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: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Horror, Historical, Thriller, 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 · 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!

[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.

[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.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

So predictable and anticlimactic.

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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!

[Beansbook · 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

[Malvina Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in two-ish days, especially on a rainy afternoon, some coffee and a cat to enjoy it more. First ARC copy read from Netgalley :)

I had completely forgotten the supernatural part at first, but I think it was perfectly balanced in the story. The two story lines are tied, but not too oddly linked, and they both are interesting. The plots keep you engaged from start to finish, though I did find some little part right before the beginning of the second half of the book to be slightly slower. But the rest of the book is well paced, written with a flowy and pretty prose, that delivers enough details to feel fully immersed. Will probably buy one copy for myself when it's out !

[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!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of The Whitechapel Fullmoon Society: A Novel in return for a review from Netgalley.

This is the author’s second novel. The Whitechapel Fullmoon Society: A Novel is set in Victorian England and centres around the main character, Caroline Foster. She is a young woman who finds herself with nowhere to go when her father dies and leaves the family in debt. She travels to London in search of her brother who has stopped all communication with her. This is also a very dangerous time in London as Jack the Ripper is killing his way through Whitechapel.

While working as a maid at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society boarding house for men, she investigates her brother’s disappearance. Everything is not as it seems at the boardinghouse. There are secrets and Caroline finds herself in danger.

This was a good read!

[Evie Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by Elizabeth DeLozier and after reading this, I'm already on the hunt for Eleanore of Avignon. DeLozier has a way with writing that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked on the emotions as well as the action of the story. I was reading in between cooking and cleaning and even foregoing sleep so that I could finish this book. My sleep is precious to me but this book made it difficult to put it down long enough to get rest. I wanted to know what was going to happen and in the end, I loved the journey of this book and its characters. 

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society follows Caroline Foster, recently orphaned and now in London to find her only remaining family, her brother Charlie. Caroline finds the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, the last known residence of her brother's, and gets hired as a maid, hoping to find clues as to where her brother has gone. She's given three rules to follow, don't ask the guests personal questions, remain in her room the entire night of thr full moon and don't enter the barred east wing. But Caroline is worried about her brother and she thinks the Society is hiding something. At the same time, Jack the Ripper is stalking the streets and a previous maid of the Society was one of the first Ripper victims. Caroline thinks the two are connected and that figuring out the truth about the Society will reveal who Jack the Ripper is and help her find her brother. 

I was hooked from synopsis alone but I will say once the book starts, I was pulled in immediately. Caroline proved to be a resourceful lead, doing everything she needed to do to settle her father's accounts after his death and then making a plan to join her brother in London. The book picks up with her already on the train on her way to the last address she had for her brother. We know that he told her not to folliw him, that things weren't safe and he would come for her but Caroline is out of options so she takes matters into her own hands and leaves to find him. Already this proves the strength she has, the will it takes to go out and do something she has never done, having lived a fairly sheltered existence thus far.

As for the owner and guests at the society, I was invested in learning about all of them. I thought Mrs. Easton, who was the owner of the establishment, was a fair boss and maybe even particularly forgiving as I'm sure there was a lot of learning on Caroline's part as she started work as a maid. I thought the reveals about the guests and how they were linked to Charlie was well-done in the sense that several reveals I didn't see coming and their impact on the story were both important and maybe even heart-wrenching. In a way, this book is as much about the idea of a found family as it is a murder story and mystery and I am all for the emotions wrenched out of me with that addition.

I was making different theories over fhe course of the story about what happened to Charlie and the reveals are given with enough left behind to keep the reader flipping pages. A good writer leads the reader to where they need to go and allows them time to take in the information and be ready to move on and DeLozier keeps this story moving perfectly. As Jack the Ripper plays a part in this book, readers are given smippets of the letters that were sent to taunt the police which helped ramp up the tension. There were also pieces of news stories and both helped in teminding readers about the true fear that kept people indoors when this serial killer was on the loose. The fact that they were never found also hangs over the reader, adding another layer of tension to the story.

I read the Author's Note and I believe the respect that DeLozier gives the victims in this book is something to be admired. The book might be giving another idea about what happened with this serial killer but it also gives a look at the kind of lives those women may have had, showing them to be what they were, women who had plans, hopes and dreams, partners and loved ones. It says a lot about DeLozier that this was something purposefully added to the book to highlight the tragedy of what happened to those five lost souls. I've moved the book DeLozier mentioned, The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold up to the top of by reading list as a result of reading this book.

I'm sure it's obvious what kind of lore has been added to this story but I'm not going to explicitly state it at this time. What I will say is that I enjoyed the take that DeLozier developed for this story. The history of forgotten tales and the beliefs in the time of this story were a unique take that I thought added a depth I did not expect to a story about monsters and curses. To say anything else would spoil this part of the book., so suffice to say, it had the right hook to reel in readers. The characters it involved and the connections made were enough to keep enthralled with the tale. By the time the book was over, I was happy with where the characters had been left and I had hope for where they would go, all sugns pointing to a great story. 

Read this book if you like murder mysteries with a twist of monsters. You can't go wrong when monsters are added to a story.


Rating on my scale: After careful consideration, I'm giving this the whole 10 stars on my scale. In the end, I loved the reveals, I loved the characters, I loved the ending. This was an unexpected delight and I can't wait to try reading something else by DeLozier in the near future.



My thanks to Netgalley, Dutton and Elizabeth DeLozier for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually came across The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier through an invitation from the publisher, and after reading the teaser I was like: yeah, why not? I really enjoyed The Fox and the Devil, so I was hoping for a similarly fun and engaging experience and based on the premise, it definitely sounded like it could deliver.

I should probably mention that I’m not a huge suspense reader. I dip into the genre now and then, but it’s not something I’m deeply familiar with. The upside of that is that I can kind of “switch off” expectations about typical plot structures, which means I actually get surprised by twists more easily. That said, I do think the story might have worked even better for me if the supernatural element hadn’t already been revealed in the teaser. The atmosphere and the subtle (and sometimes less subtle) hints throughout the book could just as easily have been read as the protagonist’s imagination almost until the very end, which I would have loved, even as straight historical fiction.

Because I already knew what was coming, some elements felt a bit obvious early on, but honestly, that didn’t ruin the experience. The book still plays really well with expectations, building trust only to break it again, and delivering a twist that felt genuinely fresh to me

Another thing I really loved: this book is very feminist at its core. I haven’t read anything else by Elizabeth DeLozier, so I wasn’t familiar with her writing style going in, but I’m a big fan of debut novels and this one was genuinely impressive.

Caroline’s character development throughout the story really stood out to me. I’ll admit that her co-dependency with Charlie got a bit frustrating at times, but then I had to remind myself of the historical context how difficult life was for women in the 19th century, and how little their sense of self-worth was shaped by independence. Her emotional journey, slowly growing out of that fragile shell and certain dependencies, felt believable and consistent. I also really appreciated that the romance stayed in the background instead of overshadowing her story.

The way Caroline approaches her search for her brother: careful, thoughtful, and sometimes slow, felt incredibly fitting. Sure, it could be frustrating at times, but in a good way. The book thrives on its slow-burn tension, and those moments are really well executed. I honestly can’t stand stories where someone goes undercover and immediately makes big moves after three days without building any trust so I loved that Caroline took her time. Smart, cautious female characters are always a win for me.

I also really enjoyed how the Jack the Ripper storyline was handled. It’s very much a subplot, mostly told through newspaper clippings and letters to the police, which made it feel immersive without taking over the narrative. I liked that the focus stayed on Caroline and her journey, while Jack the Ripper remained a looming, dangerous presence in the background.

The author’s note at the end also really stuck with me especially the decision to give the victims of Jack the Ripper names, faces, and stories. That feels incredibly relevant, not just historically but also in light of current discussions, where the focus so often shifts to perpetrators instead of victims. Centering the victims here added a lot of emotional weight for me.

Mary Jane was another standout character for me. Through Caroline’s initial jealousy since Mary Jane was clearly close to Charlie as well she first appears a bit ambiguous, but she never falls into that cliché of women being unnecessarily competitive with each other. Her arc was strong and compelling, and her death genuinely hit me. Even though I figured out pretty early who Jack was, I didn’t see that particular development coming.

Overall, I found the reading experience consistently engaging and rich in detail. The members of the Full Moon Society are all wonderfully strange, and together they create a kind of found family that I really enjoyed. There’s also a subtle queer-coded element woven into the story, which felt natural and never forced it’s part of the world, but not the entire focus.

The depiction of 19th-century London was vivid and immersive from the uneven, grimy streets to the clothing and the atmosphere. Even though most of the story takes place inside the Full Moon Society, the setting itself feels alive and full of character!

All in all, Elizabeth DeLozier has created a strong, atmospheric, and compelling novel here one that I genuinely had a great time reading.

[Eve Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I give 5 stars because not only did I start and finish it two days, and essentially one sitting (I had to sleep in between). But the premise, the writing, the characters and the plot twists in a story I thought I knew, all kept me on my toes and wanting more.

As an avid true crime nerd and a lover of historical fiction, I picked up this ARC (through NetGalley) with high expectations. I wanted to see a new spin on a gruesome tale that has left many wondering for over 100 years. It is safe to say my expectations were met and thoroughly exceeded. A historical fiction, that remains mostly true to the events and time period in which is covers, but with a supernatural twist one I did not see coming until nearly 80% of the way through the book.

I think why it works so well is because (at least up until very recently and there is still some doubt) the case of Jack the Ripper has gone unsolved with no real evidence pointing to who did it, and the time since their - presumably his - crimes have long since passed so there is room to take creative liberties. I think the way it was handled, with the names of the victims kept, but giving them more dignity than they were offered at the time - and still are in many of the things written about it today - labelled as prostitutes and sex workers was refreshing.

The pacing was well done, though there were times when I wished it would move faster simply because I wanted to reach the next plot point, but it felt almost intentional. As the reader, I was forced to slow down and wait things out with Caroline so when the stakes were high, but there was nothing she could do but mull over things again and again, her frustration could be felt.

The characters, were all written in a way that gave them a lot of depth despite all being portrayed through the perspective of Caroline. We as the reader are only given as much as Caroline can gather about each of them through what possessions they have in their rooms and her interactions with them. And of herself we are only given the amount of information she actually knows or has been told and therefore believes. We are left wondering is she reading things wrong? Is what she's been told correct, misremembered over time? Is there something she's not picking up on? Which yes there was, to all of these questions that I had. Which brings me to my next point

There were parts of the story, carefully threaded and laid out that I picked up before they were confirmed (GO ME, detective at work!!). It truly felt like a true crime podcast - my favourite form of true crime consumption - where the events and people are introduced in a way that you can't trust anyone, not even the narrator in this case. I spent so much of the book doubting Caroline's voice and trying to figure out if she was the paranoid one, or maybe it was me.

I kept a note next to me, writing down all my inner commentary and burning questions at just what the hell was happening... to which they were later revealed and boy was it satisfying to be able to look back and say I knew it - there was also some times of kicking myself for not realising other things until Caroline herself figured them out. The constant, who do I believe, and who do I trust, the why so many secrets and the why are you so interested in this or that really made me think.

More on being made to think, I found myself having to go and look up the definition of a number of words, some more because they were historical descriptions that I wasn't familiar with, others because I simply did not know the meaning. A process that I - maybe an unpopular opinion - love. To be intellectually stimulated and forced to broaden my vocabulary is something I thoroughly enjoy. And is something that I have not found for a while in the books I've found myself reading, so it was a pleasant change. This alongside the content of the book following a pre-existing timeline, with real people, but integrated with fictional elements was captivating.

ARC received through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Murder, sexual assault, attempted rape, mutilation, drug use (administered and unwitting) slight period typical homophobia, period typical misogyny, slight period typical racism

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society was a gripping, suspenseful and heartfelt read.

But first, the plot: Caroline Foster is a noble down on her luck. In a bid to escape the crushing poverty brought on by her father's gambling debts, she goes to London to find her missing brother, Charlie. However, when she arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, she is told that her brother hasn't been there for months, and they almost close the door in her face. Desperate, VCaroline says that she's looking for a position as a maid, which the Society desperately needs. She is reluctantly hired, as the last maid was killed by none other than Jack the Ripper. As Caroline settles into life at the Society, caring for it's diverse and strange guests, she is given three rules: don't go to the iron barred door on the second floor, don't ask personal questions and remain in her room during the full moon. Will Caroline be able to find her brother? What is the Society hiding? Where will the Ripper strike again?

The characters were a huge part of this novel, and they did their job well. I loved Caroline in particular; her love for her brother is realistic and heart-wrenching, and she has a tenacity that resonated, especially at the beginning of the novel when her desperation was palatable. However, her extreme devotion to her brother might turn some readers off, as he is never far from her thoughts, and that may get repetitive. In addition to this, she is a character with flaws, and exhibits homophobia and racism towards the Society's guests. However, she does grow out of this, and by the end, I was fully rooting for her character. Just be warned it takes a bit for her to get there.

The side characters (namely, Charlie, the boarders, (including Rab her love interest) and the proprietress of the boardinghouse are either vivid (in the case of Rab and the manager of the boardinghouse) or at least serviceable (like with most of the lodgers.) I wish the lodgers were more fleshed out, but a few of them do get scenes where they shine, and they are all men with him I'd love to learn more about. This also extends to their big secret, which I won't elaborate upon for spoiler reasons, but I wish we spent a bit more time with it. I appreciate the representation (of both PoC and differing religious practices) and it was done in a 'realistic' way if that is a deal breaker. The same goes for the queer rep, but due to spoiler reasons, I will not elaborate.

The setting of this novel was done well too. I really felt the grime and pollution of industrial London, along with the unexpected patches of beauty in the darkness. However, as the book mostly takes place in Whitechapel and another poorer district of London, it feels a bit claustrophobic. It also means that there is a level of convenience and coincidence that shouldn't happen in a large city but that is mostly forgivable.

The mystery was compelling as well, if a bit obvious once mulled over. However, the book has a few red herrings that did trick me, so that was appreciated. The real life victims of Jack the Ripper were treated with respect which I appreciate as well. I usually stay away from true crime stories because of a glorification of the killer, but I'm glad the author was more tasteful than most.

All in all, I really did enjoy this book, even if certain parts left me wanting more.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC!

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Check out my blog for drink parings and other reviews: https://theredreaderreviews.blogspot.com

[CY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Dutton and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy!

A Dutton Books representative reached out to me a month ago, and offered an early copy of Elizabeth DeLozier's sophomore novel, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society. Of course, I was thrilled. I have been enjoying historical fiction recently (as well as historical dramas... Pursuit of Jade, I'm looking at you), and this one promised a supernatural twist. How could I not dive right in?

Set in Victorian London, the novel follows Caroline Foster as she arrives at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, a men's boarding house, in search of her missing brother. With a serial killer on the loose, Caroline starts to believe that the curious mix of boarders have something to do with the murders as well as her brother's disappearance, but in order to find out the truth she needs to look into her past.

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Initially, I was quite intrigued by the plot and the mystery of Charlie's disappearance. Some reviewers mentioned that the pacing was too slow at the beginning, but I had a different experience. I was immediately engrossed by DeLozier's rich descriptions and faithful portrayal of London during the Victorian era. She ignited a flame within me that urged me to read on and find out how Jack the Ripper was tied to our protagonist and the boarders at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society.

Even the fact that our protagonist, Caroline, wasn't the typical strong female lead at the beginning of the novel added to my curiosity. I was eager to see how she would change over the course of the story. At times, she exhibited contradictory traits (e.g. her eagerness to be hired as the new maid even though she was clearly suspicious and scared of the boarders), and I thought some of her choices didn't make sense (e.g. her accepting Rab's questionable drink when she needed all her wits to eavesdrop on them during their monthly dinner party), but overall I was interested in her character arc. Despite some of the confusing behaviour, I thought DeLozier had written a well-rounded protagonist who would move the plot along, and hadn't lingered on her interiority.

On the topic of characters, I quite enjoyed the likeable mix of boarders at the Full Moon Society. They were all unique in their own ways, and you could tell that DeLozier had thought deeply about their characterisation to make them distinct from each other. However, I couldn't get behind Rab's motivations. If he had only told Caroline the truth from the very beginning, things would have played out so differently. I didn't understand what held him back. Additionally, I felt that the plot twist fell a bit flat to me. Whenever I don't expect a plot twist, I'm usually surprised and shocked. But with this book, I felt more betrayed by the sudden turn of events. It didn't feel authentic to me, and it left me more confused than anything else. Maybe I just didn't pick up on the clues, so I'm curious to know if others had a different experience.

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Although I wasn't the biggest fan of the supernatural twist that DeLozier had added to the story - which says more about my own tastes than anything else - I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction with mystery and an interesting set of characters.




www.theshameshelf.com

[Reneaue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up) - Surprised me with the historical details, and a well-written mystery.

After the death of her father and the loss of everything she knew and loved, Caroline Foster is left with only one choice: travel to London in search of her elusive brother, Charlie. The problem is that Charlie explicitly told her not to come; and he has not been heard from in months. With just a few pence to her name, Caroline arrives at his last known address, a boarding house called The Whitechapel Full Moon Society, only to discover that he no longer lives there and no one seems to know what became of him.

Desperate and determined, Caroline notices a help wanted sign and persuades the proprietor to hire her on as a maid, passing herself off as a former lady’s maid. It is a risky deception, but one she hopes will allow her to uncover answers about her brother’s disappearance.

From the moment Caroline steps inside the boarding house, it is clear that not all is as it seems. The house has a dark reputation and an atmosphere thick with secrecy, and Whitechapel itself is no place for a young woman...especially with a murderer stalking the streets at night. A murderer whose name is infamous: Jack the Ripper. Caroline begins to suspect that the boarders of the Whitechapel Full Moon Society may be connected both to the murders and to Charlie’s vanishing. Still, she presses on, knowing that finding her brother may come at the cost of her own safety.

Despite the novel’s title, readers should not expect a traditional werewolf story. While the assumption isn’t entirely unfounded, The Whitechapel Full Moon Society is not a supernatural horror novel. Instead, it is a richly layered work of historical fiction and mystery set in Victorian London, infused with touches of Welsh folklore that lend an eerie, subtle supernatural edge.

The true power of this story lies in its exploration of impoverished women in Victorian England. Society showed little mercy to women who fell on hard times, and with no legal or social safety nets, many were forced into circumstances not of their choosing. Elizabeth DeLozier brings compassion and humanity to Jack the Ripper’s victims, challenging the simplistic narrative that they were merely prostitutes. These were women who slipped through the cracks of society: mothers, daughters, sisters—doing whatever they could to survive.

The mystery itself is compelling. While I had my suspicions along the way, the revelations still held a few surprises. This is not a book to pick up expecting monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows; rather, it is a thoughtful, atmospheric mystery with a clear nod to the world of Arthur Conan Doyle. DeLozier keeps the pages turning while slowly tightening the sense of unease, reminding readers that monsters do not always bare fangs.

Sometimes, they hide in plain sight....behind ordinary faces, and familiar eyes.

======================
Special thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publishing and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.