The Whitechapel Full Moon Society

by Elizabeth DeLozier

Set in Victorian London during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, this gripping, original novel is perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab, Dana Schwartz, and Sarah Penner.

When Caroline Foster arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society in search of her missing brother, she finds a dilapidated façade belying an interior as opulent as any exclusive gentlemen’s club. In exchange for room and board, Caroline is hired as the Full Moon’s maid, where she is given three orders: don’t ask personal questions, stay out of the iron-barred room on the second floor, and remain in her bedroom from sunup to sundown on the full moon.

But when it is revealed that the previous maid was murdered—an early victim of Jack the Ripper—and her brother has left behind no answers, only more questions, Caroline begins to suspect her hosts might be hiding something. As more bodies turn up with a connection to the Society, Caroline fears she may have unwittingly stumbled into a bedtime story, the kind with monsters and curses, family secrets and ancient lore.

Tantalizing and pulsing, Elizabeth DeLozier’s sophomore novel gives an exciting alternative look into the infamous Jack the Ripper story with a major, supernatural twist.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror, Thriller, Historical, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth DeLozier holds a BA in Spanish literature, a BS in biological anthropology, and a doctorate in physical therapy. An avid traveler, animal lover, and history nerd, she lives in Southern California with her husband, twin sons, and rescue dogs. Eleanore of Avignon is her debut novel. For more, follow her on instagram at @elizabethdelozierwrites.

Reviews

[Saranya [uni- s.ia.] · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I got my hands on this arc, I was so excited to dive in, but the beginning was so slow that it brought me into a reading slump.

Set in Victorian London during Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, the novel follows Caroline Foster, who arrives at the mysterious Whitechapel Full Moon Society searching for her missing brother. Behind its crumbling exterior lies an opulent gentlemen’s club with strict rules:
1. Don’t ask personal questions
2. Stay out of the iron-barred room on the second floor
3. Remain in your bedroom from sunup to sundown on the full moon

The supernatural storyline promises gothic suspense, while the Ripper thread leans into historical crime. But rather than amplifying each other, they pull focus, leaving both underdeveloped. The paranormal elements were present in atmosphere without fully delivering while the Jack the Ripper investigation accelerates too quickly, leading to a rushed, underwhelming conclusion.

Overall, it had a good potential with a good storyline.

𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝:

I received an uncorrected ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Dutton Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date: 25 Aug 2026

[lorenzodulac · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re cooking with gas now!! I enjoyed this one a lot.
The setting is London in the late 1880s, the time of Jack the Ripper. In fact, scattered throughout the book there are letters written by the Ripper himself. Caroline is hired as a maid at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, where the woman before her was killed by, you guessed it, Jack the Ripper. All the while she’s looking for her brother Charlie who’s disappeared, but her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers.
She even gets attacked at a point as things start to evolve. The twist I didn’t see coming, it left my jaw on the floor.
Which brings me to the only thing that’s lowering my rating a bit: the fantasy-ish element. I don’t know, it kind of read like a cop out, I thought it would work but it didn’t really in the end, it took me out of the story. It could’ve been left out and I would’ve liked the book more overall. But that’s fine because everything else was top tier.
And I do know it’s an important part of the book. I just didn’t like it lol.
I would still wholeheartedly recommend though. If you like Victorian London with a murder-y, paranormal twist, this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Olive Fellows (abookolive)]

After falling head over heels in love with Eleanore of Avignon, I will follow Elizabeth DeLozier to the ends of the earth. Or, in this case, I'll follow her to 1888 London during the reign of terror of Jack the Ripper. Another female lead, mystery, supernatural elements....I'm truly blessed to be getting an advance copy of this one. Good thing it was offered, because I may have taken the publisher's office by storm had it not been. (I lift. Just hand over the ARC.)

Click here to hear more about this book and my other anticipated releases of the upcoming quarter over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Dutton publishing for the ARC - this one started a little slow but I got lost in the details of domestic servant life in England in the 1800s so I dint really mind. And then the mystery started unfolding with increasing momentum. I became so engrossed during the final 40% of the book that relived my 11 year old nights staying up under the covers on a school night, furiously reading with a flashlight, consequences be damned when I have to wake up in the morning! It was a satisfying conclusion, even with the kooky supernatural twist that mostly served as a distraction from the mysteries at the heart of the story: where was Charlie, and who was Jack the Ripper? If you enjoy a mystery, don’t mind a little supernatural twist to your story, enjoy some ancient lore, and are fascinated by the mystery of Jack the Ripper, this niche book will really hit the sweet spot for you!

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier was a great historical fiction novel centered on the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The author did an excellent job immersing the reader in Victorian England. I truly felt like I was there alongside the characters. I especially enjoyed the main character’s storyline and found it engaging and well developed.

That said, I did wish the gentlemen attending the Full Moon events weren’t tied to mythical creatures. I think it would have been more impactful if their secret society was rooted in something more realistic…such as being 🏳️‍🌈 and having a safe place to gather during a time when society wasn’t accepting. That angle could have added even more emotional depth and realism to the story.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in this time period. 👏👏👏

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished an ARC on The Whitechapel Full Moon Society from Netgalley and wow! 5 Stars!

spoiler free review.

There was a huge twist at the end which definitely took me by surprise. I'd like to think I'm usually pretty good at guessing characters intentions but this one I completely missed and genuinely had me gasping out loud when I read it. I always enjoy rereading books to see if I can pick up on any clues I missed the first time so I can't wait to reread this one.

I will definitely be purchasing this when its released August '26.

Now off to read Elizabeth DeLozier's other book!

[megs_bookrack]

ARC received! Thank you so much, Dutton!

[Bailey Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

In this book, we are following Caroline Foster through London while Jack the Ripper is active. And somehow that’s the side plot. Caroline is searching for her brother who warns her not to come since it isn’t safe, and true to being a main character, Caroline goes anyways.

I found this book hard to put down! The mystery of her brother’s disappearance, the boarding house’s eccentric characters, and reading as Caroline learns how to be a maid (funny, a little stressful, and at times bleak) were all fascinating components that came together beautifully.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished The Whitechapel Full Moon Society in less than 24 hours. This novel carried a quiet, persistent pull that made setting it down feel almost impossible.

While it begins a bit slowly, around page 53 I realized I was itching to return to it whenever I put it down.

Delozier does a delightful job of feeding us bits of information, one drop at a time, just enough to keep our curiosity involved, but not too much to overwhelm us. They effectively humanize the women of this period: figures so often overshadowed by the frenzy surrounding the mysterious Jack the Ripper. While some elements of the story were predictable, they were predictably satisfying. Like a well-constructed music box, the narrative gradually clicks into place, each turn more gratifying than the last.

There was a moment in the story where I feared Delozier might lead us a certain way, but to my delight, the author took us on a much more effective, timely, and engaging journey.

This book is extremely readable. A true delight for readers who enjoy historical fiction, folklore, crime novels, or all three.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

So predictable and anticlimactic.

[Natalie Rosario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
4.5 stars

This was an insane ride from start to finish, and I truly didn’t want to put it down. It’s part mystery, part found family, part romance, part horror- unlike anything I’ve read before. I actually cared a lot about every single character, and while I saw the twists before they happened, they were still worth experiencing.

[emma ꪆৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Publishing for providing me with the ARC

The story follows Caroline Foster, who, following the tracks of her lost brother, arrives in London coincidentally when the infamous Jack the Ripper murders are taking place. Caroline is an intelligent, strong and resourceful protagonist, I absolutely adored following her and her investigations.
To preserve the mystery around the other characters, I won't say much about my feelings towards them, but what I can say is that they make a very fascinating bunch, whose different stories I loved reading about.
While I was busy making my amateurish conjectures about the main mystery, a supernatural plot line lingered in the background. The final revelations regarding this aspect were a very fun addition, but the two angles of the plot travel on parallel lines, even as the final reveal is disclosed they don’t particularly intertwine with one another. This way it feels like they’re a bit disconnected, so it would make sense for the more supernatural part being explored in an eventual second installment.
It was a pretty easy read, stylistically very pleasant, while emotionally speaking there are a few deeper and heavier parts that add to the story.
So, this is the perfect book for readers that, like me, are suckers for the historical mystery with a romance subplot and big fans, again, like me, of series like “Stalking Jack the Ripper” by Kerri Maniscalco.

[Allison Hackenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline grew up a lonely child on an estate outside of London. Her father passes and she must leave home to find her brother in London only to find that he is missing. With nowhere else to go, she is hired on at his boarding house under an alias as she tries to uncover the mystery of his disappearance. She finds more questions than answers as she meets the strange assortment of men living in the boardinghouse, and more women are dying as Jack the Ripper terrorizes the streets right outside her door.

I absolutely loved this book! Such a fun, exciting read. Twists I wasn’t expecting, an unfolding mystery throughout the story.

I particularly appreciate how DeLozier wrote about trauma and PTSD without necessarily putting that name to it. Flashbacks and anxiety gave depth to Caroline’s character but she ultimately found her own strength.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early access to read and review this book!

[J. Blake Myersmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is described as "...a bedtime story, the kind with monsters and curses, family secrets and ancient lore" and "...[an] alternative look into the infamous Jack the Ripper story with a major, supernatural twist." Instead, it is an extremely slow burning mystery (around the 70% mark, our protagonist laments that she hasn't discovered anything despite months of subtle investigation) with zero supernatural elements. Yes, the (I don't consider this a spoiler due to the title and description laying it on quite thick) werewolves are revealed at the very end, but they are almost unrecognizable from the traditional morphing monsters we know, and their lycanthropy is only ever a red herring to the main mystery.

I wanted to like this book so much that I finished it despite wanting to DNF at the 50% mark, hoping it would redeem itself. Once I'd reached the end and it hadn't, I tried to view it retrospectively without the lens of its Goodreads description, but that only improved it slightly. From that perspective, it was easier to focus on the positives: DeLozier's descriptions of 1888 London are visceral and immersive, Caroline is a realistic depiction of an anxious heiress, and as she uncovers information at a glacial pace, there's something that keeps the pages turning. Whether it's empathy for the protagonist, true curiosity for the twist on the Ripper murders, or something else, I can't tell. I will say I was very moved by the final scene, though.

Despite a diverse and interesting cast of boarders, they are underutilized in the narrative since our focus is so clearly on Caroline and (as one of her rules as a maid) she cannot interact with them. Like many mysteries, this book ends with an enormous info dump, but there are still (somehow) questions left unanswered. I think there are definitely people out there that will enjoy this book, but I am unfortunately not one of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book!

[Elizabeth Hailwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society from NetGalley, thank you so much!

The gorgeous cover and the intriguing title are what first caught my eye when browsing. Jack the Ripper? The full moon? Sign me up!

I went into the book mostly blind (after forgetting what I’d read in the blurb) and I was hooked pretty much straight away. There were lots of questions raised fairly quickly (Where’s Charlie? Why is Charlie a secret? What’s Jack the Ripper got to do with all this?) but in a readable, not overly complicated way.

I loved how the author stayed as true to 1888 London and the story of Jack the Ripper as possible before interweaving and reimagining it as the story progresses. I think, once I’d figured out where we were going with the “full moon” part of the book, I perhaps expected there to be a bigger reveal, it felt a little bit rushed at the end. But it almost didn’t matter as I was so invested in the other side of the story.

I think the characters are likeable and the book was overall an easy, enjoyable read. I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural!

[Larissa Soares · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not an avid true crime consumer, nor do I know much details about the Victorian era, but I was completely sold for this!

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society follows the story of Caroline Foster, a young woman who has recently sold all her goods to pay for her dead father’s death, and moved to London to live with her brother. However, as soon as she arrives in London, not only does she realises that her brother is missing, but the infamous the Jack the Ripper is lost in Whitechapel (same neighbourhood her brother lives in) making victims.

The mystery in the book doesn’t try to jump out and scare you like modern thriller. DeLozier doesn’t lean on thrills or high-speed chases, she just keeps dropping these subtle, weird hints that creates a slow build up until you’re slammed with the truth. It felt like watching those trippy folk-horror movies from the 70s and 80s. The book has that hazy, dreamlike middle ground where you aren't sure if the supernatural is real or if the characters are just caught up in a collective fever dream. Like that classic Gothic trope where the "monster" might just be a metaphor for the period's unexplained violence.

When it comes to the setting, everything felt solid to me; the boarding house dynamics, the class differences, how women had to navigate the world, the way people talked about the murders. I’m not a Victorian expert (very far away from it actually), but it all felt right, you know? And even if some details weren’t 100% historically accurate, I wouldn’t care. This is historical FICTION with FANTASY elements, so judging it for being “inaccurate” would be ridiculous.

Now, I’ve seen people complain that the supernatural element wasn’t needed, but I completely disagree. The fantasy hints made the mystery so much more thrilling. As I’ve mentioned, you’re constantly wondering if Caroline’s questionings are actually real. That edge of “wait, could this be true?” was what kept me hooked. That said, I get why some readers might be frustrated. The supernatural isn’t the focus, it’s more like this undercurrent of mystery that doesn’t fully reveal itself until near the end. If you’re expecting a full-on Victorian fantasy, you might be disappointed by how little you actually see. And if you hate fantasy entirely, even these hints might annoy you. But for me? It was good. I don’t think I would’ve been this engaged if this was just a historical mystery about Jack the Ripper.

Now, one thing that really bothered me was how long it took for the story to actually get moving. To be honest, it felt like the plot didn't truly start until the halfway point. Since the book is so character-driven, the story just hits a wall whenever the main character isn't focused on the mystery. I found myself stuck reading pages of errands, kitchen chores, and petty arguments between guests when I really just wanted to get to get back to the mystery. I kept wishing Caroline would take a more active role. If she doesn't seem to care about finding her brother, it’s hard for me to stay invested in it.

I also felt like I was being told how to feel instead of being allowed to decide for myself. We constantly hear Caroline saying she doesn't trust the men at Full Moon or that there’s "something wrong in the air," but her experience doesn't really back that up. Most of the people in the boardinghouse are actually perfectly nice to her. Because we don't see them doing anything genuinely suspicious or shady, her distrust is unearned. It felt like the author was trying to force a specific mood onto the scene rather than building a situation where I’d naturally feel uneasy on my own.

Despite the elevated vocabulary and complex sentences (the Victorian writing style is normally not my favourite), the book never feels hard to read or understand. DeLozier manages to capture the rhythm of a 19th-century classic while keeping the language clear enough for a modern audience. To me it felt like watching a theater play: dramatic, hyper-focused on sensory details, and exaggerated. I would also say that the style isn't just a decorative choice, but fundamental to the story. If it were written like a standard modern thriller, the whole "Victorian London" vibe would disappear, and the experience wouldn't be nearly as effective.

So, even without having extensive knowledge of Jack’s story and victims, or how London worked in the 1880’s, I still enjoyed it!

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does a tale twisted together by old stories of murder and lore create? MAGIC. Gruesome, historical, thriller-esque magic.

Our strong feminine lead, Caroline, is desperate to find her brother Charlie after her life of comfort falls apart after her father’s death and his financial ruin is revealed. Her brother had sent increasingly worrisome and strange letters from his residence in London, with the final letter warning her to stay away from the danger in London. She ignores his plea and immerses herself in the strange world that she last knew him to occupy- the Whitechapel Full Moon Society boardinghouse.

Assuming the guise of a house maid and surrounded by an odd variety of men, a kind boardinghouse owner, a rule to stay out of a room on the second floor and to lock herself in her room after serving dinner on a full moon, Caroline embarks on a frenzied journey to find her missing brother. But Caroline soon pieces together that these full moon nights coincide with Jack the Ripper’s murderous escapades, and she begins to fear for her own safety.

This story had me in a chokehold from start to finish. I can say with absolute confidence that the plot line went in every direction except the one I would have guessed or could have written myself- and that is the beauty of this author’s imagination and the magic of this story. It is unlike anything I’ve read or likely will read again. This tale gets all the stars and all the “YOU HAVE TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY” fervor from me. Elizabeth DeLozier- get crackin’. Between “Eleanore de Avignon” and this story, I won’t be satisfied until your next book is in my hands!

And thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the Dutton Books for an e-arc and beautiful finished copy. It will live on my shelf forever!

[Lauren Easey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one really surprised me! The cover and title paint a very specific type of book in my mind, it's giving TJ Klune cosy fantasy. Like a rag tag group of witches who gather once a week as a society in Whitechapel. I was surprised to find that it's not that at all - it's actually quite a dreary Victorian murder investigation book, and I mean that in the best way possible. I couldn't put it down. I read it within 24 hours. Even though you kind of know what all these people are, it still felt like there were lots of secrets to uncover. And I really appreciated the fact that the supernatural element wasn't properly revealed until much later in the book than you'd expect, it very much feels like you know the characters first before discovering these things about them. However, I do also think this leaves a lot to be desired. It's very good historical fiction, but not necessarily much fantasy.
As it was revealed so late, there's no chance to properly learn about this side of them and what it all means, so hopefully a sequel would cover that. I'd love to know what they all get up to next.
The Jack the Ripper element was interesting, and done in a good way, but I also think it could've been any murderer. The name doesn't specifically add anything to the story.

Overall I gave it 4 stars for pure enjoyment, but missed a star because I think the book is a little bit falsely advertised. I wish the title was a bit more gritty.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dutton for a free review eArc.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is advertised as a mix of historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery but it doesn’t really hit the mark for any of them fully. Regardless it is an enjoyable read.

Following her father’s death, Caroline leaves the countryside for London in hopes of finding her brother. When she arrives she finds in his stead a string of murders and a boarding house with a secret.

It’s quite obvious to the reader what is happening (for them most part… there are still some twists) but you’re reading to watch Caroline figure out the mystery. The supernatural elements seemed a bit unnecessary to me and I think it would have been a more interesting story if they focused on the historical fiction/mystery aspects of the book as a retelling of Jack the Ripper is a very compelling plot on its own.

Read if…
- you want an enjoyable read that doesn’t make you think too hard
- you enjoy historical fiction with alternative endings

Skip if…
- you want something fully in the historical fiction, fantasy, or mystery genre
- you dislike supernatural elements
- you want to be figuring out the mystery with the main character

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment Caroline Foster first entered the residence on 212 Old Montague Street in Whitechapel and felt the eyes of the residents on her, I was hooked. This was going to be my kind of book. And it was.

A penniless young woman in search of her brother and a final mysterious letter from him convince her to seek employment at the boardinghouse, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society, where he last lived, and try to solve the secrets surrounding his disappearance. The odd assortment of residents and the conditions of her employment only add intrigue.

“..you are never, under any circumstances, to enter the east wing of the second floor.

…Lastly, and most importantly. One night per month we host a…a supper party. You will help me serve dinner, then immediately retire to your room. You will lock your door and not open it until the following morning after the sun has risen."

The characters are interesting and all play a part, no matter how small, in the story. In fact, they add to it and give it a flavor that might otherwise have been missed.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Whitechapel murders, primarily because aside from Caroline’s search for her brother Charlie, the boardinghouse is in Whitechapel and there is much mention of the murders and the search for Jack the Ripper. The author Elizabeth DeLozier has conducted research into these 19th century murders and also recommends Hallie Rubenhold’s nonfiction book The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper, which I’ve read. While DeLozier does make clear she has taken liberties in writing her fiction book, she has also taken great pains to portray the true nature of the Ripper’s victims, instead of the sensational descriptions in the press at the time and also today.

I am now anxious to read Ms. DeLozier’s previous book, Eleanore of Avignon.

Thanks to NetGallery for providing me with an advance copy of this book.

[Amela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Foster is a girl in Victorian England who has to go to London to find her brother after her father dies, leaving her penniless after covering all of his debts. Unfortunately, when Caroline gets to London her brother is missing, so all she can do is become a maid at the boardinghouse where her brother lived in hopes of finding out about his disappearance, but what if she ends up missing herself at the hands of Jack the Ripper?

This had a bit of a slow start to the point that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue with it, but I’m very glad that I did! Caroline is a very entertaining heroine and her persistence in finding out what happened to her brother Charlie really draws you in. I also really loved the residents of the boardinghouse, particularly Mrs. Easton and Rab.

The ending also has such a fun twist that you kind of start to see hinted at but it was so entertaining I really loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack the Ripper but it’s a fantasy novel? Don’t mind if I do. - I was pleasantly surprised by how much of a page turner this was for me. I expect gothic fantasy to be a slow moving experience but I was completely on board the train from the moment she shows up in Whitechapel and the building is named the Full Moon Society. A little suspicious, no?

I love how we were clued in early and we watch Caroline unravel the puzzle. The Victorian fantasy vibes are immaculate. A touch of the nerves, gothic flowers, suspicious men’s boarding house, found family, murder, mayhem, mischief, tonics. It is light on the fantasy, instead focusing more on the mystery, but I ate it up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book - I am always drawn to Jack the Ripper content, and I liked that the author made a shout out to The Five in her authors note.

The writing really shines in its setting and description - I could picture Whitechapel well. Some of the "supernatural" elements were unnecessary and predictable and I dont know if the Jack the Ripper cases were the correct framework for this mystery, but I did enjoy it. I did not connect with the main protagonist in the way I hoped to - that being said, it was a good length for a slow burn mystery. Not too grisly, fairly respectful and diverse. No complaints at all!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was very readable and I finished it in about two days while on vacation! I’d gotten this ARC months ago and had forgotten the premise by the time I started reading- which I think worked in its favor. I had guessed what the supernatural twist would be (even just by the title of the book) but do bear in mind that it takes up to 80% in the book before our main character learns what is going on. That being said it was still an enjoyable read and there were a couple of reveals that I didn’t see coming. (though that may have been because I read it in such a short timeframe and didn’t do too much reflecting.)

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

[Sarah Harney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Dutton for an ARC of The Whitechapel Full Moon Society via NetGalley.

This was a bit outside my usual genre but the mix of historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery made for a fun and unique read! I loved that Caroline was a strong female main character who took charge of her own destiny even when her situation was grim. I also enjoyed uncovering the secrets of the Full Moon Society. A great choice if you are looking to branch out and try something other than the "typical" mystery book.

4 stars

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun to read! Not only did it have me flinching at those gory scenes but the mystery element had me throughly invested in the story. It was heartfelt, engaging, and left me feeling satisfied at the end.

[sylvie · Rating 2 out of 5]

{ received an arc of the book }

I loved the cover, and the description of the book sounded right up my alley, so I was happy to get my hands on a copy.

As for the story itself, I was pretty invested during the first half of the book. It was an easy read, and I found myself anticipating where the story might go.

I actually forgot it was classified as fantasy until the fantasy element appeared, and that’s where the book lost me. The fantasy aspect felt unnecessary and didn’t add much to the story. The mystery was also very predictable, with a lot of it explained directly by the characters; told rather than shown. There wasn’t much buildup to the final events, and unfortunately, the ending wasn’t very satisfying either.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing spin on the story of Jack the Ripper with a paranormal twist. The characters were well-written, and the descriptions of Whitechapel were historically accurate. I found myself ignoring other things I should have been doing because I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to her next novel whenever that happens!

[KBeansbook · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS AN ADVANCED READING COPY FROM NETGALLEY:

When Caroline Foster is forced to leave her family home after her father’s death, she decides to leave her home town behind and go find her brother Charlie where he’s been living since their mother whisked him off in the middle of the night telling everyone including her husband that Charlie had died at 18 months old. Caroline didn’t know he was alive until he came to her after her mother had died and secretly continued to visit without letting on to their father that he was alive and visiting Caroline. She adored him and didn’t understand why he’d sent her the note he had a month ago urging her to stay there that it wasn’t safe there something had changed and he said as soon as he could come get her he would. She sent several letters and never heard from him.
When she arrives in London there’s pandemonium going on all around her. She learns of the 3 women already killed by what the papers are calling “Jack The Ripper” bc he guts his victims and butchers then. She has never been away from her beloved lost home now forever. She never had any kind of relationship with her father and this makes seethe toward him more. He never made any provisions for her in event of his death and he gambled away everything all the wealth and even lost house to debts. She desperately has to find Charlie he is all she has left.
His boarding house The Full Moon is in one of the seediest and poorest areas. Children with clothing that’s too big or small so skinny and no shoes on their feet are everywhere their parents or mother either gone or in one of pubs. Drunkards staggering to and fro, prostitutes out in the open in daylight and she’s shocked to find this is where her brother has lived for years. She spots a maid position in need of filling in the window of his boarding house and while that house is the one in best shape it’s still an eyesore. She is greeted at the door that’s only opened a crack by a Mrs Easton, Viv, who is the proprietress of the boarding house and when asked to see Charlie, Viv tells Caroline she hasn’t heard from him since a few months back, yet Caroline sees in the older womans face that she’s withholding something and not telling her the truth. To remain under suspicion, she gives Eloise’s last name in place of her own and then asks about the position in window explaining she had come to London and hasn’t made any plans for living arrangements or work. Charlie was meant to help with that. She meets everyone who boards at the house, they are a real mixed bunch that she couldn’t ever imagine they’d be friends since coming from so many different places and different stations of life having different religious beliefs political beliefs as well as ethnicity and culture. Yet, something has brought this motley crew together and she intends to find out. She’s closest to Rab, who she finds out was in fact close to her brother, they attended the same boys school, lived together there at the house and had been the best of friends since they were 5. Rab was taken in and raised by Viv when he was left on her steps as a 6 month old. She sent him to the same school as Charlie and loves him as a mother does. Every month there’s a big dinner when the same group comes to dinner and stay the night. It’s on the full moon and that’s the night that she is to go to her room after dinner lock her door and don’t come out until the morning. That order and the that the 2nd floor east wing was strictly off limits and she was not to go in there. Those were the 2 high strangeness’s when she initially arrived but as she continues on more strange and odd things happen for which unconvincing answers are given. She has scoured every room and cranny of the house and found no sign or clue from Charlie. Until one night after she’s had another one of the nightmares she’s been having since cutting down the medicine she’s been taking since she was a small girl but was unable to get a refill before leaving due to her doctor having died of influenza. Rab works at the chemist in town and has taken one of her pills to try to identify what it is and what is in it so he can either procure it for her or make it himself with components in it. She’s been sickly since birth, her mother was the same. It was how she died so young, she’d been too fragile and her ill constitution and other ailments would be too much for hee body. Caroline still misses her mother terribly but finding out Charlie ws alive has helped her so much and this is why her determination to hide her identity from all those she’s come to care for quite a bit in the house feels so lousy but she needs to locate Charlie or find out what happened to him.
As she is on one of her walks in town she sees Rab in a spirited conversation with a woman who’s white blond long hair is uncovered as it then dawns on Caroline that Rab is with a prostitute. What could they be arguing about? As she follows them when the dip into a long dark alley she follows. She overhears the woman who Rab has called Mary Jane that he swears he and Charlie made up that night and he left a little before midnight he thought to go back to Mary Jane’s. She tells him she believes him and that she’s terrified of what’s made him flee or if he’s met trouble.
As Rab and Mary Jane head out the other side of alley onto the street Caroline is approached by two men who have predatory looks in their eyes. They pounce on her and fights back as hard as she is able until it suddenly stops and she’s facing a police man. He says he’s Sergeant Corbet and helps her up, she tells him what happened and as he walks her back to The Full Moon she asks him if he’s familiar with Charlie Foster, he isn’t and she explains her search and his uncharacteristic disappearance and why she’s taken the position at the house since he himself even questioned why she was staying there when someone of her social standing would be more comfortable elsewhere and why she’s remained on. She tells him of the locking of door at dinner nights and not coming out til morning, the strange variety of men, one of whom is the actual police Constable and that catches Corbets attention telling Caroline that she must be careful when snooping. She might happen upon something dangerous and will pay for it with her life. She assured him she knows that .
With two more women being killed the same night the night of their last dinner party Caroline hadn’t been sleeping well. With such a reduction from her meds she’s just not herself at all. Dreams of Charlie every night the same one. A monster at her back. Charlie beckoning for her to hurry at the end of a field full of flowers the same flowers that’s engraved on the ring her mother gave her that she used to wear every day. Inside is 7 flowers and a symbol that looks like a tear which is her mothers family crest. The flowers, she’s since learned are hollyhocks, a poisonous flower. It causes hallucinations, stomach pains paralysis and stopped hearts. She knows that these flowers, the dream, the monster at her back all have to do with Charlie but she can’t figure it out.
On the following full moon, Caroline has finally figured the perfect plan to get the evidence that Corbet needs to prove that someone in that dinner is Jack Ripper and she plans to get it and get out of there to the officers that Corbet has promised to have outside surveilling the house. He cautions her to be very careful and he will make sure he and his coworkers are close by in emergency.
She has one last thing to do and it’s to get the key that Rab uses to get into his locked room and she seduces him on the stair well slips key out of his pocket and when he exits the stairs to join the men collected for the dinner party she runs back toward their rooms.
She finds shocking and disturbing evidence in Rabs room: she will find out when her life is at stake she had everything so wrong and she learns where Charlie had gone and where he ended up the final night both Rab and Mary Jane saw him. His last accounted for night is no longer a mystery. Her meeting with Mary Jane was so selfish of Caroline is all she can think when the life is being squeezed out of her. All she feels is abject remorse and shame. For lying to sweet Mrs Easton, for putting her home and life in jeopardy by involving police into matters she knew nothing about but her hubris believed otherwise.
As everything begins to blacken and she can see Charlie just like her dream she walking to him the monster is at her back she is no longer afraid and turns around and sees the monster is herself.
This will become a life saving epiphany for Caroline and the truth about her entire life, her mothers, Charlie’s and why that folklore story resided so deeply with her as a child and why it was in Charlie’s possessions.
Nothing is what she believed it to be. And the plot twist into this revelation is epic! Brilliantly written, the creativity is abound in this story and the writing is top notch. The inclusion of folklore and applying to the character’s present day lives was seamlessly done but certainly not easy. Such complex compelling characters with interesting backgrounds as well as personalities, their connections to one another and the information Caroline is given was remarkably impressive.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC, to Elizabeth DeLozier for writing and sharing such a brilliant story that is full of imagination, creativity galore and characters that are full of humanity and so much more!! #ElizabethDeLozier #THEWHITECHAPELFULLMOONSOCIETY #Dutton #NetgalleyARC

[Hannah Keyser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Dutton Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book 🫶

A supernatural take on a London stricken by Jack the Ripper.

You know from the moment Caroline Foster enters the Whitechapel Full Moon Society looking for her brother, that it isn’t just your run of the mill gentleman’s club.

She spends the ensuing weeks searching the building, and the people who live there, for clues related to her missing brother, while more girls are found murdered by Jack the Ripper every month. She worries she won’t find the killer before another girl turns up dead, while also trying to find out what her brother might have to do with it.

I would consider this book more on the YA side even though it covers some dark topics (but that’s my personal opinion). It was a little slow to get into but was good once it got going. I feel like most of the action happened towards the end.