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cindytheskull's review against another edition
3.0
As stated by others, Don Rumbelow is surely one of the Top Ripperologists, but no great writer. I got the latest and updated version of this book and could learn about some "new facts", as Rumbelow published some documents in full length for the very first time.
I also liked that he tried to give valuable arguments for Stride not being a Ripper victim. That also showed a development in his view of the case.
That said, I must admit that I was slightly disappointed by the short section dedicated to the suspects, and totally skipped the part dedicated to the Ripper fiction. Even if he sometimes manages to give "just the facts", and that in a short and undecorated manner, he lets his own opinion shine through without arguments to support it.
He also said a couple of things that contradicted previously stated facts (as in the case of the mistery of the key in Mary Kelly's murder).
My overall impression was that of a book surely written by an expert on the case, who consciously decided to keep things short and give a good, brief overview of one of the most famous serial murder cases of the past.
I also liked that he tried to give valuable arguments for Stride not being a Ripper victim. That also showed a development in his view of the case.
That said, I must admit that I was slightly disappointed by the short section dedicated to the suspects, and totally skipped the part dedicated to the Ripper fiction. Even if he sometimes manages to give "just the facts", and that in a short and undecorated manner, he lets his own opinion shine through without arguments to support it.
He also said a couple of things that contradicted previously stated facts (as in the case of the mistery of the key in Mary Kelly's murder).
My overall impression was that of a book surely written by an expert on the case, who consciously decided to keep things short and give a good, brief overview of one of the most famous serial murder cases of the past.
knuxxlove's review against another edition
5.0
Simply put, this book was amazing. I could not put it down. Crime, mystery, and horror are not generally my genres of choice, but Rumbelow could make almost anyone interested in the case of Jack the Ripper. His research is obsessive in the best way down to the most minuscule detail. He gives extensive relative back story on the area, the victims, the suspects, and the follower-murderers. He does not favor any one of the suspects, but allows the reader to decide for themselves might have done it. Even so, he admits that he very well could be wrong and is not overly defensive about his position, while still being strong in what he believes. Rumbelow backs up everything with fact, including his negations of other Jack the Ripper theories and "facts." Also included are relevant pictures and images, although the cramming of these on a few pages instead of being spread out throughout the story was rather confusing. Even though the book is pure nonfiction, it stays riveting throughout.
mahmabaer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This book is a challenge because it is truly dark. It deals not only with the horrific fate of many poor and destitute women (not just the canonical five) and their grisly ends, but also gives a wide spectrum of suspects, as well as the facts both for and against their favorite. At times, Mr. Rumbelow is bitingly sarcastic in his disdain for the nonsensical drivel that has become imbedded in the Ripper case (Oscar Wilde? Arthur Conan Doyle? Aliens?!) and at other times, gives other investigators their dues in the work they themselves have put forth. He gives more facts than rhe reader can handle (or want) about the murders, the world they took plac in (being the slums of 1888 London) and what has come from it -- from comedies to comic books yo chilling copycat murders over more than a hundred years. An excellent, though disturbing, book that will leave you with no answers, but still more questions.
mezzosherri's review against another edition
4.0
A fair-minded, adequately-written summary of the Whitechapel murders, written by a former policeman who brings that expertise to an analysis of the evidence and the main suspects. The very workmanlike nature of the prose, and the entirely-unnecessary final chapter that tells about numerous 20th-century killers-of-women (for no discernable reason and in excessive detail) almost made me mark this down to 3 stars. Ultimately, though, Rumblelow's willingness to look at the evidence dispassionately--rather than twisting or discarding things to suit some particular pet theory--kept the book in the 4-star range for me, on account of how unexpectedly rare that sort of objective approach is taken in Ripperology.
nuska's review against another edition
3.0
This book was quite interesting. It talks about, perhaps, the most famous serial killer ever. The best thing about this work is the exhaustive way it examines the figure of the Ripper. It is not a resumed version of the story, on the contrary, it even provides original pictures from the Whitechapel murders and analises one by one, all victimology, all suspects, all possible theories... very illustrative.
m_kayk's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read/take on the topic of Jack the Ripper. No conclusions were drawn, but plenty left to think about when finished.
crimsonpermanentassurance's review against another edition
3.0
What Rumbelow lacks in writerly panache, he makes up in his ability to cut through the conspiracy theories and general horseshit surrounding the Whitechapel murders.
The most successful part of this book is how well the author provides the context of the killings; describing the living conditions of the people of that place and at that time, he makes it clear how such murders not only happened, but were almost inevitable.
Like others, I found the last two sections somewhat unnecessary, but imagine they were included by way of explanation as to why 1) people are still fascinated by the Ripper, and 2) through those who emulate him (consciously or not) the kind of person he was, since we will never know the Ripper's identity for sure, and Rumbelow only deals in verifiable fact.
The most successful part of this book is how well the author provides the context of the killings; describing the living conditions of the people of that place and at that time, he makes it clear how such murders not only happened, but were almost inevitable.
Like others, I found the last two sections somewhat unnecessary, but imagine they were included by way of explanation as to why 1) people are still fascinated by the Ripper, and 2) through those who emulate him (consciously or not) the kind of person he was, since we will never know the Ripper's identity for sure, and Rumbelow only deals in verifiable fact.
c0urtn3yy's review against another edition
3.0
interesting. when they said the murders were brutal, they weren't kidding. it's also super impressive that they still don't know who did it and they got away with ALL of that. either he/she is a fricken master mind or the rest of us are all idiots.
saydenie's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely the most comprehensive book I've read on the subject. I also really liked that the author does not try to sway you toward any particular subject, he just presents the facts and theories in an objective manner. Like he says, no one will ever know who Jack the Ripper was, and most likely it was someone no one ever thought about.