Escaping From Houdini (Stalking Jack the Ripper, 3) Paperback – August 27, 2019

I have so many emotions about this book and that's why I've really put off writing a review for it. I'm also hoping to do a review of this book on my channel as well, but until then...here we go.Escaping From Houdini follows Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell as they get on a boat headed for America along with Audrey Rose's uncle and Thomas' chaperone. One the boat there is a traveling magic troupe led by the mysterious Mephistopheles and joined by Harry Houdini himself. As a string of murders are revealed, Audrey Rose and Thomas must figure out who has killed these people before they dock in America and escape forever.As most of you probably know, I love this series to death. Last year I read both Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula and became obsessed with them. I really love Audrey Rose as a character and I love the relationship she has with Thomas Cresswell. They both balance each other out so well and they really work well together as a team.However, in this book, the powers that be have placed a roadblock between Audrey Rose and Thomas. That road block is none other than the charismatic and possibly dangerous Mephistopheles.He is always wearing his mask and his act never seems to be put to rest entirely. However, quite early on, he develops a fascination with Audrey Rose and strikes up a deal with her. He will help her with her murder investigation as long as she helps with the final act and, in turn, she can't tell Thomas about what is going on.As the sweet little bean he is, Thomas never asserts himself with Audrey and never tries to lay claim to her. He is always telling her that he would respect any decision she made; whether to be with him or not to be with him. He wasn't interested in having her if she wasn't completely interested and in love with him.Some people really hated this love triangle, and I can really see why, but I absolutely loved it and felt like it was well done. I really liked that Audrey realized that there was someone else out there who could interest her in a romantic or sexual way, but in the end decided that despite that she only wanted Thomas. I feel like it's normal for someone who has only ever loved and been with one person to have some doubts and possibly entertain the idea of someone else.Audrey Rose never seriously considers Mephistopheles as a romantic partner, and I think that's what makes this love triangle feel safe. She never fully lets herself become interested in him, despite the fact that she and Thomas aren't technically in a relationship. She knows, deep down, that Thomas is the only one for her. However, she does become intrigued by Mephistopheles' mysterious ways.EDIT: I am genuinely shocked at how many people took the love triangle (if it could even really be called that) seriously. Like...people got actually frustrated because of Mephistopheles' unrequited interest towards Audrey Rose? Like...did y'all ACTUALLY believe that she was going to end up with him? Or even have legitimate feelings towards him? For me, he was just a fun addition to add in some drama. I was never actually worried about him winning over Audrey Rose. Maybe it's because I don't take romance that seriously in books so I just didn't take his advances all that seriously. Or maybe it's because I actually bothered to pay attention while reading and saw how little interest Audrey Rose actually had in him... I mean, it could be either one of those things. I just don't understand how, after reading this book, people can really still believe that the love triangle was that big of a deal. First, people wanted the books to spend more time on the investigations than the romance. Valid. But now people want the books to spend more time on the romance? I'm genuinely so confused. Make up your minds people!I also really loved this murder mystery because I was left guessing the entire time just like the second book! Everytime I thought I knew who it was, it wasn't them. I think Kerri Maniscalco has really elevated the mysteries with each book and I can't wait to see what she does with the fourth book!Something else I really loved that happened at the end of the book, is that Audrey Rose is hurt and needs to use a cane to get around. She doesn't see this as something to lament or feel sorry for herself about. She has no issue with using a cane to walk with and doesn't see this as a hindrance to living her life. I would love to see more of this approach to disability in books because I feel like so many portrayals view disability as something horrible and life ruining.Overall, I really loved this book! There were some things that weren't perfect, but I enjoyed myself so much and I can't wait for the next book in this incredible series!

I LOVE WADSWORTH AND CRESSWELL! So I, of course, was super excited to read the 3rd installment. I didn't get to read it right when it came out because I was in the middle of another series and have small children so it took a bit to get to this one. I read it in 4 days. Which is a pretty big feat with a 2 and 4 yr old at home and working full time. I couldn't stop! A friend said it was her least favorite so far of the 3 books in the series and I can see why, but I loved it equally for different reasons than the first and second books. Spoilers (minor) ahead:Likes:Author's writing style is consistent.Story line was intriguing and kept you riveted.Cressworth duo will always be amazing! Even when their partnership is in doubt because let's face it, young girls can have fickle hearts. It is life people!I loved the new supporting characters- even if they caused some rifts in our main characters lives that were short lived.Enjoyed having Liza in the mix! What refreshing to have another strong female in the story.Carnival theme was a fun addition and the magic of it leaped off of the page.Suspense was not lacking.Great details in the murders and postmortems.Dislikes:Even if young girls can have fickle hearts at times.... I did scream at Audrey Rose for being dumb a lot!Still felt like the details didn't get all put together in the end. Could have been a little more elegant in the delivery of how everything fit together or maybe I missed something cause I read so fast.The third member of the love triangle could have been made out to be more different than Cresswell. Obviously, there were differences but way more similarities (in personality and character) than not. Would have been nice to see someone a little different enter the scene.Wanted more of Cresswell in the story but I guess you can't have a love triangle without two of the member's time being split.All in all, I found it satisfying and was super sad when it was over. Super excited for the 4th book in September!