The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

#1 in Shades of London Series
Published September 29, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Review:  The Name of the Star is an excellent murder mystery that combines historical, comedic, and paranormal aspects to create a unique spin on one of history's most famous crimes.  This book is excellently researched and fully utilizes the urban legends that have grown from the historical facts to create a believable modern day mystery.  


I really loved the main character, Rory.  She is smart and funny and really well developed.  She rolls with the punches and is able to step up to the different challenges she faces and is just totally awesome.  But I have to admit my favorite moments weren't the fast paced action but the small moments when Rory was hanging out with her room mates and friends.  Maureen Johnson is excellent at writing girlfriends.  (I also have to admit that the first 100 pages or so felt like Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins but in London.  Sort of a Aurora and the English Murder, if you will...)


One thing that I have to mention is the humor in this book.  It is very smartly done.  There are pop culture references without being specific.  I really hate specific pop culture references because it dates a book.  Maureen Johnson did a wonderful job creating jokes that are funny because they are funny, not because they're relying on current events that will be forgotten about in a year.  


I'm super excited that this is the first of a trilogy.  The ending of this book was CRAZY AWESOME.  I really have no idea where the next book is going to go, which is both exciting and kind of scary.  The next book is called The Madness Underneath (awesome title, btw!) and it's due out October of 2012 and I cannot wait.  Will it still follow Jack the Ripper, or will it go into a different British myth?  (maybe some creepy Alice in Wonderland?  I'd freaking love that).  The point I'm trying to make is that I'm really hooked on this series and will definitely be pre-ordering book 2.  


Overall The Name of the Star is an excellent murder mystery with a great sense of humor AND a freaking scary ghost/killer that will keep you laughing and guessing on every page.  I highly recommend this book for all fans of paranormal YA or books about European boarding schools.  

Pink piggy mugs....for times of extreme stress