I loved this book so much!

The novel takes place in London in 1888, during Jack the Ripper’s bloody hold over the district of Whitechapel.

Sebastian, Viscount Keswick, has a rather unique job for the Home Office. He spends his days concocting potions and ridding the city of “unnaturals”—or individuals with strange powers that work against the Crown.

His friend, Abel, Earl of Wrenbury, longs to be a painter, but he is burdened by a curse that he has kept secret for years. When Sebastian approaches Abel for help regarding his mission and also for help with solving the Whitechapel case, secrets begin to be revealed one by one that threaten to reveal Abel’s curse.

I really enjoyed the unique premise of this book as well as the blend of fact and fiction. The author does take liberties with events surrounding the Ripper murders but does so in a very compelling way to further the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or historical mysteries that take place in the Victorian Era.

The author has confirmed a sequel and I am excited to read it when it comes out!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love historical mysteries with a touch of the Gothic and the supernatural. The Ripper murders with their tawdry setting, chilling brutality and sinister undertones have spawned a huge collection of conspiracy theories ranging from the involvement of a member of an immediate member of the British royal family to the existence and hand of the supernatural. In ‘The Catcher of Souls’, Ruxandra Tarca does a wonderful job of bringing alive the mood of the time and the murders, crafting a marvellously atmospheric story that evokes the best of Gothic fiction. The book was tightly plotted and fast paced, keeping my interest till the end. The only thing that took away from my complete enjoyment of the book was the fact that I couldn’t really connect with Sebastian and therefore had difficult becoming fully invested in the story.

As a classics fan, as soon as I saw for fans of The Picture of Dorian Gray and Frankenstein I knew I had to read this!

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the author wove in aspects of historical fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance. You can tell that the author researched the Jack the Ripper case well and that every part of this story, including characters names and setting locations, had a purpose. If you are a Jack the Ripper enthusiast, if you enjoy retellings and Victorian London/gothic settings - this could be for you.

The pacing I thought was great and I felt that the story moved quite quickly, particularly towards the end when the story really started to unravel. I enjoyed the strong female characters and also the nod to early women's rights in this era. I'm a sucker for a romance subplot too so I have to admit that I was heavily invested in those particular storylines and I hope to see more of them as the series continues.

The Jack the Ripper case has interested people for hundreds of years and obviously still continues to do so. It's a huge mystery which leaves a lot to the imagination which makes stories like this so exciting to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Ruxandra and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this arc.

I loved the Victorian setting of this novel, as well as the supernatural elements that were included. The exploration of obligation and family ties, especially relating to loss, were well-done and subtle while still contributing to the essence of the story. The characters were lovable and dynamic, and I particularly loved how the title played into the story.

Book advertised as "Dorian Gray meets Frankenstein in Jack the Ripper's London" couldn't escape my attention. However, I offer a more precise name dropping description: «Adult Ciel Phantomhive did not make a deal with the devil, but instead became one himself while serving the Queen in hunting down criminals with supernatural abilities. Tasked with resolving the soon to become famous Jack the Ripper case, he enrolled aid from his best friend, a tortured artist Basil Hallward, who possessed an incredible talent for portraits but refused to paint any living beings and seemed to hide a dark secret somewhere in Whitechapel. What shall they do if it turns out that Jack is a big fan of a certain Mary Wollstonecraft-Shelley's literary work?»

I immediately started reading upon receiving a copy and was pleasantly impressed by the elegant writing style and the evident research that went into this work. I thoroughly enjoyed the well-paced plot & organic character development. There was no feeling of rushed action-packing to further the story, and it were the characters driving the plot, rather than having an author whisper behind their back of the next steps to take and words to say. It provided the right amount of detailed descriptions to create a sense of being in a Victorian setting without going overboard and reminding you that it was written 100+ years later. Each character retains the aristocratic status quo of never revealing too much of themselves, while still having their own distinct strong personality. I especially loved the portrayal of women, and am particularly glad Lady Georgiana will make a return as a main character in book 2, but also personally hoping to see more of Lady Christabel, who is probably the most interesting character for me so far.

Additionally, I loved the little hints at the rise in women's rights movement at that point in history, both by the one I didn't know about (Elizabeth Cass) referenced by Anais & Abel's inner thoughts: "was that the fate of all women who lacked the protection of a family or a name? The protection of a man?". It did not read as an outlandish modern feminist idea, it read as the kind of argument that a person from late XIX century would actually have.

I admit, when I saw I was 70% done and yet the plot was no closer to a big culmination, I became wary of the book's pacing as it applied to its low number of pages. I was preparing to be disappointed that there won't be enough pages left to properly end the first part of the story, and that it will rely on a cheap hook to keep readers waiting for the sequel. I am relieved to say that was not (entirely) the case. The pace did indeed pick up after this mark, but it somehow felt organic and not rushed, the urgency made total sense story-wise, and while the resolution was so close, I am not mad at all that "the villain escaped this time" - because we were shown that it made sense for him to escape in the chaos! Ah, the wonders one's writing can achieve when authors SHOW AND DON'T TELL!

That said, it wouldn't be my review if I didn't have some critical remarks, even if they do not diminish the star rating this time:

There were a few occurrences where the characters defining traits/characteristics were brought up in almost the same way in a short span (maybe a few chapters apart). Namely, Anais' "eyes going from green to grey when focusing on an object"; Sebastian's special poison blend (also why was a sleeping drought called poison if it was not actually poisonous?) when used by him & his mother's murder argument used against him by Hyden (at least 5 times). Abel's laments about "missing drawing portraits" & "transferring the very soul of the sitter" hint drops too early on in the story, which uses Dorian Gray as an epithet for itself, were too glaring and did take away a little from the big reveal of this story's own Basil Hallward, if he looked & slept around like Dorian Gray.

Some things were a little repetitive and too on the nose for my liking, as a person who above all values narrative subtlety and being left guessing, especially in mysteries. Such as the way that two women (Christabel & Georgiana) were brought under suspicion in the same manner, by hinting or outright stating their connection to the crime scene or a potential suspect, as well as highlighting their interest in unladylike subjects, i.e. science and anatomy. Likewise, Hyden and Sebastian's father kept being hinted at as the big evil masterminds behind Whitechapel crimes, and with the mysterious "vessel" revealed as a woman it just solidified my personal theory (my bet is on Sebastian's father as the mastermind and his mother being the vessel; unless it turns out to be an entirely new character of course & Christabel is actually involved in the crime and was not just gothic literature-obsessed & morbid 15 yo me)

Similarly to the Dorian Gray-Abel link, it irked me a bit to see Frankenstein as a book mentioned directly in the text as a possible evidence of involvement in the crime, when it has already become apparent that the perpetrator is stealing organs in order to create their own "Frankenstein's monster". I'd have probably not minded if it was mentioned earlier in the story, when Sebastian did not yet know what he was looking for, and it was used as foreshadowing rather than proof of fact.

All of these are, however, but minor remarks and did not diminish my experience or enjoyment of the story whatsoever, so I am very happy to mark this as my first 5 star of the year, and will be looking forward to the next part!

Thank you, Netgalley and Ruxandra Tarca, for this ARC.

I instantly clicked request on Netgalley when it mentioned a Jack The Ripper retelling. So I had high hopes. And oh my gosh, it did not disappoint!

First time that I am reading a book where two men are the main characters. I loved the dual POV! The most handsome bachelors of England. One of them is an assassin who makes poisons to murder the 'unnaturals'. The other has a secret that no one can know about or it will cost his life (and others). Together, they are on the search for the person behind all those gruesome murders in London, The Ripper. Along the way, they get help from an emerald-eyed beauty and a brazen lady.

The writing is exquisite. You instantly get pulled into the story. The different backgrounds and the strong relationships between the characters in this book are beautiful. All is so well-thought! Never a dull moment throughout the story. I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time. The story was gripping and action-packed, and I loved the mystery. The romance was so enthralling. Even the two men made me swoon! There is no spice. The magic happens behind closed doors. ✨️

This book has an open ending, which made me scream cause the last pages were so suspenseful, and I still have so many questions. So, I hope the second book will soon be released. I want to know more about the characters, their relationships, and the murderer. It's just such an intriguing story!

Rating 5/5 ⭐️

The Catcher Of Souls by Ruxandra Tarca is the first book in The Cursed Arts series. We follow an assassin who hunts those who have powers that go against the grain of natural and a painter whose talent goes beyond what is considered normal. When a killer with the moniker “Jack the Ripper” appears and starts a horrific crime spree it is up to both of them to find the killer!

I DEVOURED this!. Ruxandra does such an amazing job blending historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery. The characters were all complex even those who may not have seemed important to the story.

The plot was plotting. I absolutely loved this twist on real life events in history. It was a captivating and dark read luring you into the dark streets of London trying to solve these murders before the killer can take their next victim!

This is perfect for those who enjoy historical fantasy, dark gothic vibes, and a little romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Catcher of Souls is the first in a promised trilogy of novels based on the murders committed by the infamous Jack the Ripper during London’s Victorian Era. The story follows best friends Viscount Sebastian Blackmore and Earl Abel Dunsmore. Sebastian is employed by a secret department of the Home Office, for whom he puts ‘unnaturals’ – a group of people that have developed an array of strange powers. Abel is a cursed painter, in love with a society lady that isn’t interested in his affections.

When Jack the Ripper begins to leave unnatural women dead in the streets with their organs missing, Sebastian and Abel team up to find a way to stop the murders. Their task leads them down several dangerous paths, meeting unexpected allies and making surprising enemies along the way.

Tarca does a wonderful job of immersing the reader in Victorian London. The setting is extremely believable, from the gaslit streets to the pitch-black carriages and changing fashions. The prose is well written and full of suspense. The pacing was great for a thriller, and while it did become faster towards the conclusion of the novel, the ending remained satisfying. I admit to not knowing precisely who the culprit was until the very end. I am certainly interested in picking up Tarca’s next installment when it arrives.

The Catcher of Souls is an exciting new take on the classic Jack the Ripper tale. It introduces us to Viscount Sebastian Blackmore and his best friend Earl Abel Dunsmore - one an assassin who goes after "unnaturals" on behalf of the Home Office, the other a gifted painter with secrets to hide - as they become caught up in the mystery killings and the impact on their own lives. It is an excellent depiction of the class differences of Victorian Era London, and it is clear that the author did significant historical research for the series. Overall I enjoyed the book, however I struggled with the heavy handed exposition and characters who felt two-dimensional for much of the story. That said, the book picks up significantly in both pace and quality as it goes along, and I will certainly continue with the series when book 2 comes out.

3/3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC to review.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects woven into the plot. This novel blends historical fiction with thriller and horror elements, creating a gripping and fascinating read. The mystery unfolds with well-executed plot twists and suspense that keeps you hooked. I highly recommend this book.

This was a very unique and interesting twist on the classic Jack the Ripper tale. I really liked the fantasy element of including the victims being 'unnaturals' as the reason they were targeted. Sebastian goes through some pretty serious character development, which makes him a likeable and understandable character. I also really liked the stark contrast between the rich and poor and the way the author highlights this inequality through their attitudes to the murders. I really appreciated the element of mystery in the ending. Overall, a really solid read!

This takes you back to the past and was a blast reading. It’s written well and the plot/twists/grime/thriller all a combo in one makes it a splendid read. I recommend this book for crime, thriller, adventure and history lovers.

The Catcher of Souls by Ruxandra Tarca is the first book in her The Cursed Art series.

Taking place in Victorian London Sebastian, the heir to the Duke of Allensmore, is part of a department that eliminates people who possess "dangerous" abilities.

I loved the historical aspects of this book. Tarca's writing made me wonder if Jack the Ripper would show up.

This is a must read for people who like historical fiction with a little horror/thriller thrown in. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this book. A throw back to Jack the Ripper and all the strangeness of that time in London. I will definitely want to read the other books to come in this series .

This is a wonderful opening to a new series. I admit I had different people picked out as the bad guys, which pleases me immensely. I can't wait to see how book two continues the story!

Retellings and stories inspired by Jack the Ripper lore are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I was immediately intrigued by this book. The addition of a Dorian Gray-inspired character sealed the deal for me, as The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my all-time favorite books.

There were several aspects I enjoyed—the story had moments that reminded me of classic 80s/90s films with a clear hero, villain, and resolution, which gave it a nostalgic charm. Though it had a slow start, Ruxandra Tarca's style of writing is easy to read. I also really appreciated the depth of research that went into the historical details, especially regarding poisons and the social hierarchy of the time. Abel was a standout character for me, though I may be a bit biased due to my love for Dorian Gray.

That said, this book wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. The dialogue felt unnatural in places, coming across as more suited for a screenplay than a novel, which sometimes pulled me out of the story. I also found myself rereading the summary a few times in the beginning to clarify what was happening. My biggest struggle was with Sebastian—his characterization felt somewhat lacking depth, and his motivations, while straightforward, didn’t feel as fleshed out as I would have liked.

While this book didn’t fully work for me, I can see how it would appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a cinematic feel and detailed research. If you’re a fan of Jack the Ripper-inspired tales and gothic themes, it might be worth checking out!