Presented by James Patterson’s new children’s imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion…

Seventeen-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.

This was my first experience with this author, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. Many thriller readers share a certain morbid curiosity about serial killers, especially infamous figures like Jack the Ripper, so the premise immediately caught my attention. After seeing the hype around this series, I knew I needed to give it a try.

Since this is a YA novel, I appreciated that there is no strong language and no spice content. My only real complaint is how heavy-handed the feminist themes were delivered. The message itself is fine given the time period of the novel, but the constant repetition pulled me out of the story and kept me from giving it five stars. I hope this softens in the next installments because I would like to continue the series. Regarding other content concerns, there are moments of violence and graphic gore scenes. It was tolerable for me, but more sensitive readers should check for triggers.

The mystery was incredibly fun to follow. I have not read many YA historical mystery stories, but this one now stands among my favorites. I loved the blend of real history and creative interpretation, and it is clear that the author spent time researching the era. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a wonderful job. She drew me into the Victorian world and gave each character personality and presence. The story itself was rich in detail, atmospheric, and full of surprises. It reminded me of Anatomy by Dana Schwartz, though without the supernatural angle. The tone felt like a mix of Jack the Ripper and Frankenstein, and the journey was exciting from start to finish. I was sure I had the mystery solved by the end, only to learn I was wrong, which made the reveal even more enjoyable.

The characters took some time to grow on me. Audrey Rose often complained about her place as a woman in society, and the constant repetition of this point became frustrating. Thomas Cresswell felt like a copycat version of Sherlock Holmes, complete with arrogance that bordered on too much. Eventually, I got used to their personalities, and by the end, I felt more connected to them. I also liked the light romantic thread. It never overshadowed the main story and fit nicely as a quiet enemies-to-lovers element.

Overall, this YA gothic historical thriller delivered atmosphere, tension, and plenty of eerie moments, making it an excellent choice for autumn or a Spooky Season read. It is not historically accurate, so it is best to read with that in mind, but the story is compelling throughout. I look forward to continuing the series and joining these two scholars on their next adventure. Highly recommend!