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The Return of the Ripper?
In the early hours of a cold February morning in 1891, the murdered body of Frances Coles was discovered beneath a railway arch in London’s Swallow Gardens. The nature of her wounds, the weapon used to inflict them, and the murder site itself were clear indicators for many that London’s most famous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, had returned.
But just how does Whitechapel’s notorious murderer fit in with the facts surrounding the case?
Contentious then as it still is today, is it reasonable to assume Frances Coles’ death proved to be the last in the Ripper’s reign of terror? Or was he long gone from Whitechapel’s streets by the time of her murder?
There can be no doubting the facts surrounding the killing are just as mysterious as those that involved the murders of Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Mary Jane Kelly and, intriguingly, several others. All these women died in a similar fashion and their cases still sit in Whitechapel’s unsolved murder files. However, unlike those that had gone before, in the case of Frances Coles there was a serious suspect.
How involved was the suspect in the Frances Coles murder and did he have anything to do with any of the earlier murders carried out in Whitechapel? These questions have remained unanswered, until now. In The Return of The Ripper? Kevin Turton re-examines the facts behind the Coles murder case and the potential links with the unsolved Whitechapel murders of the 1880s.
But just how does Whitechapel’s notorious murderer fit in with the facts surrounding the case?
Contentious then as it still is today, is it reasonable to assume Frances Coles’ death proved to be the last in the Ripper’s reign of terror? Or was he long gone from Whitechapel’s streets by the time of her murder?
There can be no doubting the facts surrounding the killing are just as mysterious as those that involved the murders of Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, Mary Jane Kelly and, intriguingly, several others. All these women died in a similar fashion and their cases still sit in Whitechapel’s unsolved murder files. However, unlike those that had gone before, in the case of Frances Coles there was a serious suspect.
How involved was the suspect in the Frances Coles murder and did he have anything to do with any of the earlier murders carried out in Whitechapel? These questions have remained unanswered, until now. In The Return of The Ripper? Kevin Turton re-examines the facts behind the Coles murder case and the potential links with the unsolved Whitechapel murders of the 1880s.
- GenresNonfictionTrue Crime
208 pages, Hardcover
Published May 30, 2023
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April 11, 2023
Just More Questions
Return of the Ripper?
Written by Kevin Turton
208 pages
Release Date: May 30, 2023 by Pen and Sword True Crime
2/5 Stars
*An ARC of this title was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Receiving a copy in no way influenced my review*
The murder of Frances Cole by some unknown person has always been an interesting case. The possibility that “Jack the Ripper” had come back from seeming to have disappeared as quick as he originally appeared and started again with his horrific crimes is both scary and, looking at it from a safe place and time, interesting. Kevin Turton’s book on this crime and exploring that possibility while discovering what happened to poor Frances during that night in Whitechapel does nothing to give us any answers and asks the same questions that have been asked since the crime was committed.
Turton does a great job of providing information about the crime, what the police did exploring it, providing plenty of information on their main suspect and how their case fell apart. During this explanation, he continually throws in and then gets rid of possible connections to Jack the Ripper, especially for the main suspect. All of this is written somewhat like the murder board you see in detective shows, with some information in this chapter and then the information that connects to it three chapters later. The structure and organization of presenting information is too loose and given seemingly as he thought of it, instead of as it would be logically presented, thus leaving a sense of confusion and randomness (which is nothing like the murders he is talking about).
Return of the Ripper also only really spends about half of the book on the actual Frances Cole case, dedicating almost half of it to recounting information from previous Jack the Ripper murders (even though the author states he does not was to do just that) and creating connections between them and then showing how those connections do not work. The entire book seems to say, in the end, that he has no real clue about who killed Frances Cole, who Jack the Ripper is or any real information. As excited as I was to read one (my wife has an unusually large amount of knowledge on this subject so I figured we could talk about it afterwards), I ended with the feeling of emptiness as I received nothing from a true crime book.
Return of the Ripper?
Written by Kevin Turton
208 pages
Release Date: May 30, 2023 by Pen and Sword True Crime
2/5 Stars
*An ARC of this title was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Receiving a copy in no way influenced my review*
The murder of Frances Cole by some unknown person has always been an interesting case. The possibility that “Jack the Ripper” had come back from seeming to have disappeared as quick as he originally appeared and started again with his horrific crimes is both scary and, looking at it from a safe place and time, interesting. Kevin Turton’s book on this crime and exploring that possibility while discovering what happened to poor Frances during that night in Whitechapel does nothing to give us any answers and asks the same questions that have been asked since the crime was committed.
Turton does a great job of providing information about the crime, what the police did exploring it, providing plenty of information on their main suspect and how their case fell apart. During this explanation, he continually throws in and then gets rid of possible connections to Jack the Ripper, especially for the main suspect. All of this is written somewhat like the murder board you see in detective shows, with some information in this chapter and then the information that connects to it three chapters later. The structure and organization of presenting information is too loose and given seemingly as he thought of it, instead of as it would be logically presented, thus leaving a sense of confusion and randomness (which is nothing like the murders he is talking about).
Return of the Ripper also only really spends about half of the book on the actual Frances Cole case, dedicating almost half of it to recounting information from previous Jack the Ripper murders (even though the author states he does not was to do just that) and creating connections between them and then showing how those connections do not work. The entire book seems to say, in the end, that he has no real clue about who killed Frances Cole, who Jack the Ripper is or any real information. As excited as I was to read one (my wife has an unusually large amount of knowledge on this subject so I figured we could talk about it afterwards), I ended with the feeling of emptiness as I received nothing from a true crime book.
April 18, 2023
The Return of the Ripper? by Kevin Turton looks at the case of Frances Coles in relation to the possibility of it being another Ripper murder, being the crime of a primary suspect, or being neither.
If you were thinking this book might offer some definitive answers, you'd be mistaken. First, we probably would have heard if there had been enough progress made to even remotely solve the case. Second, both the book description and the tagline would have marketed the book as solving the case rather than offering some analysis and speculation. Having put that to rest, we can enjoy the book for what it is, a logical look at which of the options are most plausible.
That isn't to say this is a perfect book, there were some things I think could have been tightened up as far as organization and presentation. But not what often afflicts such works.
I don't mind that there wasn't essentially a brain dump at the beginning then going back to explain the reasons. That works in many cases but here it would have taken away from a feeling of working through the evidence. Yes, it seemed scattershot at times, but such is the case with any actual investigations, so it didn't bother me (often).
I also don't mind books of any sort, but especially true crime cold cases, that generate more questions in my mind than answers given. As long as some answers were given and most of the remaining questions are new ones, that is fine with me. That may be a leftover from my philosophy days, I like being left with questions.
I would recommend this to readers with an interest in Jack the Ripper (which is a very large number) as well as those who just like to read about why a suspect may or may not be guilty of a crime. Again, don't expect to walk away with a definitive answer, though your position may be pretty solid in your mind.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
If you were thinking this book might offer some definitive answers, you'd be mistaken. First, we probably would have heard if there had been enough progress made to even remotely solve the case. Second, both the book description and the tagline would have marketed the book as solving the case rather than offering some analysis and speculation. Having put that to rest, we can enjoy the book for what it is, a logical look at which of the options are most plausible.
That isn't to say this is a perfect book, there were some things I think could have been tightened up as far as organization and presentation. But not what often afflicts such works.
I don't mind that there wasn't essentially a brain dump at the beginning then going back to explain the reasons. That works in many cases but here it would have taken away from a feeling of working through the evidence. Yes, it seemed scattershot at times, but such is the case with any actual investigations, so it didn't bother me (often).
I also don't mind books of any sort, but especially true crime cold cases, that generate more questions in my mind than answers given. As long as some answers were given and most of the remaining questions are new ones, that is fine with me. That may be a leftover from my philosophy days, I like being left with questions.
I would recommend this to readers with an interest in Jack the Ripper (which is a very large number) as well as those who just like to read about why a suspect may or may not be guilty of a crime. Again, don't expect to walk away with a definitive answer, though your position may be pretty solid in your mind.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 24, 2023
Jack the Ripper has always interested me & so I was keen to read this book as I felt it might add an interesting new perspective. I wasn’t wrong.
This book looks at another murder in Whitechapel and wonders whether this too could be the work of ‘Jack’. Frances Coles’ story is interesting & you do learn a little bit more about her & how she operates which isn’t something you always get with stories about JtR.
The prose is pitched about right, enough to be interesting & factual but not at such a high level that it turns you off reading. The length of the book is about right, going into just enough detail.
After covering Frances’ story the author recounts the stories of the Canonical Five. I was initially a bit sceptical about this as it’s hard to think what can be added to something that has been recounted, delved into & pawed over so many times. However these chapters didn’t feel like a re-hash of previous books so it does work & helps round off the story.
Having finished, I’m not sure that the book adds much to the Jack the Ripper story or even whether Frances Coles would be classed as a victim of his. I think there are much better candidates for Ripper victims, which the author also touches on in the book. Definitely something to ponder on & an interesting read to find out more about other people that met an unfortunate end during that period.
Thank you to the publishers & NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
This book looks at another murder in Whitechapel and wonders whether this too could be the work of ‘Jack’. Frances Coles’ story is interesting & you do learn a little bit more about her & how she operates which isn’t something you always get with stories about JtR.
The prose is pitched about right, enough to be interesting & factual but not at such a high level that it turns you off reading. The length of the book is about right, going into just enough detail.
After covering Frances’ story the author recounts the stories of the Canonical Five. I was initially a bit sceptical about this as it’s hard to think what can be added to something that has been recounted, delved into & pawed over so many times. However these chapters didn’t feel like a re-hash of previous books so it does work & helps round off the story.
Having finished, I’m not sure that the book adds much to the Jack the Ripper story or even whether Frances Coles would be classed as a victim of his. I think there are much better candidates for Ripper victims, which the author also touches on in the book. Definitely something to ponder on & an interesting read to find out more about other people that met an unfortunate end during that period.
Thank you to the publishers & NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
May 6, 2023
If you are a fan of all the Ripper theories, you may like this book. I tend to read or watch anything involving the 1888 Ripper case myself. But I'm not sure how I feel about Turton's "The Return of the Ripper?"
I can see how any murder that occurred during the Ripper's reign and perhaps even a few years later, could be attributed to him. But the murders suggested here, just do not seem to fit the profile as much as the author is trying to squeeze them into the victim count.
The Ripper showed an obvious escalation with the canonical 5 victims, with Mary Kelly being the most extreme killing he has been accused of, so why his next supposed victim would be a simple strangeling or even the stabbings would be attributed to him? Neither of the stabbings, even with the throat cuttings, was not as vicious as the Ripper's signature.
I do believe the Ripper continued his killing, and I think there are more than 5 victims. But I would be more likely to look at him leaving Whitechapel, perhaps even England, and heading to the States to continue his crimes.
An interesting read, but I don't think the case of these women being a victim of The Ripper has been proven.
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I can see how any murder that occurred during the Ripper's reign and perhaps even a few years later, could be attributed to him. But the murders suggested here, just do not seem to fit the profile as much as the author is trying to squeeze them into the victim count.
The Ripper showed an obvious escalation with the canonical 5 victims, with Mary Kelly being the most extreme killing he has been accused of, so why his next supposed victim would be a simple strangeling or even the stabbings would be attributed to him? Neither of the stabbings, even with the throat cuttings, was not as vicious as the Ripper's signature.
I do believe the Ripper continued his killing, and I think there are more than 5 victims. But I would be more likely to look at him leaving Whitechapel, perhaps even England, and heading to the States to continue his crimes.
An interesting read, but I don't think the case of these women being a victim of The Ripper has been proven.
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 13, 2023
I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
This book was well-written, and I enjoyed the author's voice. I think the title was misleading trying to tie into the Jack the Ripper mystery while it was fairly evident from the beginning that this murder didn't really tie into the main Ripper murders, though possibly to another serial killer. I don't know that I agree with the author's conclusions, and it was an odd way to present the story as to make the suspect look as innocent as possible and then at the last minute try to make him look guilty once again. It felt as if the ending of the book was grasping at straws after all the other evidence. I would have preferred a more coherent timeline with all the evidence presented at once rather than leading the reader around in circles. Still, an interesting read and very informative about this tragic case.
This book was well-written, and I enjoyed the author's voice. I think the title was misleading trying to tie into the Jack the Ripper mystery while it was fairly evident from the beginning that this murder didn't really tie into the main Ripper murders, though possibly to another serial killer. I don't know that I agree with the author's conclusions, and it was an odd way to present the story as to make the suspect look as innocent as possible and then at the last minute try to make him look guilty once again. It felt as if the ending of the book was grasping at straws after all the other evidence. I would have preferred a more coherent timeline with all the evidence presented at once rather than leading the reader around in circles. Still, an interesting read and very informative about this tragic case.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2023
This is an incredibly well researched book giving a very detailed description of the events of the night of Frances Coles' murder and the following Police investigation and media reporting. The book also goes over the original 5 victims and the possibility of another.
We will never know who Jack the Ripper was, there is no physical evidence that could be tested and no DNA database of people living that long ago, so going into this book it's obvious you're not going to get any definitive answers, the murder itself never being solved and the Ripper murders were never solved either.
But the details given and insight into the way the Police dealt with everything from the crime to the investigation and exploring the lives of the people involved was all fascination.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read and review this ARC.
We will never know who Jack the Ripper was, there is no physical evidence that could be tested and no DNA database of people living that long ago, so going into this book it's obvious you're not going to get any definitive answers, the murder itself never being solved and the Ripper murders were never solved either.
But the details given and insight into the way the Police dealt with everything from the crime to the investigation and exploring the lives of the people involved was all fascination.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read and review this ARC.
June 2, 2023
The Return of the Ripper, by Kevin Turton takes an in-depth look at the murder of Frances Coles on the morning the 13 February 1891. The book looks at how detectives searched for her identity, a motive, and a murderer. And looked at similarities between the Jack The Ripper victims three year earlier who also had their throats slashed however found no connection . The did police arrest a man for the murder, but after the coroner’s inquest,he’s was released and the case remains unresolved.
It was well researched however I did find it a little repetitive at times but is a enjoyable read.
Recommended to true crime readers.
It was well researched however I did find it a little repetitive at times but is a enjoyable read.
Recommended to true crime readers.
January 17, 2024
Oh another true crime about Jack the Ripper I hear you cry!
Don’t worry it won’t uncover anything you don’t already but it will fill in some details with its detailed research into the subject matter. It covers the 5 victims and looks at the possibility of another. The identity of Jack the Ripper will always be up for debate as there was no physical evidence that could ever be tested even today with every advancement in forensic science.
But the details given in the events of such old cases will always be fascinating to me.
Thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy of this ebook. #netgalley #returnoftheripper #truecrime
Don’t worry it won’t uncover anything you don’t already but it will fill in some details with its detailed research into the subject matter. It covers the 5 victims and looks at the possibility of another. The identity of Jack the Ripper will always be up for debate as there was no physical evidence that could ever be tested even today with every advancement in forensic science.
But the details given in the events of such old cases will always be fascinating to me.
Thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy of this ebook. #netgalley #returnoftheripper #truecrime
May 10, 2023
‘Everything about the murder of Frances Cole’s, a woman who fitted the victim profile of the Whitechapel killer, suggested the Ripper had returned.’
This book focuses on Frances Cole, a woman murdered with the same similarities as the previous Jack The Ripper victims.
Had Jack returned or was this a different killer altogether?
This was an ok read, I have an interest in Jack The Ripper and true crime. It wasn’t my favourite book on the topic but defiantly worth a read if you enjoy history and true crime.
This book focuses on Frances Cole, a woman murdered with the same similarities as the previous Jack The Ripper victims.
Had Jack returned or was this a different killer altogether?
This was an ok read, I have an interest in Jack The Ripper and true crime. It wasn’t my favourite book on the topic but defiantly worth a read if you enjoy history and true crime.
April 25, 2023
Was drawn to this book by the blurb plus I liked jack the ripper crime case. I was intrigued by this because I always wanted someone to create a different out look for him. And this book didn't let me down at all. 5 star book. Might reread it later on in the year. Highly recommend this book and already told a few people that they need to read this. I was drawn to it by the blurb because it sounded instering to read.
May 23, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
If you enjoy Jack the Ripper books and the different theories surrounding the murders then you will enjoy this one. I thought the research was well done and the book was interesting.
If you enjoy Jack the Ripper books and the different theories surrounding the murders then you will enjoy this one. I thought the research was well done and the book was interesting.
Read
July 28, 2023DNF
December 5, 2023
An interesting read and a nice overview of "The Five". To answer the Title, I say no.
May 4, 2023
In 1891, the body of Frances Coles was found under a railway arch in London. While this sort of event was not exactly a rare occurrence, there was something about this death that piqued the interest of the police and the press. Frances had sustained horrific wounds, reminiscent of those carried out by a killer three years earlier. Was Jack the Ripper back?
I have read many books about the five canonical murders attributed to the infamous Jack the Ripper and am also aware of other potential victims. Frances Coles was not a woman I knew too much about, however, so was intrigued to find out how she fit in with what happened in Whitechapel over 130 years ago.
The author has clearly done a lot of research into the case, taking us on a journey to late Victorian London, showing us how dangerous life could be for those less fortunate. The police investigation is shared with us as they find their prime suspect yet find it increasingly difficult to prove that he is, indeed, their man. I found the investigation process fascinating as the police, without the benefits of modern forensics, struggled to get the definitive evidence that they needed.
Fans of reading about the Whitechapel Murders will be pleased to see that there is a succinct section about the canonical victims and also information about some of the other women thought, potentially, to have died at his hand.
This is a good bookshelf addition for true crime fans, especially those with an interest in murders of the Victorian era.
I have read many books about the five canonical murders attributed to the infamous Jack the Ripper and am also aware of other potential victims. Frances Coles was not a woman I knew too much about, however, so was intrigued to find out how she fit in with what happened in Whitechapel over 130 years ago.
The author has clearly done a lot of research into the case, taking us on a journey to late Victorian London, showing us how dangerous life could be for those less fortunate. The police investigation is shared with us as they find their prime suspect yet find it increasingly difficult to prove that he is, indeed, their man. I found the investigation process fascinating as the police, without the benefits of modern forensics, struggled to get the definitive evidence that they needed.
Fans of reading about the Whitechapel Murders will be pleased to see that there is a succinct section about the canonical victims and also information about some of the other women thought, potentially, to have died at his hand.
This is a good bookshelf addition for true crime fans, especially those with an interest in murders of the Victorian era.
September 11, 2023
❥ 3 stars ☆
Jack the Ripper is probably known as the first serial killer to most people, and that’s also how I know about the name. He was the first one who became famous in the media and is therefore seen as the first serial killer, even if he actually wasn’t the first.
Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer who was active in and around the Whitechapel district in London, England in 1888. The serial killer is still unidentified, and the cases he is involved in remain unsolved to this day. The Police had many suspects and they brought in hundreds of people for questioning but they could never tie any of them to the crimes. Most scientists agree that he had 5 victims, who are known as ‘the canonical five’, but it’s unknown exactly how many victims he had. His attacks involved women who worked as prostitutes, who lived and worked in the slums of the East End of London.
The Return of the Ripper? is about the case of Frances Coles, a murder that happened in Whitechapel in 1891, and the possibility of it being another victim of the Jack the Ripper and whether he had come back to Whitechapel or never disappeared. What’s different about this case is that they had a serious suspect, which they didn’t have for ‘the canonical five’ cases. The book examines the Frances Coles case and if the suspect in this case could have anything to do with the earlier murders in Whitechapel and potential links between them.
I think the book title is a bit misleading, and the book doesn’t give us any new answers. Since Jack the Ripper remains unidentified and the murders connected with him remain unsolved, it’s impossible to know or decide whether he was involved in this case or any others. The book was well written and it goes through this case, tells us about Jack the Ripper and ‘the canonically five’ cases so it can still be an interesting read for anyone who hasn’t read about it before.
💌 Thank you to NetGalley + Pen & Swords for a digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jack the Ripper is probably known as the first serial killer to most people, and that’s also how I know about the name. He was the first one who became famous in the media and is therefore seen as the first serial killer, even if he actually wasn’t the first.
Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer who was active in and around the Whitechapel district in London, England in 1888. The serial killer is still unidentified, and the cases he is involved in remain unsolved to this day. The Police had many suspects and they brought in hundreds of people for questioning but they could never tie any of them to the crimes. Most scientists agree that he had 5 victims, who are known as ‘the canonical five’, but it’s unknown exactly how many victims he had. His attacks involved women who worked as prostitutes, who lived and worked in the slums of the East End of London.
The Return of the Ripper? is about the case of Frances Coles, a murder that happened in Whitechapel in 1891, and the possibility of it being another victim of the Jack the Ripper and whether he had come back to Whitechapel or never disappeared. What’s different about this case is that they had a serious suspect, which they didn’t have for ‘the canonical five’ cases. The book examines the Frances Coles case and if the suspect in this case could have anything to do with the earlier murders in Whitechapel and potential links between them.
I think the book title is a bit misleading, and the book doesn’t give us any new answers. Since Jack the Ripper remains unidentified and the murders connected with him remain unsolved, it’s impossible to know or decide whether he was involved in this case or any others. The book was well written and it goes through this case, tells us about Jack the Ripper and ‘the canonically five’ cases so it can still be an interesting read for anyone who hasn’t read about it before.
💌 Thank you to NetGalley + Pen & Swords for a digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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