Jack the Ripper and the Case for Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect

by Robert House, Roy Hazelwood (Contributor)

An investigation into the man Scotland Yard thought (but couldn't prove) was Jack the Ripper Dozens of theories have attempted to resolve the mystery of the identity of Jack the Ripper, the world's most famous serial killer. Ripperologist Robert House contends that we may have known the answer all along. The head of Scotland Yard's Criminal Investigation Department at the time of the murders thought Aaron Kozminski was guilty, but he lacked the legal proof to convict him. By exploring Kozminski's life, House builds a strong circumstantial case against him, showing not only that he had means, motive, and opportunity, but also that he fit the general profile of a serial killer as defined by the FBI today. Building a thorough and convincing case that completes the work begun by Scotland Yard more than a century ago, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to know who really committed Jack the Ripper's heinous and unforgettable crimes.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Crime, Mystery, British Literature, Biography

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2010

About the author

Robert House (b. 1971 in Boston Massachusetts) has studied the Jack the Ripper murders for ten years, and is one of the world's foremost experts on the suspect Aaron Kozminski. In 2004, House discovered Aaron Kozminski's birth certificate in Poland and then travelled to both Poland and London to continue his research. He published two articles on Kozminski in Ripperologist magazine in March 2005 and March 2006. In addition to being a writer, he is an artist and graphic designer.

Listen to an interview with the author here: http://www.casebook.org/podcast/liste...

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: An entirely circumstantial argument, though about as strong a case as can be made for a suspect so little is known of.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the book was well researched. The author is up front that the evidence for this suspect is all circumstantial. He makes a good argument for his theory. I have read several books on different suspects and I can understand why the author believes this is likely Mr. Ripper. I'm not sure I'm completely sold on this suspect but he is one of two that I think are the most likely. The other one is discussed in the book Cutting Point by Christer Holmgren.

[Amy H. Sturgis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very well-balanced and thoughtful consideration of the possibility that Aaron Kozminski might have been Jack the Ripper. House is careful not to attempt too much - he can neither prove Kozminski's guilt nor even claim there was a consensus among those at Scotland Yard about the prime suspect - but he makes a good case for not dismissing out of hand the comments of former Assistant Commissioner of the CID, Sir Robert Anderson, or the marginialia of former Chief Inspector Donald Swanson.

The particular strengths of this work lie in 1) its exploration of what Kozminski's schizophrenia might have meant in terms of his behavior and compulsions, and why descriptions of his habits years later should not lead Ripperologists to ignore Kozminki's candidacy as the Ripper; and 2) his consideration of the geography of the murders and how they fit with what we know of Kozminki's whereabouts during the Autumn of Terror. Most of all, I especially appreciated how House put the Ripper killings and Kozminki's life experiences in the larger context of the antisemitism of the time and the particular prejudice against the "sweating" professions such as tailoring. This sheds light not only on House's main argument, but also on other aspects of the murders, such as the actions taken by authorities regarding the Ghoulston Street Graffito.

This is an able analysis of the murders with a fresh perspective and conscientious introductions of new information along the way; whether or not Kozminksi is "your" suspect, I recommend this to all who are interested in the historical period and the mystery itself.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesing book. Nice background and forensic (psychological) analysis of jack the ripper. Very well researched and written.

[Nick Guzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

maybe jack the ripper was this guy aaron and maybe he wasn’t, but i can tell you one thing. whoever he was, he was not a nice guy

[Eva Müller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This meeting could have been an e-mail. This book could have been an article. Is it an interesting theory? Yes. Does he have much proof? No. He didn't really manage to convince me, that the various notes by Scotland Yard members refer to the same Kozminski (and that this is the same one he has in mind). They are after all riddled with inaccuracies (which he explains away by ah well the wrote them so long after the fact) and antisemitic prejudice (which he explains away by oh look! A squirrel!)

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book based on the forward from Roy Hazelwood, FBI behavioral science unit agent. I enjoyed the Authors detailed accounts of the Ripper in London and learned some new details I didn't know before. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to understand the FBI's pick of strong suspects of the Jack the Ripper.

[JoAnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Haven't read a book this engaging for a while. Riveting most of the way through. I really liked the intertwining of the zeitgeist at the time with the murders. You really can't understand one without the other.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

House aims the focus of his Jack the Ripper search on a Polish Jew, Kosminsky - one of a series of possible suspects in the case. He provides many links from and shows a deep research into the various surviving documents. This book is a very good introduction to many of the detailed elements of White Chapel at the time of the murders.

The challenge is trying to prove a suspect that has so little documentation behind him. At the same time, much of the argument is strongly based on possible errors and stresses assertions made my individuals involved in the case made long after the events. It is a castle built on a boulder - if the police never really knew the identity of the killer, that boulder cracks fatally. House builds scaffolding with the documentation and the study of psychology and profiles built in modern day. As he himself admits near the end, it is a nearly impossible endeavor to prove conclusively who the Ripper really was.

Given that this search is trying to assemble a jigsaw puzzle where multiple puzzles are mixed together and half the pieces missing, the effort and focus of this work shows a great deal of research and conviction on House's part. Speculation may be the best we may ever come to knowing the truth; but such deep study trains the reader both in the facts and suspicions of the case along with the difficulties in knowing the motivation and reality of such incredible events. A fair and focused effort that may touch the truth, but that will most likely never see its final proof.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to Robert House, Scotland Yard's prime suspect was Aaron Kozminski. Let me assure you, there is no case presented in this book that that was indeed the case. There is no case that Kozminski would even have been considered a person of interest, much less was Jack the Ripper. If you take out all the "ifs", "maybe", "let's assume" & "what if" - well, let's just say there wouldn't be much here. House admits as much in his final chapter - it's all speculation. I was, naively expecting more. Deeply frustrating.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Ultimately no one really knows who Jack the Ripper was, and this book acknowledges that and yet builds a case for an individual the author thinks likely. Maybe yes, maybe no. Ultimately it wasn’t really my cup of tea. The only reason I didn’t DNF is because I was reading it for a book club. To be fair, I’ve read very little true crime and may just not be a fan of the genre.

[Carla Rivard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful and excellent circumstantial evidence. Even after about 120 years, and it still remains one of the most awful crimes never solved, yet still intriguing enough to continue to debate and write about.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of well researched background information about Whitechapel. The case for Kosminsky is as strong as any other suspect. I think this book is worth reading for the background information alone. I think it will help give perspective when considering other suspects.

[Sarah D Bunting · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.the-blotter.com/jack-the-r...

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. If you are into the Jack the Ripper murders, this book is for you.

[Genevieve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really bad. I skipped huge chunks just trying to find a section that I cared to read. So many pages about tailors in the East End!

[D. Wickles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading books on the infamous Jack the Ripper case and this one was interesting since it concentrated on one of Scotland Yard's main suspects.

[Susan Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally well researched and considerably more plausible than many books in this genre, Robert House ably argues the case that Aaron Kozminski, an immigrant Jew and apparently Scotland Yard's prime suspect, was the likely perpetrator of the Ripper murders. Each facet of the suspect's background, the crimes, the social milieu, etc., are carefully described so that even if one is not taken by House's theory the book will prove very useful reading. In some ways the Ripper case reminds me of the Kennedy assassination - in both cases it's tempting to wish that something incredible happened, that persons in high places were involved, but in both the sordid truth is far more likely, and just as the whining loser Lee Oswald gunned down Jack Kennedy, so the schizophrenic Kozminski is far more likely than, say, painter Walter Sickert or Prince Albert Victor to have committed the Ripper murders.

[Midnight Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a wannabe Ripperologist, I have read just about every book on the subject that I could get my hands on.... and this is definitely one of the best. Robert House builds a very convincing case for Aaron Kosminski having been Jack the Ripper but, unlike all the other authors who have claimed they solved the case, he admits that no one will ever have more than circumstantial evidence. This book is a great read, if only for the wide array of related subjects that he used to build his case. There's a section on Jewish persecution in Russia and in England, a section about Victorian-era Insane Asylums and their practices, and a section on modern profiling techniques and how they relate to this case of all cases. Not only that, the forward is written by legendary FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood: he and John Douglas both agreed that Aaron Kosminski fit their profile of Jack The Ripper. Fascinating!!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing solution to Jack the Ripper puzzle

This book is a great look at the definite and possible murders done by the Jack the Ripper. The author runs through what detectives of the day thought and the evidence and witnesses. He also applies modern methods like profiling to the info available.

The facts point to a mentally ill man who lived in the area of the crimes. Police back then had him on their radar. As the author is quick to point out, no one will ever know for sure more than a century after the crimes. But the suspect in this book sure could be the killer.

The author keeps all his facts under control and the narrative flowing. This is a fun, interesting read for true crime enthusiasts. I really enjoyed the book.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone interested in Jack the Ripper, true crime or Victorian London. The author obviously did his research and wrote a captivating book about the prime suspect, Aaron Kozminski. The historical background and psycho-analysis certainly makes a good case against the Polish, Jewish, paranoid schizophrenic immigrant. The background chapters on Victorian anti-Semitism were educational and the chapters about the crimes included new information and photographs. Don't expect to be totally convinced that Mr. House solved the case of the most infamous and most studied serial killer in the history of the world.

[Vince Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would you read Jack the Ripper and the Case for Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect again? Why?
No, one read through gives plenty of examination to the case and why Kozminski was the real Jack The Ripper.

What other book might you compare Jack the Ripper and the Case for Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect to and why?
The Complete History of Jack The Ripper.

If you could give Jack the Ripper and the Case for Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect a new subtitle, what would it be?
And Why The Case Will Remain Unsolved

Any additional comments?
This book does a very fair examination that Aaron Kozminki was Jack The Ripper, but is also honest enough to demonstrate why the case will never be solved.

[George Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. The fact that Scotland Yard seems to have known who The Ripper was, but couldn't arrest him because of the rules of law in Britain at the time is fascinating. I mean, in today's America, this guy would get the needle. Also fascinating is the back-story, the history of the Polish Jews in both Russia and Britain in the late 19 th century, and how that figures into the case. I highly recommend reading this if you are at all interested in this.

[Brian Betke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a definite starting place into the murders. While the case will never be solved, the historical background, and psychological analysis gives us a prime suspect. More important than the suspect is the conditions under which the murders happened.

[richard mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good argument

House is very thorough in weighing the evidence and presenting background to make matters intelligible. Sometimes the background, while interesting, strikes me as too much.

[Shaun Hately · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent analysis of an interesting possibility. I have great respect for the fact that the author was clear about the things they could not know, and while presenting quite clearly what they believed, allowed for the fact that at this stage, very little can be proven,

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and well written. Couldn't put it down. Highly recommend to anyone interested in "Jack the Ripper."

[Chuck Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a good, if entirely circumstantial, case for Aaron Kozminski as the Ripper. He is a more likely suspect than most others.

[Mária · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accurate stuff

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of research and work as been put into writing this book, it contained a lot of good, interesting information.