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Soot, Sin, and Slaughter
London, 1888. Someone's carving up Whitechapel. Lottie aims to stop him.—Lottie Carver has spent her life surviving Whitechapel. When her closest friend is murdered, she has no intention of waiting quietly for the police to care.
Elias Graves used to be a detective. Now he works alone, avoids questions about his past, and wants absolutely nothing to do with the stubborn woman forcing her way into his investigation.
Lottie knows the streets, the women, and the dangers the police overlook. Graves knows how killers think. Together, they might have a chance of finding the man stalking Whitechapel.
They might also kill each other first.
But as the murders continue and Lottie draws the killer’s attention, Graves must decide how far he is willing to go to protect a woman who refuses to be protected.
A sharp, open-door historical romance set against the Whitechapel murders, featuring a relentless heroine, a disgraced detective, and a partnership neither of them knows how to walk away from.
Elias Graves used to be a detective. Now he works alone, avoids questions about his past, and wants absolutely nothing to do with the stubborn woman forcing her way into his investigation.
Lottie knows the streets, the women, and the dangers the police overlook. Graves knows how killers think. Together, they might have a chance of finding the man stalking Whitechapel.
They might also kill each other first.
But as the murders continue and Lottie draws the killer’s attention, Graves must decide how far he is willing to go to protect a woman who refuses to be protected.
A sharp, open-door historical romance set against the Whitechapel murders, featuring a relentless heroine, a disgraced detective, and a partnership neither of them knows how to walk away from.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Anna Kensington
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anna Kensington writes historical romance and historical fiction for readers who like their history messy, their heroines dangerous, and their love stories unwilling to behave.
Her books travel from the battlefields of the Wars of the Roses to Regency drawing rooms, Puritan villages, plague roads, and cities on fire. She pairs careful historical research with complicated characters, dark humor, emotional ruin, and plenty of passion.
A lifelong history obsessive, Anna holds a degree in English Literature and a minor in History. She is less interested in crowns and pageantry than in the strange, intimate details underneath them: forgotten women, disastrous decisions, inconvenient desires, and ordinary people caught inside extraordinary moments.
Anna lives in the Pacific Northwest, fueled by coffee and a research habit that stopped being reasonable years ago. She shares her home and writing space with her family, three wildly entertaining dogs, and one devoted pigeon who is convinced she hung the moon.
Website: https://www.annakensingtonbooks.com/
https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/2...
Join The Kensington Dispatch and receive the complete forbidden sapphic historical romance Love Beyond Convention, plus subscriber-exclusive fiction, early peeks, curious extras, and things that do not quite belong on the respectable shelves.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anna Kensington writes historical romance and historical fiction for readers who like their history messy, their heroines dangerous, and their love stories unwilling to behave.
Her books travel from the battlefields of the Wars of the Roses to Regency drawing rooms, Puritan villages, plague roads, and cities on fire. She pairs careful historical research with complicated characters, dark humor, emotional ruin, and plenty of passion.
A lifelong history obsessive, Anna holds a degree in English Literature and a minor in History. She is less interested in crowns and pageantry than in the strange, intimate details underneath them: forgotten women, disastrous decisions, inconvenient desires, and ordinary people caught inside extraordinary moments.
Anna lives in the Pacific Northwest, fueled by coffee and a research habit that stopped being reasonable years ago. She shares her home and writing space with her family, three wildly entertaining dogs, and one devoted pigeon who is convinced she hung the moon.
Website: https://www.annakensingtonbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 20, 2026
What a terrific title, it caught my eye right away.
I like the premise of the book, a feisty and clever fallen woman whose friend Polly was killed by Jack the Ripper. A former copper, thrown off the force cause he wouldn’t play the game of office politics, who wants to investigate. They team up rather by accident and discover a mutual attraction to each other.
I like how the book switches chapters between the voice of the villain, the heroine Lottie and the cop, Elias. I like how the chapters from the killer’s POV are kept short.
Chapter 16 is so well written, it had me all tensed up and nervous. Excellently done. ‘JR’ Very creepy.
It was an easy read, moves along nicely with no ‘middle of the book’ slump. The characters acted consistently with their personalities and the villain was a surprise to me. It was historically accurate. Although I question the use of the phrase ‘cheese platter’ as being Victorian. Certainly the phrase ‘cheese course’ was used back then and cheese was often served in small squares in a glass bowl handed around, along with rusks, cheese biscuits and cucumber (according to Mrs Beeton 1865). So the phrase is a very minor thing but it happened to catch my attention.
A bit steamy, definitely not fade to black.
I love a happy ending. All in all a good book
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I like the premise of the book, a feisty and clever fallen woman whose friend Polly was killed by Jack the Ripper. A former copper, thrown off the force cause he wouldn’t play the game of office politics, who wants to investigate. They team up rather by accident and discover a mutual attraction to each other.
I like how the book switches chapters between the voice of the villain, the heroine Lottie and the cop, Elias. I like how the chapters from the killer’s POV are kept short.
Chapter 16 is so well written, it had me all tensed up and nervous. Excellently done. ‘JR’ Very creepy.
It was an easy read, moves along nicely with no ‘middle of the book’ slump. The characters acted consistently with their personalities and the villain was a surprise to me. It was historically accurate. Although I question the use of the phrase ‘cheese platter’ as being Victorian. Certainly the phrase ‘cheese course’ was used back then and cheese was often served in small squares in a glass bowl handed around, along with rusks, cheese biscuits and cucumber (according to Mrs Beeton 1865). So the phrase is a very minor thing but it happened to catch my attention.
A bit steamy, definitely not fade to black.
I love a happy ending. All in all a good book
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 9, 2026
Soot, Sin, and Slaughter drops you straight into the smoke‑choked streets of 1888 Whitechapel — a place where danger feels as constant as the fog, and survival is something you earn day by day. Lottie Carver has lived her whole life in these streets, and the book makes that history feel sharp and personal. She knows the women, the alleys, the shadows. She knows how quickly the police lose interest when the victims are poor. And when her closest friend is murdered, she refuses to sit quietly and wait for justice that will never come.
I loved how the story frames Lottie: relentless, furious, and heartbreakingly brave. She’s not polished or polite; she’s a woman who has clawed her way through every hardship Whitechapel can throw at her. Her grief becomes a kind of fire — one that pushes her straight into the path of Elias Graves.
Graves is the perfect foil. A disgraced detective who now works alone, avoids questions, and wants absolutely nothing to do with the stubborn woman forcing her way into his investigation. Their first interactions crackle with irritation — hers at his cold detachment, his at her refusal to back down. It’s that delicious enemies‑adjacent energy: two people who need each other far more than either wants to admit.
Together, they make a formidable pair. Lottie understands the streets in a way Graves never could; Graves understands killers in a way Lottie desperately needs. Their partnership is messy, volatile, and threaded with a tension that feels as dangerous as the murderer stalking Whitechapel. And as the killings continue, the danger shifts. The killer notices Lottie. The hunt becomes personal. And Graves must decide how far he’s willing to go to protect a woman who refuses to be protected.
The romance is open‑door, but what makes it compelling is the emotional grit beneath it. These aren’t two people falling into softness; they’re two survivors finding something fierce and unexpected in each other. The chemistry feels earned — forged through fear, fury, and the kind of trust that only grows when you’re standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder in the dark.
The atmosphere is gorgeous: soot‑stained streets, whispered rumours, the constant hum of danger. The book captures the brutality of the era without losing its heart. It’s sharp, tense, and wonderfully character‑driven — a historical romance that doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of its setting, but still finds room for connection, desire, and the stubborn hope that justice might be possible.
A gritty, open‑door historical romance set against the Whitechapel murders, featuring a relentless heroine, a haunted detective, and a partnership neither knows how to walk away from. Dark, fierce, and utterly addictive.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved how the story frames Lottie: relentless, furious, and heartbreakingly brave. She’s not polished or polite; she’s a woman who has clawed her way through every hardship Whitechapel can throw at her. Her grief becomes a kind of fire — one that pushes her straight into the path of Elias Graves.
Graves is the perfect foil. A disgraced detective who now works alone, avoids questions, and wants absolutely nothing to do with the stubborn woman forcing her way into his investigation. Their first interactions crackle with irritation — hers at his cold detachment, his at her refusal to back down. It’s that delicious enemies‑adjacent energy: two people who need each other far more than either wants to admit.
Together, they make a formidable pair. Lottie understands the streets in a way Graves never could; Graves understands killers in a way Lottie desperately needs. Their partnership is messy, volatile, and threaded with a tension that feels as dangerous as the murderer stalking Whitechapel. And as the killings continue, the danger shifts. The killer notices Lottie. The hunt becomes personal. And Graves must decide how far he’s willing to go to protect a woman who refuses to be protected.
The romance is open‑door, but what makes it compelling is the emotional grit beneath it. These aren’t two people falling into softness; they’re two survivors finding something fierce and unexpected in each other. The chemistry feels earned — forged through fear, fury, and the kind of trust that only grows when you’re standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder in the dark.
The atmosphere is gorgeous: soot‑stained streets, whispered rumours, the constant hum of danger. The book captures the brutality of the era without losing its heart. It’s sharp, tense, and wonderfully character‑driven — a historical romance that doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of its setting, but still finds room for connection, desire, and the stubborn hope that justice might be possible.
A gritty, open‑door historical romance set against the Whitechapel murders, featuring a relentless heroine, a haunted detective, and a partnership neither knows how to walk away from. Dark, fierce, and utterly addictive.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2026
ARC Review: Soot, Sin and Slaughter by Anna Kensington
3.5 stars
Soot, Sin and Slaughter immediately caught my attention with its premise. As a reader who loves historical mysteries, I was intrigued by the opportunity to explore Victorian London during the Jack the Ripper murders through the perspective of a woman working as a prostitute. It offered a perspective that felt fresh and compelling, and I appreciated the author's obvious research into the period.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its heroine, Lottie Carter. She is feisty, resourceful, and determined to survive in a world stacked against her. I thoroughly enjoyed following her investigation alongside private investigator Elias Graves. Their banter, chemistry, and willingness to challenge one another kept me engaged throughout, and their partnership was one of my favourite aspects of the novel.
I also particularly enjoyed the historical details woven into the story. The author's note and inclusion of excerpts from the real letters sent by Jack the Ripper were fascinating. As someone who loves history, I found myself heading down several research rabbit holes after finishing the book.
That said, there were a few elements that prevented this from being a higher-rated read for me. While the historical atmosphere was generally strong, I noticed several modern expressions and Americanisms that felt out of place in Victorian London. Most readers may not notice them, but as an avid reader and writer of historical fiction, terms such as "elevator" and phrases like "you guys" pulled me out of the story and disrupted the otherwise immersive setting.
I also struggled somewhat with the romance. The attraction between the protagonists was believable, but the relationship developed very quickly and occasionally veered into insta-love territory. Some of the romantic scenes felt overly intense for this stage of their relationship, and Elias's repeated declarations of "you're mine" did not entirely work for me. Given the context of the story and the heroine's circumstances, I found myself expecting more resistance to that possessive dynamic.
The mystery itself was engaging, even if parts of the plot became fairly easy to predict. Fortunately, there was enough action, intrigue, and historical interest to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, Soot, Sin and Slaughter was an entertaining historical mystery with an engaging heroine, an appealing investigative partnership, and fascinating period details. While I had some reservations about the romance and a few historical anachronisms, I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy Victorian mysteries, murder investigations, and stories set against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper's London.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
3.5 stars
Soot, Sin and Slaughter immediately caught my attention with its premise. As a reader who loves historical mysteries, I was intrigued by the opportunity to explore Victorian London during the Jack the Ripper murders through the perspective of a woman working as a prostitute. It offered a perspective that felt fresh and compelling, and I appreciated the author's obvious research into the period.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its heroine, Lottie Carter. She is feisty, resourceful, and determined to survive in a world stacked against her. I thoroughly enjoyed following her investigation alongside private investigator Elias Graves. Their banter, chemistry, and willingness to challenge one another kept me engaged throughout, and their partnership was one of my favourite aspects of the novel.
I also particularly enjoyed the historical details woven into the story. The author's note and inclusion of excerpts from the real letters sent by Jack the Ripper were fascinating. As someone who loves history, I found myself heading down several research rabbit holes after finishing the book.
That said, there were a few elements that prevented this from being a higher-rated read for me. While the historical atmosphere was generally strong, I noticed several modern expressions and Americanisms that felt out of place in Victorian London. Most readers may not notice them, but as an avid reader and writer of historical fiction, terms such as "elevator" and phrases like "you guys" pulled me out of the story and disrupted the otherwise immersive setting.
I also struggled somewhat with the romance. The attraction between the protagonists was believable, but the relationship developed very quickly and occasionally veered into insta-love territory. Some of the romantic scenes felt overly intense for this stage of their relationship, and Elias's repeated declarations of "you're mine" did not entirely work for me. Given the context of the story and the heroine's circumstances, I found myself expecting more resistance to that possessive dynamic.
The mystery itself was engaging, even if parts of the plot became fairly easy to predict. Fortunately, there was enough action, intrigue, and historical interest to keep me turning the pages.
Overall, Soot, Sin and Slaughter was an entertaining historical mystery with an engaging heroine, an appealing investigative partnership, and fascinating period details. While I had some reservations about the romance and a few historical anachronisms, I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy Victorian mysteries, murder investigations, and stories set against the backdrop of Jack the Ripper's London.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and BookSirens for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
October 29, 2026
This is a fascinating book set in the time of Jack the Ripper. We meet Lotti, who is a working girl surviving Whitechapel by being a prostitute. The interesting thing with this book was that she was friends with several of Jack's victims, so the story is written with that perspective in mind. With the first murder she runs into Elias Graves, an inquiry agent trying to track this murderer down. Lottie attaches herself to him, hoping he will lead her to the killer so that she can kill him in return for destroying her friends.
We are also given insight to the killer's thoughts, so this book is written with 3 voices narrating. It is dark, creepy and if you have ever read the true facts about these women's deaths, it was horrific. You very much get a picture of the despair of the lives of not just these women, but Whitechapel in general. You realize that the police really weren't equipped to track Jack down and that like so many people, they viewed these women not as human, but just prostitutes. And perhaps that attitude is still pervasive today. It feels constantly foggy and dark. I found the story fascinating, because you saw it from the perspective of someone who was forced to work the streets and the general attitude that these women deserved this due to their choices. Yes, it is somewhat a love story between Lotti and Elias as he tries to protect her from her worst impulse and she in turn starts to feel that maybe there is a way out.
I have never read Anna Kensington, but her story absolutely captured my imagination and showed me a world, I am grateful for never having to experience. I do recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are also given insight to the killer's thoughts, so this book is written with 3 voices narrating. It is dark, creepy and if you have ever read the true facts about these women's deaths, it was horrific. You very much get a picture of the despair of the lives of not just these women, but Whitechapel in general. You realize that the police really weren't equipped to track Jack down and that like so many people, they viewed these women not as human, but just prostitutes. And perhaps that attitude is still pervasive today. It feels constantly foggy and dark. I found the story fascinating, because you saw it from the perspective of someone who was forced to work the streets and the general attitude that these women deserved this due to their choices. Yes, it is somewhat a love story between Lotti and Elias as he tries to protect her from her worst impulse and she in turn starts to feel that maybe there is a way out.
I have never read Anna Kensington, but her story absolutely captured my imagination and showed me a world, I am grateful for never having to experience. I do recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 18, 2026
I've read several books inspired by the story of Jack the Ripper, but "Soot, sin and slaughter" was the first one that allowed me to experience those events from a harlot's point of view and I really enjoyed that perspective.
This dark Victorian romance suspense had a nice balance of romance, mystery and suspense. I especially enjoyed the banter and the tension between the characters and there was just enough spice to keep things interesting. It's definitely darker than what I've been reading lately, but I found myself completely drawn into the story.
What really stood out to me was Lottie. She refuses to simply become another victim. She's strong, sassy, witty, fierce and has a wonderfully dark sense of humor. I loved watching her character grow throughout the story. She becomes a fighter, a woman who finds strength in the very fear that was meant to keep her weak.
I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. The story pulled me in so much that I had a hard time putting the book down. The atmosphere, the tension and darker elements kept me turning the pages.
If you enjoy dark historical romance, murder mysteries, serial killers and strong heroines who refuses to be victims, then this book is definitely worth checking out.
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This dark Victorian romance suspense had a nice balance of romance, mystery and suspense. I especially enjoyed the banter and the tension between the characters and there was just enough spice to keep things interesting. It's definitely darker than what I've been reading lately, but I found myself completely drawn into the story.
What really stood out to me was Lottie. She refuses to simply become another victim. She's strong, sassy, witty, fierce and has a wonderfully dark sense of humor. I loved watching her character grow throughout the story. She becomes a fighter, a woman who finds strength in the very fear that was meant to keep her weak.
I also really enjoyed the author's writing style. The story pulled me in so much that I had a hard time putting the book down. The atmosphere, the tension and darker elements kept me turning the pages.
If you enjoy dark historical romance, murder mysteries, serial killers and strong heroines who refuses to be victims, then this book is definitely worth checking out.
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was lucky enough to be on the ARC team for Soot, Sin and Slaughter and it did not disappoint!
I adored Lottie and Elias, loved the side characters and if you ask me there are not enough leeches in books these days!
Soot, Sin and Slaughter had a character driven plot, emotional relationships and the perfect balance of romance and suspense. Lottie was a strong, sassy fmc and Elias… just *dreamy sigh*. The banter, tension and spice was on point. The multiple POVs pulled me into the story immediately and kept me immersed, letting the scenes unfold visually and letting the characters really come alive.
I love Anna’s historical romances like the Endless Love and Unruly Grays series but this hits a little differently and I was here for it. It’s slightly darker and grittier and an all around really fun read that I couldn’t put down. Highly recommend!
I adored Lottie and Elias, loved the side characters and if you ask me there are not enough leeches in books these days!
Soot, Sin and Slaughter had a character driven plot, emotional relationships and the perfect balance of romance and suspense. Lottie was a strong, sassy fmc and Elias… just *dreamy sigh*. The banter, tension and spice was on point. The multiple POVs pulled me into the story immediately and kept me immersed, letting the scenes unfold visually and letting the characters really come alive.
I love Anna’s historical romances like the Endless Love and Unruly Grays series but this hits a little differently and I was here for it. It’s slightly darker and grittier and an all around really fun read that I couldn’t put down. Highly recommend!
October 20, 2026
I was hoping this was more about the mystery rather than the romance. The relationship between Lottie and Graves was great, but there were some scenes that went too far; I am thinking of the punishment he gave her for flirting with another man. It was too much like a rape scene, and I feel it was inappropriate, especially with some events that have happened and been exposed in the last few years. Also, I felt the language used by the characters wasn’t really true to the time period. They slipped back and forth between how we speak today and how they may have spoken in the past. I only finished it because I wanted to see who the author claimed was Jack the Ripper. That was weird as well, but I won’t ruin it for anyone. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 19, 2026
This book left me a bit torn, some parts I really liked and some others I did not really care for.
The staccato, anguishing tempo of part of the narration fit in really well with the gritty topic of the book, but I found it a bit unbalanced when it came to the bedroom scenes, at times too lenghty and graphic, especially considering the length of the book and that it is not part of a series, so all events should come to a closure.
The ending was also anticlimatic in my opinion, with the whole story closing in just a really short chapter.
All things considered, I would give it a 3.5 star rating.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.
The staccato, anguishing tempo of part of the narration fit in really well with the gritty topic of the book, but I found it a bit unbalanced when it came to the bedroom scenes, at times too lenghty and graphic, especially considering the length of the book and that it is not part of a series, so all events should come to a closure.
The ending was also anticlimatic in my opinion, with the whole story closing in just a really short chapter.
All things considered, I would give it a 3.5 star rating.
I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.
September 29, 2026
This is not the first account of Jack the Ripper that I've read but it's by far the most interesting point of view!
No idea if Ashcroft or Vale are actual historical figures implicated by rumor but the fictionalized account uses them well. And I love the way Elias & Lottie split the difference for their future living quarters!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
No idea if Ashcroft or Vale are actual historical figures implicated by rumor but the fictionalized account uses them well. And I love the way Elias & Lottie split the difference for their future living quarters!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Did Not Finish
September 29, 2026Not sure why I didnt put 2 and 2 together that this was a jack the ripper retelling lol
I thought it was well written, I felt immersed into the world but I started losing interest once they got together after a week… Usually I dont mind insta love but I was taken aback by this one. I had to dnf at 70%
Shes a working girl in the slums… im def wondering how she remained clean enough for Elias to go down on her
I thought it was well written, I felt immersed into the world but I started losing interest once they got together after a week… Usually I dont mind insta love but I was taken aback by this one. I had to dnf at 70%
Shes a working girl in the slums… im def wondering how she remained clean enough for Elias to go down on her
September 20, 2026
Loved this! It had everything I want from a classic Victorian romantic suspense while still managing to be weird and different in the best way. There were twists I genuinely did not see coming, and some moments were actually creepy. Atmospheric, surprising, and just a little strange. Exactly my kind of historical romance.
September 20, 2026
Words cannot fully describe how great this book was.
I had so much fun reading this one.
I always try and figure out the ending before I finish the book but all the twists keep throwing me off making it hard for me to figure out. I am not disappointed by that in the slightest btw.
10/10 would recommend
I had so much fun reading this one.
I always try and figure out the ending before I finish the book but all the twists keep throwing me off making it hard for me to figure out. I am not disappointed by that in the slightest btw.
10/10 would recommend
October 7, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I enjoyed the story though there were some points I felt the tone changed and the ending seemed a bit rushed, but overall I enjoyed it. I'dsay a 3.7 out of 5. Lottie was a very likeable FMC and had a lot of sass, her character was very independent. The back and forth between her Graves was fantastic and the attraction/annoyance was felt. I will definitely read more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews