Author: Kerri Maniscalo
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Suspense
Rating: ❤
Backstory
Hi Friends. I am back with another hot take on the books I've been reading. If anyone knows me, they know I love serial killer/true crime facts and stories. It's kind of sad at this point. My husband will see posts on social media about murder and he'll send it to me, but most of it is stuff I have already read or watched or listened to a podcast about. That tells you that I indulge in it too much. Apparently there is a whole community of true crime and serial killer enthusiasts. If you are a part of that tribe then hi friend. Hello. How art thou? Good to meet ya!
Every time Netflix releases another documentary about some of the big name serial killers (Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer) I complain about how many times they're going to tell the same story as I log in to Netflix to watch it. I am contributing to the reason why they keep bleeding these stories dry (pun intended) from every angle they can possibly think of. Next, we're going to get one told from the point of view of the pets Jeffrey Dahmer had as a kid. Just wait. It'll be called "Living with a Murderer: A pup's story of living with Jeffrey Dahmer." No lie, I would absolutely watch that. Anyway, I spotted this book on good reads and was immediately drawn to it.
Side note: what does that say about me? I gravitate towards stories involving murder and mayhem. Literally all I read is psychology thrillers and murder mysteries. I'm not weird guys, I promise.
Maybe.
No I'm kidding.
But AM I?????
Okay yes, I am.
Anyway, I saw this title when I was browsing on good reads and just had to jump at the chance to get it. Who doesn't love a story about an old school serial killer? And even better, who doesn't love a fictionalized story on a real person? It opens up the realm of possibilities in my opinion. I was really excited to get this one. Plus, it's a Young Adult book so I figured it would make for a quick afternoon read. Let's get in to it.
Synopsis
17 year old Audrey Rose Wadsworth is the daughter of a lord with a life of wealth, status, and privilege at her fingertips. Between the fancy teas, the socialite events and the silk dress fittings, Audrey lives a secret life. Against societal expectations and the demands of her strict father, Audrey desires to study medicine. She often goes over to her uncle's laboratory to study forensic medicine under his tutelage. When the work she does on a series of gruesomely murdered corpses lands her smack in the middle of a serial murder investigation, Audrey takes it upon herself to help solve the mystery, but it doesn't take long for her to realize she is in too deep and the murderer might be a lot closer than she thought...
My Thoughts
So like I said, I am a lover of true crime and serial killers. So naturally I thought this book would be a no brainer. The reviews on Goodreads were mostly positive. On paper, everything was perfect in order for me to love this book, but in reality I didn't. I struggled trying to get through it. I even put it down a few times and read something else in its place. Eventually I gave up. Which hurt my heart. I always finish my books, but this one just wasn't giving what it was supposed to give. I wanted so badly to love it.
The main character seemed very whiney and entitled. And that boy she was working with was a pompous, arrogant jerk. You can be smart without being a jerk about it. Everybody in the book seemed unlikeable.
Yeah so. For the first time on the bookybabe, we are talking about a negative review. I just couldn't get into this story as much as I tried it just wasn't doing it for me. But there is nothing wrong with that. Not every book is for every body. Writing a book is not easy so I am in no way condemning the author. This specific title just wasn't for me. Maybe I will pick it up again and try to read it once more in the future. I am a fan of second chances. It's not over yet.
But hey, don't just take my word for it. Form your own opinion. You may love it and if you do, that is great! I may decide to read it again, once I've made it through my always growing TBR list. If not, either way, I'd love to know your opinion on it. If you decide to grab this title make sure you come back when you're finished and tell me how you liked it. Or how you didn't. Until then,
Happy Reading babes! ❤