The Ripper's Hellbroth: The Watchmaker Revelations

by Michael L. Hawley

Western New York is under-siege from a serial killer who seems to be following in the footsteps of the most famous fiend of them all - Jack the Ripper. The Niagara Falls Serial Killer Task Force calls in none other than the Watchmaker, a detective sleuth par excellence. The Watchmaker, FBI’s chief scientist Dr. Edward Dunham knew at once there was something strange about this killer. When he discovers the fiend's immortal agenda, giving the case its first break in what seemed to be an unsolvable situation, he blows the case wide open with a prediction of where the killer will strike next. They begin their deadly cat and mouse game, then one of the killer’s intended victims, a college sophomore, and her younger brother bestow a gift on the Watchmaker, although, when he locks horns with the killer, Dunham's not prepared for the outcome. All is not lost. The Watchmaker knows his secret, a secret that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

270 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2013

Reviews

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a Ripper copycat killer in New York and the police can't catch him so they call in FBI profiler Edward Dunham. This book swaps between the Ripper Story of 1888 and the modern murders. I really enjoyed the Ripper story, not just because it's a familiar tale. It flowed really well and was well written. I believe the author has written non-fiction about that time period and it showed in the writing. 

For me it fell down with the modern half. With all the characters in both parts there were just too many people to follow and I often lost track. Their language and need to explain everything grated on me too. It lacked the flow of the other story. 

I enjoyed the premise and the idea of mixing up the too and the book did keep my interest throughout. 

Free arc from netgalley

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A modern day copy cat Jack the Ripper killer in New York. An expert from the FBI comes in to assist. The story jumps back and forth between modern day and the time of the Ripper. An interesting and different story makes for a good read. Thanks to the publisher Sunbury Press for granting my wish on Netgalley

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western New York is under-siege from a serial killer who seems to be following in the footsteps of the most famous fiend of them all - Jack the Ripper. The Niagara Falls Serial Killer Task Force calls in none other than the Watchmaker, a detective sleuth par excellence. The Watchmaker, FBI’s chief scientist Dr. Edward Dunham knew at once there was something strange about this killer. When he discovers the fiend's immortal agenda, giving the case its first break in what seemed to be an unsolvable situation, he blows the case wide open with a prediction of where the killer will strike next. They begin their deadly cat and mouse game, then one of the killer’s intended victims, a college sophomore, and her younger brother bestow a gift on the Watchmaker, although, when he locks horns with the killer, Dunham's not prepared for the outcome. All is not lost. The Watchmaker knows his secret, a secret that will haunt him for the rest of his life

My thoughts:
OMG , what a perfect read for October it's creepy, sinister , weird , disturbing ,and very haunting all rolled into one story, a
story that alternates back and forth between the two timelines , the past and present each victim getting us closer to the unknown suspect , it's a different type of twist on the story of Jack the Ripper .It's a must read . Once again think you NetGalley for giving me a chance at read what turned out to be a really great book.

[Thebooktrail]

I’ve read a lot of Ripper novels over the years but it’s the cross over here from Whitechapel in 1888 and a modern day serial killer in Niagara Falls New York that makes this one different.

There must have been a lot of suspicion over the years as whether Jack the Ripper had resurfaced or indeed come back to life as it were with copycat killers finding the premise of the original killings too hard to miss.

This is a neatly tied up and researched story into the what ifs, and the flight over the ocean from 1888 to present day was nicely done. It adds a new and nice angle to the original horror story and adds plenty of its own.

A must for those still intrigued by the Rippers’ legacy and who want a further insight into what started back in 1888 and was never solved.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. A good story that alternates chapters from the modern day "copycat" Jack the Ripper and the Jack the Ripper murders (quite gruesome) of the past. A serial killer expert called the Watchmaker is brought in to catch the killer. With a fast-paced story and interesting characters, this book held my attention from beginning to end. Well worth the read!

[Megan Leprich · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thanks to Hellbender Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy for my honest review*

This was one of many Jack the Ripper books I've read in my lifetime and it was pretty decent. I really enjoyed the modern take on it and the mystery behind all of it. The book was a little confusing as it flips between present day and the Victorian era but once you get more into the story it isn't as confusing. The plot itself was really good, it was haunting and atmospheric and probably my favorite part of this entire book.

[Ionia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of this novel, and thought that the idea of a modern day Ripper was an interesting one to explore, but I found myself struggling a bit with the switches in time, from present day to Victorian. It was jarring at times and prevented me from following either part of the story as closely as I would have liked.

Still, the writing is good and the author clearly knows the facts behind the original Ripper case, which made gave this book a solid foundation and made it more interesting to read, I thought. The Watchmaker kept my attention throughout the story and there were quite a few unexpected events in the book that kept me guessing about what was going to happen next.

Overall, I thought this was a brilliant idea, but the execution could have been better if the switches in time period weren't so blunt. Still, a great book for those who enjoy the Ripper or just a good mystery in general.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lisa Henderson-Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sunbury Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline follows the original Jack the Ripper murders of the 19th century as well as the present day investigation of a Jack the Ripper copycat. The story alternates back and forth between the two timelines with each victim getting us closer to the unknown suspect. I actually found the historical investigation more appealing than the present day, that is, until near the end of the book when everything started to tie in together. We learn of a close connection between the murder sprees in each century that involves a bit of a supernatural twist. The author has left us with some unanswered questions that sets a great foundation for a second book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As present day Western New York is plagued by a serial killer seemingly copying Jack the Ripper we also follow his story in Whitechapel of the 1880's. To help with the investigation FBI’s chief scientist Dr. Edward Dunham is brought in.
An interesting story which kept my interest, but only just as the writing style was not quite to my taste.
A NetGalley Book

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting mystery written in a simple way. I found that sometimes the author explained things too much and that the characters could have done with more development.

[Juls Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ripper's Hellbroth is a 'Hell of a read'.

The Watchmaker, Dr. Edward Dunham seems to get inside the killer’s head. He knows there’s something strange about this whole case. But when he discovers the fiend's immortal agenda, he blows the case wide open. I like how well written the story is, and how Mr. Hawley goes from the original Jack the Ripper case to the Niagara Falls Serial Killer, who was a well documented copycat killer of Jack the Ripper. They story is tied together neatly at the end. If you like murder crime stories, then this is a - must read.

[Illustrious Illusions]

I was very excited to be granted the opportunity to read this. The blurb was intriguing and I love studying Jack the Ripper. The story is well thought out and full of little details that make you want to reread it once you are finished. There are good bits of flashback and accurate historical information and we well rounded story in modern times to pull it back together.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting mystery written in a simple way. I found that sometimes the author explained things too much and that the characters could have done with more development.