Murder Red Ink

by Mord McGhee

In Murder Red Ink, Mord McGhee imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of horror, human nature, and captures the brutal reality of the monster behind the Jack the Ripper murders in 1888. Allena Gould moves among the horror brought into the future of Chicago where technological ghosts are a reality and historical interface programs can be rewritten and interacted with. Once a talented prodigy, she wrestles her way through incomprehensible nightmares. Torture and murder as seen through the eyes of the Ripper himself in a science fiction whirlwind of the darkest sort. McGhee's vision of apocalyptic dread is not for the passing reader, it's a literary odyssey of gore meant to be enjoyed by those who like to be terrifically disturbed. NY TIMES best-selling author of MEG & THE LOCH notes, "Graphic. Intense. Provocative. The psychological thriller has a new voice and it is Mord McGhee."

*2nd Edition includes foreword by Robert E. Anderson, Casebook.org senior forum and Jack the Ripper speaker.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

274 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2014

About the author

Mord McGhee is a two‑time Bram Stoker Award nominee, Harriet Beecher Stowe Prize nominee, Maya Angelou Book Award nominee, and winner of the Dan Poynter Science Fiction Award. His work has earned praise from George Romero, NYT bestselling author Steve Alten, and cultural figures across horror, adventure nonfiction, and cryptozoology.

A pioneer of early cyberpunk, McGhee writes at the intersection of psychological horror, speculative technology, and historical mystery. His novels—including Murder Red Ink, Ghosts of San Francisco, Ghosts of the Golden Triangle, Ghosts of the Girl: Anna's Odyssey, Ironblood, The Seven Children of God, Old Flames and Heroes, and De Lawd's Watah—explore the dark architecture of human consciousness and the shadows cast by history, trauma, faith, and machine intelligence.

In addition to his literary career, McGhee is an associate executive producer, executive investor, and financier on multiple feature films. His IMDb‑verified credits include work on Fackham Hall (2025), My Dead Friend Zoe (2024), The Man in the White Van (2023), You Can Call Me Bill (2023), and the upcoming Fade to Black. His film collaborations include projects starring Morgan Freeman, Edward Norton, Sean Astin, John Carroll Lynch, Zosia Mamet, Karan Soni, Betty Gabriel, Joseph Lee, Max Carver, and Ali Larter, extending his storytelling influence into cinema.

McGhee’s work has been described as “intense, graphic, provocative” (Steve Alten), “a badass page‑turner” (George Romero), and “a uniquely intellectual American novel” (Loren Coleman). With forty years in speculative fiction, a background in Ripperology, and a lifelong fascination with paleontology and AI, he continues to build a body of work that bridges literature, film, and the evolving frontier of genre storytelling.

Reviews

[Adam Crissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the editorial on facebook and picked this up on kindle. I didn't realize it was new. This book blew my mind. I don't like scifi that much because it tends to drag on and only appeal to hardcore types. I like crime non-fiction and the connections made to the Ripper killings in London was a wicked and shocking twist. If you have bad dreams easily steer clear. If you like serial killer murder mysteries and tv shows like American Horror Story this is one hell of a thriller.

[Jay Creek · Rating 5 out of 5]

American psycho meets Jack the Ripper meets The Matrix.
stunning and quick read. Alten is spot on with his comment.

[Kristin Scearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I personally loved "Ghosts of San Francisco" and I'm an avid reader of anything having to do with Jack the Ripper, so when I was given the opportunity to read and review "Murder Red Ink," there was no way I could pass it up. And once again, Mr. McGhee does not disappoint!

This book involves a very interesting take on the Ripper murders, and it kept me engrossed from beginning to end. There were many times I had to put it down because of that pesky thing called "life," but I just didn't want to, and that's how you know a book is awesome.

Wonderful novel, tantalizing plot and theories, and another great story from this author. Keep 'em coming! =)

5 stars

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fickle reader. I don't usually buy into the "sleepers" I see on goodreads. This one of the best new books I've read in years. If you like serial killer mysteries I suggest this book. Every once in a while somebody new comes along. My guess is this is a pen name from an author that is crossing genre. The book combines so many things and has so many layers going on that I am going to have to reread it (willingly!) All of it done with an unexpected and appreciated mastery

[Perry Hesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice twist at the end. SO wish this was a movie. My stomach was in knots from chapter 13 to the end (which I did in about two hours)
Reread it this week. I missed a bunch too. Theres so many layers of things happeneing I cant wait to read it again!

[Mariehorrorcrazed · Rating 5 out of 5]

nail biting horrific fun.
end was interesting, more horror than I expected.
not like the first book but there were tie ins.

[Tim Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit in two minds with this book (won in a giveaway); on the one hand I struggled to get into a non linear story with multiple strands, but maybe that was more me than the book, on the other hand it was a fresh treatment of a topic that's been done many times before, and that hand was dripping with blood from a very sharp blade! Read it and see for yourself.

[Jpk2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Ripper and this is perhaps my favorite so far. The mystery builds and builds and then explodes all over the reader. The disturbing look at a serial killer reminded me of the horror movies such as Silence of the Lambs and Seven but then there was this whole other science fiction thing going on.
One of the better writers I've come across in a long while.

[Paul W. Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Red Ink is not for the reader who wants to curl up and relax. It is for the sophisticated Sci-fi reader who has a brain and wants to use it. Don't bother trying to get ahead of the author, you won't succeed.
A couple of things really stand out with this author:
1. He is a true wordsmith. By that,I don't mean he just uses a complete vocabulary, but is truly skilled with the use of words. He can take a complete paragraph and condense it to two or three words which gives a far better image than the paragraph. That takes talent.
2. The insight he gives into a characters mind is amazing. He's either ill or talented and I suspect the latter (but I could be wrong).
If this is your genre, Murder Red Ink is a must read.

[Judith Chainsaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gory and disturbing. On edge through the whole thing. The back and forth madess caught me by surprise at the end. fans of 11/22/63 and Stories of Ray Bradbury would like this book. I still have goose bumps thinking about Jack the Ripper now. Ive read them all and this is the first to o that to me.
Shocking and different

[S.K. Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blend of the past and future, as we jump between Victorian England and the year 2111 where tech has evolved to be implanted in people. Scientists are working on a machine that creates ghosts. An interesting mystery and I enjoyed the Jack the Ripper storyline, but I did feel that the future tech could have been better explained to begin with, but overall a good read.

[Philjossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing scary twisty creepy huge ending

[Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

very disturbing. had nightmares.
I like horror and I loved the subtle Lovecraft tie ins.

[Paris Ji · Rating 5 out of 5]

unnerving scene of jack the ripper dates where something is watching and studying how the crimes unfold then truth is revealed where an deity or ai is modifying history programs in dark future where truth is muddied by virtual reality. by time protagonist gould figures things out the chase is on where a line of fabricated rippers chases her before she blows up the evil entity represented by black box like airplane computer. very interesting unique. need translated version.
dark dark dark

[Adolfo Ramon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was rather good. I don't remember exactly why did I like it so much rn, but it was phenomenal.

[Joseph Karkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixture of timelines with intrigue and some disturbing imagery.
While no actual people or theories are named it is an interesting take on the Jack the Ripper slayings in 1800s. You will not figure this one out ahead and it is not for the casual, light reader. This is an intense trip into the psychological terror of the ugliness of mankind, yet holding true to the persistency of hope.
When the big conclusion hit I was not sure what was going on but then bang an assembly line of monsters, tense violent scenes, and a fantastic birth of a powerful female lead. It felt as if a sequel was being set up but have not seen any mention of one.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good book. I couldn't out guess what the author was going to do next so I gave up. This book was creepy in all the right places and I loved it! Great book for horror lovers and serial killer book lovers like me. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am writing this review for Goodreads. I found this book confusing and tiresome. The scenes changed at random, there was little or no background info to orient the reader. I did not care about any of the characters. At the end of the book my feelings were, finally it is over.

[Charon Kinge · Rating 5 out of 5]

exposing the truth about history through the blood red knife of the worlds first serial killer. I loved loved loved this book and think McGhee might just be the best new author in years

[Thom Provini · Rating 5 out of 5]

strap on your big boy reading shoes, not for sissies