The Bookworm's Feast

 Release Date: September 2016
 Publisher: Jimmy Patterson 
 Genre: YA, Mystery, Historical, Horror
 Page Count: 326
 Goodreads Page
 Rating: ★★★★☆ 

“Fear is a hungry beast. The more you feed it, the more it grows.”

I need the next book now! I completely devoured this book after a slump – I simply couldn’t put it down!

Set in Victorian England during the reign of Jack the Ripper, we follow Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell sleuthing their way through the horrors. Audrey Rose doesn’t want to fit societal norms, and constantly rebels against her father’s wishes. Thomas comes across as a reimagined Sherlock Holmes. Both characters are apprenticed to Audrey Rose’s uncle, who we get the impression is one of the leading forensic scientists in London – often completing autopsy’s to assist the police.

“I promise. I’ll be as silent as the dead.”

“Ah,” Uncle said, putting a hat on and tugging it low, “the dead speak to those who listen. Be quieter than even them.”

Gruesome details make their way to the page – I’m normally pretty squeamish but I was able to stomach it, probably as I was so enthralled with how Maniscalo has brought the dark time to life. I think I would have liked a bit more about the sleuthing, as that’s mainly what I thought I was getting myself into – we follow from Audrey Rose’s perspective, so have the inner workings of her life for the most part – but I thoroughly enjoyed it all the same.

I also pegged the culprit pretty early on (although I did have doubts at times), but I seem to have a knack for picking up on the little hints instantly, and the grand reveal was exciting all the same.

This book probably could have been a standalone, but I am so glad there is more to delve into. I just need to wait for my copy of Hunting Prince Dracula to arrive!