How far would you go to know the truth about your father? When orphan Carver Young discovers a letter written by his father, he becomes caught up in the hunt for a notorious killer who just may hold the keys to his past. Receiving help from friends, a famous Pinkerton detective, and even Theodore Roosevelt himself, Carver will discover that perhaps it is better to leave the past buried.
I love a good mystery and this story is just that. Set in the turn-of-the-century New York, Ripper is a fun and exciting mystery tale that seems to have it all: chases, intrigue, the crazy mentor, roof-top fights, romance, nifty little gadgets, and a jaw-dropping plot twist that you don’t see coming. While the mystery is intricate, the reader will still be able to follow the story. You are never quite sure where the trail will lead, but you can be assured that there will be adventure along the way.
Carver for me was the true gem of this story. He is clearly the underdog in this story, but the wit and strength he displays will have you cheering for him by the end. He is not out for adventure or the thrill of the chase. He just wants to know who he is and find his father. But I have to say his interaction with Albert Hawking, Pinkerton detective extraordinaire, is by far the most interesting. You can’t quite decide if Hawking is a genius or just plain crazy (he does live in an asylum), but you just don’t care. You can’t help but like him.
With all that said, Ripper is not a perfect story. There are pacing problems and some of the characters feel very two-dimensional. But the adventure and main characters make up for the flaws. Great start to a possible series.