Review: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula 

Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Publishing Date:  September 19th, 2017

Pages: 434
Genre: YA Historical Fiction Mystery

Series:  Stalking Jack the Ripper #2
Source:  Audio

 

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.

This is the second book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. I love that they brought in another character to really make the killings stand out. I loved the entire premise of the Prince Dracula. This book was as good as the first, at times a bit better, at other times a bit slower but all in all it was a great read. 


Audrey Rose and Thomas Creswell have traveled to Romania to learn some new forensic medicine stuff. When in Romania, there is another case to solve. One that resembles the killing of the famous Vlad the Impaler. Now Audrey Rose and Thomas take on the case and set out to solve who is behind all this blood and violence...... of course this leads to nothing but trouble as usual! 

This book was magnificent. Following in the footsteps of it's predecessor, the crimes, the sleuthing, the one liners, the sass, the flirting.... it was all there and just a bit of a step up from the first book. I feel I know these two lovable characters so much more and they also know each other a bit better now. They are much more comfortable with each other and let me tell you the sparks fly. There is so much chemistry. 

I don't know how to really explain Audrey Rose and Thomas to those who have not read these books. They are so good together, as crime solvers, partners, and well lovers. They are so cute and I just can't get enough of them. Audrey Rose is so smart and sassy and Thomas is so witty and fun loving... a little arrogant too but in a good way.  Really when they are together it's all just good times. 

The murders in this book were just as violent as the first, the who dun it aspect... well I never guess in these books. The author is so great at writing mysteries and red herrings and such. I kind of gave up on trying to guess who and just enjoyed the ride. It was such a fun ride. 

The setting was something worth mentioning here. Instead of the streets of London we have castles, dungeons, and secret passageways oh my....This book had more of a creepy eerie feel than the first book. Stalking Jack the Ripper had a dark and gory feel, this one was a bit different. I loved the setting in Romania and the school of forensics. If it wasn't for all the murder and mayhem, I think I would love a visit. It was fun seeing the story of Dracula come to life. 

I really can't speak more highly of this series. These books really do have everything. Great characters, tension, a strong creep factor, chills and thrills, and mystery. 

LOVE IT!!!!!! 

I'm mostly on instagram and twitter--where I'm always ready to talk fictional crushes and nerd out over books. (Okay, okay. And I've also been known to share snippets and teasers from my upcoming novels, if you're into that sort of thing...) Please feel free to chat with me there @KerriManiscalco. I love talking with fellow readers!

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

She is the #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the STALKING JACK THE RIPPER quartet. The final installment, CAPTURING THE DEVIL, will be released on 9/10/19.

For more information, visit Kerri online:
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