Jack the Ripper

December 1, 2001
The Whitechapel murders of 1888 captured the public's attention not only for their ferocity but for an almost theatrical aspect in the form of letters from the purported killer. Evans and Skinner here expand upon the information presented in their The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion (LJ 12/00) by analyzing the more than 700 communications. Most of the letters are regarded as tasteless pranks, including the famous "Dear Boss" missive that introduced the name "Jack the Ripper" (investigators credit this moniker to a tabloid journalist). However, a few are believed to be genuine, namely, the "From Hell" note accompanying half a kidney possibly removed from victim Catherine Eddowes. Though perhaps frauds, the letters make interesting reading and bespeak the depravity of a society that would use gruesome murders as a means of entertainment. In addition to an analysis of their texts, this volume includes complete transcripts of all the letters held in the police files buttressed with numerous outstanding pictures of the original notes. While seasoned Ripperologists will love this book, the specificity limits its usefulness. Therefore, this is recommended only for collections already sporting a general overview volume, e.g., John J. Eddleston's noteworthy Jack the Ripper: An Encyclopedia (ABC-CLIO, 2001). Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.