Meishuu's Reviews > A la caza de Jack el destripador

1.5 to 2 stars

I genuinely enjoyed the proto-forensic science and the medical descriptions, despite the mystery behind the killings being somewhat predictable. I didn’t mind the anachronisms or Audrey’s feminist ideals either—I did mind that she never really walked the talk.

The feminist themes were perfunctory: Audrey was annoying because she still relied on men to get all of the answers (she barely did any detective work), was never in control of her emotions, and was the only female character with a smidge of plot importance… but when we have people in 2022 still screaming at the top of their lungs that any female character or real-life woman who enjoys things that are considered “masculine” by the society and mores of the time (in this case, forensic medicine) is trying to be “like a man”, or that use the term “Feminazi” without irony, the bluntness of her rants are almost tolerable.

Thomas Cresswell, while not the worst love interest out there (not when anything written by J.L Armentount exists) is just another “smart” toxic man who thinks too highly of himself and has zero social skills. His inductive reasoning, poor understanding of the scientific method, and his leaps of logic come across as laughable; he’s nothing but a discount version of Sherlock Holmes, lacking in personality and intelligence. Thomas spends half of the time “flirting” in inappropriate ways with Audrey, and the other half insulting her intelligence because she doesn’t have plot armor like him. Their “romance” basically boils down to boring banter and Audrey pretending she hates Thomas (which she should, honestly) while swooning over him on the inside.

The murder mystery was quite standard, and the twist at the end, while predictable, was also unbelievable. We’re also supposed to believe Audrey is of British Indian descent, but this is barely mentioned in the text outside of a couple of paragraphs, and actually has no effect on her character. or her family.


Pre-review

Tempted to give this more stars just because of a moronic review (yes, I am that petty) calling the heroine a “feminazi” all while praising the charmless void that is Thomas Cresswell for being “witty”. Gotta “love” that internalized misogyny.