Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
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Review:
Hunting Prince Dracula is the second novel in Kerri Maniscalo’s Stalking Jack the Ripper series and is an outstanding follow up to its predecessor that proves Maniscalo is far from a one trick pony with another bewitching and engaging mystery that this time draws readers into the heart of Romania and into the history of the infamous “Dracula”.
After the horror of discovering the true identity of Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose Wadsworth is hoping that her trip abroad to Romania to study forensic medicine will help with her grief as well as distance her from the gruesome murders she investigated. Yet, murder seems to be following Audrey Rose for as soon as she and friend Thomas Cresswell arrive in Romania they are witness to another brutal death when a young man is impaled with a stake during their train journey. As whispers of the ancient Vlad the Impaler and his rumoured rise from the dead sweep across the countryside, Audrey Rose and Thomas find themselves caught up in another murder mystery, but with the death count continuing to increase will Audrey Rose be able to stop the killer before they come for her?
On the back of her stunning debut, Kerri Maniscalo thrills once more with Hunting Prince Dracula, another deftly told story full to the brink with adventure, mystery, sizzling romance and edge of your seat discoveries. I continue to be impressed by Maniscalo’s precise and flawless writing that is intelligent and sharp. Fantastically explored and woven together, Hunting Prince Dracula is a rich novel authentically told that weaves together myths and legends with actual history in such a fun and engaging way.
It’s very evident that Maniscalo continues to put a lot of thought and effort not only into the storyline she creates, but the setting and ambience witnessed throughout the novel as well. As our heroes find themselves in Romania, the vivid and distinct landscape and scenery comes to life, offering readers a beguiling world to exist within. There’s so much danger within the novel with various murders taking place and with our main characters unable to help themselves—they have to get involved and conduct their own investigations—readers are guaranteed plenty of entertaining and at times hilarious results.
As with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose is once more an engaging and highly likable protagonist to follow. She’s sharp and intelligent and has a quick thinking mind. Audrey Rose isn’t afraid to get down and dirty; getting right into the thick of things as she and companion (and best friend) Thomas continue to study forensic science alongside a varying cast of classmates while also managing to find time to sneak around the glorious castle they’re inhabiting to discover its secrets and determine who is responsible for the murders shaking the region.
I honestly love following Audrey Rose and Thomas and cannot get enough of their back and forth banter throughout the story. Thomas is cheeky in the most perfect of ways and Audrey Rose manages to hold her own against him, being the perpetrator of many ingenious quips and ideas. Theirs is a slow building romance on a foundation of friendship, respect and comradery that is also so electric and sizzling. Audrey Rose and Thomas truly are partners in all things and I love that they see themselves as equals. Of course I’m also adoring the stolen kisses and admissions Karri Maniscalo is writing between them amidst their sleuthing and cannot get enough of this.
With so many characters possibly our murderer, Maniscalo manages to keep you wondering until the very end. There are red herrings and misconceptions woven into the storyline to keep you on your toes and with this instalment coming to an end, I can’t wait to join Audrey Rose and Thomas again in what I’m sure will be another thrilling adventure!
Rating:
Source: Purchased by me
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 4th 2018
Purchase: Bookworld | Booktopia | The Book Depository | Amazon
Final Thoughts: Another brilliant novel, I CANNOT WAIT until I can read the next one!
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