Hunting Prince Dracula Review

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalsco
Publisher Info / Release: Jimmy Patterson Books, Little Brown / September 19, 2017
Source: ARC that was passed on to me.
Rating: 5 / 5 *’s
Synopsis: In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer…or has the depraved prince been brought back to life? 
Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper’s true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe’s best schools of forensic medicine…and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life’s dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school’s forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

**Post may contain some slight spoilers from SJTR, so read at your own discretion 🙂 **

This book was everything I hoped and dreamed it could be. And then so much more! Overall, Audrey Rose feels more developed as you go through this book and her new journey. She’s suffering from some PTSD and is haunted by events from Stalking Jack the Ripper as we watch both her and Thomas go to Romania for autopsy school. We also get to see Thomas in a different way as more of his background and personal life come to light.

Like the first book, there are a string of murders and Audrey Rose wants to figure out what is happening. The clues that she uncovers has you second guessing what you think is happening. Kerri did such a great job keeping me on my toes and trying to guess who the suspect is. (I probably changed my mind about five times….)

There’s a new range of characters in this book – the other students, teachers and occupants of the Romanian Autopsy academy. We also get to meet an interesting person that knows Thomas very well! There’s more female companionship for Audrey Rose, which is refreshing for her since her cousin Liza is still in England. We also get more cranky characters like the head of the school then quirky teachers, so the entertainment is escalated even more than just have Thomas’ snark.

The world building is even more magical in this sequel. I am in love with Kerri’s writing. The dialogue is great and the way she describes the landscape, the food, and little clothing / feature details is fantastic. She has a way of pulling you into the story and keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve finished the scene and book.

And after that ending, I can’t wait to see what happens next for Audrey Rose and Thomas. I’m looking forward to getting my finished copy and I’m keeping an eye out for those signed pages that she’s posted on Instagram! (So if any of you happen to see any news of that before I do, please comment and let me know!!) I’m most anxious to see any teasers that Kerri might show about book three soon.

All in all, I loved this book and I highly recommend you put in a pre-order for Hunting Prince Dracula now!