Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2025 It’s 1888 on the Lower East Side, where reports of Jack the Ripper fill the papers and passionate, fiery Tabitha is delighted to be in the Salvation Army, helping the downtrodden. Her roommate, serious, severe Pearl, is less than delightful, but they find a common cause when they commit to helping a girl escape a notorious neighborhood madame. Meanwhile, Jack the Ripper, recently absconded from London, is stalking new victims while evading detectives. Then it gets weird: Jack’s mere touch transforms women into gorgons; when he brushes past Pearl, she becomes an avenging, snake-haired terror. Berry capably uses these elements to explore the rage induced by violence against women while delving deeper into her characters’ pasts. As in Berry’s other books, the quality of the writing is undeniable, with thoughtful interior monologues alongside visceral descriptions of Jack’s gruesome violence. While the plot elements never quite cohere, her extensive research is truly impressive. Teen fans of magic-laced historical fiction who like gory true crime and introspective character studies will find a wealth of that here. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.