Jack the Ripper Suspects: The Definitive Guide and Encyclopedia - Softcover

Williams, Paul; Parker, RJ

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1986324699 ISBN 13: 9781986324694

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018

Synopsis

In the autumn of 1888, a serial killer known as Jack the Ripper stalked the East End of London. He was never identified, but hundreds of people were accused. Some were known to the authorities at the time, and others were named by later researchers. The truth about them, and the reasons why they came under suspicion, is often lost in a plethora of opinions and misinformation. For the first time, this book presents the evidence against 333 suspects. They include the publican who painted his dog, the first woman sentenced to the electric chair, the writer of the Red Flag, the man with a thousand convictions, Britain’s oldest Prime Minister, and many others. People from all walks of nineteenth century life, representing many different nationalities and professions. United by a link, however tenuous, to the most famous murderer in history.

About this title

Review

"In Jack the Ripper Suspects: The Definitive Guide and Encyclopedia(link is external), Williams describes the eleven victims most often suggested before focusing on nine. He then defines his list of suspects as those accused of one or more of these murders in the Whitechapel area from 1888-1891: the canonical five plus Emma Smith, Martha Tabram, Alice McKenzie, and Frances Coles. Although not included among the top Ripperologists, Williams has nevertheless done an exhaustive job of collecting the names in one place.   I'm certain that some will take issue with items in this book because the debate over facts and theories is at the heart of Ripperology. Yet those Ripperologists who can bear having their work reduced to a few sentences or paragraphs, with their favorite candidate dismissed, will have fun with this book. For others, it offers a wealth of material and an organized way to find primary sources. There's even a helpful glossary that sums up who accused the suspect and the basic reason that he, she, or they don't work out. The footnote section is also comprehensive.
   
I wasn't a Ripperologist before I read this book, but thanks to Williams' categories and lists, I'm getting closer. I recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest the Ripper case."
- Katherine Ramsland, PhD
psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201804/ripperology-101

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1986324699
• ISBN 13: 9781986324694
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Designs Aeternum
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 324
• Editor: Vronsky Peter