"The man behind the mystery who for lack of a given name, we call Jack the Ripper". With The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders (by the same author) each chapter was introduced in a vivid (though respective) narrative that led to another forgotten or overlooked portion of research concerning the unsolved Whitechapel Murders. These interconnected sections were built slowly and methodically but were overall a cracking convincing read and a fine addition to my shelves. How I wish I could feel the same about this followup work that reads more like a pieced together article archive; it's never a good sign I have to remind myself about a book's description only a few months after turning the final page. Perhaps I'm being too harsh as Ripper Confidential isn't meant to be a gritty voyeuresque look at the Autumn of Terror and the following months to suspected years of the reign of Saucy Jack; it does hammer home the unfortunate lack of evidence collecting and the equally sad state of affairs where the seriousness of these murders fell on detectives' desks. It just all missed something vital for myself that look for in a non-fiction book. If you are familiar with the popular theories of the Whitechapel murders that have been made into bestsellers, you will be well prepared to examine a few major points for the length of this work, mainly dealing with the hotly debated topics of if Elizabeth Stride was really a part of the Canonical Five or did she meet her end at the hands of jealous lover? And, did evidence or important details get tossed in the gutter or clues (ie. the infamous grapes) "switch hands"? The ever popular Sickert theory is examined at length as well. Although all fascinating to look at from every angle possible, I feel the evidence has run into a dead end. Saying that I will stubbornly still snap up the next book if this author would elaborate on his personal theories and findings of how the victims all knew one another, had a connection to one figure in general and even lived in the same building at one point, that can't all be a twisted coincidence! -Purchased and read on kindle -EGP/Read August 2019 Comments are closed.
|
Currently Reading:
Also listening to:
Disclaimers
In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I disclose how I obtained every title for review at As The Final Page Turns (whether that be by ARC, purchased (on nook, kindle or specially ordered hardbacks) Audible version or simply borrowed at my local library). Please note: titles reviewed that are ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) are free review copies of books that are given by publishers (these ARCS can be found at NetGalley or Edelweiss). Categories
All
28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
|