What do you think?
Rate this book
Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes
Good and Evil are about to collide. In London’s infamous East End, a ritualistic serial killer is slaughtering women. The police are baffled, the media is in a frenzy, and people the world over are captivated by the fiend known as Jack the Ripper. Only a short distance away, the Great Detective has succumbed to an addiction to morphine and cocaine. His faithful friend, Dr. John Watson, and Irene Adler will venture into Whitechapel alone to try and lure the Ripper out of hiding using themselves as bait. As darkness threatens to consume all of London, her greatest champion, the immortal Sherlock Holmes, will rise one final time to defend her. THE FINAL STAND OF SHERLOCK HOLMES combines the actual events of the investigation into Jack the Ripper’s crimes with the canon of Arthur Conan Doyle. Historically accurate, graphic, and bold. This is Sherlock Holmes as you’ve never seen him, and will never be able to forget.
346 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2011
54 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Schaffer
87 books282 followersBernard Schaffer is an author from the Philadelphia area.
His acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series features Carrie Santero and her mentor, the troubled Jacob Rein. The Thief of All Light, An Unsettled Grave, and Blood Angel, are available from Kensington Books.
His western trilogy debuted in 2021 as part of the Ralph Compton imprint with Berkley Books. All three titles, Face of a Snake, Snake's Fury, and Hell Snake, were selected as Walmart paperback exclusives.
His acclaimed Santero and Rein Thriller series features Carrie Santero and her mentor, the troubled Jacob Rein. The Thief of All Light, An Unsettled Grave, and Blood Angel, are available from Kensington Books.
His western trilogy debuted in 2021 as part of the Ralph Compton imprint with Berkley Books. All three titles, Face of a Snake, Snake's Fury, and Hell Snake, were selected as Walmart paperback exclusives.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 24, 2011
Disclaimer: I bailed at page 62.
I'm not a squeamish reader. I can handle blood, violence, and gore as long as it's backed up by good writing and a decent plot. Sorry to say this book had none of those qualities IMO. Overly repetitive foul language, trite writing and what I consider a character assassination of my beloved fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
If you're a fan of horror, I would suggest Let the Right One In as a superior alternative to this.
** A Mea Culpa to my GR friend Barb:
I'm sorry you spent the money to mail this to me - I owe you big time!
Sure you don't want it back to unload at Paperbackswap or elsewhere? Just say the word and the postman cometh!
I'm not a squeamish reader. I can handle blood, violence, and gore as long as it's backed up by good writing and a decent plot. Sorry to say this book had none of those qualities IMO. Overly repetitive foul language, trite writing and what I consider a character assassination of my beloved fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
If you're a fan of horror, I would suggest Let the Right One In as a superior alternative to this.
** A Mea Culpa to my GR friend Barb:
I'm sorry you spent the money to mail this to me - I owe you big time!
Sure you don't want it back to unload at Paperbackswap or elsewhere? Just say the word and the postman cometh!
January 24, 2016
I was really looking forward to this novel, I thought it sounded great. The back cover says: 'Whitechapel: the final stand of Sherlock Holmes combines the actual events of the investigation into Jack the Ripper's crimes with the canon of Arthur Conan Doyle. Historically accurate, graphic and bold. This is Sherlock Holmes as you've never seen him, and will never be able to forget.'
I have to agree with much of that description, unfortunately it wasn't at all what I imagined. It was certainly graphic and bold, so much so that it completely turned me off, the blood, guts and gore was over the top. Generally I like filth and grit, especially rats and plague. But this story was not my cup of tea and I only made it to page forty before realizing that it wasn't worth spending any more of my time on. It wasn't going to be something that I would enjoy.
I'm not sure who would enjoy this, I will venture to say that if you have tastes similar to mine you would not like this. I recently read David Pirie's trilogy featuring Arthur Conan Doyle which I really enjoyed and can recommend. The Patient's Eyes: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, The Night Calls: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, The Dark Water: The Strange Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes The second of the three was my favorite. I wish Pirie would continue with more in the series.
Maybe fans of horror would appreciate Bernard J Schaffer's version of Sherlock Holmes, unfortunately it was not for me.
I have to agree with much of that description, unfortunately it wasn't at all what I imagined. It was certainly graphic and bold, so much so that it completely turned me off, the blood, guts and gore was over the top. Generally I like filth and grit, especially rats and plague. But this story was not my cup of tea and I only made it to page forty before realizing that it wasn't worth spending any more of my time on. It wasn't going to be something that I would enjoy.
I'm not sure who would enjoy this, I will venture to say that if you have tastes similar to mine you would not like this. I recently read David Pirie's trilogy featuring Arthur Conan Doyle which I really enjoyed and can recommend. The Patient's Eyes: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, The Night Calls: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes, The Dark Water: The Strange Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes The second of the three was my favorite. I wish Pirie would continue with more in the series.
Maybe fans of horror would appreciate Bernard J Schaffer's version of Sherlock Holmes, unfortunately it was not for me.
October 29, 2011
Whitechapel: The Last Stand of Sherlock Holmes is simply a masterpiece, although it is not a typical Holmes novel. Bernard Schaffer spins a dark, terrifying tale of a serial killer, how he developed his insatiable desire and how it eventually destroys him. The story is told from the different points of view of the killer, the victims and those who are trying to stop the rampage...and those who encourage it. Although the story is told through several points of view, the primary characters are the killer, Montague Druitt and Dr. Watson.
Schaffer takes us on Druitt's twisted psychological journey to satisfy his addiction to murder. It not a journey for the weak of mind or stomach, for it is gruesome and sick right from the beginning. But then that is how monsters such as Druitt come to being and Schaffer lays out this process so we can understand. While Druitt is a monster, the reader may have some sympathy for him because he comes to know he is a monster and his murderous deeds are eating him alive. He doesn't understand why he has to kill and kill in such a repulsive way, but we learn why and understand fate was against him.
Watson is thrust into the unfamiliar role of conducting the investigation without Holmes as Holmes has become a shell of his former self, incapacitated by his addiction to cocaine. Watson joins forces with the beautiful and engaging Irene Adler. Schaffer plays Adler's free spirit against Watson's formality as he develops their relationship. Together they go undercover in an attempt to lure the killer to attack Irene, with near disastrous results. Although Watson is engaged to his beloved Mary, he cannot help but to be taken by Irene.
We also see the story through the eyes of Inspector Gerard Lestrade and other officers investigating the murders. Through their eyes we learn that there is never just one victim in a homicide. Inevitably, the police officers investigating a homicide become victims also. Their families also often suffer.
In the end, Holmes comes back to solve the mystery, but he cannot undo the carnage and the collateral damage. In fact, Holmes cannot even affect the capture of Druitt. The end of this book leaves the reader unsettled and provoked into thought on one hand and satisfied on the other...a sure sign of a great book.
Schaffer uses the Sherlock Holmes mystique as a vehicle to tell a much different kind of story. His talent is evident as he masterfully develops his characters and weaves them into the many levels of this book. I am anxious to read his next offering.
Schaffer takes us on Druitt's twisted psychological journey to satisfy his addiction to murder. It not a journey for the weak of mind or stomach, for it is gruesome and sick right from the beginning. But then that is how monsters such as Druitt come to being and Schaffer lays out this process so we can understand. While Druitt is a monster, the reader may have some sympathy for him because he comes to know he is a monster and his murderous deeds are eating him alive. He doesn't understand why he has to kill and kill in such a repulsive way, but we learn why and understand fate was against him.
Watson is thrust into the unfamiliar role of conducting the investigation without Holmes as Holmes has become a shell of his former self, incapacitated by his addiction to cocaine. Watson joins forces with the beautiful and engaging Irene Adler. Schaffer plays Adler's free spirit against Watson's formality as he develops their relationship. Together they go undercover in an attempt to lure the killer to attack Irene, with near disastrous results. Although Watson is engaged to his beloved Mary, he cannot help but to be taken by Irene.
We also see the story through the eyes of Inspector Gerard Lestrade and other officers investigating the murders. Through their eyes we learn that there is never just one victim in a homicide. Inevitably, the police officers investigating a homicide become victims also. Their families also often suffer.
In the end, Holmes comes back to solve the mystery, but he cannot undo the carnage and the collateral damage. In fact, Holmes cannot even affect the capture of Druitt. The end of this book leaves the reader unsettled and provoked into thought on one hand and satisfied on the other...a sure sign of a great book.
Schaffer uses the Sherlock Holmes mystique as a vehicle to tell a much different kind of story. His talent is evident as he masterfully develops his characters and weaves them into the many levels of this book. I am anxious to read his next offering.
April 5, 2012
This is the vilest piece of stuff that I had the misfortune to read in some time. It is utter rubbish on the following counts: -
1) Mere usage of two creatures named Sherlock Holmes & Watson does not make a book a pastiche. The author should be hauled up for plain & simple charatcer-assassination by any Sherlockian.
2) Even as a Ripper novel, the book fails utterly. The research is shoddy (if not non-existent), and even the descriptions do not tally with the reality (for that, I would recommend readers to go through books by Philip Sugden and other scholars).
3) "Sherlock Holme: a cocaine addict", as a theme, has been done to death. So has been done with Druitt, and all other charatcers whose names had cropped up during the investigations into the killings.
4) The language is so thick with present-day Americanism-s that even to describe it as a book dealing with events of 1888 would be wrong.
No, this book actually doesn't deserve any stars (but Goodreads wouldn't allow it). But unless you get it for free (like I had, offered by Amazon), don't even think of reading it, although evena a free copy would turn out to be totally unreadable after a few pages. AVOID IT!
1) Mere usage of two creatures named Sherlock Holmes & Watson does not make a book a pastiche. The author should be hauled up for plain & simple charatcer-assassination by any Sherlockian.
2) Even as a Ripper novel, the book fails utterly. The research is shoddy (if not non-existent), and even the descriptions do not tally with the reality (for that, I would recommend readers to go through books by Philip Sugden and other scholars).
3) "Sherlock Holme: a cocaine addict", as a theme, has been done to death. So has been done with Druitt, and all other charatcers whose names had cropped up during the investigations into the killings.
4) The language is so thick with present-day Americanism-s that even to describe it as a book dealing with events of 1888 would be wrong.
No, this book actually doesn't deserve any stars (but Goodreads wouldn't allow it). But unless you get it for free (like I had, offered by Amazon), don't even think of reading it, although evena a free copy would turn out to be totally unreadable after a few pages. AVOID IT!
August 4, 2011
Author Bernard Schaffer hits it out of the park with a stylish, fictionalized story of the notorious killer Jack the Ripper with one of the ultimate investigators in fiction, Sherlock Holmes. As expected, it’s not for the faint of heart, but the book reads smoothly and carries the reader into the world of Dr. Watson and his relationship with the aging Sherlock Holmes. The horrific nature of the crimes returns the love/hate relationship of Holmes with law enforcement officials. The story carries beyond the investigation by Watson’s narrative of the lives of those involved, and the ultimate destination of Sherlock Holmes, revealing the people that affected his life the most. This is an excellent book for horror genre, Sherlock Holmes fans, or mystery fans that can handle the graphics. Congratulations, five stars!
March 20, 2016
I really want to get this one and read it! It sounds so good. I am just so backlogged,.Someday?1111
October 8, 2017
Hmm, if this book was only about Jack the Ripper I think it could have been so good. I really enjoyed those chapters. But... I hated the way the author portrayed Holmes, Watson and Lestrade. Wouldn't recommend to any Sherlock fans. 2* for the Ripper scenes.
January 27, 2013
I am not an ACD elitist. I enjoy Sherlock Holmes in all of his varied forms and stories, and Whitechapel was a great read in my opinion. I'm a reader who wants to be entertained, and this story had it. Mystery, violence, heartache. I devoured this book in one sitting - couldn't put it down. The characters were so real to me, they even eclipsed the characters I had built up in my mind after watching "Sherlock" on the BBC, and reading ACD collections all winter. Schaffer made the characters his own, and made them very human. The book was graphic in places, but the Ripper was a monster, and his crimes shouldn't be whitewashed in order not to offend a certain readership. In the beginning I felt as if I were reading two separate books, and wondered how/if they were ever going to merge in to a cohesive unit, and then POW! They did, and the story just never slowed down.
I enjoyed the new/old British slang I picked up along the way, too!
I'm going to recommend this to the "Sherlock" group I'm a part of, and to anyone else looking for a fast paced mystery, that has heart. I won't say much in the way of spoilers here, and maybe I'm a sentimental old fool, but I'm not going to lie - was moved to tears in several places.
I enjoyed the new/old British slang I picked up along the way, too!
I'm going to recommend this to the "Sherlock" group I'm a part of, and to anyone else looking for a fast paced mystery, that has heart. I won't say much in the way of spoilers here, and maybe I'm a sentimental old fool, but I'm not going to lie - was moved to tears in several places.
November 7, 2011
I was intrigued when I saw this book listed on Goodreads First Reads, and somewhat excited when the copy I won arrived. The unremarkable cover hid the excitement inside.
This is a well told version of the Jack the Ripper tale (fictionalized, but well based in known facts) written with an eye to the Victorian era as told in the Sherlock Holmes tales of Conan Doyle. Fans of Conan Doyle's mythic detective should beware, though; this is not the Sherlock Holmes that he wrote about. Our Sherlock in this tale is more true to life; he suffers from the ravages of his drug addiction. One question we are left to wonder (until near the ending) is who will win, the drugs or Mr. Holmes. Dr. John Watson and Irene Adler (the woman) carry a fair portion of the story, as well.
Since the events of the Jack the Ripper saga are so well known, this book becomes more of a how-done-it that a who-done-it. It is only through the author's craft that interest is kept high. The book starts slowly and may drag a little in one or two places, but the reader is more than amply rewarded for persevering.
This is a well told version of the Jack the Ripper tale (fictionalized, but well based in known facts) written with an eye to the Victorian era as told in the Sherlock Holmes tales of Conan Doyle. Fans of Conan Doyle's mythic detective should beware, though; this is not the Sherlock Holmes that he wrote about. Our Sherlock in this tale is more true to life; he suffers from the ravages of his drug addiction. One question we are left to wonder (until near the ending) is who will win, the drugs or Mr. Holmes. Dr. John Watson and Irene Adler (the woman) carry a fair portion of the story, as well.
Since the events of the Jack the Ripper saga are so well known, this book becomes more of a how-done-it that a who-done-it. It is only through the author's craft that interest is kept high. The book starts slowly and may drag a little in one or two places, but the reader is more than amply rewarded for persevering.
May 11, 2012
BEST SHERLOCK BOOK EVER...
Sherlock V's Jack the Ripper. In the grittiest, bloodiest Holmes book thats ever been written.
I must admit when I started reading this book I was not expecting the descriptive gruesomeness of the crimes, or the violence. And I will never look at Lestrade in the same way again. Yet somehow this more macabre version of these characters are more realistic than Doyle's originals. I can see the police of Jack the Rippers day smashing open a few skulls in the investigation and not bothering with the niceties of red tape.
And you feel more for the characters, because of their flaws, and issues. And the ending??? I bet more than a few people have been reduced to tears in the last few pages of the story.
P.S. There is a "Gentleman's Edition" of this book which I believe has more of the less savory bits edited out. But I would suggest you read the uncut copy, There is nothing that bad in there, and it adds realism to the story.
Sherlock V's Jack the Ripper. In the grittiest, bloodiest Holmes book thats ever been written.
I must admit when I started reading this book I was not expecting the descriptive gruesomeness of the crimes, or the violence. And I will never look at Lestrade in the same way again. Yet somehow this more macabre version of these characters are more realistic than Doyle's originals. I can see the police of Jack the Rippers day smashing open a few skulls in the investigation and not bothering with the niceties of red tape.
And you feel more for the characters, because of their flaws, and issues. And the ending??? I bet more than a few people have been reduced to tears in the last few pages of the story.
P.S. There is a "Gentleman's Edition" of this book which I believe has more of the less savory bits edited out. But I would suggest you read the uncut copy, There is nothing that bad in there, and it adds realism to the story.
January 23, 2012
I got this book, because so many people mentioned how realistic it was. What is so realistic about overly sexualized caricatures of people? If you doubt this statement ask yourself this question, "What woman after being pawed at by several men while they threatened to rape her chooses to immediately sleep with another man to 'feel alive'?".
The main plot of the story was bland and slow. Adding complex and human flaws to these characters was interesting, but it was carried out to the extreme. Lestrade being such a drunkard could not possibly have held his job. If you like Sherlock Holmes you will not like this, if you like detective novels you will not like this, if you like good writing you will not like this. If you enjoy Jack the Ripper stories you may enjoy passages of this novel.
The main plot of the story was bland and slow. Adding complex and human flaws to these characters was interesting, but it was carried out to the extreme. Lestrade being such a drunkard could not possibly have held his job. If you like Sherlock Holmes you will not like this, if you like detective novels you will not like this, if you like good writing you will not like this. If you enjoy Jack the Ripper stories you may enjoy passages of this novel.
August 11, 2011
This book was really interesting with showing how the ripper could have got to the position he was in to bring him to the atrocities he committed. I usually do not like to read books with cursing in them though. Even though I suppose that would be the reality of the way they talked. It is slippery slope for me putting that stuff in my mind though. I found it hard to put the book down, but at the same time was put off with how graphic it was so limited myself. Was hard to give stars fro it. It was a five fro plot, but a 3 for bad language and some positions characters were placed I did not care for. Also I did not care for the ending.
September 22, 2011
I received this through a Goodreads giveaway.
Oh wow. This was good. Really, really good. I honestly didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Yeah, there were a lot of parts that were graphic and gory, but being as this is a story about Jack the Ripper? It’s to be expected. One can easily pass by them by skimming. It was a fascinating read, and I liked all the differing point of views. I enjoyed that the book was told from all sorts of perspectives. I thought it would be confusing at first, but I was able to (mostly) follow along. (I did get confused as to who was who within the police, but that is so minor compared to everything else happening.)
Oh wow. This was good. Really, really good. I honestly didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Yeah, there were a lot of parts that were graphic and gory, but being as this is a story about Jack the Ripper? It’s to be expected. One can easily pass by them by skimming. It was a fascinating read, and I liked all the differing point of views. I enjoyed that the book was told from all sorts of perspectives. I thought it would be confusing at first, but I was able to (mostly) follow along. (I did get confused as to who was who within the police, but that is so minor compared to everything else happening.)
July 11, 2011
Amazing Book by my dear friend Bernard Schaffer, the Author because of his daily job has succeeded to picture the atmosphere of book as best as you can imagine! you think it's sherlock era! believe me!
July 26, 2011
Good book but a little unsettling at points.
August 9, 2021
I enjoyed the re-invention of the characters: Lestrade as a tough copper who would fit in with the brutal interrogators of the Red Riding trilogy; Holmes as a drug-addled waste of space until the last third of the book; Watson as the principal actor, very little bumbling, and a gifted surgeon. Irene Adler as the vamp as usual, but with a genuinely tender side.
What bugged me most is that some the medical parts were particularly inaccurate. For example: a few cut vocal cords floating free - the vocal chords are not the strings of a harp, but two opposing membranes. “Chords” is really a metaphor. Also, it would have been nice for Watson’s surgical efforts to have been described as accurate procedures. He would know to debride the wound, find and tie off bleeding vessels, etc. This verisimilitude would confirm him as the skilled, life saving, heroic surgeon, not a clown at all.
Other than that, I found it quite entertaining during another Covid lockdown, an easy and quick read.
Other reviewers complain about the gore - we are talking about Jack The Ripper here, of course there’s going to be blood and guts!
What bugged me most is that some the medical parts were particularly inaccurate. For example: a few cut vocal cords floating free - the vocal chords are not the strings of a harp, but two opposing membranes. “Chords” is really a metaphor. Also, it would have been nice for Watson’s surgical efforts to have been described as accurate procedures. He would know to debride the wound, find and tie off bleeding vessels, etc. This verisimilitude would confirm him as the skilled, life saving, heroic surgeon, not a clown at all.
Other than that, I found it quite entertaining during another Covid lockdown, an easy and quick read.
Other reviewers complain about the gore - we are talking about Jack The Ripper here, of course there’s going to be blood and guts!
December 3, 2017
If you're reading this book because you love Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson, don't! You'll be utterly disappointed. The characterization is off, and it falls in every single bad cliché born in the 100 years of pastiches. The Ripper story, though is quite decent, and the writing adequated, so I guess it depends on what are you looking for in the book.
August 2, 2024
Holmes meets Jack the Ripper? I was intrigued at once. Unfortunately, it's a little too vividly and gratuitously gruesome, the characterization of Holmes and Watson feels off, the writing's not very good (basic grammar errors, to boot), and there's no mystery in revealing who "Jack" is in the first 20% of the book. I couldn't finish reading it.
July 2, 2025
I didn’t finish this book. I would like to give it no stars as I could not find one redeeming feature. It was nothing like a Sherlock Holmes novel. It was violent, graphic, and very creepy. I am going to throw this book in the recycling bin in the hope that something disturbing can be made into something good.
June 28, 2017
Very detail oriented and vivid!
Articulate and sometimes graphic descriptions of actions, characters and places. Great mash up of the Holmes and Jack narratives. Created depth to already well loved characters. A very good read, I could not put it down.
Articulate and sometimes graphic descriptions of actions, characters and places. Great mash up of the Holmes and Jack narratives. Created depth to already well loved characters. A very good read, I could not put it down.
July 25, 2020
So grim.
January 14, 2012
In full disclosure I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
My Rating *** 1/2!
Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes, is a story based on the Jack the Ripper events. It is told from several points of view, Monty Druitt (who in this book takes on the role of Jack), the police investigating the murders, and Sherlock Holmes along with his faithful companion Doctor Watson.
The author's note for this edition of the book states that the book contains no profanity and edited (reduced) versions of the violence that appears in the original. Although it should be stated that there is some British profanity, scenes of a sexual nature and while the violence is reduced it is still very graphic in places.
The descriptions throughout the book are very detailed and it is easy to see the world the author describes. These details are not just limited to the gruesome deaths but are throughout the book.
The characters in the book are very interesting but it did take a while for me to find most of them likeable. Holmes spends the first 3/4 of the book as a drug addict not caring about anyone, including himself, and not wanting to investigate the murders. Watson was mostly likeable but does occasionally stray away from the 'right' path. The police force was a fairly stereotypical fictional law enforcement agency, those at the top are incompetent and out of touch, those at the bottom are hard working and good natured, while stuck in the middle is a detective (in this case inspector Lestrade) who likes to break the rules (and the occasional body part of a criminal). It took me a long time to find Lestrade likeable and to get behind him in his investigation, although by the end he was probably the most interesting character.
It took about half of the book before the investigation really got underway, and then only Watson was investigating and Holmes was left to his drugs. Holmes only turns up towards the end (recovered from his addiction) as the 'cavalry' and very quickly sets about solving the case. I did find it unrewarding the Watson didn't do much to help solve the murders as I had invested a lot into his character and didn't really feel that it paid off.
The story is very well told for the most part. One problem I did have was that most of the story is told in third person, apart from the parts that included Watson where the perspective shifts to first person. I found it unsettling and it broke up the flow of the book, occasionally it was also confusing. Time periods occasionally jump backwards and forwards and can also lead to confusion.
The story does take the various real world events and brings them into the story very well. Lewis Carroll being a suspect, the Masons and the Royal family being involved and the discovery of a headless torso being just a few of them.
I was also impressed with the author/editors use of British English rather than American English in the book.
Although I was able to guess it, the twist towards the end of the book was very good.
The ending of the book seemed to drag on as it follows what happens to Watson much later in his life as well as give a brief details of what happened to most of the other characters (but it did miss out what happened to one character who I felt should have been included). The book probably could have finished 10-15 pages earlier.
The cover of the book is very good.
Overall it was a good and well described story with very interesting characters. Some of the plot points didn't work for me and the detective work didn't really start until much later than I would have liked.
For the benefit of the author/publisher I included a few of the editing mistakes I spotted.
p116 the paragraph beginning 'It's all right man' is missing a " at the start.
p290 "Brett adjusted his tied..." should be "Brett adjusted his tie...."
p295 "..while I spiked on Mary." I think should be "...while I spied on Mary."
p295 "He tipped his hat her s she ascended the steps" should be "He tipped his hat her as she ascended the steps"
My Rating *** 1/2!
Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes, is a story based on the Jack the Ripper events. It is told from several points of view, Monty Druitt (who in this book takes on the role of Jack), the police investigating the murders, and Sherlock Holmes along with his faithful companion Doctor Watson.
The author's note for this edition of the book states that the book contains no profanity and edited (reduced) versions of the violence that appears in the original. Although it should be stated that there is some British profanity, scenes of a sexual nature and while the violence is reduced it is still very graphic in places.
The descriptions throughout the book are very detailed and it is easy to see the world the author describes. These details are not just limited to the gruesome deaths but are throughout the book.
The characters in the book are very interesting but it did take a while for me to find most of them likeable. Holmes spends the first 3/4 of the book as a drug addict not caring about anyone, including himself, and not wanting to investigate the murders. Watson was mostly likeable but does occasionally stray away from the 'right' path. The police force was a fairly stereotypical fictional law enforcement agency, those at the top are incompetent and out of touch, those at the bottom are hard working and good natured, while stuck in the middle is a detective (in this case inspector Lestrade) who likes to break the rules (and the occasional body part of a criminal). It took me a long time to find Lestrade likeable and to get behind him in his investigation, although by the end he was probably the most interesting character.
It took about half of the book before the investigation really got underway, and then only Watson was investigating and Holmes was left to his drugs. Holmes only turns up towards the end (recovered from his addiction) as the 'cavalry' and very quickly sets about solving the case. I did find it unrewarding the Watson didn't do much to help solve the murders as I had invested a lot into his character and didn't really feel that it paid off.
The story is very well told for the most part. One problem I did have was that most of the story is told in third person, apart from the parts that included Watson where the perspective shifts to first person. I found it unsettling and it broke up the flow of the book, occasionally it was also confusing. Time periods occasionally jump backwards and forwards and can also lead to confusion.
The story does take the various real world events and brings them into the story very well. Lewis Carroll being a suspect, the Masons and the Royal family being involved and the discovery of a headless torso being just a few of them.
I was also impressed with the author/editors use of British English rather than American English in the book.
Although I was able to guess it, the twist towards the end of the book was very good.
The ending of the book seemed to drag on as it follows what happens to Watson much later in his life as well as give a brief details of what happened to most of the other characters (but it did miss out what happened to one character who I felt should have been included). The book probably could have finished 10-15 pages earlier.
The cover of the book is very good.
Overall it was a good and well described story with very interesting characters. Some of the plot points didn't work for me and the detective work didn't really start until much later than I would have liked.
For the benefit of the author/publisher I included a few of the editing mistakes I spotted.
p116 the paragraph beginning 'It's all right man' is missing a " at the start.
p290 "Brett adjusted his tied..." should be "Brett adjusted his tie...."
p295 "..while I spiked on Mary." I think should be "...while I spied on Mary."
p295 "He tipped his hat her s she ascended the steps" should be "He tipped his hat her as she ascended the steps"
May 31, 2012
So it has been a few days since I finished this book and I have had some time to think about this review. I will start of by saying the reason I am giving this book 3 stars is because it was a decent Jack the Ripper story and if that was all it was I might have been inclined to rate it 4 stars. However, Since this was supposed to be just as much a Sherlock Holmes story I was disappointed and feel that would have cause me to give it 2 stars had I not enjoyed the Jack the Ripper back story in the beginning.
I had heard wonderful things about this book and I loved the idea of Jack the Ripper versus the world greatest Detective Sherlock Holmes. I guess I expected more Holmes because until the end he was almost non-existent. He played a very small roll in the story and John Watson played a bigger part. I liked Watson having a more prominent roll because he does get lumped in as a sidekick, but even that was staggering. I also was not a big fan of Schaffer’s portrayal Holmes, I think he over played the drug addict side and he was even less human early on in the book than Even Conan Doyle wrote him.
Now, before I read this book I was recommending it because it sounded like a great read and I couldn’t wait to read it myself. Since I have read it I will still recommend it but not as highly as I did before. I also must warn that this book is not for the faint of heart. The violence is true to the events of the Ripper’s crimes. The detail is difficult to deal with at times, some have complained about the language in this book but it didn’t really bother me. Some of the subject matter made me very uncomfortable and I felt wrong for reading it, and at the same time looking forward to finding out what happens next. If you are squeamish and have a hard time with graphic violence, Schaffer was kind enough to release the Gentleman’s version which has the gore and language removed so you can enjoy the story without it.
Bernard Schaffer writes a back story to Jack the Ripper which sheds some light on a possible reason Jack the Ripper killed. It was quite interesting and I enjoyed it, but there were moments that disgusted me and I was glad to get passed it. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, had I not expected more Sherlock Holmes I might have enjoyed this more. If you are a fan of Jack the Ripper stories this one is for you, if you are a Sherlock Holmes purist I would not recommend this book. A fan of the original Sherlock Holmes Cannon would need to go into this with an opened mind or else you will not enjoy this. Bernard Schaffer is a good writer and I mean no disrespect to him as an author. This book was just very hard for me to review because I didn’t Love it, but I didn’t hate it either.
I had heard wonderful things about this book and I loved the idea of Jack the Ripper versus the world greatest Detective Sherlock Holmes. I guess I expected more Holmes because until the end he was almost non-existent. He played a very small roll in the story and John Watson played a bigger part. I liked Watson having a more prominent roll because he does get lumped in as a sidekick, but even that was staggering. I also was not a big fan of Schaffer’s portrayal Holmes, I think he over played the drug addict side and he was even less human early on in the book than Even Conan Doyle wrote him.
Now, before I read this book I was recommending it because it sounded like a great read and I couldn’t wait to read it myself. Since I have read it I will still recommend it but not as highly as I did before. I also must warn that this book is not for the faint of heart. The violence is true to the events of the Ripper’s crimes. The detail is difficult to deal with at times, some have complained about the language in this book but it didn’t really bother me. Some of the subject matter made me very uncomfortable and I felt wrong for reading it, and at the same time looking forward to finding out what happens next. If you are squeamish and have a hard time with graphic violence, Schaffer was kind enough to release the Gentleman’s version which has the gore and language removed so you can enjoy the story without it.
Bernard Schaffer writes a back story to Jack the Ripper which sheds some light on a possible reason Jack the Ripper killed. It was quite interesting and I enjoyed it, but there were moments that disgusted me and I was glad to get passed it. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, had I not expected more Sherlock Holmes I might have enjoyed this more. If you are a fan of Jack the Ripper stories this one is for you, if you are a Sherlock Holmes purist I would not recommend this book. A fan of the original Sherlock Holmes Cannon would need to go into this with an opened mind or else you will not enjoy this. Bernard Schaffer is a good writer and I mean no disrespect to him as an author. This book was just very hard for me to review because I didn’t Love it, but I didn’t hate it either.
September 6, 2012
PLEASE NOTE: This review is for the "Gentlemen's Edition" only.
In "Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes (Gentlemen's Edition)," Bernard Schaffer gives his readers a character-driven tale packed with action, terror, mystery, and the frustration of dealing with all-too-human foibles. His presentation of Jack the Ripper is an excellent and disturbing portrait both of a serial killer and of the nature/nurture elements that can lead to a serial killer's formation.
I haven't read much Arthur Conan Doyle, so I came to "Whitechapel" without many preconceived ideas of how a Sherlock Holmes novel "should" read. Holmes himself doesn't figure much into the solving of this mystery...but Schaffer develops the character in such a way that it makes sense for the Great Detective not to cross paths with The Ripper until almost the very end. On the Holmes/Watson side of things, the story concerns more their growth as characters -- and as men -- than it does their pursuit of a monster.
Readers who expect "dry" detective fiction should take note that even this "Gentlemen's Edition" contains semi-graphic descriptions of how Jack the Ripper mutilates his victims. Furthermore, I personally appreciate Schaffer's honest depiction of gritty, impoverished, 19th-century London...but there will be readers who won't enjoy this view of harsh reality as much as I do.
Fans of Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness" will settle in with "Whitechapel" as they would with an old friend. I certainly did (especially with enjoyment of Schaffer's Teddy Roosevelt reference!).
I give the novel 4 stars instead of 5 because of some persistent grammatical and punctuation errors that pulled me out of the story. As one with a keen interest in psychology and as an occasional reader of detective fiction, I enjoyed Bernard Schaffer's "Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes (Gentlemen's Edition)" very much. As a writer, I appreciate the clear, easy flow of his writing style and look forward to reading more of his work.
In "Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes (Gentlemen's Edition)," Bernard Schaffer gives his readers a character-driven tale packed with action, terror, mystery, and the frustration of dealing with all-too-human foibles. His presentation of Jack the Ripper is an excellent and disturbing portrait both of a serial killer and of the nature/nurture elements that can lead to a serial killer's formation.
I haven't read much Arthur Conan Doyle, so I came to "Whitechapel" without many preconceived ideas of how a Sherlock Holmes novel "should" read. Holmes himself doesn't figure much into the solving of this mystery...but Schaffer develops the character in such a way that it makes sense for the Great Detective not to cross paths with The Ripper until almost the very end. On the Holmes/Watson side of things, the story concerns more their growth as characters -- and as men -- than it does their pursuit of a monster.
Readers who expect "dry" detective fiction should take note that even this "Gentlemen's Edition" contains semi-graphic descriptions of how Jack the Ripper mutilates his victims. Furthermore, I personally appreciate Schaffer's honest depiction of gritty, impoverished, 19th-century London...but there will be readers who won't enjoy this view of harsh reality as much as I do.
Fans of Caleb Carr's "The Alienist" and "The Angel of Darkness" will settle in with "Whitechapel" as they would with an old friend. I certainly did (especially with enjoyment of Schaffer's Teddy Roosevelt reference!).
I give the novel 4 stars instead of 5 because of some persistent grammatical and punctuation errors that pulled me out of the story. As one with a keen interest in psychology and as an occasional reader of detective fiction, I enjoyed Bernard Schaffer's "Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes (Gentlemen's Edition)" very much. As a writer, I appreciate the clear, easy flow of his writing style and look forward to reading more of his work.
November 9, 2011
I love Sherlock Holmes mysteries and I looked forward to reading Whitechapel by Bernard J. Schaffer. However, I was very disappointed as I read his version of Holms in this book. In thirteen chapters Sherlock Holmes was in it only twice and then only for a very short while. Most of the book was dedicated to what I will call Erotica. The very disturbed mind of the killer who seems to go about butchering prostitutes during the night is explicitly exposed with the most meticulous precision. However, Mr. Schaffer spends most of his time telling us in very descriptive detail the exact spot and how deep Jack the Ripper likes to cut women open and how entertained he was by the inside of women’s bodies. Also, how he and his friend like to go about masturbating or having oral sex with each other. Schaffer left nothing to the imagination, converting this book into a Horror Erotica. It is too gruesome to describe in this review.
Doctor Watson tells the story that is mingled with pieces of other cases he and Holmes have worked on before. At this time, Doctor Watson is engaged to Mary and Sherlock Holmes is trying to break his cocaine addiction with Watson’s help.
This could have been a great tale of the greatest mastermind detective of all time, but Schaffer turned it into a blood bath full of four letter words. Holmes’ intuition and talent are seldom depicted throughout the tale. Schaffer respects no one in this book. For example: Inspector Lastrade, according to this author, is a man who takes favors with prostitutes and swears a lot throughout the story. So did all his colleagues on the police force. It became tedious and insulting to me. This is a kinky adult book.
Doctor Watson tells the story that is mingled with pieces of other cases he and Holmes have worked on before. At this time, Doctor Watson is engaged to Mary and Sherlock Holmes is trying to break his cocaine addiction with Watson’s help.
This could have been a great tale of the greatest mastermind detective of all time, but Schaffer turned it into a blood bath full of four letter words. Holmes’ intuition and talent are seldom depicted throughout the tale. Schaffer respects no one in this book. For example: Inspector Lastrade, according to this author, is a man who takes favors with prostitutes and swears a lot throughout the story. So did all his colleagues on the police force. It became tedious and insulting to me. This is a kinky adult book.
December 23, 2011
This was a great book and had just the right combination of Conan Doyle's characters and historical-fictiony goodness. I read the "Gentleman's Edition", which was edited for gore and language. I actually hadn't intended to do that, but it happened that I didn't notice that until after purchase. However, I am very glad that I did. The detail was still cringe-worthy, so I can't imagine the unedited version.
I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but I had two problems: (1) and (2) The amount of descriptive gore for an edited edition was still just too much. As the intro says, even this edition isn't "for kids", but the scene where was a shockingly graphic (and I believe unnecessary and even counter-productive for the character's development) display of cruelty.
So, I wholeheartedly recommend the Gentleman's Edition of this book for any interested adult who is able to overlook a few overly graphic moments, and even for the squeamish I think that you should think twice before passing this up!
I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but I had two problems: (1) and (2) The amount of descriptive gore for an edited edition was still just too much. As the intro says, even this edition isn't "for kids", but the scene where was a shockingly graphic (and I believe unnecessary and even counter-productive for the character's development) display of cruelty.
So, I wholeheartedly recommend the Gentleman's Edition of this book for any interested adult who is able to overlook a few overly graphic moments, and even for the squeamish I think that you should think twice before passing this up!
August 7, 2017
Ah, no. This is not a book for Sherlock Holmes fans (like myself). I COULD NOT STAND how Watson, Holmes, and Lestrade were portrayed. Watson is a total pussy - Holmes is a total druggie loser - Lestrade is a brutal jerk. Nope. Sorry. I do not even want to get into the issues I had with the portrayal of Irene Adler.
Then on to Jack the Ripper. I get what Schaffer was trying to set up with the mental illness and all, but it does work. It doesn't make sense. Too many loose-ends and failed explanations to count. What was the deal with his mother? It was almost as if he was trying for something supernatural in a book that was not at all supernatural. His brother? WTF? It was all bizarre and not it an interesting way.
And then the gore. Believe me, I am not shy when it comes to gore and brutality in my books. However, I do appreciate a basis for the gore not nonsense. Hey, violence can be random and shocking - just like life. But, don't paint a killer with a psychosis and fail to adequately develop the psychosis.
Could this novel find some redemption if he had written it with non-Sherlockian characters? Yes, with some further plot and character development. Also, the writing was pretty solid. And those are the only reasons I did not give it one star. Oh and BTW - what was up with the church scene and Lestrade??? Really? That was way over the top and a stupid plot device.
Then on to Jack the Ripper. I get what Schaffer was trying to set up with the mental illness and all, but it does work. It doesn't make sense. Too many loose-ends and failed explanations to count. What was the deal with his mother? It was almost as if he was trying for something supernatural in a book that was not at all supernatural. His brother? WTF? It was all bizarre and not it an interesting way.
And then the gore. Believe me, I am not shy when it comes to gore and brutality in my books. However, I do appreciate a basis for the gore not nonsense. Hey, violence can be random and shocking - just like life. But, don't paint a killer with a psychosis and fail to adequately develop the psychosis.
Could this novel find some redemption if he had written it with non-Sherlockian characters? Yes, with some further plot and character development. Also, the writing was pretty solid. And those are the only reasons I did not give it one star. Oh and BTW - what was up with the church scene and Lestrade??? Really? That was way over the top and a stupid plot device.
March 28, 2014
The author of this book said, in the prologue, that he wrote the Gentlemen's Edition of this book so he wouldn't be embarrassed for his mother to read it. If you like blood and gore, though, don't let that scare you. His mother must have a pretty strong stomach, because there were still plenty of parts that I skimmed.
Aside from that, and the fact that he seems to think that people in the past did not use contractions, resulting in some pretty stilted dialogue, I really enjoyed this book. As you can probably tell, in it Sherlock Holmes solves the Jack the Ripper crimes. I'm not too knowledgeable about the various suspects that have been put forth, so I can't speak to that aspect of the book. But again, here's a writer who has the best subjects you could ask for--Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper--and he delivered. Maybe not up to Conan Doyle's standards, but it kept me awake. I just hope that Mr. Schaffer gets a better editor next time, one who convinces him to let people talk like people.
Aside from that, and the fact that he seems to think that people in the past did not use contractions, resulting in some pretty stilted dialogue, I really enjoyed this book. As you can probably tell, in it Sherlock Holmes solves the Jack the Ripper crimes. I'm not too knowledgeable about the various suspects that have been put forth, so I can't speak to that aspect of the book. But again, here's a writer who has the best subjects you could ask for--Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper--and he delivered. Maybe not up to Conan Doyle's standards, but it kept me awake. I just hope that Mr. Schaffer gets a better editor next time, one who convinces him to let people talk like people.
March 4, 2014
I was looking forward to another Holmes-ian mystery, and certainly got something other than what I expected. That aside, though, I enjoyed the book. Although an Arthur Conan Doyle fan, I wasn't at all bothered by the very different portrayal of Holmes, Watson, Adler,and Lastrade. Although graphic, I thought the back-story of "Jack" was very interesting, and the ending had a nice (not entirely unexpected)twist. Although the discourse was stiff, it seemed relatively era appropriate in terms of usage. Much of the author's time was spent giving a sense of place, and it's very well done - from Holmes' study to the alleys of Whitechapel, I could easily picture what the scene looked like. I would have liked a little more to the back-story, and 'afterward', but acknowledge that would have made the book incredibly long to read.
September 7, 2011
I won this book as a first reads giveaway.
I liked this book. It was a little bit of a different take on Sherlocke Holmes and the "mystery" of Jack the Ripper. I expected to see more of Mr. Holmes in the story. It focused more on Watson and of course Jack the Ripper. It was almost like he was just thrown into the story and only became important to it near the end of the novel.
While I enjoyed this book I did not think that it was great. It seemed to drag at times.
The author did do a good job of describing different parts of England and capturing the dreariness of Whitechapel. I did feel like I was in another darker time while reading the novel. His take on Jack the Ripper and his origins was very interesting and that is what made the book.
I liked this book. It was a little bit of a different take on Sherlocke Holmes and the "mystery" of Jack the Ripper. I expected to see more of Mr. Holmes in the story. It focused more on Watson and of course Jack the Ripper. It was almost like he was just thrown into the story and only became important to it near the end of the novel.
While I enjoyed this book I did not think that it was great. It seemed to drag at times.
The author did do a good job of describing different parts of England and capturing the dreariness of Whitechapel. I did feel like I was in another darker time while reading the novel. His take on Jack the Ripper and his origins was very interesting and that is what made the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews