Cover Image: One-Armed Jack

One-Armed Jack

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Member Reviews

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

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Without giving too much away, this is a really compelling read and very interesting. A very compelling case is made for who the author thinks could have been Jack The Ripper and it was interesting to read. If you have an interest in true crime, I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Sarah Bax Horton and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

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This had everything that I was hoping for in a true crime nonfiction book. It does a great job in analyzing the new approach to Jack the Ripper. I thought Sarah Bax Horton does a great job in writing this and leaving me wanting to continue reading this book. It was well researched and thought the flow worked well.

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Sarah Bax Horton investigates the Jack the Ripper murders from 1888 and she has a suspect, Hyam Hyams, Whitechapel resident. Hyams hurt his left arm, leaving him unable to work as a cigar maker and permanently disabling him. He was also an alcoholic, mentally ill and epileptic. He also liked to murder prostitutes & then duck back into his nearby Whitechapel residence, easily evading the police.

This book was interesting & very detailed. Bax Horton really looked into every angle to prove Hyams was Jack the Ripper. His proximity to the killings and instability do make him a viable suspect. We’ll never know!!!!

Thank you, NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group, Michael O'Mara and Sarah Bax Horton for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Since hearing about One-Armed Jack on Goodreads, I have really wanted to read Sarah Bax Horton's nonfiction book and I'm so glad I did. The mystery of Jack the Ripper's true identity has gripped the curiosity of the public and police alike, with dozens of suspects from the 1880s to today. Horton, a descendant of one of the original investigators, creates a compelling and well-researched argument that Jack the Ripper was Hyam Hyams: a man known for violent outbursts during the time of the Ripper murders.

One-Armed Jack was such an amazing and intriguing book that was incredibly detailed and well-informed and kept me interested from cover to cover. I especially loved the crime reconstructions at the end of each chapter, giving further insight as well as letting Horton's voice and thoughts come through in a way that is neither condescending nor pedantic.

Overall, One-Armed Jack was an intriguing read that is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about another Ripper suspect or any true crime fanatic.

Thank you, NetGalley, Independent Publishers Group, Michael O'Mara and Sarah Bax Horton for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

"One-Armed Jack" by Sarah Bax Horton is a poignant and gripping novel that explores themes of loss, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. The story follows Jack, a young man who loses his arm in a tragic accident and must learn to navigate life with his new reality.

Horton's writing is both evocative and lyrical, drawing readers into Jack's world and allowing them to experience his pain, struggles, and triumphs alongside him. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique voice and perspective.

One of the strengths of the novel is its exploration of the emotional and psychological impact of disability. As Jack comes to terms with his new identity, he must confront his own insecurities and fears, ultimately finding strength in his vulnerabilities.

Overall, "One-Armed Jack" is a powerful and moving story that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading. Horton's storytelling is both sensitive and compelling, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel.

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It’s a subject that has been covered for many decades but it never seems to get old. That’s of course because we can’t know who Jack the Ripper was. This is another new wrinkle. It’s yet another man who in some ways fits the bill. Quite interesting and for folks who follow this, worth a read. This is about a violent man who had limited use of his left arm. For me, hard to believe he could overtake another person with that problem but I’m no expert. Maybe he could get the women to let their guards down. Worth a read.

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Does being an ancestor of a law enforcement officer who actually worked on one of the most famous in true crime history make you an expert on the afore mentioned case? Perhaps not but this author makes a convincing attempt.While heavy with autopsy details and eye witness accounts which sometimes lead to our alleged suspect sometimes not I felt something was just off about our perpetrator.The math wasn't mathing in other words to me as I've read a few books and seen many documentaries on the subject.However,Hyam Hyams is an interesting possibility which made for a compelling read.

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An intriguing true crime story and look at whom Jack the Ripper was. The story is well-told and full of good accounts by those involved. A good read for the crime enthusiast.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 27, 2024
Sarah Bax Horton’s great-great grandfather was one of the police officers charged with solving the biggest unsolvable case ever seen in Whitechapel, London- the case of Jack the Ripper. Now, over one hundred years later, Horton uses a collection of sources to cast a light on one suspect in particular, who Horton (and others) claim to be The Ripper himself.
“One-Armed Jack: Uncovering the Real Jack the Ripper” provides all of the background information you already know on the canonical five women brutally murdered by Jack. It also, however, presents the cases in a “what-if” format, outlining how the story could’ve happened with Horton’s main suspect at the helm.
“Ripper” supplies a LOT of geographical information on Whitechapel and its surrounding areas, everything up to and including street names. This serves a purpose, as Horton uses this information to prove that the suspect was familiar with places that provided clean getaways, but it was very dense for someone like me (someone outside of the U.K.), who has more of an interest in the Ripper and his victims, as opposed to the geographical layout and places where the Ripper could’ve found temporary cover.
I won’t give away Horton’s (and others, including one of the leads on the case) assumed suspect, but I will say that Horton makes him seem possible. I didn’t automatically jump up and scream, “that’s it! They’ve solved it!” but she makes a compelling case for a decent possibility.
I found the information Horton provided from the court proceedings (to determine whether the women died by murder or by natural causes) very interesting, as she supplied transcripts of witnesses in their own words. I found I was able to understand the victims a little better this way, too and felt more connected to them as women and humans then as looked-down-upon miscreants.
“Ripper” presents the facts of the case that you know and others that you don’t, through legitimate historical documentation and transcripts. Whether or not Horton’s “Ripper” was actually Jack? Well, that’s something I’ll leave up to you to decide.

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Having been granted early access to "One-Armed Jack: Uncovering the Real Jack the Ripper" by Sarah Bax Horton through NetGalley, I appreciate the author's dedication to shedding new light on the infamous Jack the Ripper case. Horton's innovative approach and meticulous research contribute to a compelling exploration of this historical mystery.

The book effectively introduces a lesser-known aspect of the case—One-Armed Jack—offering a fresh perspective on the widely studied subject. The narrative strikes a commendable balance between a scholarly approach and engaging storytelling, making it accessible to both enthusiasts and newcomers to the Jack the Ripper saga.

Horton's writing style is clear and concise, making complex historical details understandable. The pacing of the book is well-managed, maintaining suspense throughout the investigation. The vivid descriptions and characterizations enhance the atmospheric setting, providing readers with an immersive experience.

While I appreciate the unique angle presented in the book, it would be beneficial to further emphasize the evidence supporting the One-Armed Jack theory. Strengthening this aspect would provide readers with a more compelling and convincing argument.

Additionally, offering a bit more context on the existing theories and their critiques would help readers better understand the significance of the new perspective presented in "One-Armed Jack." This could enhance the overall impact of the book and encourage a more thorough consideration of the alternative theory.

Despite these suggestions, I commend Sarah Bax Horton for her dedication to unraveling the Jack the Ripper mystery and for providing readers with a thought-provoking reinterpretation. "One-Armed Jack" is a valuable contribution to the literature on this historical enigma, and I believe with some further emphasis on evidentiary support and context, it could become an even more impactful addition to the field.

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I am a sucker for a Jack the Ripper book. I can't not pick them up. It's a compulsion that normally is entertaining if nothing else, and sometimes even enlightening.
This is yet another "I know who Jack really is" books.
Usually, I find the arguments of who Jack is interesting if not convincing, and a few have made me wonder if maybe they got it right.
Unfortunately "One-armed Jack" doesn’t fall into that group.
While I have seen nearly every possible suspect, most are defended with real evidence or at least supposition that is hard to argue with. I did not find that in this account. The man accused, Hyam Hyams, was indeed a violent man and I suppose he could have been the Ripper. My issues came with the reasoning given here, how Hyams was in the right place at the right time, how he lived close, how he frequented the same pubs, shops, and streets as the victims.
Yes, I suppose he did. He lived in Whitechapel at the time of the murders and the East End area is only so big. I would have been more surprised if their paths hadn't crossed.
The case seemed forced to me. The man made to fit the crimes instead of the crimes fitting the man.
As for the actual book; I found it hard to follow the trail of logic. Accounts and statements were repeated multiple times as if they were being beaten into my head until I agreed.
Not the best of the Jack the Ripper books out there I'm afraid.
If you know nothing about the case, you may find this enlightening. I did not.
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Based on original research and groundbreaking analysis, this revelatory book proposes a compelling new suspect as Jack the Ripper, linking eye-witness accounts to the perpetrator's official medical records. The suspect, identified with distinctive physical characteristics, experienced a severe decline triggered by epilepsy and a broken left arm in early 1888. The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the killer, detailing his methodology, including the blitz-style attacks on victims and his successful escape from crime scenes, reconstructing each of the six murders to support the new suspect's culpability.

Over a hundred years after the terror wrought by Jack the Ripper, his identity is still debated by many. Using witness interviews and records from the investigation, the author proposes that not only can the man be identified but that the police identified him at the time.

I enjoyed how the evidence was laid out. The author names her suspect from the start and then lays out how it is plausible for each murder. Was I convinced by the end? Not completely, but I did find it an interesting read.
Though full of speculation, I liked the crime reconstructions at the end of each murder.

I would recommend this to those interested in Jack the Ripper.

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I have read many of the books on Jack the Ripper, walked the streets on Ripper tours and, like so many others, have been fascinated by the story. Many of the books purport to reveal the “true” identity of Jack. Some of them are quite convincing. This one makes the case for someone who seems completely out in left field and yet….

Painstakingly researched and reconstructed from police reports, juries and books and papers, the author does a bang up job of laying the blame on Hyam Hyams. She is able to explain the rampages and seeming ability to vanish in thin air. She sets out street by street scenarios that are compelling and convincing. Whether we will ever be able to determine beyond a doubt who committed these heinous crimes, this certainly is up there as being a real possibility.

Four purrs and two paws up.

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This book by a former government researcher offers a new Jack the Ripper suspect based on original research. By matching eyewitness accounts to medical records, she identifies a man with severe epilepsy and a broken arm who fits the police profile.

The organization of this book is a bit chaotic. It doesn’t tell a coherent story, but instead offers observations and rampant speculation to support her theory. Unless I missed something, the author offers zero evidence that the man she identifies is actually the killer. Still, it’s a worthwhile read for those with a particular interest in the subject matter.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

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