 Rating 5/5 Monkshood Manor is alive and is about to swallow unsuspecting sixteen-year-old Cate. She'll meet the home's terrifying occupants face-to-face, and not everyone is who they seem. A night that began as a date with a mysterious, handsome guy she met at the library, quickly becomes her worst nightmare. Things go from flirty to murder-y fast. Will Cate survive? Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may obtain a small percentage (at no cost to you) from any sale of items recommended from this site. See our privacy policy for details. Secrets are the best. In fiction, that is. They leave readers wondering what dirty truth lies just beneath the facade of the characters' lives. Just like us, all characters have them. Cate, Luther, and his bizarre family have more than their fair share. As the chapters unfold, layer after layer is stripped away until the root of a very poisonous bloom emerges. The novel is told in a semi-stream of consciousness style that truly allows us to connect with our protagonist, Cate. She becomes blinded by her hormones, as with most teens, and Luther's overwhelming charm clouds her judgment. Not to mention, the creepy family holds something very dear to her hostage, threatening to rid her life of what she loves most. The Ripper of Monkshood Manor uses relatable colloquial language and topical references to connect with readers and make the story feel that much more real. True horror fans will love the haunted house, shape-shifting, and eerie descriptions of bags o' bones and so much more.  I'm choosing to forgive Cate's irreverence for poet John Keats (haha). Ironically, I thought this quote by him describes how Cate much have felt during the book: "Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced." There were nods to classic horror like Poe's "Tell-Tale Heart," and it reminded me a little of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the legend of berserkers. Fascinating stuff. The book is wildly unique and is perfect for readers who crave fast-paced, modern horror that will keep them up at night--half-buried under the covers, all the lights on, ears tuned to anything creeping down the halls. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on The Ripper of Monkshood Manor. What do you think? Will this one be keeping you up at night? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on my Instagram @vanessakeccles. You May Also Enjoy:
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