The Man Who Would Be Jack

The Hunt for the Real Ripper

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Pub Date 04 Apr 2017 | Archive Date 07 Jul 2017

Description

London, 1891. Less than three weeks after the last Whitechapel murder, 25-year-old Thomas Cutbush is committed to Broadmoor Asylum for savage knife attacks on young women in Kennington. The arresting officer, Inspector Race, intrigued by the wealth of connections with the infamous unsolved murders in the East End, starts to wonder whether he has, in fact, arrested Jack the Ripper himself. 

Ignored by his superiors the Inspector eventually decides to take his story to the press. His actions unleash the biggest journalistic investigation of the time with The Sun putting its star reporters on the trail of Thomas Cutbush. The startling new evidence and compelling eyewitness testimonies they discover sets up a sensational scoop. 

The Man Who Would Be Jack introduces the incredible story of the investigation conducted by The Sun and Inspector Race that, at long last, exposes the truth of one of the world’s most tantalising mysteries.

London, 1891. Less than three weeks after the last Whitechapel murder, 25-year-old Thomas Cutbush is committed to Broadmoor Asylum for savage knife attacks on young women in Kennington. The arresting...


Advance Praise

"A watertight case. Rarely is a factual book such a page turner"
TV presenter Nick Knowles

‘Brilliantly researched and expertly written.’
The Whitechapel Society

‘It is one of the volumes every Ripperologist should have on their bookshelf.’
Paul Begg

‘David Bullock's meticulously-researched book is a welcome addition to the serious works in this field, casting light on a hitherto neglected suspect...his lively writing style brings the period and, in particular, the exploits of Thomas Cutbush, to life.’
Tessa Harris, author of The Anatomist's Apprentice

‘Suspenseful prose, as good as any fictional murder story.’
The Good Book Guide

‘A fascinating story.’
Essie Fox

'An engaging atmospheric read, this account of the life and crimes of Ripper suspect Thomas Cutbush brings to life the seamy and violent side of Victorian society.’
Linda Stratmann

"A watertight case. Rarely is a factual book such a page turner"
TV presenter Nick Knowles

‘Brilliantly researched and expertly written.’
The Whitechapel Society

‘It is one of the volumes every...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781786080219
PRICE $14.99 (USD)

Average rating from 13 members


Featured Reviews

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Princess Fuzzypants here:
More than a century and a quarter after the events in Whitechapel, Jack the Ripper still fascinates. I confess. I am enthralled with the stories and, like so many, have swayed to and fro on the identity of the real killer. So many books and movies have tried to answer the big question: who was he?
This is an excellent, well written, highly researched and compelling piece of journalism. Bullard has taken an expose from 1894 and examined it from all sides to come to the conclusion that Thomas Cutbush was Jack. He has built a case that is so tight, there is hardly any room for doubts. In fact, it was so convincing that it lead me to look up the recent story on DNA definitively identifying Jack. It has quite frankly left me in a quandary.
DNA evidence from a shawl from one of the victims has shown that Kominski, another of the suspects, was Jack. DNA evidence is pretty conclusive.. Yet this book is so well documented and the case so well established that I wonder if a mistake might have been possible. It is that good.
Of course, do not take my word for it. Judge for yourself. See if you too wonder....
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

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Will review on goodreads, I read this book in one sitting and although,I have read quite a few books on Jack the Ripper was intrigued to learn about Tomas cutbush,and was totally amazed on how the evidence piled up.
Would highly recommended this book to everyone.

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Thank you for this book. I learn a lot of things. It was very interesting. Congratulations.

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This book is very useful to better understand Thomas Cutbush as suspect Jack the Ripper. Many documents and newspapers are used as references and sources by the author. A volume that surely every Ripperologist should have on his shelf.

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The Man Who Would Be Jack: The Hunt for the Real Ripper
Apr 4, 2017
by David Bullock


I voluntarily received a copy of this book for review purposes
Another book for Ripperologists, presenting yet another suspect. However, rather than ripping up priceless paintings like a certain author, Bullock writes like a journalist/scholar with extensive background and end-notes while leaving out the gore and blood that most Ripperologists seem to dwell on.
Handled more like a dissertation or a lengthy news report, everything is laid out by time, place, data and witness. This take more effectively builds a case than many other Ripper theories that involve arcane rituals, missing (burned) doctor notes or Goddess save us, Johnny Depp movies.
Some of the book reads like a novel but this does not take away from the well-built case.
The beauty of the book is not only the well laid, perhaps best laid case, for the serial killer, but the story of the journalists who chased the story with the drive of Woodward and Bernstein.
There is also a dark, Dickensian beauty in the description of the horror of these destitute women's lives and the men who used and abused them well before Saucy Jack got to them.
Truly unfortunate is the Victorian journalist's habit of using initials so that the reader, as well as the writers, face a certain frustration in tracking back sources properly.
Great book, excellent research, a credible suspect that we haven't heard much about and perfect end-notes and incredible documentation.
I'm a very amateur Ripper kind of girl, but this was very well done. The only problem is that you accidentally breathe on a notation you zip to the end and it takes forever to find where you were.
This killer book is Book Nerd approved.
4 out of 5 slashes!
https://smile.amazon.com/Man-Who-Would-Be-Jack-ebook/dp/B06Y28XHM8/r

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I have always been intrigued by the story of Jack the Ripper as many have. I had never heard of Thomas Cutbush so found this to be very interesting. I particularly liked the references used by the author. It certainly makes the reader think. I enjoyed it .

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