Date A Book YA Book Club discussion

Hey Readers,

Welcome to the first part of our Stalking Jack the Ripper read along! We're really looking forward to discussing another fantastic read with you.

Over the next 10 days we'll be discussing Chapter 1 – Chapter 14 (inclusive) – or pg. 1-150 in the paperback edition.

Below are a couple of questions to get the ball rolling – but feel free to jump in where you like. We’ll be posting more questions during the week.

Remember this is an open discussion, but try not to post out of the parts being discussed. Have fun!


1. What were your first impressions of Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell?

2. Female representation is a big part of discussion in YA novels – what are your thoughts on the historical setting and inclusion of women thinking and acting outside “norms” in Stalking Jack the Ripper? What are your thoughts of Audrey Rose’s aunt and cousin?

Send us your favourite quotes from these parts for #DABbookclub

It’s hard to not be impressed with Audrey Rose from the get go. We have a bit of girl crush. She’s not at all concerned about being so close to blood and organs – while wearing a dress, no less! And going on to argue for a place in her Uncle’s class shows spark that we definitely admire in leading ladies. She might do with a little less wandering around streets late at night when there’s a murderer on the loose – although we can’t blame her when she’s got the dashing Thomas Cresswell as a companion.

Speaking of Thomas – he’s a little hard to read. His fascination with the dead seems to rival Audrey Rose’s. Could it be something more sinister than the curiosity of a student? But we were charmed by his flirtations and have to admit he’s very, very clever - we’re a little in love with his brain and his personality. A good combination – don’t you think?

I started reading last night and before I knew it had reached chapter thirteen. It's super addictive.

I love Audrey Rose, she's an intelligent and determined young woman pushing against traditional roles. I love her inquisitive mind and that she reiterates that girls can be intelligent and still enjoy the finer things in life. It doesn't need to be one or the other.

Thomas is cheeky and I love his shameless flirting. He knows it flusters Audrey Rose and uses it to his advantage. I don't think he's sinister, but (view spoiler)[I'm suspicious of another male character close to Audrey Rose. (hide spoiler)]

Her Aunt and cousin haven't had an impact on the narrative as yet but her Aunt seems to be a traditional woman of her time. Not only is Audrey Rose pushing into a male dominated domains, she's involved in a field that few people could stomach. She's a mixture of bravery and recklessness at times, I wish she wouldn't go investigating alone.

I'm loving it so far.

Kimberley wrote: "I was reading an interview with Gerda Lerner and she was saying that woman have a history that no one knows. She talks about how woman have looked to the past and it’s been painful because what we would learn has been absent"

That's a really interesting point, Kimberley! The history that we all grew up with dictates that women acted in certain ways, but they might not have. We know even now that everyone has different opinions and actions, so there were bound to be people in the 1880's that were also moving against the "crowd".

We’re totally on board with Audrey Rose pushing the boundaries of her place in society. We love that it’s not just something she wants to do - despite most of the men in her life trying desperately to steer her away from the world of forensics – but something her mother encouraged. To be more than just a pretty thing people admire for their looks.

You're right, on the surface, it looks like Audrey Rose’s aunt and cousin are in camp Make-Audrey-Rose-Proper, and then Liza shows there’s a lot more depth to her world – the world Audrey Rose fights against. One of our favourite quotes from this section comes from Liza:

“Wield your assets like a blade, Cousin. No man has invented a corset for our brains. Let them thing they rule the world. It’s a queen who sits on that throne. Never forget that. There’s no reason you can’t wear a simple frock to work, then don the finest gown and dance the night away. But only if it pleases you.”

Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Thomas is cheeky and I love his shameless flirting. He knows it flusters Audrey Rose and uses it to his advantage. I don't think he's sinister, but..."

It's interesting to watch Thomas react to Audrey Rose and her investigation. He's one of the only characters who doesn't try to cage her. Even her Uncle has a bit of hand in slowing her down - though we don't think he does it maliciously. But Thomas encourages Audrey Rose to think outside the box. And yeah, the flirting helps show off his charm, but we think there's more beneath the surface and can't help loving that he supports Audrey Rose so much.

Date A Book wrote: "Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Thomas is cheeky and I love his shameless flirting. He knows it flusters Audrey Rose and uses it to his advantage. I don't think he's sinister, but..."

It's interesti..."

I loved that beneath the flirtations and banter, he sees her as his equal.

Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "I loved that beneath the flirtations and banter, he sees her as his equal."

It's definitely a point in his favour, recognising that they're on the same level.

We've heard that horror and historical mystery have been stand outs in YA lately, so we want to know have you read any other YA gothic or horror books? What is your favourite book in this genre?

Not a new title, but we've always been huge fans of Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake and recently had our eye on another bestseller The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

Date A Book wrote: "We've heard that horror and historical mystery have been stand outs in YA lately, so we want to know have you read any other YA gothic or horror books? What is your favourite book in this genre?

N..."

They're both brilliant books, Anna Dressed in Blood even more so. I've read fantasy and science fiction horror like the Rot & Ruin series but haven't found many historical horror in young adult prior to this one.

I've read Stalking Jack the Ripper a couple of times now, so I'm trying to remember what my first impressions were - other than that I loved both Audrey Rose and Thomas straight away!

I think I fell in love with them so quickly because of Kerri's perfect introductions. You fall for characters so easily when the writing hooks you in from the very first word - and it was such a descriptive and memorable opening! I don't usually crave historical fiction or horror, but I'm 100% confident that I'll crave anything Kerri Maniscalco writes.

I agree with Kelly about Audrey Rose proving you can have more than one focus, even in a world that dictates women need to only care about dresses and landing husbands. It was empowering to read the ways she was challenging the norm for herself.

1. My first impression was that Audrey herself might be a bit weird (so excited to have herself elbows deep in a body, like could she be the Ripper?) but I love it! It's a rare and interesting thing for her and Thomas to bond over. And Thomas - swoon. Banter at me boy.

2. Audrey is very much a 2017 heroine, and thought it might throw me out of the story but it doesn't - it's not like we REALLY know what women were up to in the Victorian era. We were so left out of the history books, we might as well write our own parts in it!
Even Audrey's cousin and aunt, they are much more layered characters that you'd usually see. Even if they conform to the norms, it's nice to see that they can think outside of them!

Kelly wrote: "Audrey is very much a 2017 heroine, and thought it might throw me out of the story but it doesn't - it's not like we REALLY know what women were up to in the Victorian era. "

There's often a fine line in historical novels between being true to the era and making sure characters are also free thinkers. We'd hazard a guess that most readers don't want to experience a period story where the main characters don't step out of the society's role for them - but you also have to make it so that they're not 21st Century people living in the past. We think Kerri does this well.

You're right that Audrey Rose has a bit of that modern spark going for her. She's made it so that she's not limited in her options in life. Granted, she did have more advantages than other girls of her time - having connections in a field that fascinated her and the means to afford food, shelter and comforts - but the way she pushes her boundaries gives you hope for the women of her era.

1. I love Audrey Rose Wadsworth and am really enjoying Thomas Cresswell as a character too. Audrey knows what she wants to do with her life and is very passionate about it but also knows that she needs to restrain herself at times with what she talks about and how she acts as she knows it's not appropriate. But that doesn't stop her from doing what she loves and fighting for her place in the world, that at that time in history, was male dominated. She is defiantly not afraid to be with the boys but also can be with the girls, although she defiantly doesn't enjoy it as much. I'm loving the friction that is there between Thomas and Audrey too. It's clear that they are perfect for each other but as both are very strong in their ways that they tend to bicker more. Thomas is a very strong male character who clearly really likes irritating Audrey and is very set in his ways. I'm wondering if maybe the author has written him as being on the autism spectrum, which back then wouldn't have been heard of. I think he displays a few signs that could lead to this.

2. I know back in the 18th century men were thought to be more dominant then females and therefore in most situations men were always right. Women were just there to hold parties, drink tea and basically sit there and look pretty. I am so glad that our world has changed, although it still has a lot more change to go, and that we get more opportunities in the world.
My thoughts on Audrey Rose's cousin and aunt hmmm... I really like her cousin and find her quite spunky and a little like Audrey Rose where she is willing to step a little outside of the norm but not too much. As for her Aunt I don't really like her at all. I think she is defiantly the embodiment of what the world back then saw as the perfect women.

Jessica's Bookworld wrote: "I really like her cousin and find her quite spunky and a little like Audrey Rose where she is willing to step a little outside of the norm but not too much."

It's pretty impressive, the way Liza is finding ways to rebel within the world she's exposed to. We forget - watching through Audrey Rose's eyes - that Liza doesn't really have the same freedom as Audrey Rose. We can see that her Aunt is very set in the ways a woman should look and act. And while Audrey Rose's father is equally determined to set rules for women, he has a much harder time enforcing them on his daughter. Liza's sly comments about showing a different side are a bit like her way of saying there's more to her than this.

Gosh, this book is such a fun read!

1. My first thoughts on Audrey Rose? Boss-ass bitch! For me, she is a mix of Lady Mary from Downton Abbey with Elizabeth Bennett (Austen version & P&P&Zombies). I love that she pursues her passions even though all of her family disapprove. So far it seems she takes after her mother so I hope we learn more about her!

Thomas Cresswell? URGH Their banter is everything. He is very Damon in Vampire Diaries with his dangerous flirting. I want more scenes with him please!

Sarah wrote: "Gosh, this book is such a fun read!

1. My first thoughts on Audrey Rose? Boss-ass bitch! For me, she is a mix of Lady Mary from Downton Abbey with Elizabeth Bennett (Austen version & P&P&Zombies)...."

So glad you're enjoying it, Sarah!

Yes! That's the perfect description of Audrey Rose - she's got that rebellious curiosity thing going for her (if that makes sense). It's not that she doesn't want to please her father, but she just can't sit back and let him crush her dreams because it might be a little dangerous.

I'm a little behind in the discussion but here are my answers to the questions!

1. I adore Audrey Rose! She's so intelligent and confident and I love how badass she is. She's not afraid to stand up for herself even if it's considered wrong in society's eyes. Now Thomas, oh boy he's so calculating and witty. I love their interactions, their tension and banter.


2. What I love about the historical setting is how Audrey challenges it. We're given the setting, the rules and the standards for women, and Audrey just goes "yeah nah, that's not for me." In regards to Audrey's aunt and cousin, I like that they embody what women were "supposed" to be like in society at the time, especially with her aunt. Her cousin's mischief was good in showing a different side to the lives of young women at the time.

Sofia wrote: "Her cousin's mischief was good in showing a different side to the lives of young women at the time."

You can never be behind, the DAB Team is always around to keep up the conversation with you!

We think you nailed it here with the portrayal of women. Audrey Rose's aunt does show exactly how women are supposed to act, and Audrey Rose herself shows another extreme on that scale of what women are like. But it's Liza that helps balance those views; showing that there are all different types of women in that time period - there's not one definitive way to be a woman in any age.