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The Dreadfuls
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26A Victorian-era Nancy Drew meets The Woman in the Window as true crime and historical fiction collide in this atmospheric thriller featuring real-life figures and a rebellious, uniquely inventive young reform school inmate determined to solve the serial killer case dominating the headlines in London, and soon, in the world: the Jack the Ripper murders.
London, 1888. Committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reform School for “incurable delinquency” 15-year-old Adelaide “Dell” Morton is a precocious, defiant misfit. She’s also a voracious reader of true crime and detective fiction, including the sordid, sensationally popular Penny dreadful stories. In an unlikely stroke of luck, she’s found a kindred spirit in her poised, perfectionist roommate, Pippa. Their obsession is only further fueled by the Jack the Ripper murders blazing a trail of terror throughout London’s seediest streets . . . right outside Whitechapel Hall’s front door.
Desperate for adventure, they embark on their own investigation—and discover an ally in Noah, son of the local butcher. But Noah’s motives are not mere fascination: His father is the prime suspect. Noah is desperate to clear his name, and Dell and Pippa are only too eager to help.
Their budding spywork soon yields shocking results: they witness straightlaced Whitechapel teacher Miss Kaye escaping the school the night of the latest crime. Could Jack the Ripper be a she? Delving into Miss Kaye’s background, Dell is both horrified and thrilled to find that within Miss Kaye’s past lies a chapter dark enough to rival any Penny dreadful . . .
Dell’s fixation with Miss Kaye reaches dangerous heights while a series of suspicious events leave Miss Kaye in sole command of Whitechapel Hall. Trapped in their teacher’s ever-tightening web of control, the three devious detectives devise a risky plan to track her. But what ensues may only propel them ever deeper into secrets, lies, ruthless acts, and betrayals that go back decades—and a confrontation that will irrevocably change the fates of all involved . . . if they survive.
London, 1888. Committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reform School for “incurable delinquency” 15-year-old Adelaide “Dell” Morton is a precocious, defiant misfit. She’s also a voracious reader of true crime and detective fiction, including the sordid, sensationally popular Penny dreadful stories. In an unlikely stroke of luck, she’s found a kindred spirit in her poised, perfectionist roommate, Pippa. Their obsession is only further fueled by the Jack the Ripper murders blazing a trail of terror throughout London’s seediest streets . . . right outside Whitechapel Hall’s front door.
Desperate for adventure, they embark on their own investigation—and discover an ally in Noah, son of the local butcher. But Noah’s motives are not mere fascination: His father is the prime suspect. Noah is desperate to clear his name, and Dell and Pippa are only too eager to help.
Their budding spywork soon yields shocking results: they witness straightlaced Whitechapel teacher Miss Kaye escaping the school the night of the latest crime. Could Jack the Ripper be a she? Delving into Miss Kaye’s background, Dell is both horrified and thrilled to find that within Miss Kaye’s past lies a chapter dark enough to rival any Penny dreadful . . .
Dell’s fixation with Miss Kaye reaches dangerous heights while a series of suspicious events leave Miss Kaye in sole command of Whitechapel Hall. Trapped in their teacher’s ever-tightening web of control, the three devious detectives devise a risky plan to track her. But what ensues may only propel them ever deeper into secrets, lies, ruthless acts, and betrayals that go back decades—and a confrontation that will irrevocably change the fates of all involved . . . if they survive.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 31, 2026
25 people are currently reading
20918 people want to read
About the author
A. Rae Dunlap
2 books476 followersA. Rae Dunlap studied film and Victorian literature at Northwestern University and spends her days as a trailer editor at Disney, bringing to life the magic of the world’s most influential storytellers for audiences everywhere. She lives with her husband in a small mountain town in California and can be found online at ARaeDunlap.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
Did not finish
March 6, 2026*eyes this*
Wat is this? Is this a sequel to my favorite m/m grave robbing duo? Or an entirely new book? Please, let it be a sequel.
Wat is this? Is this a sequel to my favorite m/m grave robbing duo? Or an entirely new book? Please, let it be a sequel.
Did not finish
March 22, 2026DNF 23%
One of my biggest bookish pet peeves is picking up a book that is "Adult" in marketing but is actually YA in reality.
The story centers on two teenage girls, and while it's completely possible to write an adult novel with teenage protagonists, it was not executed well here in my opinion. The tone was too juvenile and playful to put me in the dark, gothic mood I was anticipating from this read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One of my biggest bookish pet peeves is picking up a book that is "Adult" in marketing but is actually YA in reality.
The story centers on two teenage girls, and while it's completely possible to write an adult novel with teenage protagonists, it was not executed well here in my opinion. The tone was too juvenile and playful to put me in the dark, gothic mood I was anticipating from this read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley.
I finished this book a little over a week ago and decided I needed to let it sit in my brain awhile before leaving a review. I'm leaving my rating as a 4/5, but I think a more honest rating after some time to think is a 3/5. But we'll say 3.5 rounded up!
Without a doubt, the best part of this book is main character Adelaide "Dell" Morton. Dell is a young teen (about 15?) who's found herself in a spot of trouble after some unfortunate life events thrust her into the care of her uncaring aunt and uncle. In a moment of rebellion, Dell steals a book from a store and finds herself the newest resident of a reform school in the Whitechapel area of London. Dell is not particularly pleased about this outcome, but in true teenage fashion, decides to make a game of it. As soon as she steps into the school she's on the lookout for her storybook nemesis and plotting her escape. But that fanciful plot is turned on its head when a true nemesis, a serial killer stalking the streets of Whitechapel, threatens the safety of Dell and her friend.
Dunlap did a masterful job of capturing the mind of a teen with Dell. She's perfectly obnoxious and multiple times I found myself cringing at how similar I was as a kid. The plot is often driven by Dell's blunders from inexperience and each believable and, occasionally, a little funny.
But Dell is where the positives of this book start to falter. While I had fun following her around the halls of the grim reformatory school and the streets of Whitechapel, it didn't take me long to notice how entirely empty the world felt. Dell is in a school full of troublemaking teenage girls -- in fact, there are so many other students that Dell is placed in the upstairs annex because there's not enough beds for her in the dorm. And yet, the only other kid we get more than a sentence or two from is Dell's roommate. Whenever it's inconvenient for the plot to have anyone else around then poof everyone else just disappears. Sometimes there's a half-assed explanation as to why everyone else is gone, and other times you're just expected to accept that a school full of teenagers is silent and empty. Because, sure, that's definitely realistic...
And then there's the plot itself. Hole after hole after hole. Some of the inconsistencies I was able to write off as intentional -- we're experiencing this world through the eyes of an inexperienced teen obsessed with true crime and prone to an overactive imagination. But there were plenty of times throughout the book where something was entirely too convenient or time jumped in a nonsensical way to make the next twist in the story halfway plausible.
And one more issue worth mentioning: When I first grabbed this ARC I feel confident in my memory that this was tagged as LGBTQ+. I see those tags have disappeared on Goodreads, but expect they'll pop up again as more people read and add it to a shelf. You are going to be highly disappointed if you pick this up assuming anything close to what Dunlap gave us in The Resurrectionist. Yes there is a queer character, but any mention of queerness was intentionally vague. I'm still not sure what to think of that.
All that to say, I did still enjoy my read of this book in those moments where I was able to put aside questionable plot progressions and just have fun with Dell's joy at playing detective to catch a real serial killer. I can imagine I would have been obsessed with this book as a 12 year old. This book really should be tagged as Young Adult rather than Adult -- the MC is at most 16 and, while there is some dark content, I never found it so grim to say this would be inappropriate as YA.
To wrap up, here's who I would recommend this book to:
* You enjoy Jack the Ripper stories or books about crime-riddled Victorian London.
* You have fun with YA books with masterfully written young main characters.
* You can look past plot inconsistencies and just enjoy the story for what it is.
I finished this book a little over a week ago and decided I needed to let it sit in my brain awhile before leaving a review. I'm leaving my rating as a 4/5, but I think a more honest rating after some time to think is a 3/5. But we'll say 3.5 rounded up!
Without a doubt, the best part of this book is main character Adelaide "Dell" Morton. Dell is a young teen (about 15?) who's found herself in a spot of trouble after some unfortunate life events thrust her into the care of her uncaring aunt and uncle. In a moment of rebellion, Dell steals a book from a store and finds herself the newest resident of a reform school in the Whitechapel area of London. Dell is not particularly pleased about this outcome, but in true teenage fashion, decides to make a game of it. As soon as she steps into the school she's on the lookout for her storybook nemesis and plotting her escape. But that fanciful plot is turned on its head when a true nemesis, a serial killer stalking the streets of Whitechapel, threatens the safety of Dell and her friend.
Dunlap did a masterful job of capturing the mind of a teen with Dell. She's perfectly obnoxious and multiple times I found myself cringing at how similar I was as a kid. The plot is often driven by Dell's blunders from inexperience and each believable and, occasionally, a little funny.
But Dell is where the positives of this book start to falter. While I had fun following her around the halls of the grim reformatory school and the streets of Whitechapel, it didn't take me long to notice how entirely empty the world felt. Dell is in a school full of troublemaking teenage girls -- in fact, there are so many other students that Dell is placed in the upstairs annex because there's not enough beds for her in the dorm. And yet, the only other kid we get more than a sentence or two from is Dell's roommate. Whenever it's inconvenient for the plot to have anyone else around then poof everyone else just disappears. Sometimes there's a half-assed explanation as to why everyone else is gone, and other times you're just expected to accept that a school full of teenagers is silent and empty. Because, sure, that's definitely realistic...
And then there's the plot itself. Hole after hole after hole. Some of the inconsistencies I was able to write off as intentional -- we're experiencing this world through the eyes of an inexperienced teen obsessed with true crime and prone to an overactive imagination. But there were plenty of times throughout the book where something was entirely too convenient or time jumped in a nonsensical way to make the next twist in the story halfway plausible.
And one more issue worth mentioning: When I first grabbed this ARC I feel confident in my memory that this was tagged as LGBTQ+. I see those tags have disappeared on Goodreads, but expect they'll pop up again as more people read and add it to a shelf. You are going to be highly disappointed if you pick this up assuming anything close to what Dunlap gave us in The Resurrectionist. Yes there is a queer character, but any mention of queerness was intentionally vague. I'm still not sure what to think of that.
All that to say, I did still enjoy my read of this book in those moments where I was able to put aside questionable plot progressions and just have fun with Dell's joy at playing detective to catch a real serial killer. I can imagine I would have been obsessed with this book as a 12 year old. This book really should be tagged as Young Adult rather than Adult -- the MC is at most 16 and, while there is some dark content, I never found it so grim to say this would be inappropriate as YA.
To wrap up, here's who I would recommend this book to:
* You enjoy Jack the Ripper stories or books about crime-riddled Victorian London.
* You have fun with YA books with masterfully written young main characters.
* You can look past plot inconsistencies and just enjoy the story for what it is.
February 9, 2026
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dell Morton is a goth kid. Or as goth as you can be when you're 15yo and living in the Victorian era. Newly locked away in a reformatory school and bored out of her mind, Dell misses the gruesome tales of murder and detective work she used to read when she was free. "Thankfully," the district around her school becomes the stage for a series of terrible murders--and who better to investigate than Dell herself, who dreams of becoming the first Lady Detective?
I'll start with my biggest gripe, which isn't entirely about the book's content but more about my expectations going in: the book is listed in the LGBTQIA+ category on NetGalley. Over time, its Goodreads entry added and then lost the "Queer" and "LGBT" tags. So naturally, I was apprehensive going in: is there queer rep in the book or not? Especially since the author's previous book had an explicit romance between two men. If you're wondering the same, the answer is: there is queer rep, but of the most cowardly kind. It's supposed to be there, you can see its contour, you can pick apart the subtext. But it's definitely not present enough to offend conservative parents of bookish baby-queers, which, I imagine, might have been a deliberate choice given that the book is clearly geared towards a teen audience. Personally, I lost patience with "wink wink, nudge nudge" queer rep sometime around the 2000s; I want more, I demand more. It's just frustrating when representation is dangled in front of me like a carrot, never to be outright assumed. Now, this book isn't meant to be a romance, and I'm not demanding it to be; but so many scenes are crafted to hint at romantic subtext that it's maddening that, even in the epilogue (spoilers)
That's most of my rant out of the way. I did find a few parts a bit simplistic and spotted one or two small plot holes in the investigation (e.g., ). Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise engaging story. The book shines thanks to its lush prose and vivid sense of setting. The pacing is excellent, especially in the first half, which flies by. But its biggest strength lies in its characters. It's easy to get attached to the whole cast, flaws and all. There were so many characters-building moments that said a lot about them, who they were, who they aspired to be; and I thought those were brilliantly woven into the narrative.
Special praise goes to the portrayal of teenagehood in all its splendor, frustratingly so. Dell is grandiose and self-important, sheltered her entire life and wholly removed from the real dangers of the world outside her (not quite golden, let's say bronze) cage. Like any teenager, she yearns for freedom from her guardians' control (her aunt and uncle first, then the reformatory staff) and she's convinced of her own worldly wisdom. After all, she knows all about the dreadful deeds of the "filthy degenerates" (her words) in the streets, she's a well-read woman! That illusion is shattered fast, forcing her to think before acting and lean more reasonably on the allies she finds along the way. Dell is at her best when she fails, and that's what makes her character so compelling, I think!
All in all, I found this book far more memorable than The Resurrectionist was. It shows real growth in the author's style and storycrafting skills, and I'm genuinely excited to see what she comes up with next. Hopefully, by then, she (or her publisher, who knows) will risk the outrage of a couple of rednecks in Alabama 👀
(Listen, I know it's a weird thing to get hung up on, it just matters to me 😁)
Dell Morton is a goth kid. Or as goth as you can be when you're 15yo and living in the Victorian era. Newly locked away in a reformatory school and bored out of her mind, Dell misses the gruesome tales of murder and detective work she used to read when she was free. "Thankfully," the district around her school becomes the stage for a series of terrible murders--and who better to investigate than Dell herself, who dreams of becoming the first Lady Detective?
I'll start with my biggest gripe, which isn't entirely about the book's content but more about my expectations going in: the book is listed in the LGBTQIA+ category on NetGalley. Over time, its Goodreads entry added and then lost the "Queer" and "LGBT" tags. So naturally, I was apprehensive going in: is there queer rep in the book or not? Especially since the author's previous book had an explicit romance between two men. If you're wondering the same, the answer is: there is queer rep, but of the most cowardly kind. It's supposed to be there, you can see its contour, you can pick apart the subtext. But it's definitely not present enough to offend conservative parents of bookish baby-queers, which, I imagine, might have been a deliberate choice given that the book is clearly geared towards a teen audience. Personally, I lost patience with "wink wink, nudge nudge" queer rep sometime around the 2000s; I want more, I demand more. It's just frustrating when representation is dangled in front of me like a carrot, never to be outright assumed. Now, this book isn't meant to be a romance, and I'm not demanding it to be; but so many scenes are crafted to hint at romantic subtext that it's maddening that, even in the epilogue (spoilers)
That's most of my rant out of the way. I did find a few parts a bit simplistic and spotted one or two small plot holes in the investigation (e.g., ). Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise engaging story. The book shines thanks to its lush prose and vivid sense of setting. The pacing is excellent, especially in the first half, which flies by. But its biggest strength lies in its characters. It's easy to get attached to the whole cast, flaws and all. There were so many characters-building moments that said a lot about them, who they were, who they aspired to be; and I thought those were brilliantly woven into the narrative.
Special praise goes to the portrayal of teenagehood in all its splendor, frustratingly so. Dell is grandiose and self-important, sheltered her entire life and wholly removed from the real dangers of the world outside her (not quite golden, let's say bronze) cage. Like any teenager, she yearns for freedom from her guardians' control (her aunt and uncle first, then the reformatory staff) and she's convinced of her own worldly wisdom. After all, she knows all about the dreadful deeds of the "filthy degenerates" (her words) in the streets, she's a well-read woman! That illusion is shattered fast, forcing her to think before acting and lean more reasonably on the allies she finds along the way. Dell is at her best when she fails, and that's what makes her character so compelling, I think!
All in all, I found this book far more memorable than The Resurrectionist was. It shows real growth in the author's style and storycrafting skills, and I'm genuinely excited to see what she comes up with next. Hopefully, by then, she (or her publisher, who knows) will risk the outrage of a couple of rednecks in Alabama 👀
(Listen, I know it's a weird thing to get hung up on, it just matters to me 😁)
March 3, 2026
This was an absolutely enthralling read! As a true crime fan (thanks Buzzfeed Unsolved!) I know a fair bit about the Jack the Ripper murders and I absolutely loved this take on the grisly tale. The characters in this book were so well written and compelling and the storytelling, like with the Resurrectionist, pulled me in and kept me completely immersed! Plus the hints at a sweet budding sapphic romance throughout warmed my heart; blood, gore and murder aside!
Obsessed with detective fiction and true crime, Dell Morton is furious when her choice of literature lands her in a reformatory school in Whitechapel. Her roommate Pippa Fitzroy is prissy and perfect and she instantly dislikes her… but when murders start occurring in the streets outside the school’s walls, and those murders seem to co-inside with disappearances of the school mistress Miss Kaye, Dell enlists Pippa’s help to try and get to the bottom of it. Assisted by the local butcher’s son, Noah Levy, the trio find themselves on the trail of London’s most notorious killer… Jack the Ripper.
I loved how well written the characters all are. The book is told from Dell’s first person POV, but Noah, Pippa and Miss Kaye all have lives of their own within that narrative. I especially enjoyed Noah; I didn’t realise that the Jack the Ripper killings incited such antisemitism at the time, and seeing the effect it had on Noah and his family was brutal.
Whilst this is a work of fiction, it is clearly well researched and is based on the actual five canonical Ripper victims, as well as the area’s social and political climate at the time. It’s a great read for Ripperologists, historical thriller fans and those who simply love a twisty book full of beautiful storytelling and compelling characters!
Read The Dreadfuls for:
✨ Historical thriller
✨ Based on the Jack the Ripper murders
✨ Girls at a reformatory/boarding school
✨ Social commentary; class & race
✨ Sapphic romance sub-plot
✨ Well written & compelling characters
✨ Aspiring lady detective 🕵️♀️
✨ For all the true crime fans!
Thanks to Kensington Press for an ARC of this book via NetGalley! It’s available 31st March 2026 🔪 🩸
Obsessed with detective fiction and true crime, Dell Morton is furious when her choice of literature lands her in a reformatory school in Whitechapel. Her roommate Pippa Fitzroy is prissy and perfect and she instantly dislikes her… but when murders start occurring in the streets outside the school’s walls, and those murders seem to co-inside with disappearances of the school mistress Miss Kaye, Dell enlists Pippa’s help to try and get to the bottom of it. Assisted by the local butcher’s son, Noah Levy, the trio find themselves on the trail of London’s most notorious killer… Jack the Ripper.
I loved how well written the characters all are. The book is told from Dell’s first person POV, but Noah, Pippa and Miss Kaye all have lives of their own within that narrative. I especially enjoyed Noah; I didn’t realise that the Jack the Ripper killings incited such antisemitism at the time, and seeing the effect it had on Noah and his family was brutal.
Whilst this is a work of fiction, it is clearly well researched and is based on the actual five canonical Ripper victims, as well as the area’s social and political climate at the time. It’s a great read for Ripperologists, historical thriller fans and those who simply love a twisty book full of beautiful storytelling and compelling characters!
Read The Dreadfuls for:
✨ Historical thriller
✨ Based on the Jack the Ripper murders
✨ Girls at a reformatory/boarding school
✨ Social commentary; class & race
✨ Sapphic romance sub-plot
✨ Well written & compelling characters
✨ Aspiring lady detective 🕵️♀️
✨ For all the true crime fans!
Thanks to Kensington Press for an ARC of this book via NetGalley! It’s available 31st March 2026 🔪 🩸
March 7, 2026
This is my first book by this author and I found her dark academia take on Jack the Ripper to be absolutely delightful. However, I can see how it wouldn't appeal to every reader. Someone who wants a mystery may find the mystery a bit predictable and cozy, and perhaps too YA, though I believe this was marketed as YA so you can't be too surprised by that.
Dell, a delinquent youth who is obsessed with true crime in the days when penny bloods were the equivalent of today's podcasts, is enrolled at a reformatory school for girls after stealing some of said pamphlets. She resolves to escape at her first opportunity, but her plans are thwarted when she unexpectedly forms a close friendship with her attic roommate, a strange and beautiful girl named Pippa.
The two girls get to know a Jewish butcher's son named Noah who feeds them contraband in the form of more penny dreadfuls. But murder is soon afoot in Whitechapel and the trio becomes convinced the school is at the heart of the mystery to unravel. I enjoyed following their antics and outlandish theories as they donned amateur detective hats and tested their mettles.
I thought the take on Jack the Ripper was one I hadn't seen before, even if it was predictable. Dell and her dry wit and passion for true crime was delightful, even if her blunders and theories could seem rather cartoonish. I loved the platonic friendships in this as well and even though Dell and Pippa ended up together, romance wasn't at the front and center of this story. It was rather a tale of coming of age and found family, which I found refreshing.
If this author has more of these fun historical mysteries up her sleeve in the future, I'd certainly read more of them. They are a bit cliche and surface level, but generally a bit of fresh air in a tropey YA landscape. And Dell's dry wit really carries the whole story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dell, a delinquent youth who is obsessed with true crime in the days when penny bloods were the equivalent of today's podcasts, is enrolled at a reformatory school for girls after stealing some of said pamphlets. She resolves to escape at her first opportunity, but her plans are thwarted when she unexpectedly forms a close friendship with her attic roommate, a strange and beautiful girl named Pippa.
The two girls get to know a Jewish butcher's son named Noah who feeds them contraband in the form of more penny dreadfuls. But murder is soon afoot in Whitechapel and the trio becomes convinced the school is at the heart of the mystery to unravel. I enjoyed following their antics and outlandish theories as they donned amateur detective hats and tested their mettles.
I thought the take on Jack the Ripper was one I hadn't seen before, even if it was predictable. Dell and her dry wit and passion for true crime was delightful, even if her blunders and theories could seem rather cartoonish. I loved the platonic friendships in this as well and even though Dell and Pippa ended up together, romance wasn't at the front and center of this story. It was rather a tale of coming of age and found family, which I found refreshing.
If this author has more of these fun historical mysteries up her sleeve in the future, I'd certainly read more of them. They are a bit cliche and surface level, but generally a bit of fresh air in a tropey YA landscape. And Dell's dry wit really carries the whole story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Want to read
October 18, 2025Can i have it right now thank you, also still desperately hoping for a sequel to her other book but i absolutely will be reading this one too
January 26, 2026
A. Rae Dunlap’s previous book was one of my favorite reads of last year, and the premise of her newest release, The Dreadfuls, immediately convinced me she might be writing books just for me. Victorian London, Jack the Ripper, Penny Dreadfuls – these are some of my most beloved topics.
While I didn’t enjoy The Dreadfuls quite as much as The Resurrectionist, I think historical fiction enthusiasts will find a lot to appreciate here. A. Rae Dunlap makes bold and interesting choices that help this book stand out among the many retellings of the Jack the Ripper story.
First and foremost, this is a love letter to true crime, specifically in its nineteenth-century form. The main character, Dell, is a fan of pulp fiction and Penny Dreadfuls, and dreams of becoming a detective one day. She finds kindred spirits in Pippa, a fellow student at a reformatory school for girls in Whitechapel, and Noah, a Jewish butcher’s son. Naturally, when a mysterious killer begins terrorizing Whitechapel, the trio wants nothing more than to uncover the murderer’s identity.
The dynamic between the characters is one of the book’s strongest aspects. Their youth gives the story a slight young-adult feel, although it is far removed from clearly YA novels like Enola Holmes. Dunlap does not shy away from showing the full scale of what it means to confront the actions of a serial killer.
Beyond the crime mystery, the book touches on important issues, including the experiences of minority groups, specifically Jews, in late nineteenth-century London and mental health in the Victorian era. The portrayal of Whitechapel itself, with all its complexity and atmosphere, is one of the book’s most compelling elements.
My biggest reservation about this book, and the reason I cannot give it five stars, is the way it handles the legend of Jack the Ripper. While I appreciate A. Rae Dunlap’s creativity and her exploration of the impact the murders had on the district, the author presents her own version of events, including the identity of the Ripper. At times, this felt like too heavy an intervention in history, particularly because it also involves, to some extent, rewriting the fates of the women who were tragically killed by him. To be clear, these women are not portrayed disrespectfully, but I believe that after so many years of overlooking their perspective, their stories deserve to be presented as accurately as possible.
That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for its inventive approach, meticulous research, and engaging plot. I will read everything A. Rae Dunlap writes – her ability to bring history to life through compelling characters and vivid settings is truly impressive.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
While I didn’t enjoy The Dreadfuls quite as much as The Resurrectionist, I think historical fiction enthusiasts will find a lot to appreciate here. A. Rae Dunlap makes bold and interesting choices that help this book stand out among the many retellings of the Jack the Ripper story.
First and foremost, this is a love letter to true crime, specifically in its nineteenth-century form. The main character, Dell, is a fan of pulp fiction and Penny Dreadfuls, and dreams of becoming a detective one day. She finds kindred spirits in Pippa, a fellow student at a reformatory school for girls in Whitechapel, and Noah, a Jewish butcher’s son. Naturally, when a mysterious killer begins terrorizing Whitechapel, the trio wants nothing more than to uncover the murderer’s identity.
The dynamic between the characters is one of the book’s strongest aspects. Their youth gives the story a slight young-adult feel, although it is far removed from clearly YA novels like Enola Holmes. Dunlap does not shy away from showing the full scale of what it means to confront the actions of a serial killer.
Beyond the crime mystery, the book touches on important issues, including the experiences of minority groups, specifically Jews, in late nineteenth-century London and mental health in the Victorian era. The portrayal of Whitechapel itself, with all its complexity and atmosphere, is one of the book’s most compelling elements.
My biggest reservation about this book, and the reason I cannot give it five stars, is the way it handles the legend of Jack the Ripper. While I appreciate A. Rae Dunlap’s creativity and her exploration of the impact the murders had on the district, the author presents her own version of events, including the identity of the Ripper. At times, this felt like too heavy an intervention in history, particularly because it also involves, to some extent, rewriting the fates of the women who were tragically killed by him. To be clear, these women are not portrayed disrespectfully, but I believe that after so many years of overlooking their perspective, their stories deserve to be presented as accurately as possible.
That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for its inventive approach, meticulous research, and engaging plot. I will read everything A. Rae Dunlap writes – her ability to bring history to life through compelling characters and vivid settings is truly impressive.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2026
When I saw that A. Rae Dunlap had a new novel releasing, I was so excited! I LOVED The Resurrectionists! It had everything I adore about a gothic horror/mystery - creepy atmosphere, a delightful sense of foreboding, and some body horror thrown in.
The Dreadfuls, unfortunately, did not live up to my very high expectations. The FMC, Dell, is very Wednesday Adams-ish, and I did find myself chuckling at her dry wit. However, this novel reads very YA. When the plot is about Jack the Ripper, I expected it to be way creepier than what it was. It took a long time to even get to the murders, and even then, I felt like a lot more could have been done with it.
I was expecting something more along the lines of Stalking Jack the Ripper, though while also YA, I think handled the subject matter a lot better.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (Very sadly)
I will still read Dunlap’s next novel as The Resurrectionists was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Dreadfuls, unfortunately, did not live up to my very high expectations. The FMC, Dell, is very Wednesday Adams-ish, and I did find myself chuckling at her dry wit. However, this novel reads very YA. When the plot is about Jack the Ripper, I expected it to be way creepier than what it was. It took a long time to even get to the murders, and even then, I felt like a lot more could have been done with it.
I was expecting something more along the lines of Stalking Jack the Ripper, though while also YA, I think handled the subject matter a lot better.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️ (Very sadly)
I will still read Dunlap’s next novel as The Resurrectionists was fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below.
I was absolutely thrilled to see A. Rae Dunlap write another book about the 19th century, I had to read it as soon as I possibly could.
The author does a very good job at keeping the plot interesting in her books, I often find myself going back and forth between what I think is going to happen or who is the antagonist is and still she always finds a way to surprise me. In particular, The Dreafuls had me acting as a detective alongside Dell. Everytime I thought I caught onto who was Jack the Ripper I was thrown into more evidence.
Overall the characters are all so enjoyable especially the trio of detectives and Miss Kaye of course. Noah was truly my favorite character in the whole book, I was so invested in his personality, in his story, and the outcome of events. I applaud the author for how she made sure that the atrocities against Jewish people during this event were not washed away. What makes A. Rae Dunlap's books so appealing is that she always makes sure that the story is 1. Historically accurate and shares her research at the end 2. She doesn't glorify or wash away the History, she makes sure unheard voices during the time of events have their rightful place in the story.
The antagonist being Miss Kaye's brother in an act of revenge for unveiling his previous murder in search of money and power was a very interesting take on Jack the Ripper. That I haven't seen before.
I can't wait to see what A. Rae Dunlap writes next.
I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book.
I was absolutely thrilled to see A. Rae Dunlap write another book about the 19th century, I had to read it as soon as I possibly could.
The author does a very good job at keeping the plot interesting in her books, I often find myself going back and forth between what I think is going to happen or who is the antagonist is and still she always finds a way to surprise me. In particular, The Dreafuls had me acting as a detective alongside Dell. Everytime I thought I caught onto who was Jack the Ripper I was thrown into more evidence.
Overall the characters are all so enjoyable especially the trio of detectives and Miss Kaye of course. Noah was truly my favorite character in the whole book, I was so invested in his personality, in his story, and the outcome of events. I applaud the author for how she made sure that the atrocities against Jewish people during this event were not washed away. What makes A. Rae Dunlap's books so appealing is that she always makes sure that the story is 1. Historically accurate and shares her research at the end 2. She doesn't glorify or wash away the History, she makes sure unheard voices during the time of events have their rightful place in the story.
The antagonist being Miss Kaye's brother in an act of revenge for unveiling his previous murder in search of money and power was a very interesting take on Jack the Ripper. That I haven't seen before.
I can't wait to see what A. Rae Dunlap writes next.
I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book.
February 27, 2026
Mannn I LOVE YOU A RAE DUNLAP 🥹🥹
I just love how she weaves real life macabre history into a well crafted fictitious story! And of course gives us that delicious historical queer rep!
Her characters are always SO loveable! This one was no exception! I loved every character with every fiber of my being. I was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE TIME hoping everyone would be alright!
The twist was great! I figured the lead suspect, as per usual with mystery, wasn’t the culprit! But still didn’t see the actual culprit coming! And the finale was epic and heart racing and AH!
My only critique is that there wasn’t NEARLY an enough romance for my taste for it being marketed as a queer novel but hey, that’s just me! It’s realistic for the times that the girls would keep it on the DL!
The resurrectionist is still my fav but this book was so very good! I highly reccomend!
I was given an advanced copy to read and review through NetGalley free of charge, but any opinion started here is truly my own. I’m not being paid to write this review!
I just love how she weaves real life macabre history into a well crafted fictitious story! And of course gives us that delicious historical queer rep!
Her characters are always SO loveable! This one was no exception! I loved every character with every fiber of my being. I was on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE TIME hoping everyone would be alright!
The twist was great! I figured the lead suspect, as per usual with mystery, wasn’t the culprit! But still didn’t see the actual culprit coming! And the finale was epic and heart racing and AH!
My only critique is that there wasn’t NEARLY an enough romance for my taste for it being marketed as a queer novel but hey, that’s just me! It’s realistic for the times that the girls would keep it on the DL!
The resurrectionist is still my fav but this book was so very good! I highly reccomend!
I was given an advanced copy to read and review through NetGalley free of charge, but any opinion started here is truly my own. I’m not being paid to write this review!
March 25, 2026
After loving The Resurrectionist, I jumped at the chance to read A. Rae Dunlap’s latest!! 🙌
I requested it so quick that I didn’t even read the synopsis, so when the story started to weave in Jack the Ripper I got even more excited!! It’s quite a different take on the Ripper, where Dunlap also incorporates the Road Hill House murder! Two true crime stories melded and woven into one fiction read - hell yes, I’m here for it!! Absolutely loved and devoured this one!! Highly recommend, book peeps!!! 👏
Thank you partner Kensington Books for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️ Now I need to get my hands on a copy with the deluxe stenciled edges!! 😍
I requested it so quick that I didn’t even read the synopsis, so when the story started to weave in Jack the Ripper I got even more excited!! It’s quite a different take on the Ripper, where Dunlap also incorporates the Road Hill House murder! Two true crime stories melded and woven into one fiction read - hell yes, I’m here for it!! Absolutely loved and devoured this one!! Highly recommend, book peeps!!! 👏
Thank you partner Kensington Books for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️ Now I need to get my hands on a copy with the deluxe stenciled edges!! 😍
March 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Dreadfuls.
I have been counting down for another A. Rae Dunlap book since finishing The Resurrectionist last summer and this book did not disappoint! Loved that the story centred around the infamous Jack the Ripper.
I was instantly pulled into the world and felt like an invisible third roommate to Dell and Pippa. Eager to join on their quest for truth and justice.
Although it was a fantastic read, it didn’t quite live up to the same bar set by The Resurrectionist, but I am still eager for the next release from A. Rae Dunlap!
I have been counting down for another A. Rae Dunlap book since finishing The Resurrectionist last summer and this book did not disappoint! Loved that the story centred around the infamous Jack the Ripper.
I was instantly pulled into the world and felt like an invisible third roommate to Dell and Pippa. Eager to join on their quest for truth and justice.
Although it was a fantastic read, it didn’t quite live up to the same bar set by The Resurrectionist, but I am still eager for the next release from A. Rae Dunlap!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚 🩸 🏫
4.0 ★
The Dreadfuls is dark, fast, and way more emotionally loaded than I expected, and I was pretty much hooked from early on. We follow Adeleide “Dell” Morton, a girl labeled a delinquent and dumped at a reform school in Whitechapel, where her obsession with penny dreadfuls and murder stories suddenly feels a little too relevant to real life. The setup is simple but effective: a strict school full of “incorrigible” girls, a city buzzing with fear and gossip, and a main character who is way more interested in asking dangerous questions than being “reformed.”
Dunlap’s writing really worked for me. It’s straightforward and easy to read, but still rich enough that Whitechapel Hall, the streets, and the shops feel lived‑in without turning into a history slog. The pacing is solid from start to finish; we move from Dell’s arrival, to daily routines, to simmering suspicion and then full‑on investigation without many dead spots. For a genre I don’t usually gravitate toward, this ended up being very “just one more chapter” for me.
What kept me glued to it were the characters. Dell is prickly, dramatic, and just a little unhinged in that very teen “I read too many murder stories” way, and I loved that. Pippa is chaos and vulnerability in one person, and their relationship slowly turning into proper ride‑or‑die friendship was one of my favorite parts. Noah adds a softer, sadder thread; his home life, his dreams, and the way how his story evolved made his chapters hit hard. Miss Kaye quietly steals a lot of scenes. She starts as the severe religious teacher, as the book develops her story, the more complicated—and interesting—she becomes.
Tone‑wise, this walks a line between YA and adult. The characters are around fifteen, but the content is on the heavier side: institutional abuse, antisemitic violence, suicide, implied sexual abuse, religious pressure, and the general horror of being a girl the world has basically written off. The book spends a lot of time on morality—who gets labeled a monster, who gets believed, and what “justice” even looks like in a system built to protect the wrong people. The conversations about heroes vs. villains and faith vs. reality are genuinely some of the best parts and gave the story more weight than I expected.
I do have a few gripes. Because this is shelved as LGBT+ in some places, I went in expecting queer themes to be a driving force in the story, and they’re really not; they’re present, but more in the background than at the core of the plot. That’s not a bad thing, but good to know. I also struggled a bit with the antagonist’s motivation as more is being revealed; the antagonist starts off strong, but I never fully felt like the choices were as layered or convincing as the rest of the cast. A few side characters and threads also feel like they either needed more space or could have been cut.
Still, the ending landed emotionally for me. Where the characters end up feels bittersweet in a way that fits how dark the book is, and there are some genuinely sweet final touches that made me close it feeling satisfied rather than wrecked. Overall, this was a really engaging, atmospheric read that made me glad I stepped outside my usual genres. 4.0 ★ feels right: I loved the characters and themes, even if I wanted a bit more nuance and surprise on the villain side of things, and some plotting choices that I questioned while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlap in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler Section
(Everything below contains spoilers — all spoiler text is italicized)
4.0 ★
The Dreadfuls is dark, fast, and way more emotionally loaded than I expected, and I was pretty much hooked from early on. We follow Adeleide “Dell” Morton, a girl labeled a delinquent and dumped at a reform school in Whitechapel, where her obsession with penny dreadfuls and murder stories suddenly feels a little too relevant to real life. The setup is simple but effective: a strict school full of “incorrigible” girls, a city buzzing with fear and gossip, and a main character who is way more interested in asking dangerous questions than being “reformed.”
Dunlap’s writing really worked for me. It’s straightforward and easy to read, but still rich enough that Whitechapel Hall, the streets, and the shops feel lived‑in without turning into a history slog. The pacing is solid from start to finish; we move from Dell’s arrival, to daily routines, to simmering suspicion and then full‑on investigation without many dead spots. For a genre I don’t usually gravitate toward, this ended up being very “just one more chapter” for me.
What kept me glued to it were the characters. Dell is prickly, dramatic, and just a little unhinged in that very teen “I read too many murder stories” way, and I loved that. Pippa is chaos and vulnerability in one person, and their relationship slowly turning into proper ride‑or‑die friendship was one of my favorite parts. Noah adds a softer, sadder thread; his home life, his dreams, and the way how his story evolved made his chapters hit hard. Miss Kaye quietly steals a lot of scenes. She starts as the severe religious teacher, as the book develops her story, the more complicated—and interesting—she becomes.
Tone‑wise, this walks a line between YA and adult. The characters are around fifteen, but the content is on the heavier side: institutional abuse, antisemitic violence, suicide, implied sexual abuse, religious pressure, and the general horror of being a girl the world has basically written off. The book spends a lot of time on morality—who gets labeled a monster, who gets believed, and what “justice” even looks like in a system built to protect the wrong people. The conversations about heroes vs. villains and faith vs. reality are genuinely some of the best parts and gave the story more weight than I expected.
I do have a few gripes. Because this is shelved as LGBT+ in some places, I went in expecting queer themes to be a driving force in the story, and they’re really not; they’re present, but more in the background than at the core of the plot. That’s not a bad thing, but good to know. I also struggled a bit with the antagonist’s motivation as more is being revealed; the antagonist starts off strong, but I never fully felt like the choices were as layered or convincing as the rest of the cast. A few side characters and threads also feel like they either needed more space or could have been cut.
Still, the ending landed emotionally for me. Where the characters end up feels bittersweet in a way that fits how dark the book is, and there are some genuinely sweet final touches that made me close it feeling satisfied rather than wrecked. Overall, this was a really engaging, atmospheric read that made me glad I stepped outside my usual genres. 4.0 ★ feels right: I loved the characters and themes, even if I wanted a bit more nuance and surprise on the villain side of things, and some plotting choices that I questioned while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy of The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlap in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler Section
(Everything below contains spoilers — all spoiler text is italicized)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
THE DREADFULS gave Wednesday Addams meets Enola Holmes vibes. If you've watched the Wednesday series on Netflix you will be distracted by the similarities.
If you loved THE RESURRECTIONIST and were looking for another macabre Gothic mystery this is not it. This second novel is more YA historical mystery.
It's not a bad novel but I was too distracted by the Wednesday similarities to be able to read it on its own merits. I was also expecting a darker, Gothic story and this was not.
If you loved THE RESURRECTIONIST and were looking for another macabre Gothic mystery this is not it. This second novel is more YA historical mystery.
It's not a bad novel but I was too distracted by the Wednesday similarities to be able to read it on its own merits. I was also expecting a darker, Gothic story and this was not.
February 19, 2026
Review of an advanced copy received from Goodreads Giveaway
The Dreadfuls surprised me in the best way. I’m usually a thriller reader, but not a gothic‑historical one, but this book hooked me from page one. The characters are wonderful, the coming‑of‑age arc is heartfelt, and the pacing never drags. Every chapter has something to offer, and the story flows so smoothly that I never once felt the urge to skim. Atmospheric, engaging, and unexpectedly warm—this one’s a win.
The Dreadfuls surprised me in the best way. I’m usually a thriller reader, but not a gothic‑historical one, but this book hooked me from page one. The characters are wonderful, the coming‑of‑age arc is heartfelt, and the pacing never drags. Every chapter has something to offer, and the story flows so smoothly that I never once felt the urge to skim. Atmospheric, engaging, and unexpectedly warm—this one’s a win.
Did not finish
December 22, 2025A DNF at 12% of “this one isn’t for me.” I really liked Dunlap’s The Resurrectionist, so I looked forward to this one. It’s a similar idea, taking real life crime and fictionalizing it.
Two teen girls end up (I assume) investigating Jack the Ripper. The “teen girl” part was what didn’t work for me. It brings a goofiness to the tone, especially given the voice of the narrator. Honestly, she’s fascinating - naive but worldly via her reading. She has fantastical ideas about herself, dreams of adventure.
But I don’t like reading from perspectives this young typically. Teens can work for me, but in this case she felt younger than her years due to some innocence despite her reading material.
I don’t think the book is YA, but you do have to enjoy a younger narrator to enjoy this, and that’s where it’s not for me. I’ll definitely try more from Dunlap in the future all the same.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Two teen girls end up (I assume) investigating Jack the Ripper. The “teen girl” part was what didn’t work for me. It brings a goofiness to the tone, especially given the voice of the narrator. Honestly, she’s fascinating - naive but worldly via her reading. She has fantastical ideas about herself, dreams of adventure.
But I don’t like reading from perspectives this young typically. Teens can work for me, but in this case she felt younger than her years due to some innocence despite her reading material.
I don’t think the book is YA, but you do have to enjoy a younger narrator to enjoy this, and that’s where it’s not for me. I’ll definitely try more from Dunlap in the future all the same.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
YA queer historical fiction and an interesting reimagining of Jack the Ripper. While I loved The Resurrectionist, this missed the mark for me a bit, and The Dreadfuls ended up being just a superficially entertaining read that won’t be memorable.
First of all, this needs to be addressed because I feel there will be some discourse regarding this - it IS very much YA and I’ll die standing on this hill. You can see it tagged as adult even on NG but that’s painfully untrue in my opinion. The main characters are fifteen, the overall tone of the story is juvenile and lacks the seriousness that would make me contemplate this, and the themes themselves aren’t incomprehensible to young adults (implying otherwise seems condescending because what young adult isn’t even vaguely aware of racism, misogyny, and antisemitism? Come on. Some of them are already living that reality). Adding a few vaguely gory scenes (because Jack, hello) doesn’t make it adult in the least.
Readers picking this book up expecting adult literature could potentially feel deceived, so just a heads-up.
Dell, a fifteen-year-old girl, has just been committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reformatory School where unruly girls are working toward redemption. She gives off some Wednesday Adams vibes at first with how fascinated she is with the macabre, but she’s very much her own person. I have to admit, I struggled being in her mind for the first half of the book because she is romanticizing her life quite excessively, treating everything like a plot, trying very hard the be the main character (which, given that she is, was a very weird feeling) like the heroines in her beloved penny dreadfuls.
I could make a case for her trying to cope with her being recently orphaned by escaping reality into fiction to the point life doesn’t feel real and with consequences, but by the end of the story, I’m not even sure it’s that deep - it’s not discussed, so it’s up to you to read between the lines to make of it what you want.
She undergoes some pretty good character development when reality forces her to be present, and that was appreciated!
I seriously liked Dell’s connection with Pippa, another girl and her new roommate. They quickly form a friendship that grows deep with affection which was sweet to watch, and most of the time, Pippa was the voice of reason Dell needed to curb her impulsivity and recklessness.
Then there’s Noah, their mutual friend, the butcher’s son, and a Jew - his character intrigued me the most and I so wanted to know more about him (and Henry, his best friend 😏).
The most interesting character was, nevertheless, Miss Kaye, the school teacher and something of a matron. More than once, I wished this book were written with her as the MC, and we got the entire story from her POV.
And while the characters here are queer, forget about romance; there’s nothing for it to even be a subplot. Just a few sweet, entirely innocent breadcrumbs to just about deserve the queer tag (their sexuality has absolutely no impact on the overall plot; make them straight, and nothing changes at all).
What I loved about The Resurrectionist, besides the characters, was the impeccable gloomy atmosphere, so I was expecting the same going into this book - it’s Whitechapel! But alas, the tone of the story was decidedly juvenile thanks to Dell and her antics and constant silly remarks about her “prodigious detective skills” (sure girl, sure). The second half of the book, the hunt for Jack the Ripper, was more entertaining, and I managed to enjoy myself till the end.
Regarding the Jack the Ripper reimagining, which I’m sure will tempt many readers...I’m not sure how I feel about it? The spin on it was certainly interesting but it felt like the case itself was just randomly selected to serve as an addition to the setting and connect the characters. It’s more like historical fiction from a time period that happens to contain this particular case.
...oh dear, it seems like I have nothing but criticism, but I swear I actually had a good time 🙈 The thing is, I just had to adjust my initial expectations quite a lot. Thankfully, I went in already thinking it’s YA (the blurb itself doesn’t scream adult).
Still, I really like the author’s writing and her historicals, and I’m already looking forward to what she comes up with next!
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc! The Dreadfuls is set to be published March 31st
First of all, this needs to be addressed because I feel there will be some discourse regarding this - it IS very much YA and I’ll die standing on this hill. You can see it tagged as adult even on NG but that’s painfully untrue in my opinion. The main characters are fifteen, the overall tone of the story is juvenile and lacks the seriousness that would make me contemplate this, and the themes themselves aren’t incomprehensible to young adults (implying otherwise seems condescending because what young adult isn’t even vaguely aware of racism, misogyny, and antisemitism? Come on. Some of them are already living that reality). Adding a few vaguely gory scenes (because Jack, hello) doesn’t make it adult in the least.
Readers picking this book up expecting adult literature could potentially feel deceived, so just a heads-up.
Dell, a fifteen-year-old girl, has just been committed to the Whitechapel Hall Reformatory School where unruly girls are working toward redemption. She gives off some Wednesday Adams vibes at first with how fascinated she is with the macabre, but she’s very much her own person. I have to admit, I struggled being in her mind for the first half of the book because she is romanticizing her life quite excessively, treating everything like a plot, trying very hard the be the main character (which, given that she is, was a very weird feeling) like the heroines in her beloved penny dreadfuls.
I could make a case for her trying to cope with her being recently orphaned by escaping reality into fiction to the point life doesn’t feel real and with consequences, but by the end of the story, I’m not even sure it’s that deep - it’s not discussed, so it’s up to you to read between the lines to make of it what you want.
She undergoes some pretty good character development when reality forces her to be present, and that was appreciated!
I seriously liked Dell’s connection with Pippa, another girl and her new roommate. They quickly form a friendship that grows deep with affection which was sweet to watch, and most of the time, Pippa was the voice of reason Dell needed to curb her impulsivity and recklessness.
Then there’s Noah, their mutual friend, the butcher’s son, and a Jew - his character intrigued me the most and I so wanted to know more about him (and Henry, his best friend 😏).
The most interesting character was, nevertheless, Miss Kaye, the school teacher and something of a matron. More than once, I wished this book were written with her as the MC, and we got the entire story from her POV.
And while the characters here are queer, forget about romance; there’s nothing for it to even be a subplot. Just a few sweet, entirely innocent breadcrumbs to just about deserve the queer tag (their sexuality has absolutely no impact on the overall plot; make them straight, and nothing changes at all).
What I loved about The Resurrectionist, besides the characters, was the impeccable gloomy atmosphere, so I was expecting the same going into this book - it’s Whitechapel! But alas, the tone of the story was decidedly juvenile thanks to Dell and her antics and constant silly remarks about her “prodigious detective skills” (sure girl, sure). The second half of the book, the hunt for Jack the Ripper, was more entertaining, and I managed to enjoy myself till the end.
Regarding the Jack the Ripper reimagining, which I’m sure will tempt many readers...I’m not sure how I feel about it? The spin on it was certainly interesting but it felt like the case itself was just randomly selected to serve as an addition to the setting and connect the characters. It’s more like historical fiction from a time period that happens to contain this particular case.
...oh dear, it seems like I have nothing but criticism, but I swear I actually had a good time 🙈 The thing is, I just had to adjust my initial expectations quite a lot. Thankfully, I went in already thinking it’s YA (the blurb itself doesn’t scream adult).
Still, I really like the author’s writing and her historicals, and I’m already looking forward to what she comes up with next!
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc! The Dreadfuls is set to be published March 31st
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have to start this review by thanking Kensington and NetGalley for the honor of receiving another ARC from A. Rae Dunlap! When I saw her Instagram post announcing this new story, I knew I HAD to get the ARC in my hands. I had such a good experience with her debut and I was sure I would love whatever stories she writes next. She became a favorite author of mine and I'm sure I will want to read everything this woman publishes!
Before getting to my review, I would like to disclaimer a few possible sensible topics that this book contain, so be aware:
- misogyny
- censorship
- gore
- blood
- murder
- child murder
- death
- religious intolerance
- xenophobia
- health problems (dementia)
- physical abuse
- suicide (mention of an off page case)
- pedophilia
- sexual abuse (mention of occurrence, not detailed)
- antisemitism
For the purpose of getting into this book without minimal spoilers (as I did on her first project) all that I knew from this second book was that it had mentions of the Jack the Ripper case and underling tones of a sapphic relationship (instead of a more explicit one from James and Nye on "The Ressurectiotionist"). And I gotta say I was SO surprised! I was NOT expecting Dell to be a adorable naive emo girl (the late 1800s version of one) and she conquered my heart on sight. Her passion for books and the way she dreams big, even in such restraining conditions that beging a woman in the XIX century, was so inspiring. We follow her journey of coming of age and how her taste of the real world crashes the conceptions the books she read painted to her.
Pippa is and amazing sidekick! She contains such joy of live despite being treated the way she was from her family. I LOVED seeing her breaking the misconceptions Dell had about her. It was so funny!
OMG, Noah was so adorable! And I still kinda think there was something more between him and Henry (and still kinda sad that was left in the air). The dynamic between the three of them was sooo cute.
This book is more of a Scooby-Doo vibe in terms of the mystery. Again, we are talking about three 16 years old trying to catch a serial killer. But it was not at all a bad execution or experience to read. Dunlap has this incredible way to mingle actual facts with captivating fiction characters (and I was SO glad the only thing I knew about the Jake the Ripper was that the culprit was never identified, because I saw everything that happened in the book as novelty, even though it's a known case) that you're just engulfed by this story she is presenting to you. Such a talented storyteller!
Miss Kaye... I can't say much about her and her story without spoilers, so I'm just gonna say here that I DID NOT saw that coming and I had to pause reading because I was sobbing during chapter 17. Dunlap did not had the right to surprise us with THAT, lol.
This book is a lot harder to read then Dunlap's debut, and I strongly think it should contain a trigger warning list (Sally's story was very disturbing to read, and it was only a retelling, we don't see anything happening on page). We see so much more of the rash realities of the lates 1800s, because we are following a young girl with no support, so it's NOT the same vibe we have in "The Ressurectiotionist". But both stories are excellent! Just a warning in case you are coming to this book after reading James's story. Dell has to deal with a lot of shit that did not cross path with James, unfortunately.
I loved how Dunlap used the Jack the Ripper case as an analogy to the society back then (and how it can be easily applied in today's world, saddly) and explored the problems it had. Her notes in the end of the book are a must read! It cements what she constructed in the narrative.
The ending was bittersweet. It was not exactly what I wanted, but it was a happy ending for the characters, so I'm not complaining. I only wished Dell and Pippa could join the boys in Australia, because I wanted the gang to stay together, but in my heart they stayed connected anyway. Oh! It was a delightful surprise what Miss Kaye decided to do with the school. She was definitely a character that grew on me. She deserved so much better.
I left this world already missing it. Dunlap broke and mend my heart in this book and now all it rests for me is wanting for her next story - that I CAN NOT WAIT!
Before getting to my review, I would like to disclaimer a few possible sensible topics that this book contain, so be aware:
- misogyny
- censorship
- gore
- blood
- murder
- child murder
- death
- religious intolerance
- xenophobia
- health problems (dementia)
- physical abuse
- suicide (mention of an off page case)
- pedophilia
- sexual abuse (mention of occurrence, not detailed)
- antisemitism
For the purpose of getting into this book without minimal spoilers (as I did on her first project) all that I knew from this second book was that it had mentions of the Jack the Ripper case and underling tones of a sapphic relationship (instead of a more explicit one from James and Nye on "The Ressurectiotionist"). And I gotta say I was SO surprised! I was NOT expecting Dell to be a adorable naive emo girl (the late 1800s version of one) and she conquered my heart on sight. Her passion for books and the way she dreams big, even in such restraining conditions that beging a woman in the XIX century, was so inspiring. We follow her journey of coming of age and how her taste of the real world crashes the conceptions the books she read painted to her.
Pippa is and amazing sidekick! She contains such joy of live despite being treated the way she was from her family. I LOVED seeing her breaking the misconceptions Dell had about her. It was so funny!
OMG, Noah was so adorable! And I still kinda think there was something more between him and Henry (and still kinda sad that was left in the air). The dynamic between the three of them was sooo cute.
This book is more of a Scooby-Doo vibe in terms of the mystery. Again, we are talking about three 16 years old trying to catch a serial killer. But it was not at all a bad execution or experience to read. Dunlap has this incredible way to mingle actual facts with captivating fiction characters (and I was SO glad the only thing I knew about the Jake the Ripper was that the culprit was never identified, because I saw everything that happened in the book as novelty, even though it's a known case) that you're just engulfed by this story she is presenting to you. Such a talented storyteller!
Miss Kaye... I can't say much about her and her story without spoilers, so I'm just gonna say here that I DID NOT saw that coming and I had to pause reading because I was sobbing during chapter 17. Dunlap did not had the right to surprise us with THAT, lol.
This book is a lot harder to read then Dunlap's debut, and I strongly think it should contain a trigger warning list (Sally's story was very disturbing to read, and it was only a retelling, we don't see anything happening on page). We see so much more of the rash realities of the lates 1800s, because we are following a young girl with no support, so it's NOT the same vibe we have in "The Ressurectiotionist". But both stories are excellent! Just a warning in case you are coming to this book after reading James's story. Dell has to deal with a lot of shit that did not cross path with James, unfortunately.
I loved how Dunlap used the Jack the Ripper case as an analogy to the society back then (and how it can be easily applied in today's world, saddly) and explored the problems it had. Her notes in the end of the book are a must read! It cements what she constructed in the narrative.
The ending was bittersweet. It was not exactly what I wanted, but it was a happy ending for the characters, so I'm not complaining. I only wished Dell and Pippa could join the boys in Australia, because I wanted the gang to stay together, but in my heart they stayed connected anyway. Oh! It was a delightful surprise what Miss Kaye decided to do with the school. She was definitely a character that grew on me. She deserved so much better.
I left this world already missing it. Dunlap broke and mend my heart in this book and now all it rests for me is wanting for her next story - that I CAN NOT WAIT!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was keen to pick up Dunlap’s sophomore release after loving her debut ‘The Resurrectionist’ so much last year, and while it didn’t hold up quite as strongly for me, this reimagining of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ crime spree was still a perfectly enjoyable escape.
Adelaide ‘Dell’ Morton is sentenced to a reformatory school in Whitechapel after having been caught and sentenced to the crime of theft. Dell is a precocious and defiant young woman with a fascination with the macabre and is obsessed with penny dreadful serials and detective stories. With a wild imagination and sense of adventure, Dell harbours aspirations of becoming a detective herself and finds herself presented with an opportunity to test the mettle of her investigative skills when women start being gruesomely slaughtered by an unknown man on their literal door step.
Dell was at times a bit of a challenging protagonist to sit with because her over confidence often treaded a line of naivety that could be frustrating to read. I found that the introduction and addition of the poised and beautiful Pippa added a well needed voice of reason, tempering those elements of Dells character that I would roll my eyes over. I definitely think that there was an element of ‘coming of age’ for Dell over the course of the book, as she is challenged and exposed to some of the darker elements the real world can manifest. I must also admit that I didn’t realise that she was 15 until I was rereading the blurb and putting my thoughts together for this review and with that in mind it does make me feel a bit more sympathetic towards some of her less enchanting personality traits.
I would say that if you are entering into this based solely on the desire to see historical sapphic representation I would maybe urge some caution, because while Dell and Pippa are written as having an obvious magnetism to each other with romantic undertones, there is very little romance in this book, with it all existing very much in subtext. I was a little nervous at first that Noah was being introduced as romantic competition between Dell and Pippa but I can safely say that this is not the case and while the book barely explores this, Noah is clearly queer himself.
Honestly, I felt a little bit like this book had a bit of an identity issue that I think did it no favours. From reading what marketing is available for it, it seems to be marketed as an adult dark historical horror/thriller. However (and the Nancy Drew-esque comp should have clued me immediately lol) the whole vibe of the story reads very YA/NA and I think that this book would have benefited from either learning into the YA nature of its characters or aging them and the story up and really leaning into the horror vibes.
I've struggled to decide my rating for this one but I feel like it's probably a 3.5 ✨ rounded up. While this was by no means a perfect book and didn’t make me want to devour the entire thing in a frankly unhealthy manner, I had a good time reading it and never resented my time with it. While I wont say anything about the ending of this book, I would love for a sequel to exist with Noah as the main character!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Planned release date 31st March 2026
Consider following my instagram
Adelaide ‘Dell’ Morton is sentenced to a reformatory school in Whitechapel after having been caught and sentenced to the crime of theft. Dell is a precocious and defiant young woman with a fascination with the macabre and is obsessed with penny dreadful serials and detective stories. With a wild imagination and sense of adventure, Dell harbours aspirations of becoming a detective herself and finds herself presented with an opportunity to test the mettle of her investigative skills when women start being gruesomely slaughtered by an unknown man on their literal door step.
Dell was at times a bit of a challenging protagonist to sit with because her over confidence often treaded a line of naivety that could be frustrating to read. I found that the introduction and addition of the poised and beautiful Pippa added a well needed voice of reason, tempering those elements of Dells character that I would roll my eyes over. I definitely think that there was an element of ‘coming of age’ for Dell over the course of the book, as she is challenged and exposed to some of the darker elements the real world can manifest. I must also admit that I didn’t realise that she was 15 until I was rereading the blurb and putting my thoughts together for this review and with that in mind it does make me feel a bit more sympathetic towards some of her less enchanting personality traits.
I would say that if you are entering into this based solely on the desire to see historical sapphic representation I would maybe urge some caution, because while Dell and Pippa are written as having an obvious magnetism to each other with romantic undertones, there is very little romance in this book, with it all existing very much in subtext. I was a little nervous at first that Noah was being introduced as romantic competition between Dell and Pippa but I can safely say that this is not the case and while the book barely explores this, Noah is clearly queer himself.
Honestly, I felt a little bit like this book had a bit of an identity issue that I think did it no favours. From reading what marketing is available for it, it seems to be marketed as an adult dark historical horror/thriller. However (and the Nancy Drew-esque comp should have clued me immediately lol) the whole vibe of the story reads very YA/NA and I think that this book would have benefited from either learning into the YA nature of its characters or aging them and the story up and really leaning into the horror vibes.
I've struggled to decide my rating for this one but I feel like it's probably a 3.5 ✨ rounded up. While this was by no means a perfect book and didn’t make me want to devour the entire thing in a frankly unhealthy manner, I had a good time reading it and never resented my time with it. While I wont say anything about the ending of this book, I would love for a sequel to exist with Noah as the main character!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Planned release date 31st March 2026
Consider following my instagram
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I enjoyed this book a lot. It immediately reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events in both tone and its distinctly Gothic vibe. Overall, it reads like a Victorianized, Grimm Brothers–esque fairytale: dark, mischievous, and stylized rather than outright terrifying, which worked very well for me. I ended up rating it 4/5 stars.
One of the biggest strengths of the novel is its narrative voice. The story feels like a reimagining of Victorian classics, but with the twist of being told through the perspective of a child, and, importantly, a believable one. The protagonist’s mischievous, curious outlook makes the world feel fresh, and the author does an excellent job conveying her age through word choice, sentence structure, and tone. The narration truly carries the novel.
The plot itself develops slowly and is somewhat predictable, but still satisfying. Because the story draws heavily from real historical events, most readers will already know what happens to Jack the Ripper’s victims, which removes some of the suspense surrounding the mystery. That said, the investigation scenes, especially when the children are actively involved, were engaging, and the action moments were some of the most enjoyable parts of the book.
The setting and atmosphere are where the novel truly shines. The Gothic Victorian backdrop is not just decorative; it is fully immersive and integral to the story. The foggy streets, grim undertones, and stereotypical Victorian Gothic elements are used effectively and consistently, creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar and deeply intentional.
If I had one major critique, it would be the premise’s reliance on real historical events, specifically its use of Jack the Ripper as a central figure. This is less an issue of accuracy and more one of tonal expectation. The author’s narrative voice is not gritty, graphic, or rooted in realistic historical crime, but instead leans toward a Victorian Gothic fairytale style that is stylized, atmospheric, and slightly mischievous. Because of this, readers expecting a traditional or realistic historical mystery may find the approach at odds with their expectations. I personally think the story might have been better served by an “inspired by” premise rather than direct historical fiction, with a fictionalized killer and altered details. That approach could have preserved the same themes while better aligning with the author’s voice and maintaining suspense. I greatly prefer this stylized tone to realistic gore or true-crime–leaning historical fiction, so this aspect worked very well for me and was a pleasant surprise.
This book would be a great fit for children or teenagers, especially those unfamiliar with Jack the Ripper or those with an interest in gothic stories, mystery, and light true crime. Fans of The Addams Family, Wednesday, or A Series of Unfortunate Events will likely enjoy it as well. On the other hand, readers who dislike child narrators or antiquated, Victorian-style prose may struggle with the tone.
Overall, this novel showcases an author who is particularly well suited for children’s Victorian Gothic fiction, and I would be very interested in reading more work in this style.
Thank you to Goodreads for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
One of the biggest strengths of the novel is its narrative voice. The story feels like a reimagining of Victorian classics, but with the twist of being told through the perspective of a child, and, importantly, a believable one. The protagonist’s mischievous, curious outlook makes the world feel fresh, and the author does an excellent job conveying her age through word choice, sentence structure, and tone. The narration truly carries the novel.
The plot itself develops slowly and is somewhat predictable, but still satisfying. Because the story draws heavily from real historical events, most readers will already know what happens to Jack the Ripper’s victims, which removes some of the suspense surrounding the mystery. That said, the investigation scenes, especially when the children are actively involved, were engaging, and the action moments were some of the most enjoyable parts of the book.
The setting and atmosphere are where the novel truly shines. The Gothic Victorian backdrop is not just decorative; it is fully immersive and integral to the story. The foggy streets, grim undertones, and stereotypical Victorian Gothic elements are used effectively and consistently, creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar and deeply intentional.
If I had one major critique, it would be the premise’s reliance on real historical events, specifically its use of Jack the Ripper as a central figure. This is less an issue of accuracy and more one of tonal expectation. The author’s narrative voice is not gritty, graphic, or rooted in realistic historical crime, but instead leans toward a Victorian Gothic fairytale style that is stylized, atmospheric, and slightly mischievous. Because of this, readers expecting a traditional or realistic historical mystery may find the approach at odds with their expectations. I personally think the story might have been better served by an “inspired by” premise rather than direct historical fiction, with a fictionalized killer and altered details. That approach could have preserved the same themes while better aligning with the author’s voice and maintaining suspense. I greatly prefer this stylized tone to realistic gore or true-crime–leaning historical fiction, so this aspect worked very well for me and was a pleasant surprise.
This book would be a great fit for children or teenagers, especially those unfamiliar with Jack the Ripper or those with an interest in gothic stories, mystery, and light true crime. Fans of The Addams Family, Wednesday, or A Series of Unfortunate Events will likely enjoy it as well. On the other hand, readers who dislike child narrators or antiquated, Victorian-style prose may struggle with the tone.
Overall, this novel showcases an author who is particularly well suited for children’s Victorian Gothic fiction, and I would be very interested in reading more work in this style.
Thank you to Goodreads for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We’re in London, the year is 1888. Dell Morton gets sent to a reformatory for delinquent girls, Whitechapel Hall. She’s been stuck with her aunt and uncle for some time after her parents died, and they’re anything but loving. Her uncle ended up burning her books because he resents her being with them. She reads a lot, she’s a fan of Penny dreadful, detective fiction. So one day she stole a few books. And that’s why she’s been sent to the reform school. She finds a friend in Pippa, her roommate, and Noah, son of the local butcher. Murders are stalking the city, so close as to be happening right outside the reform school. And Miss Kaye, their teacher, seems to check all the boxes for being responsible. All the three of them want is to discover the killer’s identity, so they do some investigating of their own. And the story unravels from there.
This is yet another Ripper reimagining book I loved. The writing reflects the “darkly atmospheric” qualities of the tale itself. I didn’t personally think a YA book could get so dark without losing the feel of a YA, but I was proven wrong. You could tell the characters were young, this reflects in their personality as Dell in particular can get a bit much at times. But I didn’t dislike that, I thought it worked.
In fact, the characters along with the writing make this book. They’re kids, and you can tell (as I mentioned before), which is why it was so interesting to see them investigate. This felt like a more grown version, even if by only a little, of the Enola Holmes books. But I overall enjoyed this book more than I did the entirety of that series. Back to the characters, I loved their relationship, especially Dell and Pippa’s. Which brings me to my next point.
I see had the same problem as many other people, because i thought this was going to be queer. And it… kind of was? There’s nothing explicit, and by that I don’t mean spice, I mean something spoken aloud. Or even in Dell’s inner monologue, something factual that actually happened that makes you sure that it’s queer. There’s so little of it that it might as well not even be there. It felt like the author was trying to hint at it without ever saying it. A bit of a cop out if you ask me.
But I do agree with the author’s thoughts on the Ripper himself and all that comes with it in the author’s note, how she actually never felt any particular fascination with it like some other people. She says he wasn’t this incredibly smart mastermind, but more like the sloppy and opportunistic kind of killer. And also how the police force at the time was packed with misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism. “No Englishman could have done it.” And that definitely shows in this book.
I feel like it’s also worth mentioning that I’ve been dying to read The Resurrectionist by Dunlap, and reading this book first kind of set my expectations for it. I obviously really liked this one, and I feel like her other book might be my thing as well. Or at least the queerness is more in your face in that one! Of that I’m pretty sure.
I’d say this sits at a 4/5⭐️ I did think it was going to be more life changing though. I thought it was going to put me in a slump is how good I thought it was going to be. But I really enjoyed it still.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is yet another Ripper reimagining book I loved. The writing reflects the “darkly atmospheric” qualities of the tale itself. I didn’t personally think a YA book could get so dark without losing the feel of a YA, but I was proven wrong. You could tell the characters were young, this reflects in their personality as Dell in particular can get a bit much at times. But I didn’t dislike that, I thought it worked.
In fact, the characters along with the writing make this book. They’re kids, and you can tell (as I mentioned before), which is why it was so interesting to see them investigate. This felt like a more grown version, even if by only a little, of the Enola Holmes books. But I overall enjoyed this book more than I did the entirety of that series. Back to the characters, I loved their relationship, especially Dell and Pippa’s. Which brings me to my next point.
I see had the same problem as many other people, because i thought this was going to be queer. And it… kind of was? There’s nothing explicit, and by that I don’t mean spice, I mean something spoken aloud. Or even in Dell’s inner monologue, something factual that actually happened that makes you sure that it’s queer. There’s so little of it that it might as well not even be there. It felt like the author was trying to hint at it without ever saying it. A bit of a cop out if you ask me.
But I do agree with the author’s thoughts on the Ripper himself and all that comes with it in the author’s note, how she actually never felt any particular fascination with it like some other people. She says he wasn’t this incredibly smart mastermind, but more like the sloppy and opportunistic kind of killer. And also how the police force at the time was packed with misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism. “No Englishman could have done it.” And that definitely shows in this book.
I feel like it’s also worth mentioning that I’ve been dying to read The Resurrectionist by Dunlap, and reading this book first kind of set my expectations for it. I obviously really liked this one, and I feel like her other book might be my thing as well. Or at least the queerness is more in your face in that one! Of that I’m pretty sure.
I’d say this sits at a 4/5⭐️ I did think it was going to be more life changing though. I thought it was going to put me in a slump is how good I thought it was going to be. But I really enjoyed it still.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Presents like a penny blood - daring, melodrama, and the unmistakable scent of danger.
The novel cloaks the reader in the fog-laden streets of 1880s London, rendered in time-appropriate diction that feels both theatrical and intimate. The tone is unmistakably gothic: shadowed alleyways, iron gates, whispers of murder, and the heavy presence of judgmental society.
Dell views her life not as a series of misfortunes but as the unfolding narrative of one of her beloved penny bloods. Yet her fanciful nature never drifts entirely into folly. Beneath her theatrical imagination lies a keen and practical mind. Dell is as logical as she is romantic, forever measuring clues and possibilities against the lurid detective stories she devours. Her greatest ambition is not merely escape, but transformation: to become one of the famed female detectives whose exploits she reveres.
If Dell provides the spark, Pippa supplies the steady flame. Having already suffered grievous losses, Pippa enters the story with little left but her loyalty. Her faith in Dell is absolute, even when the schemes grow increasingly perilous. She is willing to place her own life in jeopardy for the sake of their shared cause. Their friendship forms the emotional backbone of the novel: fierce, complicated, and achingly sincere. When the pair befriend Noah, they form a peculiar, hard-won family - one born of mutual refuge.
Survival within the reformatory school is ordeal enough. Yet Dell and Pippa quickly entangle themselves in a darker enterprise: the investigation of a series of murders haunting their London neighborhood. Their amateur detective work through elaborate escape plans, clandestine inquiries, and theories borrowed from penny blood literature. The girls’ adventures are rife with mishaps and narrow escapes, secret identities and shocking revelations, punctuated by moments of violence that remind the reader that this is no harmless adventure tale.
The narrative does not soften the social tensions of its era. The reader is confronted with the misogyny and antisemitism that shaped Victorian society, forces that threaten and constrain the characters at every turn. These elements deepen the authenticity of the setting, making the groups’ determination to carve out agency more compelling. The London of The Dreadfuls is not merely atmospheric—it is oppressive, dangerous, and vividly alive.
In the end, its gothic tone, vivid setting, and quick-witted heroines create a story that feels both playful and perilous. And like the penny bloods Dell treasures, the tale leaves the reader breathless, delighted, and eager for the next scandalous chapter.
The novel cloaks the reader in the fog-laden streets of 1880s London, rendered in time-appropriate diction that feels both theatrical and intimate. The tone is unmistakably gothic: shadowed alleyways, iron gates, whispers of murder, and the heavy presence of judgmental society.
Dell views her life not as a series of misfortunes but as the unfolding narrative of one of her beloved penny bloods. Yet her fanciful nature never drifts entirely into folly. Beneath her theatrical imagination lies a keen and practical mind. Dell is as logical as she is romantic, forever measuring clues and possibilities against the lurid detective stories she devours. Her greatest ambition is not merely escape, but transformation: to become one of the famed female detectives whose exploits she reveres.
If Dell provides the spark, Pippa supplies the steady flame. Having already suffered grievous losses, Pippa enters the story with little left but her loyalty. Her faith in Dell is absolute, even when the schemes grow increasingly perilous. She is willing to place her own life in jeopardy for the sake of their shared cause. Their friendship forms the emotional backbone of the novel: fierce, complicated, and achingly sincere. When the pair befriend Noah, they form a peculiar, hard-won family - one born of mutual refuge.
Survival within the reformatory school is ordeal enough. Yet Dell and Pippa quickly entangle themselves in a darker enterprise: the investigation of a series of murders haunting their London neighborhood. Their amateur detective work through elaborate escape plans, clandestine inquiries, and theories borrowed from penny blood literature. The girls’ adventures are rife with mishaps and narrow escapes, secret identities and shocking revelations, punctuated by moments of violence that remind the reader that this is no harmless adventure tale.
The narrative does not soften the social tensions of its era. The reader is confronted with the misogyny and antisemitism that shaped Victorian society, forces that threaten and constrain the characters at every turn. These elements deepen the authenticity of the setting, making the groups’ determination to carve out agency more compelling. The London of The Dreadfuls is not merely atmospheric—it is oppressive, dangerous, and vividly alive.
In the end, its gothic tone, vivid setting, and quick-witted heroines create a story that feels both playful and perilous. And like the penny bloods Dell treasures, the tale leaves the reader breathless, delighted, and eager for the next scandalous chapter.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Kensigton publishing for an arc of The Dreadfuls
From the author of the Highly acclaimed The Resurrectionist comes a tale for the younger to enjoy! I do NOT read young adult books, but this I had to try. Dunlap has a superior gift in writing making her stories very enjoyable and wonderfully stimulating. The language, the characters, the careful approach and continuation to development in the storylines. I am beyond excited that I can expose my kids to writing and language that will enrich their brains and imaginations.
So much that is offered today is the equivalent of junk food for the brain, but this is worth reading. Time is expensive and invaluable and I'd rather enjoy and improve when I pick up the majority of stories. I am in very high hopes Dunlap continues to write YA in addition to adult.
Okay, now to the actual story. This adventure offers layers for the reader to explore along with moments of reflection upon discoveries. It's almost like a teaching moment, but nothing is ever spoon fed. As the characters are developed and interact with the world around them, many considerations are taken considering the audience. The whimsy of a troubling teen and her love for detective novels. She uses the novels to view the world around her and makes sound adjustments when her ideals are challenged. She makes friends. She makes mischievous plans for escape from the boarding school, and eventually is completely consumed in the news of a local killer and proceeds to act out the ultimate detective persona along with her new found friends. She does make discoveries about people in the boarding school that are true which compels her to continue the not-so-safe acts of detective. The interactions and discoveries are exciting and memorable, but also presented in a way that considers the audience the story is written for. Of course being an avid adult horror reader, this was extremely tame, but I appreciated the clever narrative.
There are some trigger topics to be aware of: murder, rape (this is handled so well and it's very brief with the acknowledgement only), and racial attack.
From the author of the Highly acclaimed The Resurrectionist comes a tale for the younger to enjoy! I do NOT read young adult books, but this I had to try. Dunlap has a superior gift in writing making her stories very enjoyable and wonderfully stimulating. The language, the characters, the careful approach and continuation to development in the storylines. I am beyond excited that I can expose my kids to writing and language that will enrich their brains and imaginations.
So much that is offered today is the equivalent of junk food for the brain, but this is worth reading. Time is expensive and invaluable and I'd rather enjoy and improve when I pick up the majority of stories. I am in very high hopes Dunlap continues to write YA in addition to adult.
Okay, now to the actual story. This adventure offers layers for the reader to explore along with moments of reflection upon discoveries. It's almost like a teaching moment, but nothing is ever spoon fed. As the characters are developed and interact with the world around them, many considerations are taken considering the audience. The whimsy of a troubling teen and her love for detective novels. She uses the novels to view the world around her and makes sound adjustments when her ideals are challenged. She makes friends. She makes mischievous plans for escape from the boarding school, and eventually is completely consumed in the news of a local killer and proceeds to act out the ultimate detective persona along with her new found friends. She does make discoveries about people in the boarding school that are true which compels her to continue the not-so-safe acts of detective. The interactions and discoveries are exciting and memorable, but also presented in a way that considers the audience the story is written for. Of course being an avid adult horror reader, this was extremely tame, but I appreciated the clever narrative.
There are some trigger topics to be aware of: murder, rape (this is handled so well and it's very brief with the acknowledgement only), and racial attack.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlop is a richly atmospheric historical mystery set in Victorian Whitechapel, where two young women confined to a reform school stumble into a dangerous investigation that pulls them far beyond the limits imposed on them by society.
Dell, a cheeky, sharp-witted, penny-dreadful-loving misfit (and honestly, who doesn’t love an FMC obsessed with penny dreadfuls?), and her composed, not-easily-shocked roommate Pippa form an unlikely detective duo, soon joined by Noah, the Jewish son of a local butcher. Each carries their own burdens of poverty, prejudice, and family betrayal, and together they push back against a system determined to silence them. As Jack the Ripper stalks the streets outside their school gates, curiosity turns into resolve, and the trio set out to uncover the truth the authorities refuse to see.
Dunlop’s Whitechapel is vividly realised, from the bustling markets to the Ten Bells pub, and the social tensions of the era, including misogyny, antisemitism, and class divide, are woven seamlessly into the mystery. Rather than glorifying violence, the novel reframes the Ripper narrative through empathy and social critique, centring the most vulnerable and questioning who power truly protects.
Despite its dark subject matter, The Dreadfuls is surprisingly hopeful and even wholesome. I so needed to read it this January. Justice matters here. Villains face consequences. Knowledge, friendship, and curiosity become acts of rebellion. It is a compelling blend of historical detail, sharp social commentary, and youthful defiance, and it gave me Enola Holmes energy in the very best way.
A commendable detective romp, feminist historical fiction, and a refreshing reimagining of a story too often told without compassion. I thoroughly enjoyed it. #pudseyrecommends
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Dell, a cheeky, sharp-witted, penny-dreadful-loving misfit (and honestly, who doesn’t love an FMC obsessed with penny dreadfuls?), and her composed, not-easily-shocked roommate Pippa form an unlikely detective duo, soon joined by Noah, the Jewish son of a local butcher. Each carries their own burdens of poverty, prejudice, and family betrayal, and together they push back against a system determined to silence them. As Jack the Ripper stalks the streets outside their school gates, curiosity turns into resolve, and the trio set out to uncover the truth the authorities refuse to see.
Dunlop’s Whitechapel is vividly realised, from the bustling markets to the Ten Bells pub, and the social tensions of the era, including misogyny, antisemitism, and class divide, are woven seamlessly into the mystery. Rather than glorifying violence, the novel reframes the Ripper narrative through empathy and social critique, centring the most vulnerable and questioning who power truly protects.
Despite its dark subject matter, The Dreadfuls is surprisingly hopeful and even wholesome. I so needed to read it this January. Justice matters here. Villains face consequences. Knowledge, friendship, and curiosity become acts of rebellion. It is a compelling blend of historical detail, sharp social commentary, and youthful defiance, and it gave me Enola Holmes energy in the very best way.
A commendable detective romp, feminist historical fiction, and a refreshing reimagining of a story too often told without compassion. I thoroughly enjoyed it. #pudseyrecommends
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. And thank you Dunlap and her publishing team for reaching out to me first for this ARC. I greatly appreciate it.
I read Dunlap's debut novel before this one, and seeing the improvement in the prose and storytelling was such a beautiful thing to be able to witness! The prose this time was less repetitive and more captivating; I think it helped that the historical background this time was a topic I had prior knowledge of, so I was actually more intrigue with what was going to happen.
I felt like the pacing was better in this novel too. I was speeding through this, wanting to read more, wanting to know more. The characters, their relationships and the development of their relationships were really great too. I adored getting to know Dell, Pippa, and Miss Kaye, and I enjoyed seeing the evolution and development of their relationships between each other. Noah was a wonderful character too and I enjoyed his relationship with the three women as well as the different perspective and point of view we get from him as his character comes from a completely different background to the others. Also, just like Dunlap's previous novel, there are queer characters and we were blessed with Sapphic relationships this time which I thoroughly enjoyed! It isn't as obvious, as explicit as in The Ressurectionists but you can definitely pick up the queer lines Dunlap is putting down.
Finally, I strongly recommend reading the Author's Note at the end as it gave great insight into why Dunlap chose these historical figures and historical moments which I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
I honestly cannot wait to see what Dunlap writes next!
I read Dunlap's debut novel before this one, and seeing the improvement in the prose and storytelling was such a beautiful thing to be able to witness! The prose this time was less repetitive and more captivating; I think it helped that the historical background this time was a topic I had prior knowledge of, so I was actually more intrigue with what was going to happen.
I felt like the pacing was better in this novel too. I was speeding through this, wanting to read more, wanting to know more. The characters, their relationships and the development of their relationships were really great too. I adored getting to know Dell, Pippa, and Miss Kaye, and I enjoyed seeing the evolution and development of their relationships between each other. Noah was a wonderful character too and I enjoyed his relationship with the three women as well as the different perspective and point of view we get from him as his character comes from a completely different background to the others. Also, just like Dunlap's previous novel, there are queer characters and we were blessed with Sapphic relationships this time which I thoroughly enjoyed! It isn't as obvious, as explicit as in The Ressurectionists but you can definitely pick up the queer lines Dunlap is putting down.
Finally, I strongly recommend reading the Author's Note at the end as it gave great insight into why Dunlap chose these historical figures and historical moments which I thoroughly enjoyed reading about.
I honestly cannot wait to see what Dunlap writes next!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlap is where historical fiction meets true crime. I found this title on NetGalley, thank you to Kensington Publishing. I am so glad I had the chance to read and review.
My 2¢–
When I’m not head down in a book, another of my interests is unsolved cases of the missing and murdered. My heart aches particularly for children and people whose cases have been misunderstood, misrepresented, or simply dismissed, often these are women. I also love books set in schools, asylums, etc. So, this was a great pick for me.
The Dreadfuls covers all those bases, and in the melodramatic flair of the original Victorian penny dreadfuls, imagines an alternate version of the popularized “Jack the Ripper” murders. The author has found an intersection of conditions that can lead to failed investigations: a woman maligned, girls cast off, misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism, etc.
The plot was interesting, and the characters engaging. I really enjoyed the derring-do of the young protagonist, and the sweet hints of blooming young love. Dell, Pippa, Miss Kaye and Noah are all engaging. I wish more had been made of the headmaster.
The setting just what one would expect. The author does an excellent job bringing the historical period to life with great detail and language.
Overall I loved the story, though I do wish that the characters would have been developed a little more. There was a lot of missed opportunity within the other girls at the school.
The ending was outrageous, but again, in line with the penny dreadful theme.
I would recommend this as a fun read, not to be taken too seriously. I would also be interested to read more form this author, and even about Dell and Pippa’s next adventure.
This desire to read more marks it as a four star read for me.
My 2¢–
When I’m not head down in a book, another of my interests is unsolved cases of the missing and murdered. My heart aches particularly for children and people whose cases have been misunderstood, misrepresented, or simply dismissed, often these are women. I also love books set in schools, asylums, etc. So, this was a great pick for me.
The Dreadfuls covers all those bases, and in the melodramatic flair of the original Victorian penny dreadfuls, imagines an alternate version of the popularized “Jack the Ripper” murders. The author has found an intersection of conditions that can lead to failed investigations: a woman maligned, girls cast off, misogyny, xenophobia, antisemitism, etc.
The plot was interesting, and the characters engaging. I really enjoyed the derring-do of the young protagonist, and the sweet hints of blooming young love. Dell, Pippa, Miss Kaye and Noah are all engaging. I wish more had been made of the headmaster.
The setting just what one would expect. The author does an excellent job bringing the historical period to life with great detail and language.
Overall I loved the story, though I do wish that the characters would have been developed a little more. There was a lot of missed opportunity within the other girls at the school.
The ending was outrageous, but again, in line with the penny dreadful theme.
I would recommend this as a fun read, not to be taken too seriously. I would also be interested to read more form this author, and even about Dell and Pippa’s next adventure.
This desire to read more marks it as a four star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked this book up because I really enjoyed Dunlap's debut novel "The Resurrectionists" when it came out last year. If anyone else is looking forward to it for a similar reason, I have to warn you now: the two titles have nothing in common apart from being inspired by a true story and set in the Victorian era. It's marketed as an adult title, which it is really not: it's YA, and a young YA at that. If it weren't for the blood and guts, I'd hand this to a middle schooler - although even an eleven-year-old would probably find the main character's narration cloying. One of the things I appreciated most about "The Resurrectionists" was how well it aped Victorian novels while still feeling fresh and charming. There's none of that here. Characters who are supposed to be middle-class girls in the 1880s say things like "you are so utterly full of shit." "I'm pretty sure," and "what's so bloody great about market." The narrator, Dell, is being committed to an asylum against her will, but the narrative refuses to take this seriously - her inner monologue is too over-the-top to inspire any authentic emotion in the reader, and as a result, nothing about her plight feels urgent. Little to no attempt has been made to make the dialogue sound authentic, or the characters seem endearing. If it weren't for the fact that Dunlap's name is on the cover, I would never in a million years have guessed that it was by the same author. What on earth happened?
Oh, and I have no idea why it's tagged LGBTQ. There's no LGBTQ here except a passing reference to a character possibly being aro/ace. Just baffling all around.
Oh, and I have no idea why it's tagged LGBTQ. There's no LGBTQ here except a passing reference to a character possibly being aro/ace. Just baffling all around.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlap in exchange for my honest opinions.
After reading The Resurrectionist, I couldn’t wait to read the next book by A. Rae Dunlap. As much as I totally wanted a sequel to that, I was really excited for a standalone. Basically, I’d take whatever she wanted to write.
The Dreadfuls introduces us to our FMC, Adelaide (Dell), as she is sent to a girl’s reformatory school in Whitechapel. Dell is obsessed with penny bloods, murder, detectives and the like. Soon after her arrival, Dell is thrown into the world and neighborhood of Jack the Ripper. Of course, Dell can’t resist sticking her nose in.
Dunlap portrays the incidents surrounding Jack the Ripper in a very different way than I had expected based on other Jack the Ripper fiction I’d read, which usual takes a very different tack. This is probably owing to the fact that it is told through the eyes of a young girl.
I felt that The Dreadfuls read very YA, which personally isn’t really my vibe. Dunlap tries to incorporate some of the traditional gothic horror themes, but they were very diluted and fell a bit flat for me. I felt like this falls more into the historical fiction category. I suppose I was hoping for something darker, creepier, more fog and murder in the lamplight.
As loathe as I am to admit it, this one really just wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I am absolutely still hooked on A. Rae Dunlap and can’t wait to see what she gives us next.
After reading The Resurrectionist, I couldn’t wait to read the next book by A. Rae Dunlap. As much as I totally wanted a sequel to that, I was really excited for a standalone. Basically, I’d take whatever she wanted to write.
The Dreadfuls introduces us to our FMC, Adelaide (Dell), as she is sent to a girl’s reformatory school in Whitechapel. Dell is obsessed with penny bloods, murder, detectives and the like. Soon after her arrival, Dell is thrown into the world and neighborhood of Jack the Ripper. Of course, Dell can’t resist sticking her nose in.
Dunlap portrays the incidents surrounding Jack the Ripper in a very different way than I had expected based on other Jack the Ripper fiction I’d read, which usual takes a very different tack. This is probably owing to the fact that it is told through the eyes of a young girl.
I felt that The Dreadfuls read very YA, which personally isn’t really my vibe. Dunlap tries to incorporate some of the traditional gothic horror themes, but they were very diluted and fell a bit flat for me. I felt like this falls more into the historical fiction category. I suppose I was hoping for something darker, creepier, more fog and murder in the lamplight.
As loathe as I am to admit it, this one really just wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I am absolutely still hooked on A. Rae Dunlap and can’t wait to see what she gives us next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!
In Victorian London, when true-crime-loving, penny dreadful reader Dell is sent to a girl's school for reform, she meets Pippa, a fellow misfit, and they quickly become fast friends. When women living in the vicinity of their school begin getting murdered, Dell and Pippa, along with the help of a local butcher boy, seek to uncover the mystery of the murderer's identity.
First and foremost, the best part of this book is Dell and Pippa's friendship. Dell is initially quick to judge, but she soon realises that Pippa is more than she seems, while Pippa immediately sees through Dell's posturing. Their friendship is so much fun, I love their dynamic and banter and their easy camaraderie. I also love the friendship they strike up with Noah, the local butcher boy.
That's all that I loved unfortunately. The mystery was not well-developed at all. The plot is pretty straightforward and the plot twist was expected, and while I love these characters, they are not good detectives. Which would be perfectly fine, except that the narrative seems to be hyping them up as brilliant sleuths, which they are clearly not.
I absolutely loved the author's debut novel, The Resurrectionist, so this was a letdown for me. Perhaps with more time to flesh it out, this book would have been amazing, but as it is, it's a fairly entertaining although far from brilliant mystery.
In Victorian London, when true-crime-loving, penny dreadful reader Dell is sent to a girl's school for reform, she meets Pippa, a fellow misfit, and they quickly become fast friends. When women living in the vicinity of their school begin getting murdered, Dell and Pippa, along with the help of a local butcher boy, seek to uncover the mystery of the murderer's identity.
First and foremost, the best part of this book is Dell and Pippa's friendship. Dell is initially quick to judge, but she soon realises that Pippa is more than she seems, while Pippa immediately sees through Dell's posturing. Their friendship is so much fun, I love their dynamic and banter and their easy camaraderie. I also love the friendship they strike up with Noah, the local butcher boy.
That's all that I loved unfortunately. The mystery was not well-developed at all. The plot is pretty straightforward and the plot twist was expected, and while I love these characters, they are not good detectives. Which would be perfectly fine, except that the narrative seems to be hyping them up as brilliant sleuths, which they are clearly not.
I absolutely loved the author's debut novel, The Resurrectionist, so this was a letdown for me. Perhaps with more time to flesh it out, this book would have been amazing, but as it is, it's a fairly entertaining although far from brilliant mystery.
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