ARC Review: “If Looks Could Kill” by Julie Berry

“If Looks Could Kill” by Julie Berry

Publishing Date: September 16, 2025

Genre: YA, Fiction, Historical, Mythology

Page Length: 448 pages (paperback review edition)

Synopsis:

It’s autumn 1888, and Jack the Ripper is on the run. As London police close in, he flees England for New York City seeking new victims. But a primal force of female vengeance has had enough. With serpents for hair and a fearsome gaze, an awakened Medusa is hunting for one Jack.

And other dangers lurk in Manhattan’s Bowery. Salvation Army volunteers Tabitha and Pearl discover that a girl they once helped has been forced to work in a local brothel. Tabitha’s an upstate city girl with a wry humor and a thirst for adventure, while farmgirl Pearl takes everything with stone-cold seriousness. Their brittle partnership is tested as they team up with an aspiring girl reporter and a handsome Irish bartender to mount a rescue effort, only to find their fates entwine with Medusa’s and Jack’s.

Review:

I love a good historical fiction and Berry does not disappoint readers in If Looks Could Kill mixing the genre with unique fantasy and mythology elements. Based on real events, the novel is grounded late 1800s New York taking readers through the streets of the city that never sleeps. Through the lens of our main character, Tabitha and Pearl, we are guided through their personal journeys and purpose for volunteering with the Salvation Army and striving to help girls like themselves in need of a safe place to call home.

This novel can best be summed up in three words: dark, gritty, and suspenseful. Berry takes her time immersing readers into the story’s setting and introducing the characters before it launches into a fast-paced rollercoaster ride. The alternating point-of-views added a layer of depth to the story by allowing up to connect with Tabitha and Pearl’s backstories, while being chilled at the psychological nature of Jack’s mind. The story is very much grounded in reality and paints a vivid picture of the hardships and dangers (especially for women) faced in that period of time. It had me on the edge of seat wondering what would happen next and if “Medusa” would be able to thwart Jack’s actions.

Berry pays much attention to detail from start to finish. I can tell all of the research she did into crafting this novel which she alludes to in her author’s notes. I came away from with this novel with greater knowledge about possible suspects involved in the case, some of the real historical figures characters were based on as well as learning about the Salvation Army’s beginning. Though the novel talks much about Jack The Ripper, I appreciated that this story focused more about highlighting his victims who are often overlooked in the stories. Instead the narrative is spun to where the women get to share their personal stories and have the power of seeking vengeance against him.

I enjoyed reading the story through the lens of Tabitha and Pearl’s viewpoints and their characters really grew on me. They start out as being stereotyped as one being prim and proper while the other is rebellious when really they have the same end goal. Their friendship and sisterhood that develops over the course of the story makes them feel authentic and helps the reader empathize ever more with their stories.

This was a highly compelling read from start to finish and I highly recommend it!

*Trigger Warnings: Death, Murder, Physical/Mental Abuse, Violence

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.