For history buffs: I recommend reading Devil in the White City by Erik Larson—it’s a wonderful book that weaves together the story of Holmes’s dark fantasy and America’s gleaming beacon of hope. One tale was a dream and the other a nightmare, but both were centered around the Chicago World’s Fair.
Any other historical inaccuracy not mentioned was done to enhance the world in this fictitious tale of murder, mystery, and romance.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
When I first started drafting Stalking Jack the Ripper, I wanted to write a story about a girl who loved forensics as much as I do. While Audrey Rose had many Victorian-era obstacles to overcome, she also had a core support team in Uncle Jonathan, Thomas, Liza, Daciana, Ileana, and her father, who all helped her pursue her dreams. I’m blessed to have an equally phenomenal team supporting me, and each of them has played a role in making my dreams come true.
Mom and Dad, thank you for all of the weekend trips to the library and bookstores growing up, for teaching me to never give up, no matter how dark the road gets, and for your unwavering love and support. I couldn’t have done this without you both.
Kelli, thank you for letting me use your store’s name in this book for Audrey Rose’s gowns—Dogwood Lane Boutique—and for being the best sister and early reader. I’m so excited about our collaboration for Stalking Jack the Ripper series merchandise and love it (and you!) to jewel-toned pieces.
To my family, Ben, Laura, George, Aunt Marian, Uncle Rich, Rod, Rich, Jen, Olivia, Bob, Vicki, George, Carol Ann, Brock, Vanna—thank you for being my cheerleaders.
None of this would’ve been possible without my agent, Barbara Poelle. There will never, ever be enough words to thank you for fighting for me and for believing in this series. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a fierce (Godzilla stain) coffee-spilling agent (and friend) on their side and in their life. Cheers to prosecco in hotel bars, endless laughter, suddenly getting weepy over completing this series, and everything in between. Love you, B!
To the entire team at the Irene Goodman agency for all that you do every day. To Heather Baror-Shapiro for getting my books into readers’ hands in so many incredible countries. To Sean Berard and Steven Fisher at APA for the Hollywood treatment Thomas Cresswell adores.
To Jenny Bak—I cannot believe I was lucky enough to find a home with the best editor around, who’s also turned into a wonderful friend. Thank you for being one of the first Thomas fans, for begging me to add that one kiss in SJTR that changed it all, and for working your magic on my second and third drafts… and all of that bonus content I surprise you with! I am so happy we get to continue our next adventure together! Best partner in crime publishing ever.
To JIMMY Patterson Books, I still pinch myself when I think about working with each of you, the ultimate publishing dream team. Thank you to Julie Guacci (aka Momma Julie!) for always making sure my tour and event schedules are manageable for me. Erinn McGrath, Shawn Sarles, Josh Johns, T. S. Ferguson, Caitlyn Averett, Dan Denning, and Ned Rust—you’re all amazing. Huge shout-out to Tracy Shaw and Liam Donnelly for not just one, but two magnificent covers for CTD, plus each cover before it! To Blue Guess, the Hachette Sales team, and Special Sales team, infinite thanks for getting this series into so many places for readers to choose from. Linda Arends and the production team—you are formatting magicians, and I’m so happy I get to work alongside you. Many thanks to James Patterson, who continues to support my writing and books in amazing ways.
To Sabrina Benun and Sasha Henriques—thank you for every bit of magic you both offered to this series. It has been an absolute joy to work with you on all four books!
Stephanie Garber, I can’t thank you enough for all of our brainstorming sessions, for chats about life outside of publishing, and for the gift of your friendship. Here’s to new adventures and our book club!
To Traci Chee, Evelyn Skye, Hafsah Faisal, Alex Villasante, Natasha Ngan, Samira Ahmed, Gloria Chao, Phantom Rin, Stacee (Book Junkie), Lauren (Fiction Tea), Anissa (Fairy Loot), Bethany Crandell, Lori Lee, Kristen (My Friends Are Fiction), Bridget (Dark Faerie Tales), Brittany (Brittany’s Book Rambles), Melissa (The Reader and the Chef), Brittany (Novelly Yours), Gabriella Bujdoso, Michelle (Berry Book Pages), and the Goat Posse, you bring sunshine into my life. Thank you for all of the smiles both online and in person.
Booksellers, librarians, bloggers, bookstagrammers, artists, Fae Crate, Beacon Book Box, Shelf Love Crate, Fairy Loot, and lovers of fictional worlds, thank you for falling in love with these goth kids obsessed with STEM, and for being so excited about this series.
And to you, dear reader. Thank you for going on this final adventure with Audrey Rose and Thomas. Getting to share this series with you has been an absolute dream—a wild, unbelievable, wholly precious dream I still can’t believe came true.
I encourage you to pursue your passions and live life authentically, just like Audrey Rose. You are incredible, and there are no limits to what you can achieve. That is a fact more tangible than any of Thomas Cresswell’s deductions. Beyond life, beyond death, my love for thee is eternal. xoxo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside New York City, where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats. Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and Hunting Prince Dracula and Escaping from Houdini were both New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. She’s always excited to talk about fictional crushes on Instagram and Twitter @KerriManiscalco. For updates on Cressworth, check out Kerrimaniscalco.com.
JIMMY PATTERSON BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULT READERS
James Patterson Presents
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco
Becoming the Dark Prince by Kerri Maniscalco
Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely
Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn
Campfire by Shawn Sarles
When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall
Swipe Right for Murder by Derek Milman
Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
Sword in the Stars by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
The Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
The Angel Experiment
School’s Out—Forever
The Final Warning
MAX
FANG
ANGEL
Nevermore
Maximum Ride Forever
The Confessions Series by James Patterson
Confessions of a Murder Suspect
Confessions: The Private School Murders
Confessions: The Paris Mysteries
Confessions: The Murder of an Angel
The Witch & Wizard Series by James Patterson
Witch & Wizard
The Gift
The Fire
The Kiss
The Lost
Nonfiction by James Patterson
Med Head
Stand-Alone Novels by James Patterson
The Injustice (previously published as Expelled)
Crazy House
The Fall of Crazy House
Cradle and All
First Love
Homeroom Diaries
For exclusives, trailers, and other information, visit jimmypatterson.org.
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