Kerri Maniscalco

Kerri Maniscalco is an American author who has become a major force in YA dark historical fantasy and adult romantasy, known for blending Gothic atmosphere, mystery, romance, and her Italian heritage into addictive stories featuring strong heroines, morally grey love interests, and settings that transport readers to Victorian London or fantastical demon courts. With multiple bestselling series and a devoted fanbase built through vivid world-building and passionate romance, Maniscalco has established herself as a go-to author for readers seeking dark academia aesthetics, enemies-to-lovers tension, and stories that balance murder mysteries with swoon-worthy relationships.

Stalking Jack the Ripper Series

Maniscalco's career launched with Stalking Jack the Ripper (2016), beginning a four-book YA series that reimagines historical mysteries through Gothic lens. Following Audrey Rose Wadsworth, a Victorian-era young woman who secretly studies forensic science whilst investigating Jack the Ripper's murders, the series combines historical detail with fictional mystery and romance with her infuriating, brilliant partner Thomas Cresswell. The books - Hunting Prince Dracula (2017), Escaping from Houdini (2018), and Capturing the Devil (2019) - take Audrey Rose and Thomas across Europe confronting supernatural-tinged mysteries whilst their relationship evolves from antagonistic to passionate.

The series showcases Maniscalco's talent for dark atmosphere, strong heroines who challenge gender expectations, witty banter between romantic leads, and blending historical settings with Gothic mystery. The books appeal to readers seeking dark academia aesthetics before the term became ubiquitous, feminist heroines in historical settings, and slow-burn romance alongside murder investigations.

Kingdom of the Wicked Trilogy

Maniscalco shifted to adult romantasy with Kingdom of the Wicked (2020), launching her most successful series. Set in 1800s Sicily where witches hide amongst humans, the trilogy follows Emilia, a witch seeking vengeance for her twin sister's murder, who summons Wrath - a demon prince of the Wicked kingdom - and becomes entangled in demon politics, forbidden romance, and mysteries about her own identity and powers.

Kingdom of the Cursed (2021) and Kingdom of the Feared (2022) continue Emilia and Wrath's story, escalating from enemies-to-lovers tension into full-blown passionate romance whilst expanding the demon realm's world-building, revealing conspiracies spanning realms, and delivering the steamy scenes adult readers expect. The trilogy became a massive BookTok sensation, praised for Italian-inspired setting, morally grey demon prince, food descriptions that make readers hungry, and chemistry between Emilia and Wrath that dominates fan discussions.

Throne of Secrets Duology

Throne of Secrets (2023) and Throne of the Fallen (2023) continue in the Kingdom of the Wicked universe, following different characters - demon princes seeking brides, games and bargains, and passionate romances developing through forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers dynamics. These books lean further into adult romantasy with increased steam whilst maintaining Maniscalco's Gothic atmosphere and Italian influences.

Maniscalco's writing is characterized by dark Gothic atmosphere, Italian settings and food culture, morally grey love interests (demon princes, infuriating partners), strong heroines, enemies-to-lovers romance, murder mysteries, steamy romance (adult books), slow burn (YA books), and lush, sensory prose.

Common themes include vengeance and justice, forbidden romance across divides, challenging societal expectations, family bonds (particularly sisters), identity and hidden heritage, power and its costs, trust building through conflict, and Italian culture celebrated.

Her prose is notably atmospheric and sensory - she describes settings with vivid detail (Victorian London's fog, Sicilian markets' smells, demon realms' opulence), making readers feel transported. The romantic tension crackles through witty dialogue and charged moments.

What distinguishes Maniscalco is her commitment to atmosphere and cultural specificity. Her Italian heritage infuses her fantasy with authentic details - food, family dynamics, Catholic imagery - creating worlds that feel both fantastical and grounded.