The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When Rory Deveaux first transfers from Louisiana to London, she can’t help but feel out of place in her new surroundings. However, just as Rory starts to call her boarding school her home, her life is suddenly disrupted as a nearby killing spree shockingly similar to that of the Jack the Ripper murders begins. When horrific footage of a woman being slaughtered by an unseen force comes to light, police suspect a ghostly hand is behind the ordeal. Rory finds herself in the midst of the mess when she is able to spot the murderer and inadvertently becoming his next target. The Name of the Star is brilliantly written. Rory is an ensnaring character: witty, brave, and charming, and she carries the narrative with both stunning confidence and loving vulnerability. While Johnson does introduce a love triangle, it is subtle and does not detract from the story. Johnson ends The Name of the Star with a compelling plot twist hooking readers for the sequel: The Madness Underneath. Anyone looking for a thriller will be thoroughly satisfied!
Harker US Book Blog 