In “Felicity Carrol and the Murderous Menace” by Patricia Marcantonio, we quickly find out that “solving the unsolvable and pursuing justice were her main occupations.” So when Felicity brings a murderer to justice in the very first chapter, we shouldn’t be surprised. And then when she decides to travel to the United States because she thinks that Jack the Ripper has done so(!), we shouldn’t be surprised about that, either. And so she does, and we aren’t.

My problem with the book is that this is a historical mystery – and there is no sense of historical time or place to Miss Carrol. She is as contemporary a heroine as a reader could find in any book published today. Obviously we are in Victorian times – Jack the Ripper times – and yet I got no sense of that at all, not from Felicity’s point of view, that’s for sure, and not really from anyone around her. Our super hero, Wonder Woman heroine never speaks a word or has anyone admit that she is doing anything a woman of her time frame shouldn’t be doing. It is never, ever mentioned. She’s too good to be true, and that got tedious after a while.

Personally threatened, she solves the crime in a fashion that should appeal to jack the Ripper aficionados. It’s a clever, if somewhat gruesome end, I do have to say that.

I did enjoy the portrayal of some of the people who populate these pages -- Sheriff Tom Pike of Placer, Montana for instance stood out. If you like someone larger than life, who’s on a mission of personal discovery, who runs roughshod over everyone, you’ll like Felicity. I prefer my characters to be a little more true to time and place.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

In her second outing, a very wealthy Felicity Carrol continues giving Scotland Yard assistance in solving crimes that have stumped their detectives. When a madman begins his killing spree, Felicity wants in on the action even if it means traveling to the wilds of Montana.

This is a well-written book with an interesting strong woman as its main character. The plot of the book is multi-faceted and may have the reader turning pages into the late hours of the night. Marcantonio also gives us an interesting take on who Jack the Ripper really was.

The reader of this book must suspend belief while reading this book. For instance, at the drop of a hat, Felicity moves to Montana with her maid to find the madman whose killing spree started in London and moved to Montana. The reader must also look the other way when the Montana sheriff allows her to get involved in the solving of said crime. Then there is the problem with a supposedly very intelligent woman dashing alone into danger without a concern for her own safety much less those close to her (taking your maid with is hardly taking precautions). And don't get me started on the timeline that the author glosses over.

Assuming you can suspend belief for the duration of the book, this is a good, fast read. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, don’t worry because the author has done a fine job of giving you enough information about Felicity and the secondary characters that you are not left guessing who these people are and what their relationship is to each other.

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an eARC.

A lighthearted approach to a historical murder mystery, there were parts of this book I really enjoyed. I liked Felicity's independent spirit, and her interest in finding the truth. I wanted to believe her relationship with the Scotland Yard detective was genuine, however the belief that it would be strong enough to compel her to board a ship an travel to America to solve a mystery seemed to stretch a friendship that has reportedly only developed as a result of her talents as an investigator.
Once in America, Felicity seems to move around with few restrictions, including moving in and out of the red-light district of a western gold-mining town. Her activities are somewhat unbelievable as she seems to move in and out of dangerous situations relatively unscathed.
The identity of the murderer was designed to be a end reveal, twist, but I had figured it out almost as soon as the character was introduced. Felicity's pursuit of the murderer was almost as unbelievable as she moved in and out of active mining without experiencing any hindrance.
While the "just for fun" reader in me enjoyed much of the book, the "that is stretching the truth too far" reader in me objected throughout. The story moved too quickly in terms of Felicity and Helen''s acceptance of the west, involvement with the residents of the town, Placer, Montana, and then in their return to England. There were a number of themes that might have been more completely explored that would have served to add some missing depth in the story.

I had to start this book over. The first time I started reading it, I had to put it aside after about 25 pages because Felicity’s many good deeds for her servants just annoyed me too much. And how did she get into university? Didn’t she need the permission of her disapproving father?

Second time round - I just glossed over those points.

Felicity Carrol is a young woman of independent means. All her close relatives have died and she is now the owner of a rather successful company. A company she doesn’t seem to run, though she does make efforts to improve the work circumstances for the employees. By introducing education and machines. When she’s not doing that she likes to solve crimes she reads about in the newspapers.

The novel opens with Felicity tracking down a female serial killer. She read all about this woman (including her name) in a newspaper, so how it is possible that the police were unable to find this killer is a little beyond me.

Then Felicity is called to the sick bed of her friend Inspector Jackson Davies. He got sick because he did not take care of himself in his hunt for Jack the Ripper. Jackson shows Felicity an article that suggests the Whitechapel murders have stopped because the murderer relocated to the USA. Felicity decides to follow in his track.

How I wish the author had done some better research.

Though I can to a degree overlook how intimate Felicity and Jackson are towards each other (even if Victorian British were even more formal to a fault than today’s Brits), I can’t comprehend how much money Felicity is spending on buying information. 1890’s dollar has more than 28 times the purchasing power of today’s dollar. In other words, if you spend $20 in 1890 that would be like spending $575 today. Who even carries that much money around in their purse?

The subject matter - tracking down Jack the Ripper - makes this story grittier than is usual for the cozy genre. I think I prefer the more lighthearted cozies, but perhaps that is due too to liking other cozy heroines better. I didn’t start to get an appreciation for this story until the final confrontation with the murderer. That’s a bit late.

Felicity Carrol has been busy since her father died and she inherited his vast estate. She has plans to modernize, raise workers wages, and educate those who want an education. She hasn't seen her friend Inspector Jackson Davies for a while. When his mother asks her to visit, she is surprised to find him very ill. He made himself sick pursuing every possible lead in the Jack the Ripper case which terrified London until it abruptly ended.

Now Jackson has received a newspaper article from a small mining town in Montana which leads him to believe that Jack the Ripper has found a new home. Too ill to travel, Felicity volunteers to go to Placer, Montana to see if she can find the illusive Jack the Ripper.

In Montana she meets Sheriff Tom Pike who has his own ideas about the person who is murdering prostitutes in such a brutal way. However, after consulting with Scotland Yard, he is happy to have Felicity's assistance with her knowledge of medicine and forensics.

I thought the setting was very well done and the characters interesting in this historical mystery. Felicity might be a little bit too good to be realistic but her weakness (her prejudice against men she sees as images of her father) does help to humanize her.

Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this one.

Felicity Carrol is a smart and strong woman. She lives in England and helps Scotland Yard solve murders. You'll enjoy this story about Jack the Ripper. Her forward thinking will keep you intrigued.

This is one of those book that hooks you pretty quickly- Felicity is a law unto herself! She is definitely a modern girl in the wrong era! She's a great character and the first part of the book set in England is a real page turner, and she helps solve a small mystery, and then signs on for a much bigger one, but then realizes she's been played, and as has Davies. When the book crosses the pond, it lost some fo the steam, and couldn't seem to make up it's mind if it was chikc lit or historical mystery. not to say it wasn't enjoyable, it just seemed like 2 novellas that were in a serial. It's a rapid fire solution to the mystery and one that readers might not se coming, and an enjoyable read!

1889. Wealthy, brilliant and very well-educated Felicity Carrol wants nothing more than to use her prodigious intellect in solving crimes. Because there is no one better. So when her friend Inspector Jackson Davies of Scotland Yard tells her he believes that Jack the Ripper is back to his killing ways in Placer, Montana she decides to go.
I just didn't take to the character of Felicity. I felt she had no likeable characteristics and just too unbelievable. That combines with the style of writing made it difficult to finish the book. Though I expect many people will love the fast-paced story.
A NetGalley book

I had been looking forward to this book for quite a while. I love historical murder mysteries so I had high hopes for this series. Unfortunately, Felicity Carrol failed on more than one level. Firstly, there was little about this book that set it in the time period. Other reviewers mention that the characters are far too modern and I'd have to agree. This is like a Disney land version of the period. Felicity uses a lot of Americanisms and then claims to not understand something another character says because it must be American, (I'm all ears) which seems odd when the first recorded use of it was in a London publication over a hundred years before the book is set. It's little things like that, no doubt included to give the impression that some kind of research has been done, but actually just smack of laziness.
My main issue with the book was the character of Felicity herself. Not only was she completely unbelievable, there's nothing that she can't do, but she also has no redeeming features. It's a long time since I've disliked a character so much. She jumps from theory to theory with no sign of there being any evidence for it. In fact her whole trip to America just doesn't make sense. As for her methods, taking photos from eyeballs and the like. I know that it was popular in some books for a while, but we know now that it's a load of rubbish, so why make out that it's successful? By the end of the book, I was hoping that she might get killed by the murderer herself and save us the trouble, but it wasn't to be.
I realise that I'm being quite harsh in this review. If this hadn't been one of my favourite genre's then I might have been more generous. But, it is and it wasn't very good. Really not for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Felicity Carrol and the Murderous Menace
by Patricia Marcantonio
I requested this book months ago and now after finishing it, I’m not sure what drew me to it. It is not my typical genre of reading. This book is a hypothetical extension of what happened to Jack the Ripper cases from Whitechapel, England in 1888.
I have read about these murders and the gruesomeness of the victim’s deaths. This being said I could not fathom a “Lady” of the time chasing this particular crime. The brutality of Jack the Ripper was not a case I imagine a lady waltzing into a scene to investigate as boldly as the heroine Felicity Carrol did in this book. That being said the story was stimulating and the mystery of who Jack the Ripper would be in this story was intriguing.
One quote I did like- “How foolish to hate people because they are different.” How ahead of her times Miss Carrol was in this statement.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am still reading this book but wanted to review bez the book will be published soon. The author is very good - I read and enjoyed the first book in this series - Felicity Carrol and the Perilous Pursuit: The characters are good and storyline is interesting. I appreciate that the author justifies Felicity's access and freedom via inheritance; otherwise the book wouldn't be at all believable (a woman in Victorian era with freedom and education). There are still some points of weaknesses in some of the supporting characters but overall, a great read.

Another version of Jack the Ripper... Shall I stop here? I think not.
Yes, this mystery tends to lean on the cozy side. Yes, the main character is talented rebellious woman way ahead of her times. But...
I found this book extremely fun and finished it in a couple of days. Felicity Carrol is smart, educated, super intelligent and diligent. She is a great detective, great friend and is a lady, no matter what society matrons think of her.
To travel across the ocean to help her friend to close the case, is what real friends do. When it is a case of Jack the Ripper moving countries and continents and continuing on his... killing spree, it is what friends with smarts, clear and sharp mind, and yes, money, do.
This installment of Felicity's adventures made me to want to read more. I do not think I want to read previous story. Author did a great job in bringing reader up to speed with the back story. But I would love to read the next one.
I do believe Felicity is not going to be happy in love.... Prove me wrong Patricia Marcantonio

I think the historical aspects of this book were poorly written and it brought my rating down a bit. Aside from references sprinkled into the narrative, this book could've taken place in modern times. The heroine also felt ripped from 2019 and it's just inconceivable that she'd act the way she does in the Victorian era.

This was an interesting story. Felicity Carroll is an independent, outrageously wealthy woman who is obsessed with solving crimes and often assists Scotland Yard even though some find her overbearing. She was assisting Inspector Davies while he investigated the Jack the Ripper case. Inspector Davies worked the case day and night and got so distraught that he became almost deathly ill. A new murder takes place in Placer, Montana that resembles Jack the Ripper. Inspector Davies is too I’ll to go so Felicity decides to investigate and heads to Montana. I really liked the characters and they way they interacted. The storyline was good but it lagged at times and I had a hard time getting into the book at first. Felicity herself was a little far fetched. She was wealthy, beautiful, smart, in fact seemed to be an expert in everything. She knew about all new inventions and had them reconstructed. She was just a little too perfect. I did not really enjoy the dialog and don’t think it was authentic for that time period but other than that, I enjoyed the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book and I were not a match.

I am sure plenty will adore it, but it wasn't for me.

DNF at 22%

Star rating only given because I have to leave one

A great and interesting new mystery series . I enjoyed it very much and loved the character of felicity carrol i can't wait to read more about her , the people and of course the mystery kept me guessing and I believe others will enjoy it also . Can't wait for the next Mystery

Oh Felicity what spunk you have! Her passion for justice and ‘solving the unsolvable’ is where she finds fulfillment and instead of following the status quo of young ladies in Victorian society she forges her own path. A wealthy heiress, rather then try to attract a husband, chooses to use her financial resources help those in need and fight for justice - this sets her apart from the crowd. From the get go I loved her strength, tenacity and intelligence. When this murder mystery leaves the shores of England for a wild mining town in Montana and bodies begin to pile up - Felicity is on the case. Is there a possibility that Jack the Ripper has made his way to America? This page turner will keep you guessing and looking forward to the next adventure.

A big thank you to the Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #FelicityCarrolAndTheMurderousMenace #Goodreads

As a child, I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries. Felicity Carrol reminds me of those mysteries, but a historical version. I love her character and her adventures. This adventure in the USA was great with a Jack The Ripper twist.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this free copy in return for an honest review. Well, another new author for me and another really good book! This is the 2nd book of the Felicity Carrol series and this one could go on for a long time! Great characters and a really good plot drive this well-written and fast paced book. I usually have about 4-5 books going at one time and this one quickly jumped to the fore. If you have not read the first book it is not necessary to enjoy this book, as the author deftly lets us know the pertinent matters in the first book as we move along with this mystery. The series is set in the 1880's and for this book Jack the Ripper's crime spree has ended when Scotland Yard gets a notice from the NY Times of an apparent murder of a prostitute in Placer, Montana that is eerily similar to London's killings. Felicity is in effect a private investigator and forensic expert and, in order to help her Constable friend who is seriously ill, she travels to Placer, MT to try and track down Jack the Ripper. We meet a host of interesting characters including the sheriff of the town, the town physician, their born-again preacher, prostitutes and many more. While in Placer more prostitutes are killed and Felicity uses the most up to date scientific and forensic techniques to try and solve the crimes. The conclusion is well-masked and believable. Was Jack in Placer, or was it a copycat? Can Felicity solve the crimes or implicate an innocent person? Great stuff. Only part that left me perplexed was why Felicity, who professes profound reliance on science and forensics refuses to follow what those show her and instead pushes ahead to try and make the evidence fit certain people that she thinks is Jack the Ripper. Other than that just a super effort and read!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this one! Felicity is such a great, feisty sleuth.
Is it anachronistic? Yes, but it's fiction and so much darn fun!
I loved the idea of The Ripper moving on and the book keeps you guessing who the villain is!