A Taste for Monsters by Matthew J. Kirby

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Publication date: 2016
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 343
My rating: 4 stars
Ages: 13+

When Evelyn becomes the maid to Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man," she's just grateful to be off the streets and away from prying eyes. But then the ghosts of murdered women start to visit Joseph and Evelyn must leave the safety of the hospital in order to put them to rest.

This is another Jack the Ripper story, though what was new and interesting about this one is that it focused more on the victims than it did on the murderer. Because of the type of women that the victims were, very little thought was given to them and who they were, besides the most basic of information. Kirby gives them history and sadness and reason.

Kirby's theory on who Jack the Ripper was is interesting too, though I found myself wanting more answers than were given in the book.

Evelyn was a relatable protagonist, not because most of us have  physical scarring, but because we have all have emotional and mental scarring. She's also a good person, with some faults, but who sticks to her word and takes care of Joseph with kindness and friendship, despite his own disfigurements.

There is no language, though some sexual references especially concerning prostitution.

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