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!