Title: Capturing the Devil
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series: "Stalking Jack the Ripper" #4
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/Mystery
Page Length: 448 pages
Publication Date: September 10, 2019
Date Started: September 23, 2019
Date Finished: September 24, 2019
Rating: 4.75 // 5 stars
This is such a bittersweet moment for me. On one hand, I finally know how one of my favorite series ends. On the other hand, I don't have more books to look forward to with these characters. I read the first book in this series when it first came out and I can still remember the excitement when I found out that there were going to be more books. Despite not reading the second or third book until this year, I've been following this series' journey since day 1 and I'm sad that there won't be more to come.
Anyway, I thought this was a brilliant end. I can't decide if this one or the first book is my favorite in the series because while the first book was so fresh and new in its own way, this book really stepped it up. I was in awe a lot of the time, but I'll get more into the wide range of emotions I went through while reading this in a little bit.
Forget what you think you know. There are things throughout the entire series that we've been told are true. We've believed things that we've been told. This book turns a lot of those ideas upside down to the point where you're not sure what to believe. I loved that. I was wondering how Kerri was going to go about making this a great finale and, well, I can't say I saw any of that coming.
The book and plot itself was just a whirlwind for me. It felt like I was being pulled in so many directions because of everything our main characters are dealing with. I don't want to spoil anything so I'm just going to say that they have to deal with a lot more than just a murdering psychopath in this book. The layers of tension really made this book seem that much more intense.
In terms of the plot and pacing, I thought it was well done. During reading it, there were a few times I was questioning if this pacing was good for me. Looking back, I actually really like how it was done. After finishing it, I can see how the threads being weaved at the beginning really made the ending that much more powerful.
I love when authors tie a series together in the last book and you can finally see all the threads they've woven since book 1. Not only did Kerri make this entire book cohesive in itself but she really tied the series together well. Things from the first books that were merely said in passing or hardly referenced came to importance in this one. I love when authors do that.
This book was creepy. Yea, there were a lot of scenes that were fluffy and fun but there were also a lot of creepy scenes. I loved it. Despite these books being about murder and autopsies and solving crime, I've never been actually scared while reading these until Capturing the Devil. Maybe it was because there wasn't another book coming and I genuinely didn't know the outcome? Maybe it was because of how vivid Kerri can write? I was genuinely terrified while reading the end chapters. Like, to the point where I wanted to shut all my windows, lock my door, curl up under blankets with a kitchen knife, and watch videos of puppies to make me less scared. Bonus points to Kerri for making me feel that way.
Speaking of being terrified, I went through a huge range of emotions reading this book. There are ups and downs and my emotions were no different. In no particular order I experienced: absolute terror, happiness, anger, sadness, joy, anxiousness, and more. I was really being pulled in so many directions and it's great. I will also admit to crying multiple times throughout this book.
My absolute favorite part of this book continues to be the characters. Audrey Rose and Thomas are two of my absolute favorite protagonists in any novel I've read and that love only continued to grow in this one. It's truly been amazing seeing their character growth and journeys from the first book to this one. I especially liked the fact that Audrey Rose has her chronic pain and walks with a cane yet still continues to be a badass in all areas. And Thomas...oh Thomas...I don't think I'll ever stop loving Thomas Cresswell.
Overall, I just loved this book. I cannot wait to hold a physical copy in my hands when I get back from studying abroad and for when I can add it to my collection on my shelves. It's bittersweet knowing that this is the end but I've had a truly amazing time with this series and I can't wait to see what Kerri does next!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Lauren
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