Review: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco

 

Hunting Prince Dracula
(Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

September 19, 2017
432 pages

Goodreads   Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

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.

Review

Nothing can compare with the excitement of reading the continuation of a series you adore. Kerri Maniscalco delivered a dark and addictive story with Stalking Jack the Ripper and now the sequel Hunting Prince Dracula is just as hypnotic as her debut.

Seductive. Chilling. Unputdownable. All words I'd use to describe this stellar sequel to the SJTR story. Hunting Prince Dracula is again bloody (or really actually bloodless), full of gore and fascinating beyond simple words. The riveting mystery and sweet confessions had my heart pumping overtime.

The story takes place not long after the end of the first book. Audrey Rose is still processing the truth from the Ripper case. She puts on a steady front but fear and regret assault her constantly. "'What if' were the two most tragic words in existence when paired together. 'If only' were no better when coupled off." (ARC, p. 109). It poked at my heart to see Audrey Rose so afraid but at the same time I knew she was stronger and better than her terrors. I was not disappointed.

Thomas was still the charming sharp-tongued gentleman as ever. It was impossible not be smitten with his honest to a fault yet casual speeches. "He turned to me, expression serious as I'd ever witnessed it. "You would miss me terribly and know it. Just as I would miss you in ways I cannot fathom."" (ARC, p. 41). *cue blushing* As blunt as he always seemed Thomas was not without any secrets. I didn't see the twist coming but (his heritage as the direct descendent of Dracula) it heightened the stakes at hand in an absolute way.

As Audrey Rose and Thomas dug deeper into the mysterious deaths at school we got to explore the castle of Prince Vlad. The hidden passages and unknown tunnels carried so many secrets and dangers. What a terrifying but thrilling experience it was. I loved how unstoppable and full of smarts these two were. "If one simply looks to others for their opinions, they lose the ability to think critically for themselves. Progress would never be made if everyone all appeared and thought and loved in the same manner." (ARC, p. 118).

Here begins the gushing over the romance. Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell give me life! I loved every second they spent in each other's company. It helped that they lived literally meters away from each other ;) The banters and the swoons were extra delicious. Lots of unspoken words between the two but their feelings were obvious so it was fun to watch the tension simmer~

I've read some really great books lately but Hunting Prince Dracula definitely came out on top. There's no doubt it'll be on my list of favourite books read this year! Just like last year, I'm again dying for more Wadsworth and Cresswell. Dear Ms. Maniscalco, please never stop writing!

 

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way. All quotes were taken from the Advance Review Copy I received.