This is definitely a creepy story and different take on Jack the Ripper along with a good message about how Beauty lies within. It's a great read with a lot of depth and an outlook on the time of Jack the Ripper with a very original perspective.
Matthew J. Kirby is also a great author and good guy - I listened to him talk and teach a class online for a writers conference and he's awesome.
I've read a couple of his books now and his stories are definitely worthwhile. There are some things in this story that are a bit gruesome, creepy, and disturbing, but it is a story in the time of Jack the Ripper so it's to be expected.
I also loved the take on the friendship/relationship between the maid, Evelyn, and the patient, The Elephant Man during the time of the Jack the Ripper murders and the take on the spirits of the Ripper's haunting them.
The CW/TW content I would mention in case is that some descriptions are a little gruesome about the murders (Jack the Ripper), there's some self-harm, an incident of attempted rape and I think that's all from what I can recall.
It's a good read especially for this time of year and gave me a lot to think about with how we should get to know a person instead of making a snap judgment on their appearance and how perhaps things could have played out differently with this other take on Jack the Ripper. ( )

Evelyn Fallow is a young woman whose parents died young. She found work at a matchstick company, but a tragic accident leaves her disfigured. Unsure if she will ever be accepted by society, she continues to find a way off the streets. She gains employment as a maid for John Merrick, also known as The Elephant Man. Through her eventual friendship with Mr. Merrick, Evelyn learns to accept her physical flaws. However, there is violence afoot in the streets of London and soon Evelyn and John are haunted by something much more sinister than they could ever imagine. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.

Story (4/5): This was a very unique and well done historical fiction novel with some supernatural elements. I enjoyed the interesting and different characters and watching them solve the mystery behind Jack the Ripper's killings. There are ghosts in this book, so there is a supernatural theme to it as well.

Characters (4/5): I really loved the unique characters in this book. Both Evelyn and the Elephant Man are somewhat tragic characters that are endearingly human. They are really the feature of the story. The side characters are less well filled out.

Setting (4/5): The majority of the book takes place in the London Hospital, although we do get to venture into the streets of London at certain points. It’s a dark and dreary setting that fits the tone of the book perfectly. I thought it was well done.

Writing Style (4/5): I always enjoy Kirby’s writing style; it’s engaging and easy to read. I enjoyed this book and the writing flowed well, I was completely engaged in the story the whole time and had trouble putting this book down.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this book is well written and engaging and I whipped right through it. I would recommend if you are interested in historical fiction set in London during the Jack the Ripper killings. ( )

Heart warming and heart pounding book. ( )

3.5 stars

Evelyn heads to a hospital in the East End of London not long before the Jack the Ripper killings begin. She is hoping to find employment as a nurse; instead, she is offered a position is a maid to Joseph Merrick, who resides at the hospital. Merrick is more well-known as “the Elephant Man”. Once the Ripper killings begin, Evelyn must help Mr. Merrick deal with the ghosts that are showing up nightly.

I enjoyed this. It’s YA, and I would have liked to have an author’s note. It seems to me that the information about the Ripper killings and his victims was pretty factual, but this is the first I’ve read about Merrick and would like to know more about him. I expect that him living in the hospital and not going out is probably pretty accurate. But, I don’t really know. I did enjoy this story, though. Evelyn was also coming to terms with her facial disfigurement, from “phossy jaw” at her former workplace and preferred to stay inside the hospital herself. ( )