The Cutthroat by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott

"The Cutthroat" by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott. This book is published by Penguin in 2017 and has 400 pages. This is Book 10 of Issac Bell series.

Anna, a daughter of wealthy businessman, is missing. She was fond of theater. Van Dorn detective agency is hired. Her dead body is found, throat slit and crescent shaped marks on her body. More bodies are found, all petite blonds. Issac Bell has a serial killer on hands. The cutthroat. There are some similarities of modus operandi with London's Jack the Ripper who operated twenty years ago.

Who is this new killer? Is he inspired by Jack the Ripper? Can Bell trace him? Can he be stopped?

This book has two stories. One is of course that of Cutthroat. Second is of a play Jekyll and Hyde. This Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a play with a difference. It has Mr. Barrett & Mr. Buchanan playing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde alternatively. It also stars the heroine in an important role. There is a big twist to the original story.

In search of clues, Bell reaches England, the place where Jack the Ripper operated. Here he manages to unearth information that was otherwise unknown. He has a shocking revelation. What is it?

Bell adventures have a standard format. High profile crime, use of locomotives, series of crimes, criminal is a public figure, there is a chase and Bell apprehends the culprit after a duel at the end. This book too follows this formula.

Narration is good. Atmosphere of year about 1910 is created very well. Ship travel, Locomotives, Early days of movies, Theater tours etc. create the period atmosphere. However this book doesn't have lot of locomotives or chase. Reader is blown away when Jack the Ripper connection is revealed.

Although it is a good book, it's not as good as other Bell series books.

Why did I read this book? Clive Cussler. 

What I didn't like? No chase. Climax not satisfying.

What did I like? Jack the Ripper connection. 

A good book. Recommend reading.