Title: If Looks Could Kill
Author: Julie Berry
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: September 16, 2025
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Summary
It’s 1888 and police are closing in on Jack the Ripper. As he’s on the run in London, an awakened Medusa is also chasing after him. And she’s read for vengeance.
Meanwhile in Manhattan, Tabitha and Pearl are Salvation Army volunteers who are determined to help a girl who has been forced into a brothel. Their rescue efforts also bring a reporter and an Irish bartender willing to help; little do they know, their paths are about to cross with Jack the Ripper and Medusa.
Review: If Looks Could Kill
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of If Looks Could Kill by Julie Berry to review! I was intrigued by the premise of this book: Medusa meets Jack the Ripper. What a fascinating combination, honestly. The writing style took a bit for me to get used to in the beginning, but once the plot picks up, this book is hard to put down.
If you’re intrigued by Jack the Ripper, it’s clear that Julie Berry did a lot of research into this time period. We get a fantasy element with the introduction of Medusa. The way it’s introduced works really well for the story. The concept of Medusa in this book also felt different than other Medusa books. Berry makes it mesh well with what we know about Jack the Ripper, and makes it feel like an original story.
Highly recommend checking out the back matter in this book; Berry goes into detail about Jack the Ripper and how she researched for this book and it’s fascinating. And really gives more context for the entire book!
If you like historical fantasy, Greek mythology, and true crime, I’d definitely recommend checking this book out!
4/5 stars