Capturing the Devil is a Young Adult historical fantasy fiction novel by New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco.
In this article, you will find some frequently asked questions about this book and series. I have tried to answer them as best as possible.
I hope you enjoy reading these, and I hope this post answers some of the questions you may have about this book!
Series in order
Capturing the Devil is the fourth and final book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco.
The order in which these books should be read is:
- Stalking Jack the Ripper
- Hunting Prince Dracula
- Escaping from Houdini
- Capturing the Devil
Capturing the Devil Summary
In this final installment of the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have arrived in America.
Once they arrive, they notice several reports of missing people and unsolved murders.
This prompts them to start their own investigation.
Upon their initial investigation, they find that these murders have a striking resemblance to the murders by Jack the Ripper. This makes Audrey Rose question everything she has thought so far about this killer.
Through all this, they also are planning a wedding. When Thomas’s father shows up at the wedding, it’s not with good news. He does not want his son to marry a “nobody.”
Unfortunately, we discover that Status is more important to his father than his own son’s happiness.
Now Audrey Rose and Thomas have to stop a killer.
But they must also find out if the love they have for each other is enough.
Who are the main characters in Capturing the Devil?
There are some new characters in this book in addition to characters we have already met in previous books.
Thomas
Thomas Cresswell has been a main character in previous books and is a main character in this part as well. However, his relationship with Audrey Rose is more intense than in the previous books. They don’t need to keep the love for each other a secret anymore. Only now he has to face some complications with his father about marrying his love.
Unlike in the first three books, Thomas has a smaller part in solving the mystery. He plays more of a side part in this story while trying to solve his own problems.
Audrey Rose
In the series conclusion, we see the author develop Audrey Rose’s character in a big way. She is finally going to marry Thomas. But then his father does everything he can to stop the wedding. This leaves Audrey Rose devastated and unsure of her relationship with Thomas.
However, she learns to put herself first and not take no for an answer.
And while Thomas is trying to figure out his own problems with his father, Audrey Rose is chasing down a murderer.
Mephistopheles
We first meet Mephistopheles in Escaping from Houdini. He is a master in deceiving people but seems to have a weak spot for Audrey Rose.
Mephistopheles is very charming and sure of himself. He traveled to America on the RMS Etruria where he was the ringleader of the Moonlight Caraval.
Miss Whitehall
At the wedding of Audrey Rose and Thomas, a certain Miss Whitehall appears.
She claims to be engaged to Thomas before his proposal to Audrey Rose. Making her his true fiancé.
Thomas admits to knowing who this woman is, but states that he never asked her to marry him. In fact, it is his father who has a hand in all this.
This is of course all so that Thomas would marry someone of importance and financial means.
Miss Whitehall plays along with this game so she can get Thomas and everything that comes with his name.
Dr. Holmes
Dr. Henry Holmes is an American doctor. Audrey Rose meets him and his wife while searching for clues about the murders.
Audrey Rose isn’t sure what to think of him. She doesn’t have a lot of interaction with Dr. Holmes. But she does speak to his wife a few times.
Grandmama
In Capturing the Devil we first meet Audrey Rose’s grandmother from her mother’s side of the family.
Grandmama, as Audrey Rose calls her, has a house in America. Here Audrey Rose, her friends, and her family stay for a while. This is also the place where Audrey Rose and Thomas were supposed to get married.
Grandmama is a rich and influential woman.
She isn’t someone to mess around with and has a strong personality.
Wedding
Thomas and Audrey Rose are getting married at Audrey Rose’s family house in America.
Family and friends have arrived, as well as Thomas’ father.
However, as I’ve mentioned, he does not want his son to marry Audrey Rose.
Status is very important to him. And Audrey Rose doesn’t have status in his eyes.
Then a Miss Whitehall shows up claiming to have been engaged to Thomas longer than Audrey Rose. She even shows the paperwork with Thomas’ signature.
As it turns out, his father did all this to break off the wedding with Audrey Rose.
Thomas is being forced by his father to return to England and marry Miss Whitehall even though this is not what Thomas wants.
Capturing the Devil’s Dark Side
This book might be the darkest one of the series. Although the other books have several murders to solve, this book’s murders seem darker and more sinister.
In part, this is because the murders that happen in this book are described in greater detail and some of those details are gruesome.
How does Capturing the Devil End?
[SPOILER CONTENT BELOW]
Audrey Rose is captured by the White City Devil. After making his confessions about the murders, he tries to kill Audrey Rose.
In a battle between life and death, Audrey Rose manages to overtake the killer. But not before he is able to set the house on fire with both of them still inside. Audrey Rose tries to find a way out. But she realizes that if she leaves the killer behind to die, she isn’t any better than him. So she goes back into the room and drags the killer outside.
In the epilogue that follows, we see Thomas and Audrey Rose a year after the events. They are staying in Thomas’ family estate in Romania. We find out that Thomas and Audrey Rose still aren’t married. But they have been living together as husband and wife. They both seem content with this arrangement.
Who is the killer?
[SPOILER CONTENT BELOW]
The killer is called the White City Devil by the press and police. But his name, as we learn in the book, is Dr. Holmes.
When Audrey Rose is captured by Dr. Holmes, she realizes he didn’t start killing in America. Holmes confesses to having been in London as well. In fact, he and Audrey Rose met in an alleyway just before Nathaniel, Audrey Rose’s brother, intervened.
All this time, Audrey Rose thinks that her brother is Jack the Ripper and that he died in London. But now she isn’t so sure anymore. Holmes admits to having been involved in the Ripper murders. What’s more, he lets her know he is the true killer.
Quotes from Capturing the Devil
The author again put some beautiful lines in this book. A lot of these lines are deep and meaningful.
So, here are some of my favorite quotes from Capturing the Devil:
- “I long to live in a world where equal treatment is not something in need of commending.”
- “It is a sad truth that we do not live in a world where differences are accepted.”
- “Love is immortal. Death can neither touch nor steal it.”
- “At some point, we’re all someone’s hero and another’s villain. It’s all a matter of perspective.”
- “You’d discover your morals aren’t defined in terms such as black or white, good or bad. Most shy away from that level of introspection. It makes us realize we’re villains. At least in part. We also all have the capacity to be heroes.”
- “If the world thinks we’re heading straight to Hell, we might as well enjoy the journey there. I’d rather dance with the devil than sing with angels.”
Books like Capturing the Devil
- The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry – This a murder mystery set in the late 1800’s. This book also has a strong Jack the Ripper feel to it. Although the writing style is very different from this book, the subject matter is similar.
- The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – This is a beautiful historical fantasy book with a new twist to the King Arthur story. This book has a lovely writing style, and it transports you to the time of kings and knights.
- The Beautiful by Reneé Ahdieh – This is a dark young adult fantasy book about vampires and other creatures of the night. It has a strong female lead character. And also the power of friendship is very important in this story.
Conclusion
I hope this article has answered some of the questions you may have had about this book and the series.
And if there are still more things you would like to know about this book or series, let me know in the comments below!
