Escaping from Houdini

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!

Audrey and Thomas are back in the third book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. They are en route to America on the RMS Etruria. They are happy to have a break from murder and are planning to enjoy the voyage and the circus that is performing on the ship. When a girl is murdered at their table during the circus act, Audrey and Thomas need to find the killer fast before he kills again.Audrey and Thomas are still so cute and perfect for each other and I loved every scene with them together. Thomas is one of my top book boyfriends for many reasons his devotion and his heart being two of them. Audrey has some intersecting character development and I didn’t always agree with the decisions she made in this book.I have been wanting more circus books and books set on ships and was so excited when I found out this book had both. I loved the circus and was very mesmerized by the leader of the circus Mephistopheles. He was very charismatic and I was very drawn to his character. The circus added a fantastically and mesmerizing background for the mystery. The mystery in this one was my favorite of the three books so far and the best written. The suspense in this book was very high. Being stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean with a killer or killers with no way out. I can’t imagine how terrifying it would be.Kerri Maniscalco has given us another amazing un-put-downable book in the series. Full of danger, suspense, mystery, romance, murder, and a circus I will not soon forget.Rating: 5 stars

Summary:A luxury liner becomes an ornate prison after passengers are killed off one by one. What do you do when you can't escape the killer? Stop them.Audrey Rose and her partner/ beau are on their way with her uncle and chaperone to America to help solve a series of murders. The Etruria seems like a dream get away- a chance to recharge and watch carnival workers nightly before they get back to work. Someone, though, has other plans. Starting with well bred ladies, passengers are going missing only to be found murdered. The way they are displayed makes one think of a member of the carnival.... but why? The ringmaster swears it's not them and Audrey has an invested interest in finding the killer.My thoughts: I have been having a lot of fun with this series. Audrey Rose has grown a lot both in skill and maturity since Stalking Jack the Ripper (book one), as has Thomas Cresswell. I enjoy watching them grow and seeing what they will do next. The premise of her helping her uncle with forensic studies of the time is also interesting to me, because it isn't one that would generally be accepted- and she does see a lot of backlash. What I liked here, though, and in the second book is that it shows Audrey vulnerabilities, and how she leans on Thomas. Their relationship is moving forward nicely, which of coarse means it's time for another love triangle. Through much of the interaction between Mephistopheles and Audrey, I felt like it was forced and fake- as it was meant to. Once in a while I saw actual sparks... mostly I felt bad for Thomas. This book brought his own insecurities to the forefront too. I feel like there was good personal growth with these two. The idea of the carnival on the cruise ship was interesting and well done and I loved the mystery. I also liked having more information on Audrey's family. Is it the best YA mystery ever? No, but it is good. I feel like the author has come a long way since the beginning of the series (her first book at a young age). Watching her grow in her craft has also been really interesting. Also, I love the artwork. The cover of this one is just gorgeous but she also adds imagery in her books that help me envision certain aspects of the story. For me, this is a four star book. On the adult content scale there is a lot of violence, some language and drinking. All in all it's pretty tame there and my niece will be getting this one. I give it a four.