Cover Image: Who was Jack the Ripper?

Who was Jack the Ripper?

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Member Reviews

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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I was granted this book after publication and wasn't given the opportunity to download before it was archived. So then of course I had to get my hands on this book. I had to know what happens.

It was worth the wait. Though I didnt' feel this book brought out any new actual information there was as little bit of speculation. But the new approach to the typical Jack the ripper story was really appreciated. I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written.

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I had a lot more hope for this one. There wasnt really anything new in this book. I was hoping there would be something new and exciting but I was disappointed.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a very interesting take on the Jack the Ripper case. I just wish new research indicating that the victims were not actually prostitutes but homeless women had been integrated.

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This was an interesting read but it didn't really provide anything new and I wasn't a fan of the different writers for the different chapters.

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This was an interesting take on perhaps the most famous unknown murderer in history. It was intriguing to hear some different points of views and theories from a selection of knowledgeable people. I’m not sure it adds enough to be considered new information but certainly an enjoyable read.

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Jack the Ripper is one of the most intriguing true crime cases in history due to the brutality of the crimes and the fact that we still don't know who was behind them. As such, I've joined millions of others in reading several books about the Ripper. I've even gone on the Jack the Ripper tour in London and visited the murder sites. All of this preamble is to say that I have a lot of knowledge about this case and a strong interest in it.

This book gives the floor to many writers/true crime buffs who specialize in Jack the Ripper. They each look at a different suspect and give their reasoning for why that particular person was the killer. This was definitely an interesting approach to yet another Jack the Ripper book. It worked better in some sections than others. Overall, this is a good addition to any true crime or Jack the Ripper enthusiast's library.

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Having read many books on Jack the Ripper I was eager to read this one and was not disappointed. I found it well written and researched and the debates about the various suspects were extremely interesting. Truly one of histories great crime mysteries

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***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

An interesting look at different theories about one of the greatest mysteries of our time. Who was Jack the Ripper?

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This was a very interesting book. I had heard of some of the men who were thought to be Jack other names were new to me. This is one of Histories Mysteries that I don`t think will ever be solved. Jack really did get away with murder.

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This is a very comprehensive book on the suspects for the Jack the Ripper legends.
It was well written and gave some new insights into this legend.
An interesting idea to collect all the suspects together and debate their story and possibilities of being Jack the Ripper.
Gripping in parts but some parts were difficult to read and this maybe due to retelling of a well known story.
Extremely well researched and enthusiasts of this genre will love this book.
Thanks you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read in return for review.

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Several authors taking on the case of Jack the Ripper. Presenting their theories what might have happened not only with the widely known victims but also with some murders believed to be potential victims. I found this a well written, very entertaining and fascinating book. Sadly, I don't think we ever will know the true identity of the real Ripper.

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I love true crime books. It fascinates me knowing what has happened in Britain! Was a great read 5*****

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I'm pretty keen on anything to do with the Victorian era, so Jack the Ripper has certainly been an area of interest for me for a while. I've read lots of accounts of the murders themselves, discussion about which of London's Victorian murders can actually be attributed to Jack the Ripper, thoughts on why the murders stopped and countless speculation on the reliability of various clues and accounts. This book takes a slightly different slant, instead focusing on the many men who have been named as suspects.

Each chapter within the book names and defends the grounds for a different suspect being the notorious Jack the Ripper. There is an assumption (I think) that the reader already understands the circumstances of the cases, so the focus shifts to a group of men who had the likely psychological profile, the opportunity, the means and the 'skills' to butcher the women. Most of the writers focus on the 'canonical' murders rather than the ones with more tenuous connections to Jack the Ripper.

Obviously, this approach means the book is a series of conflicting theories. One essay may hinge on a particular piece of evidence which another discredits totally. The writers (all respected 'Ripperologists' and members of the H Division Crime Club, but also mostly academics with decent credentials in historical studies) present their cases well, although it is fair to say that some are far more convincing than others.

Ultimately, this book just seems to prove that Jack the Ripper is an unsolveable case, albeit a fascinating one. There is (on current evidence) no way of knowing the truth, but at least books like this add to the discussion and are an engaging read for true crime fans.

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The first chapters were interesting, and I certainly had a god dose of curiosity to know each of the theories, but chapter after chapter it seemed that the contributors were just trying to hard to convince me theirs was the right suspect, and some of the 'evidences' were way too forced to be taken seriously.

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I know what you are thinking, another book on Jack the Ripper. This one is different. It is written by H Division Crime Club, which consists of retired detectives, researchers, arm chair detectives and rippologists. The book actually surprised me. They had very compelling reasons why they that they knew who Jack the Ripper was. I am fascinated by these murders. One doesn't really think serial murders could have happened back in Victoria England, yet it did. For Jack the Ripper to remain unknown going on 130 years, makes you wonder if he will be ever identified.

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Who was Jack the Ripper? touches upon a subject that a lot of us are eager to find out more about. The book itself is entertaining and it definitely goes in depth where are books lack. I believe that true crime fans will eat this book up and will be wanting more.

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I really enjoyed this book and read it over a few days, reading about a few of the potential suspects each night and I loved being able to dip in and out.

I have read an awful lot of books on the subject of Jack the Ripper as it does fascinate me, and I will be honest that whilst the blurb did intrigue me, I did think that it would most likely be a re-telling of things I have read before and I was so impressed to find it was much more than I had expected!

I really enjoyed the way that the book has been written with the different author’s being able to showcase the different suspects. I liked that the writing styles were different and it made for a really interesting read too to see how the different experts were able to put forward their views on who “Jack” was.

This for me is a must read for any fans of Jack the Ripper and the mystery and intrigue that surrounds this character – it is 4 stars from me for this one highly recommended and I thought it was a great read!

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I would like to thank NetGalley, Pen & Sword and the author H Division Crime Club for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Who was Jack the Ripper? Is written by members of H Division Crime Club. These are a group of people who have each became experts on the murders and each have his or her own theory as to who committed the gruesome murders of 1888 by the man who become known to the world as Jack the Ripper. In each chapter the authors present the reader with evidence and reasons why they think their suspect was Jack the Ripper.

I did find this book well researched and interesting but having read alot on the subject prior to reading this book and I don't think I learnt anything new. I think the book would make excellent introduction read to Jack the Ripper suspects,to newcomers to the subject.

No disrespect intended towards the authors.

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Who Was Jack the Ripper?: All the Suspects Revealed is a semi-scholarly look at the possible identity of Jack the Ripper examining the 11 most likely persons of interest using modern forensic and detection techniques.

Due out 19th Nov 2019 by Pen & Sword on their True Crime imprint, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a dense, fact-heavy book written by acknowledged 'Ripperologists'. The 11 potential real identities of Jack the Ripper are elucidated one by one with verifiable historical facts and with a (mostly) logical progression. I found myself reading each chapter and thinking that the author/essayists made a darned good case for every one of the candidates.

The essays themselves are a variable lot. All are well written and enjoyable (if that can be said of the sometimes graphic descriptions of the crimes themselves). The stark reality of existence for the poorer classes in London (especially women without the protection of a family) is a red thread throughout the essays and the authors don't mince words.

I would recommend that readers not try to binge read the book, since the variable voices and information loading were sometimes overwhelming. (I kept having to look up which of the historical players was which).

Especially for historical true-crime aficionados, these essays will make a diverting read. (Spoiler alert, this is a treatise of 11 identified possible culprits, there are no eye-searing 100% incontrovertible denouements presented here).

Very enjoyable. Four stars.

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