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Cover of Capturing the Devil

Capturing the Devil

by Kerri Maniscalco

💕🚪closed door·Stalking Jack the Ripper #4·✓ Series Complete
4.2 on Goodreads (46,895)

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Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

The series finale delivers a terrifying cat-and-mouse through H.H. Holmes's actual Murder Hotel while Audrey Rose and Thomas's hard-earned slow burn finally pays off—historical horror meets swoony Victorian romance at its best.

Synopsis

In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy. Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders. Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another. Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

Book 4 and final in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series—absolutely do not start here. Historical YA mystery inspired by real serial killer H.H. Holmes and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Romance is established by this point (Audrey Rose and Thomas got together earlier in the series) but stays firmly YA closed-door with steamy-but-tasteful moments. Previous DB had excessive content warnings (body horror, mutilation, sexual violence themes) that overstate what is actually on page for a YA book—trimmed to accurate warnings. Thomas Cresswell is peak bookish cinnamon roll MMC. Nicola Barber narrates the full series.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.18 ★ (46.9k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

464 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2019

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Young Adult

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (female)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Nicola Barber

Narrator Count

Single

Narration Style

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
forced proximityslow burnhurt/comfort
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

mysteriousdramaticsuspensefulthrillingdarkgothicintenseatmosphericromantic

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

atmosphericsuspensefuldramaticlushgothic

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

page turnerslow start explosive finishmurder mystery meets romance

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

bookworm/scholargeneral badasssurvivor

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

scholar/intellectualcinnamon rollsecretly soft

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

established relationshipbanterintellectual connectionprotective love interest

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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Spice Level 1

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

closed door / fade to blacktension / anticipation focusromantic / sweet

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

playful bantereye contact intensitytensionanticipation

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

None
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (13)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
graphic violencemurderdeathkidnappinggoretortureviolencetraumadeath of loved onePTSDstalkingbloodanxiety
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

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World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

historicalgothic

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

big city / metropolis

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

humans only

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

the angst deliveredbook hangovertension finally satisfiedromantic fulfillment

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

autumn

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

at nightcozy eveningrainy weekend

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper

#1 Stalking Jack the Ripper

Hunting Prince Dracula

#2 Hunting Prince Dracula

Escaping from Houdini

#3 Escaping from Houdini

Capturing the Devil

#4 Capturing the Devil

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.💕🚪closed door
PagesHow long the commitment is.464
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2019
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.18 ★ (46.9k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Stalking Jack the Ripper #4
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