A debut novel from Kerri Maniscalco, (the first YA acquisition on James Patterson’s JIMMY Patterson list) will keep readers up late into the night.

A hair-raising gothic thriller with a killer protagonist.

James Patterson says, “It’s the book I wish I wrote.”

In this spine-chilling gothic murder mystery set in gritty Victorian-era London, an intrepid society girl finds herself inescapably embroiled in the investigation of a ghastly serial killer known as Jack the Ripper.

A 17-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story’s shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget. 

Stalking the Ripper is a book young and adult readers alike will love, and also has a strong “women in (forensic) science” angle as well.

Kerri Maniscalco will be in Asheville on October 2 for an event at 3pm at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop. 640 Merrimon Ave

Ste 204, Asheville, (828) 575-2266