I became interested in Jack the Ripper, I think, thru your blog, Steve?

What made this a modern crime was the well-documented police work and newspaper coverage. I learned so much about each victim, their family, how they lived, where they lived, what they wore and what they were carrying when they were murdered. I learned about their neighbors.

One of the victims has descendants living in Canada.
Emily Booth | 03.09.08 - 4:40 pm | #

I think the fascination with Jack the Ripper is interesting. I also think it goes past the fact that he was never caught. One of the most interesting books I've read about the case, was Patricia Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer. Not that I necessarily agree with her conclusion, but it was interesting.
Soobs | 03.09.08 - 6:46 pm | #

Soobs, I have to be honest -- Cornwell took a fascinating idea in that book and proceeded to prove that she was somewhat unbalanced by the way she approached her argument that the artist was the killer. I could barely finish it, and swore off ANY of her writing for quite a while afterwards. I've read more well-reasoned speculation by bloggers who have never even had a classified ad published, much less several best-selling novels. To me, Patricia Cornwell jumped the shark as a writer with "Portrait."
Steve Huff | Homepage | 03.09.08 - 7:10 pm | #

i went on a jack the ripper walking tour thru the streets of london at night - it was fascinating! and a bit creepy!

the story and evidence itself is pretty gruesome.
Lizzy | 03.09.08 - 10:22 pm | #

"proceeded to prove that she was somewhat unbalanced by the way she approached her argument that the artist was the killer."

Could be why I thought the book was interesting. LOL
Soobs | 03.10.08 - 12:35 pm | #

in re: Patricia Cornwell....


I laughed when I saw a recent blurb on the back of a mystery novel (Kathy Reichs, perhaps) that read "As good as early Patricia Cornwell." What a great compliment and awful snub all wrapped up in one. It's true, though. Her early books were real page turners. The last five or six are dreadful. Talk about a declining rate of return.
Larkin | 03.10.08 - 1:25 pm | #

What does anyone think about the theory that James Maybrick was the Ripper? I shall deffo be checking this exhibition out!
blimeyhecks | 03.11.08 - 10:34 am | #