JACK THE RIPPER : STRAIGHT FOR THE JUGULAR

Hardback. At least five women were murdered in Whitechapel with incomprehensible savagery in 1888. It’s easy to see why this period of time became known as the Autumn of Terror, as a faceless killer prowled the narrow, gloomy alleyways, and women feared walking alone at night. Against a backdrop of poverty, violence, and social injustice, Jack the Ripper left his mark on London and still fascinates true crime enthusiasts, historians, and researchers over 130 years later. This vivid, detailed, and impartial book brings to life the period of history in which elusive Jack stalked his victims. Jack the Ripper: The book includes not only the stories of the victims, the sensational letters, and an examination of the crime scenes, but also addresses intriguing questions, such as: Was The Ripper responsible for the murders of Emma Smith and Martha Tabram, which preceded the “canonical five”, and the later atrocities, like the Pinchin Street Torso? What did the police and press get up to, and which colourful characters fell foul of the law along the way? Can we apply modern criminology to help us deduce Jack’s identity? Focusing on the facts and cutting through the myths, which one of the 10 key suspects tackled in this book is most likely to be the killer? What happened afterwards to the police officials involved in the case, and what do the murder sites look like now? How has the Whitechapel Fiend been portrayed in popular culture over the years? This book puts one of the most infamous serial killers of all time into the geographical, historical, and social context of London’s East End, offering tantalising details about how its inhabitants lived and worked. Did you know that Londoners were charged tuppence for the privilege of sleeping on a washing line? You might have heard of the cryptic message left in Goulston Street, but did you know about the other Jack the Ripper graffiti scrawled on Whitechapel’s walls? A comprehensive insight into one of the most shocking true crime murder cases in the world. Illus., Sources and Index. 298pp. 8vo. h/back. Pictorial glazed covers - dw. not required. As New