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celtic67's review
1.0
I received this ARC from Sapere books for an honest review.
This was a different read for me. I like crime but don't read much historical fiction.
This book had a bit of everything, crime fiction, historical fiction and loosely true crime. Set in Victorian London in the late 1800's. The true crime is the Jack The Ripper Case.
The fiction is obviously the investigation of this case.
It is a tale of two stories. The investigation of the case and the story of the relationship between Jack and Esther. Jack is a young police constable and Esther a Jewish orphan. It is a tale of early police investigation and the relationship between Jack and Esther faces racial prejudice. Also the bias against her as a woman.
The writing is of a high quality and this author has set his bar high and he will need to be at the top of his form in future books.
It gives the reader a good grounding of the social history of the Victorian age. Warts and all.
It shows how the poor lived and the rich and powerful take advantage of them.
I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to reading more of this series as and when they appear.
Well done David and thanks for the story and I look forward to more from you.
This was a different read for me. I like crime but don't read much historical fiction.
This book had a bit of everything, crime fiction, historical fiction and loosely true crime. Set in Victorian London in the late 1800's. The true crime is the Jack The Ripper Case.
The fiction is obviously the investigation of this case.
It is a tale of two stories. The investigation of the case and the story of the relationship between Jack and Esther. Jack is a young police constable and Esther a Jewish orphan. It is a tale of early police investigation and the relationship between Jack and Esther faces racial prejudice. Also the bias against her as a woman.
The writing is of a high quality and this author has set his bar high and he will need to be at the top of his form in future books.
It gives the reader a good grounding of the social history of the Victorian age. Warts and all.
It shows how the poor lived and the rich and powerful take advantage of them.
I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to reading more of this series as and when they appear.
Well done David and thanks for the story and I look forward to more from you.
dnemec's review
3.0
Esther has had a tough time. After her parents died in an accident and her brother enlisted, she was taken in by a lovely couple who owned a garment manufacturing business. However the building housing the business (where she also lived) was burned down during a riot. Now Esther is in a boarding house repairing garments in her room. Martha and her husband move in across the hall and Martha befriends her. Unfortunately, Martha is brutally killed one night, Esther being one of the last people to see her alive. Esther's keen eye and intellect are a help to the police, and she ends up embroiled in the Whitechapel killings - and enthralled with the handsome young Constable, Jack.
I have recently discovered a love for Victorian mysteries, and what bigger Victorian mystery is there than Jack the Ripper? The book blends fact and fiction, and throws in a few anomalies as well. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that I thought the end result was rather clever - tying up the story neatly. Very enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have recently discovered a love for Victorian mysteries, and what bigger Victorian mystery is there than Jack the Ripper? The book blends fact and fiction, and throws in a few anomalies as well. Without giving too much away, I'll just say that I thought the end result was rather clever - tying up the story neatly. Very enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
mad_about_books's review
5.0
The late Victorian Era is the backdrop for many works of historical fiction. Perhaps the most notorious tales are centered around the almost mythical character of Jack the Ripper. For me, historical fiction needs to have more than a passing relationship with actual events. I can think of no crime more documented and speculated upon than the murders in London's East End beginning in August 1888.
David Field has managed to weave a believable tale around the events by never straying from the chronology while embellishing them with a rather unique version of the killer and the crimes. Where some books rely on atmospheric depictions of the streets of Whitechapel, Field tells a people story. Where others have put the Ripper front and center, THE GASLIGHT STALKER is centered around the police and witnesses involved in solving the crime.
THE GASLIGHT STALKER balances history with storytelling in just the right measure.
David Field has managed to weave a believable tale around the events by never straying from the chronology while embellishing them with a rather unique version of the killer and the crimes. Where some books rely on atmospheric depictions of the streets of Whitechapel, Field tells a people story. Where others have put the Ripper front and center, THE GASLIGHT STALKER is centered around the police and witnesses involved in solving the crime.
THE GASLIGHT STALKER balances history with storytelling in just the right measure.
kirkw1972's review
4.0
Over 100 years on the world is still fascinated by Jack The Ripper and I admit to being one of those people. I enjoy reading the different takes and possible announcements as to who he really was.
This book takes the murders themselves, includes Detectives Abberline and Reid and then creates a story around that. Young PC Jack Enright and his girlfriend Esther become embroiled in finding out who really did it.
I liked how it incorporated an earlier murder that even now we debate whether was the actual first one or not. I liked the added element of young romance around the dreary Victorian time period and grizzly murders. It's a fast paced story, it's quick and easy to read. Even the court room sections don't bog you down. I read it in just about half a day (Including being distracted by the football). The characters are really enjoyable and well written.
This is the first in the series (I think there are 2 more that follow) and I will definitely be getting those. Really enjoyed this one
This book takes the murders themselves, includes Detectives Abberline and Reid and then creates a story around that. Young PC Jack Enright and his girlfriend Esther become embroiled in finding out who really did it.
I liked how it incorporated an earlier murder that even now we debate whether was the actual first one or not. I liked the added element of young romance around the dreary Victorian time period and grizzly murders. It's a fast paced story, it's quick and easy to read. Even the court room sections don't bog you down. I read it in just about half a day (Including being distracted by the football). The characters are really enjoyable and well written.
This is the first in the series (I think there are 2 more that follow) and I will definitely be getting those. Really enjoyed this one
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
Seamstress Esther Jacobs can't convince her friend and neighbor Martha Turner to leave the pubs. After Esther returns home, Martha's dead body is found in the stairwell of a lodging house in Whitechapel, a very dangerous place to be after dark in 1888. Esther meets Constable Jack Enright at the inquest for Martha's death. They start spending time together to investigate Martha's death and get to know each other better and find surprising connections between the murder of Esther's friend and other grisly murders in the area.
It took me a couple chapter to get into this story and I was surprised at the harsher language in the beginning of a "Victorian" mystery. However, I was won over by the rapport between Esther and Jack as they get to know each other. Esther goes a little overboard in her reaction to something that occurs during a visit to Jack's mother, but overall, I like the character and was rooting for her and Jack.
I was interested to see Esther, Jack, and Jack's Uncle Percy, a Scotland Yard detective, make progress in their investigation, which reveals that the murder seems to have been committed by the notorious "Jack the Ripper". I'm not knowledgeable about the subject, but it's obvious author David Field has done extensive research. The author does a good job of communicating the horrific nature of the murders, without being too gory in the descriptions. When all is revealed, I found the identity of the Ripper to be intriguing and unique. This novel will appeal to fans of Anne Perry. The next book in the series is already out, and I look forward to seeing what's in store for Jack and Esther.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a couple chapter to get into this story and I was surprised at the harsher language in the beginning of a "Victorian" mystery. However, I was won over by the rapport between Esther and Jack as they get to know each other. Esther goes a little overboard in her reaction to something that occurs during a visit to Jack's mother, but overall, I like the character and was rooting for her and Jack.
I was interested to see Esther, Jack, and Jack's Uncle Percy, a Scotland Yard detective, make progress in their investigation, which reveals that the murder seems to have been committed by the notorious "Jack the Ripper". I'm not knowledgeable about the subject, but it's obvious author David Field has done extensive research. The author does a good job of communicating the horrific nature of the murders, without being too gory in the descriptions. When all is revealed, I found the identity of the Ripper to be intriguing and unique. This novel will appeal to fans of Anne Perry. The next book in the series is already out, and I look forward to seeing what's in store for Jack and Esther.
I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
spookshow's review
3.0
You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com
Actual rating of 3.5
Esther is a seamstress, she is sent to the pub one night, by her neighbour, in order to bring home his wife. Once it becomes clear that Esther is not going to win this battle with Martha, she departs the pub for home on Martha's promise that she'll be right behind her. The next morning Esther is horrified to find out that Martha has been murdered, and quite savagely as well. While attending the inquisitions into Martha's death, Esther meets Jack, a constable of the Lenmar Police station, who has taken a liking to Esther, as she has to him. We get to follow this budding romance as it it tries to stand the trials of chasing a murdering who calls himself Jack the Ripper, a murderer who is killing prostitutes around Whitechapel in horrific ways, and that the police just can't seem to pin down. Who is Jack the Ripper? Will Esther and Jack's romance survive?
I have always had a fascination with Jack the Ripper. I suppose most of the fascination has come about for a few reason, 1. obviously he was never caught. We still to this day have no 100% proof as to who this person was, and 2. the heinous ways that he murdered his victims. I suppose I can also add in the speculation that has surrounded the case for so long as to who people believe was responsible for it all. So it was no surprise when I found this book advertised on Facebook that I was going to buy it.
I was pretty sure, when I first started, that this story was an author's take on Jack the Ripper, but it wasn't until nearly halfway odd through (maybe earlier, I honestly can't remember) that it was confirmed when characters mention the letters that have been sent to the newpapers with the killer claiming to have written them, and giving himself the name of Jack the Ripper. While the murders are gruesome and not many details are spared, I still found them to be not as shocking as they could've been? We all know how unbelievably cruel and brutal the real murders were, but for some reason, the ones described in this story, just didn't have the same effect. Even Mary Kelly's murder did shock me in this. I'm not sure if this is due to me knowing all that can be known at this time about the real murders? Having become desensitised to the descriptions? Or if maybe there was enough description being used in this story.
I really liked Esther, I found her to be a great main character (I say main character and not protagonist as I feel that Jack was also a main character) she was strong, independent and proud of herself, as she should be. One thing that irked me was, when Jack's mother made a comment that upset her, she instantly jumped to the conclusion that Jack must have thought these things in order for his mother to have said them....I've actually noticed in a few other historical fiction books that I've read, that are set in the late 1800s, that the characters are very quick to jump to conclusion without actually asking the questions they are assuming. And they're very quick to write relationships off at the slight prospect of the man leaving them or possibly thinking something that is not true...is this how it was back then? Is there anywhere I can go to find this out? Or is it just that all these authors have the same romance progression ideas of the relationship almost ending? It kind of annoys me that the characters who I praise for being strong women, wilt and die at these kinds of things, INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY GOING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH FROM THE MAN THEY SUPPOSEDLY LOVE! I understand that it adds drama to the storyline, but I feel like, when you're writing a story about Jack THE FREAKING RIPPER, that there is ENOUGH drama happening already. Though I must admit, this story wasn't as engrossing as I thought I may have been.
Don't get me wrong, it was still an enjoyable story, and I'm probably going to continue with the series, I just felt like it didn't engage me as much as I had hope it was. Maybe I hyped it up too much to myself?
The mystery was good, I think it was a clever way to take it, and I like the note that the author put in the back about how the first murder in his book is sometimes not recognised as the first murder in the actual case. I like that he took liberties with the story and I really enjoyed where he took it. Though I feel like it didn't give as much shock factor as the theory that it was the Queen's surgeon trying to cover up the Prince's discretion of an illegitimate child with a prostitute. I feel like the story wasn't as dark as it could've been I guess. When I think Jack the Ripper stories, my mind first goes to the movie 'From Hell', I want gritty, dark, horrible, gruesome. This story could be gritty at times and it gave it a good hard go, but it just wasn't dark enough for me.
Another thing that irked me at times, was the use of phonetical cockney English, at times I found it distracting.
Actual rating of 3.5
Esther is a seamstress, she is sent to the pub one night, by her neighbour, in order to bring home his wife. Once it becomes clear that Esther is not going to win this battle with Martha, she departs the pub for home on Martha's promise that she'll be right behind her. The next morning Esther is horrified to find out that Martha has been murdered, and quite savagely as well. While attending the inquisitions into Martha's death, Esther meets Jack, a constable of the Lenmar Police station, who has taken a liking to Esther, as she has to him. We get to follow this budding romance as it it tries to stand the trials of chasing a murdering who calls himself Jack the Ripper, a murderer who is killing prostitutes around Whitechapel in horrific ways, and that the police just can't seem to pin down. Who is Jack the Ripper? Will Esther and Jack's romance survive?
I have always had a fascination with Jack the Ripper. I suppose most of the fascination has come about for a few reason, 1. obviously he was never caught. We still to this day have no 100% proof as to who this person was, and 2. the heinous ways that he murdered his victims. I suppose I can also add in the speculation that has surrounded the case for so long as to who people believe was responsible for it all. So it was no surprise when I found this book advertised on Facebook that I was going to buy it.
I was pretty sure, when I first started, that this story was an author's take on Jack the Ripper, but it wasn't until nearly halfway odd through (maybe earlier, I honestly can't remember) that it was confirmed when characters mention the letters that have been sent to the newpapers with the killer claiming to have written them, and giving himself the name of Jack the Ripper. While the murders are gruesome and not many details are spared, I still found them to be not as shocking as they could've been? We all know how unbelievably cruel and brutal the real murders were, but for some reason, the ones described in this story, just didn't have the same effect. Even Mary Kelly's murder did shock me in this. I'm not sure if this is due to me knowing all that can be known at this time about the real murders? Having become desensitised to the descriptions? Or if maybe there was enough description being used in this story.
I really liked Esther, I found her to be a great main character (I say main character and not protagonist as I feel that Jack was also a main character) she was strong, independent and proud of herself, as she should be. One thing that irked me was, when Jack's mother made a comment that upset her, she instantly jumped to the conclusion that Jack must have thought these things in order for his mother to have said them....I've actually noticed in a few other historical fiction books that I've read, that are set in the late 1800s, that the characters are very quick to jump to conclusion without actually asking the questions they are assuming. And they're very quick to write relationships off at the slight prospect of the man leaving them or possibly thinking something that is not true...is this how it was back then? Is there anywhere I can go to find this out? Or is it just that all these authors have the same romance progression ideas of the relationship almost ending? It kind of annoys me that the characters who I praise for being strong women, wilt and die at these kinds of things, INSTEAD OF ACTUALLY GOING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH FROM THE MAN THEY SUPPOSEDLY LOVE! I understand that it adds drama to the storyline, but I feel like, when you're writing a story about Jack THE FREAKING RIPPER, that there is ENOUGH drama happening already. Though I must admit, this story wasn't as engrossing as I thought I may have been.
Don't get me wrong, it was still an enjoyable story, and I'm probably going to continue with the series, I just felt like it didn't engage me as much as I had hope it was. Maybe I hyped it up too much to myself?
The mystery was good, I think it was a clever way to take it, and I like the note that the author put in the back about how the first murder in his book is sometimes not recognised as the first murder in the actual case. I like that he took liberties with the story and I really enjoyed where he took it. Though I feel like it didn't give as much shock factor as the theory that it was the Queen's surgeon trying to cover up the Prince's discretion of an illegitimate child with a prostitute. I feel like the story wasn't as dark as it could've been I guess. When I think Jack the Ripper stories, my mind first goes to the movie 'From Hell', I want gritty, dark, horrible, gruesome. This story could be gritty at times and it gave it a good hard go, but it just wasn't dark enough for me.
Another thing that irked me at times, was the use of phonetical cockney English, at times I found it distracting.
chrissie_oh's review
3.0
I did not like this as much as Carlyle and West.
The Jack the Ripper storyline and Esther and Jack's storyline did not connect/overlap as much I wanted them to. I wanted them to overlap more; it just felt like there was two different stories going on at times. Like the author was not quite sure how to integrate Esther and Jack's story with Jack the Ripper's story.
I was a bit disappointed with how the Ripper's story played out. I was hoping that it would remain the mystery that it is, and not ben solved and then have to be covered up because it wasn't "solved the correct way." The Ripper is infamous, and it felt like almost a waster opportunity to have had it end the way that it did. I did like that the Ripper was a woman though.
I wanted to see more of Esther and Jack! I understood why Esther ended things with him but I did not like that Jack watched/followed Esther. I get that he missed her and that he was worried about her, but watching her everyday was creepy and over the line.
I plan on reading more of Esther and Jack's books.
The Jack the Ripper storyline and Esther and Jack's storyline did not connect/overlap as much I wanted them to. I wanted them to overlap more; it just felt like there was two different stories going on at times. Like the author was not quite sure how to integrate Esther and Jack's story with Jack the Ripper's story.
I was a bit disappointed with how the Ripper's story played out. I was hoping that it would remain the mystery that it is, and not ben solved and then have to be covered up because it wasn't "solved the correct way." The Ripper is infamous, and it felt like almost a waster opportunity to have had it end the way that it did. I did like that the Ripper was a woman though.
I wanted to see more of Esther and Jack! I understood why Esther ended things with him but I did not like that Jack watched/followed Esther. I get that he missed her and that he was worried about her, but watching her everyday was creepy and over the line.
I plan on reading more of Esther and Jack's books.
georgey1809's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Sapere books for an e-book version in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August bank holiday 1888 in Whitechapel and everyone is out celebrating until the body of Martha Turner is found brutally murdered.
Her friend Esther, a young Jewish seamstress turned female sleuth, is upset at her friends death and is resolved to find the killer. She meets Jack Enright, a young police constable who she develops and professions and personal relationship with.
Soon more bodies begin to appear and their of whispers of someone callimg
calling themself Jack the Ripper.
Can the police find the killer before more bodies begin turning up?
I enjoy a good crime novel, and enjoy them more if they're well written and set in the 19th or early 20th century - and this one hits the nail on the head for me.
A twist on the Jack the Ripper Murders - which has intrigued people for nor than 100 years. I appreciated how David Field was able to mix fact and fiction so seamlessly; using names of the real victims (apart from Martha Turner) and Detective Abberline from Scotland Yard.
The development of a love interest between Esther and Jack was welcoming because it give the book a more personal touch and made you invested in the characters. I was also found of the way Jack and Esther's personal and professional relationship mingled but this wasn't the only reason for their connection to one another.
I was surprised by the twist in the book and didn't see it coming, although looking back I'm wondering whether there were little hints throughout to get us to the conclusion.
I have read that this is the first book in the Esther and Jack Enright series, I for one will be purchasing the rest of this series because although it wasn't a particularly challenging book to read it was quick paced and enjoyable.
I would class this book as a cosy mystery and it would be well suited to be read on a cold winters day snuggled up with a hot drink.
August bank holiday 1888 in Whitechapel and everyone is out celebrating until the body of Martha Turner is found brutally murdered.
Her friend Esther, a young Jewish seamstress turned female sleuth, is upset at her friends death and is resolved to find the killer. She meets Jack Enright, a young police constable who she develops and professions and personal relationship with.
Soon more bodies begin to appear and their of whispers of someone callimg
calling themself Jack the Ripper.
Can the police find the killer before more bodies begin turning up?
I enjoy a good crime novel, and enjoy them more if they're well written and set in the 19th or early 20th century - and this one hits the nail on the head for me.
A twist on the Jack the Ripper Murders - which has intrigued people for nor than 100 years. I appreciated how David Field was able to mix fact and fiction so seamlessly; using names of the real victims (apart from Martha Turner) and Detective Abberline from Scotland Yard.
The development of a love interest between Esther and Jack was welcoming because it give the book a more personal touch and made you invested in the characters. I was also found of the way Jack and Esther's personal and professional relationship mingled but this wasn't the only reason for their connection to one another.
I was surprised by the twist in the book and didn't see it coming, although looking back I'm wondering whether there were little hints throughout to get us to the conclusion.
I have read that this is the first book in the Esther and Jack Enright series, I for one will be purchasing the rest of this series because although it wasn't a particularly challenging book to read it was quick paced and enjoyable.
I would class this book as a cosy mystery and it would be well suited to be read on a cold winters day snuggled up with a hot drink.
vesper1931's review
4.0
London, 1888 and Martha Turner, friend of Esther Jacobs seamstress, is found dead, mutilated. With the help of a police officer, Jack Enright, Esther is determined to help find her killer. Then another body is found. Is there a connection, and who is this person calling himself Jack the Ripper.
I enjoyed this mystery and the main characters are a likeable pair. Definitely a decent start to a new historical mystery series.,
I enjoyed this mystery and the main characters are a likeable pair. Definitely a decent start to a new historical mystery series.,
mayu's review
5.0
The synopsis above was the only reason I picked up the book. Though the book turned to be a bit different than what I had expected when I read the synopsis, but still I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers.
I loved Esther's character. She is the kind of woman I love reading about, she is strong, brave and someone who is ready to give a piece of her mind to anyone who dared to think lowly of her because of her job as seamstress, or the place she lived in. Esther was very courageous and was not at all afraid to go to dangerous places or to talk to dangerous people in her quest to find out who the murderer was. I also liked Jack's character, even though I had expected more action and more detective work from him, given the synopsis, and the fact that the series is named as Esther and Jack Enright Mysteries. I just hope that in the coming books of the series, I would get see more action and more involvement in the case from Jack.
The Gaslight Stalker completely gripped from the time the first murder was committed and with each coming page I became more and more engrossed in the story. I was not able to put down this book, until the very last page was turned. I was very shocked when the murderer was revealed. I had not expected this person to be the one murdering people. This twist was just the best part of the novel.
I enjoyed the romance between Jack and Esther and the romance didn't, even for once, overshadow the mystery plot, which was very good.
Final words
If you are looking for a mystery novel with a sprinkle of romance, set in Victorian London then you should immediately click on the buy links and get yourself a copy of The Gaslight Stalker .
I loved Esther's character. She is the kind of woman I love reading about, she is strong, brave and someone who is ready to give a piece of her mind to anyone who dared to think lowly of her because of her job as seamstress, or the place she lived in. Esther was very courageous and was not at all afraid to go to dangerous places or to talk to dangerous people in her quest to find out who the murderer was. I also liked Jack's character, even though I had expected more action and more detective work from him, given the synopsis, and the fact that the series is named as Esther and Jack Enright Mysteries. I just hope that in the coming books of the series, I would get see more action and more involvement in the case from Jack.
The Gaslight Stalker completely gripped from the time the first murder was committed and with each coming page I became more and more engrossed in the story. I was not able to put down this book, until the very last page was turned. I was very shocked when the murderer was revealed. I had not expected this person to be the one murdering people. This twist was just the best part of the novel.
I enjoyed the romance between Jack and Esther and the romance didn't, even for once, overshadow the mystery plot, which was very good.
Final words
If you are looking for a mystery novel with a sprinkle of romance, set in Victorian London then you should immediately click on the buy links and get yourself a copy of The Gaslight Stalker .