Break the Night

By: Anne Stuart

Narrated by: Caroline McLaughlin

What if Jack the Ripper never died?

As the skies turn red over Los Angeles, Jack the Ripper roams once more. Saucy Jack is back, and women are dying. Caught up in the case, artist Lizzie Stride, whose custom masks are being used in the Ripper murders, is haunted by dreams of the crimes. And even more disturbing? Her name is identical to a victim from 1888. J. R. Damien, a newspaper reporter, is likewise haunted by dreams of the murders, dreams vivid with details only the Ripper could know. Details that later prove true. When he meets Lizzie, he knows something else only the real Ripper would know-she's the next victim. Or will be if he doesn't stop Jack, even if that means stopping himself. Does reincarnation really exist? Are Lizzie and Damien doomed to play out the same hideous dance of death from more than a century ago in the streets of London? And why is he unable to resist Lizzie? Why are they compelled to confront the fierce passion between them?In a struggle between love and death, which will prevail?

©1993 Anne Kristine Stuart Ohlrogge (P)2017 Bell Bridge Books

Jack's back

It strikes me that there doesn't seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I'd start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities.
2 there are redeeming qualities.
3 good worth reading, or well written but not my cup of tea.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.

I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't go into details.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Happily Ever After, Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted, Tragic, Haunting, Scary.
This Audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.

Creepy gem of a story

While the age of this book shows in cassette tape answering machines on landlines and a chain-smoking newspaper reporter hero who drives a car I had to look up, do NOT let this stop you from indulging in a spine-chilling serial killer stalking Venice Beach and a very vulnerable heroine. The PTSD-suffering hero could be straight out of the current media. There's a wisp of paranormal running throughout, but the story stays pretty firmly in the suspense realm on the whole.

WARNING - you might want to avoid listening to this when it's raining because endless rain features in the story. I ended up listening far into the night and jumping out of my skin when a squall came through because the narrator totally immersed me in the story. I love a narrator who gets out of the way and lets me get lost in the story and this one has enough voice differential for the characters without yanking me out of the narrative.

The protagonists are damaged characters that ring true, rather than stereotypical cardboard types and this is an author I'm going to have to grab more of her backlist. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent

When I got this book, I didn’t know what to expect. Being about Jack the Ripper, I thought it was going to be a crime book. Oh was I wrong. It’s a story about the ripper with a very interesting twist. It’s him but it’s not him. Can’t tell you more without spoiling the story. It’s worth reading. Very enjoyable. I definitely recommend it.

I received this book free for an honest review.

Intriguing take on the Jack The Ripper legacy....

Break the Night is an intriguing take on the Jack the Ripper legacy. Anne Stuart takes the basic facts as we know them of the Jack the Ripper murders, but she adds a paranormal twist by introducing a Jack the Ripper that is more a spirit than an actual person. In this story, a new serial killer in Los Angeles is murdering prostitutes in a manner reminiscent of the Ripper case. JR Damian is the reporter whose obsession with the case forces him to quit his job, so he can investigate the murders. The listener isn't really sure why Damian has allowed himself to become so driven, why he feels such a sense of guilt, and why he seems to know so much about the murders. Damian has become so obsessed that he puts the life of an innocent woman, Lizzie, at risk in order to attempt to draw out the killer. Lizzie is a struggling artist whose masks have become the calling card of this new murderer. When Lizzie confronts Damian, the sparks fly, and the two form an immediate and intense bond, mostly an antagonistic one in the beginning but slowly evolving into something softer.

I really struggled to accept Damian's personality through most of the book. He was hard and cold and emotionally unavailable almost to the point of unnecessary cruelty. Even when he starts to care for Lizzie, he is verbally and emotionally harsh. As the author reveals more of his background, I could understand his demeanor, but I still wanted someone more kind and loving for Lizzie's protector. Lizzie was the softer, more giving and accepting member of this investigating team, although she was not without internal fortitude. Luckily, by the end of the story, I was fully invested in them as a pair. For those listeners that aren't big fans of the paranormal, this story is mostly mystery and romance. The book really just has a touch of mysticism added with spirits, reincarnation and past lives, nothing too woo woo. Overall, I found the book incredibly entertaining, and I will be looking for another Anne Stuart book in the near future.

Caroline McLaughlin's narration is amazing. She differentiates well between the male and female characters, and her performance is flawless. She adds just the right amount of emotion without seeming over-the-top-dramatic. Her smooth, light voice is perfect for the romantic suspense genre.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

Creative twist on the Jack the Ripper story!

I really enjoyed this book. I liked the twist on the well-known Jack the Ripper murders. The story was well thought out and very well written. It kept my interest all the way through. I didn't want to stop listening. The narration was also well done! For anyone who is into the Ripper murders and likes the creepy stories, this is one I recommend. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Unique Suspense

Love. Murder. Darkness.

This book has suspense around every corner.

When a mask maker’s masks are used in a bizarre killing spree, she goes on a quest to try and gather up her masks, stopping the killer before the murders become too many. What she learns, however, is a deep dark secret that puts her right in the line of fire.

The overlapping themes in this book made it unique. While it is a murder mystery, it is also a story of second chances and growth.

The narration was perfect.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Sexually charged past lives mystery

Is he or is he not Jack the Ripper reincarnated?! The story holds your attention throughout.
Plenty of sex, violence and language if that is your cup of tea.

Narrator did a good job of bringing the characters to life.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.