Review: Delightful romance set amid investigation of the dark murders of Jack the Ripper.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 10, 2014
My rating 4.5 of 5.0.Annabelle Jacobs considers herself ‘plump’ and men have shown little interest in her. She has pursued studies and practical interests in spite of her mother’s objections. Her father, before his death and her older brother, Simon, encouraged her interest in attending medical school for women.Drew Foster, a younger son of a Duke, has lived the past few years in a drunken stupor after finding out a dark family secret. He ended up in prison accused of the Jack the Ripper murders though he claims he was framed. When another murder occurs while he is still in prison, Simon, a lead investigator for Scotland Yard, is finally able to arrange Drew’s release. Simon asks Drew to help in the investigation since he may have some unrealized knowledge of the true killer.Although short tempered and rude at their first meeting, Drew finds Annabelle to be a remarkable, bright and brave, as well as a tempting, young woman. Simon is sent off to Scotland while Drew and Anna share time in Simon’s study. Anna is initially studying for her medical exams but soon starts collaborating over the murder notes with Drew.I thoroughly enjoyed the settings and mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper. There are a trail of clues to be followed and interesting experiments Anna and Drew conduct trying to determine if some of the more recent killings were done by a copycat.I really liked Anna and Drew as less than perfect characters. Anna is a sweet but determined young woman who is prepared to make her own way since she doesn’t have the beauty of her mother and older sister. Drew is struggling with the craving to drink and it is delightful that he finds Anna to be a draw that keeps him from the bottle. The romance between them develops sweetly, as well as sensually. There was an extra smile from a side romance between two people that Anna cares for greatly.The story moves along at a good clip with lots of action and clues that kept my interest. I liked Drew’s brother, Alex, and sister-in-law, Mia, and I want to read their story in the first book. I also look forward to the third story which continues Simon’s search to hunt down Jack the Ripper. I highly recommend this book and the series to readers who enjoy mystery with their historical romance.I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review as part of a blog tour.