1 comments about Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper -- Case Closed (SIGNED).

1. Have read about four books on the enigma of Jack the Ripper and I think
   this one is it! It gives you identity of Jack the Ripper - great writing
   bravo for the writer and the great research she did.

No comments about Elizabeth Stride And Jack The Ripper: The Life and Death of the Reputed Third Victim.

No comments about The Illustrated Jack the Ripper.

No comments about Jack The Ripper.

5 comments about The Bell Tower: The Case of Jack the Ripper Finally Solved... in San Francisco.

1. "The case of Jack the Ripper finally solved in San Francisco",is a false statement that brings disappointed to any one that knows anything about Jack the Ripper. Mr.Graysmith brings upon an absurd connection between the Ripper murders which took place five years earlier in England and the Emmanuel Baptist Church murders which happened in America. Just because the description given about Jack the Ripper matched John "Jack" Gibson, Mr.Graysmith draws his own conclusion that shows lack of research. There was never an investigation ever done on John Gibson or any proof of a connection. Reading this book confused me on the great mystery of Jack the Ripper and a possible killer.



2. I have read many books dealing with the Jack the Ripper murders; however, I believe that this book does not solve the mystery. Granted, the theory that Pastor John George Gibson (who liked to be called "Pastor Jack") was the Ripper proved to be interesting. Who knows, maybe his roommate in England, Reverend Jesse Gibson , did assist him in committing the murders; but, there is just not enough evidence to prove this. The author is way too optimistic in his claim that the mystery is solved.
   Also, I found it very frustrating to be reading about the crime and then having the story interrupted with the "De Young vs. Hearst" newspaper battle. I could have done without this; it added nothing to the book.
   ...
   **Overall: The book will give you quite a few hours of interesting reading, but it's disappointing for true Jack the Ripper history buffs**



3. This book is basically about the "Bell Tower Murders." They aren't really interesting crimes, although the story of the innocent suspect who was convicted and hanged is. Another suspect happens to be a minister from England with ties to Whitechapel, his first name is John, and he is called Jack. This is pretty much Graysmith's basis for "solving" the Ripper's identity. I expected better from Graysmith.



4. I really enjoyed the book, but the title was very misleading. If the Jack the Ripper subtext had been left out, I would have enjoyed this book far more. I'm from northern California and so a lot of the locales in the book were familiar. As a well versed Ripper reader, I was rather unimpressed with Graysmith's conclusions. I also have a copy of Zodiac sitting on my book shelf, so I know that Graysmith is quite capable of both good writing and good investigative skill. Perhaps the editor should've stepped in and worked with the author about the direction of this book.



5. I am a Jack the Ripper buff, and that is why I got this from the library, but I found it more interesting if I didn't think about the Jack the Ripper subplot. It is written well, and an interesting case. If you're only interested in Jack the Ripper, go elsewhere. But if you're interested in William Hearst, San Francisco in the early 20th century and well-written "true"-crime, this is a great example.

No comments about Fathers of Myth.

1 comments about Ripperology: A Study of the World's First Serial Killer And a Literary Phenomenon (True Crime Series).

1. Robin Odell is an expert on his subject and the book contains much useful and interesting detailed information. However I did find the narrative difficult to follow and would have preferred the text to have been broken down into short sections each devoted, say, to one Ripper book and how it contributes to the body of literature.

5 comments about The Women of Whitechapel and Jack the Ripper.

1. "The Women of Whitechapel" is a book that relies on elaborate, even obtuse language in an attempt to capture the spirit and ambiance of Victorian London stalked by a killer. The story is all to familiar to recount, and West relies on a very old and totally disproven Ripper theory (Dr. Gull in a carriage killing off friends of Prince Eddy's secret Catholic wife.) The twist is throwing into play the character of the painter Walter Sickert (another non-placer amongst Ripper theories) to shape the narrative. West's prose is a little over-reaching, but the story, perhaps because of its very familiarity, flows quickly. No surprises here; just $50 words and a tired tale.



2. Paul West's novel is an often intriguing, luridly fascinating meditation on the sensational Ripper murders, the very nature of evil itself, the obligations and prerogatives of art, and, ultimately the responsibilities of the artist toward society, and his fellow human beings. West's novel, by his own admission in the foreword, is an exercise in creative license writ large. Using the highly speculative, but nonetheless fascinating "Royal Conspiracy" scenario for the gruesome murder spree that took the lives of five prostitutes in the seamy Whitechapel section of London in 1888, the aesthetic core of the book concerns the Impressionist painter, Walter Sickert's almost Hamlet-like agonized ruminations over his role in bringing the scourge of the murderer upon his forlorn and debased victims. Most of the novel is comprised of Sickert's incessant brooding upon his perveted erotic attraction to the vulgar, dissipated women and their squalid environment, as well as its relationship to his art; his self-loathing and condemnation as a coward who not only fails to act to save the women from their ghastly fate, but, disturbingly, experiences a trace of sordid pleasure as they are butchered in front of his very eyes. West has a formidable vocabulary with which to realize his novel's profound artistic ambitions, but unfortunately that very asset ironically leads to the undesired effect of weakening the work's message and impact. West seems intent on flaunting his facillity with polysyllabics, with the result that "The Women of Whitechapel" is often over-written, with many abstruse, impenetrable passages, several re-readings of which fail to bring any light of clarification or comprehension, much to the reader's frustration That is a shame, too, because there is much that is admirable and thought-provoking in this otherwise seminal work that delves deeply into all the issues resonating from the Ripper crimes, including the institutionalized evils of misogyny, as well as the social and economic iniquities of the Victorian England which is its setting.



3. I followed an online recommendation to this book. As a lover of Alan Moore's From Hell (a graphic novel about Jack the Ripper) and a lover of London's dark side, it caught my interest. But for me the writing was ultimately more turgid than dense, more aligned with the author's inner thoughts than the character's - and somewhat too clever to easily digest. (For example - and this is from memory since I don't still have my copy - if you can work out the exact meaning of "He knew he would finally act when his hands were firmly in his pockets", then you might enjoy this book more easily than me. Otherwise I can't recommend it.)



4. This novel is an interesting read (I agree with the other customer reviews to a certain extent, but I'm always eager to learn new words and read with a dictionary close at hand) but rehashes the same old theory of the Royals' involvement. Sir William Gull was aging, in poor health, and debilitated from a stroke at time of the murders. I seriouly doubt he was physically able to murder anyone. He has been discounted as the Ripper MANY times as have the Royals, John Netley, and Walter Sickert, who is the Ripper according to Patricia Cornwell. Her theory will be detailed in her forthcoming book.

   I attended the Jack the Ripper Conference in April and chatted with Donald Rumbelow, author of "Jack the Ripper: The Complete Casebook," as well as other Ripperologists. Don is of the opinion that the Ripper was "John Smith" or "Joe Schmoe," definitely no one famous, and his identity will never be discovered. I tend to agree with him.

   I would recommend this book for its entertainment value but not for actual Ripper information.




5. the book is much more than a slash-and-gore filled crime genre mystery. West gives the Women of Whitechapel voice here and plumbs to the depths of a world of sordid artists and royals. There's a harrowing psychological tale to be told here, no matter who committed the murders. And besides, it's much more interesting to imagine the royals doing it than your average guy on the street.

5 comments about Jack the Ripper: The 21st Century Investigation: A Top Murder Squad Detective Reveals the Ripper's Identity at Last!.

1. After reading a review that gave a five-star rating to this utter disappointment of a Ripper book I was compelled to write a few words of my own. Having been an enthusiast on the Ripper case for some fifteen years and collecting all the books on the subject I considered worthwhile I have to say that "JtR: The 21st Century Investigation" by Trevor Marriott was one of the worst I've come across (which is saying a lot remembering all the Harrison/Cornwell -style achievements). It reveals absolutely nothing new of the case, no 'ignored facts' whatsoever.
   
   Anyone who has read "The Ultimate JtR Sourcebook" (which definitely reveals everything you need to know about the coroners inquests and all other official files, newspaper articles and such authentic material), or Philip Sugdens excellent "The Complete History of JtR" will find very little rewarding in this book. Mr Marriotts deductions throughout the book sound more or less vague: "Martha Tabram is not considered by many to be among the Ripper victims, but to my opinion she might as well have been one", and so on. Every basic fact, speculation and reference is offered in a very matter-of-fact, uninterested and selective style.
   
   Keeping in mind that the theory of JtR being a sailor, and thus being able to avoid capturing more easily was put forth already in 1888 and countless times since, mr Marriotts 'discovery' on the final pages of the book seems hardly worth the trouble. His tireless search of all the vessels whose arrivals and departures on the numerous docks of London and vicinity coincide with the time of the murders gives us dozens of ships from England, Germany, Holland etc, all of which have more than insufficient crew lists to begin with.
   
   In the end the reader is left with a feeling not unfamiliar to the spirit of the book in general - "Okay, JtR might have been a sailor on one of those ships, then again he might not have..."
   
   Whether you are an expert or a novice on the Ripper case I seriously doubt that you can find anything of true interest in this book. To me it was both a waste of time and money.



2. this book is a complete and total rip-off. the publishers blurb tauts new victims and a new suspect. in reality the "new" victims are old news and their new suspect is a flat out lie there is no new suspect only a vague theory about the ripper being a seaman which is also old news. save your money there is literally nothing to this book but a well written and misleading publishers blurb.



3. Not without interest but many of the conclusions pompously put forth by Mr. Marriot are hardly convincing. Indeed the leaps of logic made by the author, a former police detective, rather worry me about the competence of the police in general. And while claiming he looked at the evidence with lofty impartiality it seems clear he views the evidence through the prism of his theory that a merchant seaman committed the crime and moulds the evidence to fit his foreordained conclusion.
   
   Particularly weak is the final section when he pins the crime on one Carl Feigenbaum, who indeed did commit a murder but one that seems to me to have little relation to the crimes of Jack the Ripper. He also tries to tie him into all sorts of murders around the world based on newspaper accounts of murders that were considered (however arbitrarily) to be like the Whitechapel murders. The fact that he can't even prove his suspect was even in the appropriate countries doesn't deter his arrogant certainty that he has finally unmasked Jack. Thus his remarks at the end of the book that he is the only one to look uncritically at the evidence and to have solved the case for everyone but those obsessed with the mystery of the case comes across as both as feeble and unintentionally revealing of his own foibles.
   
   Still not worthless, though by all accounts that are better books on the subject out there.



4. I am a Londoner, grew up interested in the JtR case, I am also the spouse of a retired cop, so I know something of law enforcement protocols. I've read alot of books about this case, last one before this was Patricia Cornwell's work. Hers was a great read, but I felt she had forced some facts to fit her theory and I was not entirely convinced. I liked this book. I liked the fact this author considered all the traditional suspects, he gave the impression he was not trying to make facts fit any one of them in particular. This book gave an impression of impartiality which was refreshing. The long coroner reports could have been edited down for ease of reading. The cover picture suggests modern forensics would be a part of the study, when actual forensic samples are not available, hence the 4 star review instead of 5. Many enthuesiasts will be disappointed that long held beliefs such as the authenticity of the Ripper Letters is dismissed. Many enthuesiasts will hate any book that does not fit their idea of who was guilty of these murders. No 21st century forensics here, just old fashioned impartial detective work - that is a compliment by the way! If you are interested in examining what actually happened back then, and you are not totally stuck on who you think must have done it, then this is a must read.



5. 
   What is it about the human mind that makes us have a morbid curiosity about death, particularly violent death. I for one don't know, but it is there in a great majority of human beings and I seemingly am no different to anyone else. I approached this book with more than a little trepidation but after reading a dozen or so pages, I found it hard to put down.
   
   The book and author claim that 21st. century investigation methods have at last solved the Whitechapel murders. I personally found it inconclusive. The author puts forward a well structured and well thought out case but I personally feel that the timescale is against any investigation. I am sure that there may have been compelling evidence at the time of the murders, evidence that was either discounted, or never written down by incompetent, or by today's standard, poorly trained officers. Other books on the Ripper have intimated that because of who, or what these women were, their deaths were not taken seriously enough by the police, until that is they realised they had a serial killer to deal with.
   
   I found the book a really interesting, if unhealthily morbid read. Perhaps the time scale of one hundred years plus took some of the brutality away from the deaths of these poor unfortunate women, I am not sure. What I do know is that there will always be a fascination with Jack the Ripper, whoever he was . . .

5 comments about Chapel Noir: A Novel of Suspense featuring Sherlock Holmes, Irene Adler, and Jack the Ripper.

1. I was incredibly disapointed with Carole Nelson Douglas' new Irene Adler mystery, 'Chapel Noir'. This is the 5th in what used to be a first-rate mystery/adventure series tied in with the Sherlock Holmes characters.
   'Chapel Noir' has Irene Adler and Nell pursuing the infamous Jack The Ripper of 1889 in what could have been a potentialy thrilling mystery, but instead we are subjected to 450 pages of endless 'girl talk'! As a bonus, Nelson Douglas adds a character of a reformed American prostitute in Paris, who prefers to go by the anachronistic name of 'Pink'. This character appears so unauthentic and bogus, Douglas must have intended readers to be reminded of the current rock star 'Pink' of the same name! Even more annoying, Pink joins the two female characters in this constant chattering that always keeps the mystery from ever begining! Why?! Because 'Chapel Noir' even at 450 pages, is only the first half of the 'adventure'! This story continues in the sequel 'Chapel Rouge', which is why Douglas gave us three clucking female slueths instead of the usual two!
   Go back and re-read Carole Nelson Douglas's previous Irene Adler novels, which were all either good and even terrific. In particular, look for the titles 'Irene At Large' and 'Irene's Last Waltz' which are among the very best of Holmes era mysteries anywhere.
   As for 'Chapel Noir' don't waste your time!



2. Awful stuff. Torpid and turgid with sad delusions of grandeur. A painful read. Plot development is slow and the author takes every opportunity to trumpet the ladies and denigrate the men. I could have swallowed that if the book had moved at a decent clip. Instead, we are subjected to the blatherings between Adler and Nell ad nauseaum. In one particular scene, the author takes over 3 pages of conversation and description as the two main protagonists pick up a few crumbs from the first crime scene.

   The topper was the "discussion questions" and interview with the author at the end of the book. These clearly displayed the author's self-infatuation and pretense of "deep ideas", with the questions focusing on women's roles in the 19th century and such tired old chestnuts as the duality of sexual mores concerning men and women's roles and habits (e.g. If Jack the Ripper had murdered a series of men, would anyone still be talking about him and what are the societal connotations of this apparent infatuation with men savaging women? Why was it acceptable for men to be promiscuous and women not to be?). It all smacks of freshmen-year pseudo-intellectual claptrap.

   If you want a well-paced mystery novel, try Caleb Carr, Lindsey Davis, George Pelecanos, Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow, Rosemary Rowe, Agatha Christie, Steven Saylor or David Wishart.

   How bad is this book? How high is "up"? I'm kicking myself for buying the hardcover version. I plan to give it away as a gift to someone I don't really like.




3. This book sat on my shelf for two years because I bought it by mistake. Well, the mistake was not reading it sooner! It's great! I am disappointed in my fellow readers who obviously haven't checked the FACTS of the book.

   #1. The suspect in the story (read it yourself, Mac!) is a genuine Jack-the-Ripper suspect, and considered by many to actually BE the Ripper. He had murdered his wife and was an escapee (or more likely let go) from a madhouse.

   #2. The Ripper murders have always been claimed to show some religious or occult symbol, authors vary on what. Me, the ol' Raven is like The Great Randi, skeptic unparalleled, who points out that any pattern is only possible if you connect the dots that way.

   #3. Pink. Yes, that was her nickname, and her name as given in the book is her real one. But no one remembers her by that name, since she is world-famous under a pseudonym. I won't say what it was, but if I did all of you would slap your forehead and say "Oh, yeah! I've heard of her!" You probably think Mark Twain was his real name too.

   As for the story ending midstream, do you really want an 800 page book? There's just too much to tell in one story. So read Castle Rouge. It'll pay. Quoth the Raven...




4. Irene Adler is the only female adversary to outwit Sherlock Holmes and she may have stolen his heart as well. Carol Nelson Douglas has taken the brief outline of Irene Adler in the Sherlock Holmes adventure A Scandal In Bohemia and fleshed it out into a marvelous sleuth of her own design. She has created her own series of books with Irene Adler as a 19th century detective with a feminist flair.

   Adler's latest two-part adventure, Chapel Noir and Castle Rouge, is told through a series of journal entries by her female companion Penelope Huxleigh. Additional chapters are supposedly taken from notes written by a prostitute called Pink and sections of a mysterious yellow book of anonymous authorship. This multiple "authorship" allows Douglas to present her story from different perspectives.

   And what a story! In Chapel Noir Adler is called on by Baron de Alphonse Rothschild to investigate a particularly bloody murder in a Parisian bordello. Before long Jack the Ripper is the suspect and Sherlock Holmes (sans Watson) has come to Paris to investigate. As the plot moves on, more famous historical figures are drawn in either as suspects or allies. 470 pages later I found, instead of the end, that this is the first of a two part story.

   A rollicking adventure that continues for another 470 pages in Castle Rouge. Lots of fun if you can stand the gruesome aspects of the crimes.




5. Come join Ms. Douglas on a wild ride in Paris in spring of 1889. It is the year of the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower as well as the scene of the 1889 World's Fair. And Irene and Nell are on the trail of a particularly vicious killer. Could it be that Jack the Ripper who terrorized London last fall has moved on to Paris? There are a number of particularly gruesome killings involving women in Paris that spring. So Irene and Nell who are joined by a young American protegy called Pink are trying to stop the slaughters. With the aid of Sherlock Holmes, an American trapper called Buffalo Bill Cody, an Indian tracker called Red Tomahawk as well as some French Gendarmes, it looks like they may be successful. But be prepared this book leaves the reader with a mighty big cliff-hanger, so that we feel that we have to rush right out and get the next book in the series. Ms. Douglas' series is a winner. I am really enjoying the stories about Irene Adler.