5 Things I Loved About Capturing the Devil

September 13, 2019 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

5 Things I Loved About Capturing the DevilCapturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #4
Published by Jimmy Patterson Books, Hachette Australia on September 10, 2019
Source: Publisher
Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fiction
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In the shocking finale to the bestselling series, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

This review may contain slight spoilers for the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. 

Ahhh, another satisfying end to a series and my heart is so full! Capturing the Devil is everything I wanted in a conclusion to the Stalking Jack the Ripper series – a return to everything we loved in the first two books, lots of Cressworth feels and everything tied up with a bow.

Here’s five things I loved about Capturing the Devil:

1. So much romance between Audrey and Thomas

I’m so glad to see the focus back on Thomas and Audrey after the Audrey/Mephistophilis love triangle in the last book ! I don’t think my heart could have taken any more barriers between the two. I’m really glad to see it addressed here and how it made Audrey and Thomas stronger for everything they have endured together and the challenges that they’ve had to face.

With Mephistophilis out of the way, our favourite murder solving duo have a lot to work out in their relationship and we find out whether they will get their happily ever after. As with the previous books, there’s a lot of banter, sizzling chemistry and possibly even sexy times between the two!

This couple is so perfect for each other, and although they certainly have their communication barriers and flaws in their relationship, they always end up working things out.

There was no greater force on earth, nothing quite as powerful as love. Neither hatred nor fear could ever hope to possess the same amount of strength.

2. Incredible character growth for Audrey

I love Audrey because of who she is, her fearless pursuit of her passions, whether that’s forensics or Thomas Cresswell or travelling across the ocean to solve murders. This book has her face an archnemesis she never knew existed, which makes it all the more thrilling to witness. In Capturing the Devil, she confronts her innermost fears, she knows her own strength and she has learnt to trust her own instincts. She’s definitely grown a lot since the first book, when she simply decided to pursue her passion to see where it would go. There’s definitely been a lot of growth and I loved her all the more for it.

3. Lots of Thomas Cresswell

I love Thomas so much for how he encourages Audrey to be her own person, loving her for her mind and who she is rather than the superficial things on the surface, and how he’s always there to cheer her on. Although he certainly isn’t the most expressive person, sometimes seizing up and leaving things unsaid, his heart is always in the right place. He’s someone with a brilliant mind, who isn’t always great with social graces, and a perfect match for Audrey.

4. A brutal murder mystery with links to the past

Capturing the Devil is split up into two parts; the first with Audrey and Thomas focusing on their relationship, and the second with them hunting the serial killer who they think was responsible for the Ripper murders in the first book. This book ties together the crimes from the previous books and brings everything full circle, which felt incredibly satisfying to experience. From the crimes, the forensics, the bodies turning up at every corner and even the targets, it really fells reminiscent of Stalking Jack the Ripper and I loved it.

Men are monsters who use fantasy to ease their minds. They find it easy to blame their actions on good and evil.

5. The return of old friends and foe

I was also happy to see old friends and foes pop up in this book as well, particularlyThomas’s sister Daciana who I was really fond of from Hunting Prince Dracula. Audrey’s cousin Lydia also makes an appearance along with her Uncle who encouraged her to pursue forensics in the first place.

If you were like me, wondering whether Capturing the Devil would live up to the previous books in the series, you won’t be disappointed! Capturing the Devil offers a heartwarming, satisfying conclusion to the Stalking Jack the Ripper series as we say farewell to our favourite saucy crime fighting duo. It’s brutal, bloody and filled with murder, mayhem and mystery.

If you’re looking for a historical fiction with a sizzling romance, murder mystery and a fiesty heroine who has a love for forensics, definitely pick up the Stalking Jack the Ripper series!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Thank you to Hachette Australia for sending me a review copy!

Capturing the Devil is available from Australian bookstores for RRP$16.99 or from The Book Depository.

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Tiktok@happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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8 responses to “5 Things I Loved About Capturing the Devil

  1. I feel like I haven’t been here in forever Jeann, I’ve been mostly keeping up to date on your Youtube channel.I absolutely love this series too! I haven’t read Escaping From Houdini as yet, I have a non existent book budget these days now that it’s spent on pet medications but I’ll have to catch up soon. The slow burn romance and banter have been one of my favourite aspects and I’m so glad this one didn’t disappoint. Wonderful review Jeann and so glad you’re still enjoying the series!
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  2. This is series, though, familiar to me, isn’t something that I’m interested in. I don’t know, it’s the genre, I suppose. Such a popular series, though. And you mentioned a love triangle? Yeah…pass. Lol.

    It’s always great when you are able to complete a series you love. The satisfaction and the accomplished feeling is like no other. 🙂

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