Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
GOD. I’M SOBBING.
“Have you no morals?”
“Don’t be ridiculous; of course I've got morals. One or two, perhaps."
"Honestly, Cresswell?"
"You're right. Three at most."
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?
Guys, it was so good. I have to point out right away, however, that the murder mystery is pretty simple. Not that it’s predictable, it’s just not super complicated. Hunting down the killer is not really a top priority all the time for Audrey Rose because her ~personal~ life gets really dang complicated.
On that note, Capturing the Devil is a really good finale. Kerri Maniscalco ties together all the ends that I didn’t even know were loose, and this case is really a culmination of Audrey’s efforts over the last three books.
Still, the ending leaves things open. It would be a stretch to imagine another book coming along, but it feels natural to imagine Audrey traipsing through life solving bloody crime after crime *sigh*.
Enough about that because THOMAS is back. Actually definitely one of favorite characters of all time (like he’s up there with Tony Stark). To not give too much away, I’ll keep it vague, but the entire cast really pulls through. I love Audrey’s entire family.
As for comparing it to the other books: CTD has a less complicated murder mystery than HPD, and a less shocking one than SJTR. But the level of drama is off the charts completely, and it is linked cleverly to the other books. After the slight bump in the road with Escaping From Houdini, I have to say that I am fully satisfied.
I have to sneak in a word about Audrey’s /disability/ (using the word lightly, bc SPOILER ALERT for Escaping From Houdini). Kerri Maniscalco elaborates on the meaning behind it in the Author’s Note, and I really felt that. Shout out to Audrey Rose for breaking all the glass ceilings and still feeling so authentic and real.
Look, I've been waiting for this book for months. I read the entire book in one night (a school night at that) and I really flew through it. Kerri Maniscalco’s pacing is exquisite, and the story never felt too sticky sweet or gothic. Also, I can’t wait for my pre-order bonus package to arrive, I’m drooling over the golden cover.
I love Creswell and Wadsworth, and I’m happy to say that this ending lived up to all my expectations and much more. If you need me, I’ll be in a corner rereading SJTR.
“Have you no morals?”
“Don’t be ridiculous; of course I've got morals. One or two, perhaps."
"Honestly, Cresswell?"
"You're right. Three at most."
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?
Guys, it was so good. I have to point out right away, however, that the murder mystery is pretty simple. Not that it’s predictable, it’s just not super complicated. Hunting down the killer is not really a top priority all the time for Audrey Rose because her ~personal~ life gets really dang complicated.
On that note, Capturing the Devil is a really good finale. Kerri Maniscalco ties together all the ends that I didn’t even know were loose, and this case is really a culmination of Audrey’s efforts over the last three books.
Still, the ending leaves things open. It would be a stretch to imagine another book coming along, but it feels natural to imagine Audrey traipsing through life solving bloody crime after crime *sigh*.
Enough about that because THOMAS is back. Actually definitely one of favorite characters of all time (like he’s up there with Tony Stark). To not give too much away, I’ll keep it vague, but the entire cast really pulls through. I love Audrey’s entire family.
As for comparing it to the other books: CTD has a less complicated murder mystery than HPD, and a less shocking one than SJTR. But the level of drama is off the charts completely, and it is linked cleverly to the other books. After the slight bump in the road with Escaping From Houdini, I have to say that I am fully satisfied.
I have to sneak in a word about Audrey’s /disability/ (using the word lightly, bc SPOILER ALERT for Escaping From Houdini). Kerri Maniscalco elaborates on the meaning behind it in the Author’s Note, and I really felt that. Shout out to Audrey Rose for breaking all the glass ceilings and still feeling so authentic and real.
Look, I've been waiting for this book for months. I read the entire book in one night (a school night at that) and I really flew through it. Kerri Maniscalco’s pacing is exquisite, and the story never felt too sticky sweet or gothic. Also, I can’t wait for my pre-order bonus package to arrive, I’m drooling over the golden cover.
I love Creswell and Wadsworth, and I’m happy to say that this ending lived up to all my expectations and much more. If you need me, I’ll be in a corner rereading SJTR.
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