Book: Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication date: 2011
Pages: 401

Source: Purchased e-book

Summary: Lacey Flint is a detective in London, but her cases don’t normally fall, dying, into her arms. As a potential witness, of course, she isn’t allowed to work on the case. Except that there are echoes of Jack the Ripper and, so, Lacey Flint’s teenage obsession suddenly becomes vital to the police effort to prevent further deaths.

Thoughts: I’ve never had a big obsession with Jack the Ripper. Which doesn’t explain why I pick up every book set in London with a Jack the Ripper theme. I blame Rick Geary whose graphic novel-style series on 19th century criminals were my first introduction to the form. I learned so much from his Jack the Ripper that stayed in my head, so I don’t feel confused every time the topic comes up.

My most recent experience with a Jack the Ripper copycat murder was The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, one of my favorite books last year. That was YA, so Now You See Me is different from the outset, featuring a professional detective and her colleagues on the force.

I really liked young Lacey Flint. She’s a mass of contradictions and it takes the whole book to explore them. This is not the sort of detective novel where the sleuth is almost a minor character. Instead, we’re enmeshed with the point-of-view character from start to finish. It isn’t always pretty, but it is enthralling.

Appeal: A great book for fans of detective novels, especially if you appreciate strong character development and a London setting (or, share the obsession with Jack the Ripper).

Challenges: Now You See Me is my first book for The British Books Challenge and my second book for The Reading England challenge — a book set in London.

I’ll also link this review to British Isles Friday.

Reviews: Judith at LeeSwammes’ Blog liked this book, too!

Have you read this book? What did you think?