Jack the Ripper: The Final Chapter

by Paul H. Feldman, Shirley Harrison

Since October 1992 the "Diary of Jack the Ripper", which purported to be written by James Maybrick, was believed to have been a hoax. However, not one person has attempted to explain how it was forged or by whom. This book claims that this is because the diary is genuine. Feldman suggests that James Maybrick was the notorious Whitechapel Murderer, and that the largest and most detailed investigation on the subject ever to be undertaken led the author through the smokescreen of an official cover-up, via the royals and the masons, to the true provenance of the diary, Jack the Ripper's watch, and, ultimately, his identity. As well as suggesting a solution to one of the most enduring mysteries in the history of crime, this is also the story of the man possibly at its centre, James Maybrick: how he died, how his wife was falsely imprisoned for his murder, and who the real murderer of Jack the Ripper was. This story also draws in two people who are still alive today - one illegitimately descended from James Maybrick, the other from his wife, Florence.

Genres: True Crime, Crime, History, Nonfiction

385 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 1998

Reviews

[SAM · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is biased to the point he comes across as ignorant. He didn't convince me.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book all but proves that James Maybrick was Jack The Ripper. I always found the diary compelling, but couldn't connect the historical dots, Feldman does in very convincing fashion through years of exhaustive historical research. I've read many books on the subjects and toured the murders sites, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction indeed.

[John Hughes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up - tediously written.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diary of Maybrick is without doubt one of the most enigmatic mysteries in the written world.
Don't get me wrong, I am completely convinced of its authenticity, but I do wonder at it's survival over so many decades. To be a fake it would need about ten people to be involve directly in the conpiracy. Including handwriting experts, and other unrelated people. The forger would have had to study the Maybrick family, including the movements, habits and intimate details of their everyday lives. S/he would have to know for sure, where James was on every occasion of each known murder, to ensure he was not home in Liverpool or out of the country. That he took arsenic, and what its effect on him was, and to know details that were not known until 1987. Then S/he would have to find a suitable old book,and Victorian ink. Then they would have to write a load of non Ripper small talk before they focused on the murders, (in a very vague way as the diary only mentions one victim), and ensure each word they write fits with Victorian word use, in a style which handwriting experts swear is that of a madman. And that is just for starters. Feldmans book tells you how and why Maybrick wrote the diary. It shows how Maybrick knew details about the murders that were not known until the diary was found. It proves the killer was Maybrick and it discloses why so many suspects - who knew each other and Royalty - were suspected. James Maybrick was Jack the Ripper. A brilliant example historical research and investigation. Case closed.

[Maureen]

bit heavy going initially, but having read it twice now, very good, on a par with Patricia Cornwells book about Jack.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a few books on Jack the Ripper, but I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as others I've read.

[Paul Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this deep debate into the Maybrick diary. It virtually picks up where Shirley Harrison left off and puts a case for a family tree leading to modern times.