Review: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2)
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Horror
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 19, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

In this New York Times bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco’s haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer…or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Review:

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell travel to Romania to compete for a place at the school of forensic science at Bran Castle. The castle was home to Vlad the Impaler, a legendary vampire. On their trip to Romania, a body is discovered on the train, impaled with a stake. Then, other murders start happening, with all signs pointing to a vampire murderer. Audrey can’t help but investigate these murders, which bring back the memories of her investigation of Jack the Ripper.

A Romanian castle was the perfect setting for this vampire themed novel. The history of the castle was important to the story. There were also descendants of Vlad present which added to the historical elements and the long family feuds.

There were some very creepy scenes. I actually didn’t find the autopsies and murders to be the most gruesome parts. A couple of scenes had bat and spider attacks, and I found those much more disturbing. However, these creepy scenes were worth it for the surprising ending!

Hunting Prince Dracula is such a creepy read. I can’t wait to read the next one!

What to read next:

Other books in the series:

• Stalking Jack the Ripper
• Escaping from Houdini
• Capturing the Devil

Have you read Hunting Prince Dracula? What did you think of it?