed with how the mystery element was handled. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Opening chapter clears up what we can expect between Thomas and Audrey. Do wonder why the writer went for this setting.

[Claire]

Yeah I agree Emma, I was not happy with the mystery element in this book. I didn't hate it, I thought the idea had potential, but I don't like how it was handled.

[Karen]

Up to ch4. (view spoiler)[ Can’t help but think their knowledge of the Ripper’s death simply means there’s something else they’ve overlooked. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch7. The suggestion that Audrey’s brother was not the Ripper seems too easy. However, the implication of a second killer makes this more concerning.

[Karen]

Up to ch16. Definitely not adhering to expectations, but their behaviour seems very genuine. Guessing there’ll be more of a focus on the murders now their relationship is sorted.

[Karen]

Up to ch22. (view spoiler)[ Genuinely can’t believe - no matter how progressive she is - that Audrey would have risked such an action. Doesn’t look like things will end well here. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch27. Love Audrey’s grandmother almost as much as I dislike Thomas’s father.

[Carolina]

I should have started it yesterday, but I'm finishing another book and can't wait to start this one. Maybe today that'll be possible.

[Karen]

Up to ch33. While I enjoyed book three, this seems a little more akin to the others. Not surprised by the developments with Audrey and Thomas, but wasn’t expecting to see some of these characters again.

[Claire]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch27. Love Audrey’s grandmother almost as much as I dislike Thomas’s father."

Ikr! By far the best new character in the book, easy, I'm sad that we didn't get to meet her any earlier :<

[Jenn]

Ok starting this one now. Didn't know if I'd be able to join this or not :)

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. For such a subject,great fun.

[Jenn]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[ first off Sir Isaac Mewton is literally the cutest name. I adore Thomas so much. I loved that he asked her father for her hand. And all of the tokens from his past that he's giving her. But then there's the murders. Another Jack the ripper. And who is sending her those letters? (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 1) 10%

3%
(view spoiler)[
I'm happy Thomas and Audrey seem to be okay and are going to get married soon.
And I LOVE Thomas and the shoes!!!!! So cute!!!!


(hide spoiler)]

10%
(view spoiler)[
Thomas and Audrey are so sexy and funny at the same time! That scene of both in the bedroom... So sexy and... almost.


(hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 2) 44%

11%
(view spoiler)[
OMG!!!!!! There were two Rippers!



And he's referred to as Mr. Hyde? Nice. It may seem that this is something that the author should have hinted at the first book, and she actually did. Some killings were more brutal than others, and also there was this different killing on the third book.
(hide spoiler)]

22%
(view spoiler)[
The bathtube scene was so beautiful and sexy! The description of Thomas and the wet shirt...



But again... so close.



And they are engaged at last!!! I love them both!
(hide spoiler)]

30%
(view spoiler)[
OMG!!!!!! Finally!!!!!!!!



Thank God they did it before the wedding, because I think something will happen.
(hide spoiler)]

35%
(view spoiler)[
I can't believe it! And I thought I was going to like this book. Come on! After the last book I thought this type of thing wouldn't happen anymore. Author, WE DON'T NEED THIS TO CREATE TENSION IN THIS BOOK! IT'S A BOOK WITH FUCKING MURDERS IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!



And this woman seems to be really annoying! Fuck it if there'll be female rivalry in this book!!!!!!!!


(hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[ ugh this Miss Whitehall person needs to get out. What kind of father would threaten his own children like that. Like I kinda knew their wedding wouldn't go on without a hitch but I never expected Thomas to be bethrothed to another. (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 3) 61%

46%
(view spoiler)[
They're taking about Mephistopheles. Finally!!!!! I think this was something that was missing in the last book.


(hide spoiler)]

51%
(view spoiler)[
I LOVE Audrey's grandma!



And I hate Thomas's father.


(hide spoiler)]

60%
(view spoiler)[
This very sexy scene where Audrey is pondering on going on a night time adventure with Thomas. And it w=was very funny. They have very different ideas of what a night time adventure is.


(hide spoiler)]

61%
(view spoiler)[
Mephistopheles!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I like him. In a perfect alternate universe there would be a threesome.


(hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 36: (view spoiler)[ nice to see Noah again. I like how the author is bringing back characters from previous books. I mean even Mephistopheles. So they found multiple girls have gone missing but there's no bodies. Is it the ripper? Where are the missing girls? So many questions! (hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 36: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
I really like them bringing back old characters. And also, we're seeing more of Audrey and Thomas together. It's like it's a farewell book, since it's the last one. I'm enjoying it, but it's also somewhat sad.
(hide spoiler)]

[Carolina]

Day 4) 76%

63%
(view spoiler)[
Sexy, sexy, sexy


(hide spoiler)]

74%
(view spoiler)[
I believe the killer is this guy with blue eyes, Henry, I believe (I'm listening to the audiobook, so it's harder to remember names). We wouldn't receive the information regarding him and his wife for nothing. And she works with Mephistopheles, which means they must have met or come together on the ship. Well, let's see. This book is focusing more on Audrey and Thomas than the murders. I'm not complaining, I love them both together, but it would be nice to have more clues.

Also, despite the fact that the subject of Thomas already being engaged isn't solved yet, I'm happy that they're ignoring society's proper manners and enjoying more time together (and even having sex). They deserve it. They love each other.


(hide spoiler)]