Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper

by Pamela West

Jack the Ripper represents the most puzzling unsolved case in history. Pamela West's C.I.D. Inspector West relates in diary entries the gruesome details of the murderseach more brutal and horrific then the one before. Author West has gone to great lengths to provide accurate detail and authentic 19th-century atmosphere, and her introspective, astute Inspector West is a marvel. Tension and terror gain momentum as we are led into the dark slums of Victorian London while the Ripper, his shadow ever present, goes about his business. This is an outstanding work even if one disagrees with the author's conclusion. Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild alternates. JV
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, True Crime

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about, you guessed it, Jack The Ripper.

The Ripper is killing people and writing letters, while the police and others are trying to find out who he is.

I've read better books on the subject.

[Ryan Lingsweiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very reminiscent of James Ellroy’s “Black Dahlia”, centering around a horrific crime and featuring an idealistic detective in way over his head. I had very low expectations starting the book and ended up enjoying it a great deal.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best historical novel on Saucy Jack that I have ever read! A must read for an Ripperologist.

[Lynn Southgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review for Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper by Richard Walker - not yet published.

[Darren L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts really well -- interesting and told by a charming first person character (West). The details are phenomenal -- suggesting a remarkable amount of research. I'm not a Ripper-ologist, so I don't know how accurate the research was, but it felt intuitively to ring true. The problem (and the reason for 3 stars instead of more) is that as the book progresses, it falls apart. From realistic and gritty to dreamy and metaphoric. From probably to unlikely. From a non-fiction flair to a purely fictional conclusion. I won't give away the ending. I don't like people who spoil a plot line. But I'll say this -- the ending and the "real" Ripper ended up being someone that (even as little as I know about Jack the Ripper) is impossible. And that's too bad. For a book that had so much going for it in the first 150 pages, it all fell apart as it progressed.

[April Warner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok but I think I'd prefer reading a books of facts than this book. I like the concept of getting the story from the perspective of someone living through it.....in fact, I think it would be a good idea for more than one person's view point who lived through that time but this book....just not good enough for me personally. I had a hard time not being bored while reading it I'm sorry to say.

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in high school, at the suggestion of my mom. This novel is a fictional account (well researched) about the possible identity of the serial killer and what might have really happened behind the scenes.

[The Big · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining - and at places, truly horrifying - read. Spoiled only by the appearance of certain historical figures which had nothing to do with the Jack the Ripper case - like John Merrick, for example, and somewhat contrived secondary romantic plot.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was all right, but I have never liked present tense writing and I have never been particularly interested in Jack the Ripper. I picked it up because I enjoyed her book about Madeleine Smith.

[Mary Follis]

His first killing was August 29, 1888. This is a 100th anniversary book. Eventually pins it on Prince Eddie and a Freemason coverup.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book reminds me of the movie, From Hell starring Johnny Deep. this book at times for me was hard to understand, it interesting to see how far the tools we use to solve crimes have come. it's a good read I did enjoy it, lots of details