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The Big Book of Jack the Ripper
Edgar Award–winning editor Otto Penzler's latest anthology takes its inspiration from the historical enigma whose name has become synonymous with Jack the Ripper.
Of the real-life serial killers whose gruesome acts have been splashed across headlines, none has reached the mythical status of Jack the Ripper. In the Ripper's wake, terror swept through the streets of London’s East End in the fall of 1888. As quickly as his nightmarish reign came, Saucy Jack vanished without a trace—leaving future generations to speculate upon his identity and whereabouts. He was diabolical in a way never seen before—a killer who taunted the police, came up with his own legendary monikers, and, ultimately, got away with his heinous crimes.
More than a century later, the man “from hell” continues to live on in the imaginations of readers everywhere—and in some of the most spectacularly unnerving stories, both fiction and nonfiction, ever written. The Big Book of Jack the Ripper immerses you in the utterly chilling world of Red Jack’s London, where his unprecedented evil still lurks.
· Legendary stories by Marie Belloc Lowndes, Robert Bloch, and Ellery Queen
· Captivating essays from George Bernard Shaw, Stephen Hunter, and Peter Underwood
· Riveting new stories by contemporary masters Jeffrey Deaver, Loren D. Estleman, Lyndsay Faye, and many more
· Astonishing theories from the world’s foremost Ripperologists
From the Ripper
· Demonic letters from Jack himself
· Gruesome postmortem exams documenting all the bits and pieces of the cases
· Harrowing witness statements taken on those hellish nights
· Breaking newspaper accounts of the East End hysteria
Of the real-life serial killers whose gruesome acts have been splashed across headlines, none has reached the mythical status of Jack the Ripper. In the Ripper's wake, terror swept through the streets of London’s East End in the fall of 1888. As quickly as his nightmarish reign came, Saucy Jack vanished without a trace—leaving future generations to speculate upon his identity and whereabouts. He was diabolical in a way never seen before—a killer who taunted the police, came up with his own legendary monikers, and, ultimately, got away with his heinous crimes.
More than a century later, the man “from hell” continues to live on in the imaginations of readers everywhere—and in some of the most spectacularly unnerving stories, both fiction and nonfiction, ever written. The Big Book of Jack the Ripper immerses you in the utterly chilling world of Red Jack’s London, where his unprecedented evil still lurks.
· Legendary stories by Marie Belloc Lowndes, Robert Bloch, and Ellery Queen
· Captivating essays from George Bernard Shaw, Stephen Hunter, and Peter Underwood
· Riveting new stories by contemporary masters Jeffrey Deaver, Loren D. Estleman, Lyndsay Faye, and many more
· Astonishing theories from the world’s foremost Ripperologists
From the Ripper
· Demonic letters from Jack himself
· Gruesome postmortem exams documenting all the bits and pieces of the cases
· Harrowing witness statements taken on those hellish nights
· Breaking newspaper accounts of the East End hysteria
848 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2016
51 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
Otto Penzler
374 books532 followersOtto Penzler is an editor of mystery fiction in the United States, and proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, where he lives.
Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.
Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.
Otto Penzler founded The Mysteriour Press in 1975 and was the publisher of The Armchair Detective, the Edgar-winning quarterly journal devoted to the study of mystery and suspense fiction, for seventeen years.
Penzler has won two Edgar Awards, for The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection in 1977, and The Lineup in 2010. The Mystery Writers of America awarded him the prestigious Ellery Queen Award in 1994, and the Raven--the group's highest non-writing award--in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 10, 2016
This is an absolutely huge compendium of writing about Jack the Ripper. The book begins with some factual pieces about Jack the Ripper – including contemporary accounts, newspaper reports, witness statements and autopsy reports. I have read a few non-fiction books about these murders and so, at first, I was a little disappointed. However, in retrospect, this is just the first of four section and these pages do help inform the reader about what happened, who the victims were and who some of the major suspects were too. As such, it is particularly useful if you have not read anything about the Ripper murders before.
The rest of the book includes a whole range of fiction – from short stories that have been re-printed, to some written especially for the collection (by authors such as Anne Perry and Lyndsay Faye). Along with these are short novels and novellas, such as, “The Decorator,” by Boris Akunin. There are so many different styles and stories that it is almost impossible to pull out those that were favourites. I really enjoyed everything – it is a wonderful collection to dip into. Although this does not claim to be a complete edition of every short story about the Ripper, it seems to have all of the classic stories that I have heard of – and then some. This sprawling collection is split into four different sections: The True Story, Mystery, Crime, Suspense Stories, Red Jack – an Inspiration and Saucy Jack – Timeless. A really interesting, varied collection and great value. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
The rest of the book includes a whole range of fiction – from short stories that have been re-printed, to some written especially for the collection (by authors such as Anne Perry and Lyndsay Faye). Along with these are short novels and novellas, such as, “The Decorator,” by Boris Akunin. There are so many different styles and stories that it is almost impossible to pull out those that were favourites. I really enjoyed everything – it is a wonderful collection to dip into. Although this does not claim to be a complete edition of every short story about the Ripper, it seems to have all of the classic stories that I have heard of – and then some. This sprawling collection is split into four different sections: The True Story, Mystery, Crime, Suspense Stories, Red Jack – an Inspiration and Saucy Jack – Timeless. A really interesting, varied collection and great value. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Read
July 5, 2017I'm not sure I can actually give this book any stars.
That's because I really only enjoyed two items in the entire almost 900 page book! Those were one by Lydnsey Faye, and one by Harry Turtledove.
I really need to steer clear of anthologies edited by Otto Penzler in the future. They are too cluttered. There's too much eagerness to jam them full of stuff. Just because something was written 100 years ago, doesn't actually make it readable to today's audience.
Too much dross for me, and not enough gold.
That's because I really only enjoyed two items in the entire almost 900 page book! Those were one by Lydnsey Faye, and one by Harry Turtledove.
I really need to steer clear of anthologies edited by Otto Penzler in the future. They are too cluttered. There's too much eagerness to jam them full of stuff. Just because something was written 100 years ago, doesn't actually make it readable to today's audience.
Too much dross for me, and not enough gold.
December 27, 2018
A large anthology mixed with fiction and non-fiction articles and stories. I preferred the fiction. Lots of good stuff in here. This isn't a book most of us are going to read cover-to-cover in a single sitting. IT is best read in small doses: a story here, a story there.
I especially recommend this book for people who are interested in the legend of Jack the Ripper. Hardcore Ripperologist might find the non-fiction section a bit simple, but for the rest of us it is a decent starting place.
I think it is the fiction that really pops here. Bloch makes an appearance (always a plus), not to mention both the novel and short story of Belloc-Lowndes, The Lodger. Ellery Queen is here as well as Harlan Ellison and a host of both well known and more obscure writers. Penzler does a great job compiling a comprehensive compendium of Ripper goodness.
The book is the size of the San Francisco phone book Yes Virginia, you can still get phone books), so reading it is a good workout for the upper arms. The cover is decidedly tasteful so it won't offend strangers on the bus or subway.
I especially recommend this book for people who are interested in the legend of Jack the Ripper. Hardcore Ripperologist might find the non-fiction section a bit simple, but for the rest of us it is a decent starting place.
I think it is the fiction that really pops here. Bloch makes an appearance (always a plus), not to mention both the novel and short story of Belloc-Lowndes, The Lodger. Ellery Queen is here as well as Harlan Ellison and a host of both well known and more obscure writers. Penzler does a great job compiling a comprehensive compendium of Ripper goodness.
The book is the size of the San Francisco phone book Yes Virginia, you can still get phone books), so reading it is a good workout for the upper arms. The cover is decidedly tasteful so it won't offend strangers on the bus or subway.
borrowed
April 13, 20191944 Retro Hugo Award Finalist for Best Short Story
> “Yours Truly – Jack the Ripper,” by Robert Bloch (Weird Tales, July 1943) . . . Read 4/13/2019 (3.5 stars) Liked it enough to read the very next story in this anthology, also by Bloch.
> “Yours Truly – Jack the Ripper,” by Robert Bloch (Weird Tales, July 1943) . . . Read 4/13/2019 (3.5 stars) Liked it enough to read the very next story in this anthology, also by Bloch.
October 3, 2016
A new anthology from Edgar Award-winning editor Otto Penzler, centered around the historical enigma whose name has become synonymous with fear: Jack the Ripper.
Of all the real-life serial killers whose gruesome deeds have splashed across headlines throughout human history, few have reached the near-mythical status of Jack the Ripper. Terrorizing the world with a rash of violent murders in London s East End in the fall of 1888, Saucy Jack seemed to vanish just as quickly, leaving future generations to speculate upon the Ripper's identity and whereabouts and living on in some of the most spectacularly unnerving fiction and nonfiction ever written. Collected here, for the first time ever, are 41 tales featuring the infamous slasher, from classics by Marie Belloc-Lowndes, Robert Bloch, and Ellery Queen to never-before-seen stories by contemporary masters Jeffery Deaver, Loren D. Estleman, Lyndsay Faye, and many more. Also featured in this volume are essential true-crime artifacts of Jack the Ripper lore, including genuine witness statements, autopsy reports, contemporary news articles, and astonishing theories from the world s foremost Ripperologists as is only proper for a case that is truly as chilling as fiction
What did I think of it:
5 stars
Ok so a lot of you might think why would I give this book 5 when its about Jack The Ripper, will that one of the reason right there, another is I love reading any thing that deal with Jack The Ripper, and this book differently does have a lot of stuff on him, I love how you get to read about him and then there are chapters where the case itself is broken down step by step and you get to see how the cases was handed, this is a case that may never be solved , but it still has a way of catching your eye , each author in this book has a different way of presenting what they wrote about Jack the Ripper . Its a must have book to add to your library if your into Jack the Ripper. Why is it a must to have , it has both faction and fiction accounts in it, the first part of the book is the part where you find the non fiction part which includes:"The True Story" and is a collection of information. There are articles, interviews, and testimony by doctors and detectives and witnesses from the time of the murders. There are autopsy reports and copies of Jack the Ripper's letters. More contemporary articles - many in-depth - about the identity of the Ripper are in this section as well. While the second part is the fiction . So go check it out for yourself, with that said I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review and that these are 100 % my own thoughts to what is truly a great book
September 22, 2016
Do not be confused by this book. About 19% of it is non-fiction including pieces written during the time of the Ripper murders as well as later essays commenting upon the murders and possible suspects. The Ripper murders is something I spend a semester looking at in graduate school and I cannot say that I was impressed by the presentation of the primary, contemporary, and modern pieces here nor in their presentation. Images of newspaper text would educate the reader better and give everyone a sense of what the world was like in London during those 10 months from 1888 to 1989. As it is, the layout is a two-column matter that is most familiar for encyclopedia works. In total there are 11 non-fiction pieces for the Ripper curious to investigate.
Sadly that two-column layout continues for the next three sections of the book where the 41 works of fiction are presented in three categories that are not fully explained in either the introduction to the collection nor after each heading for the sections. This is disappointing; I expect any editor for such large work to give us more information about why he/she has organized an anthology in such essays. The fiction ranges from short stories to novellas to even short novels. The over-arching genre is horror but there are many sub genres here including mystery, supernatural, and historical. There is one anonymous story, 11 female authors, and 27 male authors in this collection. 1 story by Stephen Hunter, was originally written for another publication but is seen in this book for the first time. 5 other stories were written for this collection and the rest were published over the past 120+ years.
The two-column layout is annoying because my eyes wish to move fully across the pages; I have never encountered another fiction or non-fiction anthology with such a layout. I do not know if this was Penzler's idea or the publishers but it was a poor one.
Sadly that two-column layout continues for the next three sections of the book where the 41 works of fiction are presented in three categories that are not fully explained in either the introduction to the collection nor after each heading for the sections. This is disappointing; I expect any editor for such large work to give us more information about why he/she has organized an anthology in such essays. The fiction ranges from short stories to novellas to even short novels. The over-arching genre is horror but there are many sub genres here including mystery, supernatural, and historical. There is one anonymous story, 11 female authors, and 27 male authors in this collection. 1 story by Stephen Hunter, was originally written for another publication but is seen in this book for the first time. 5 other stories were written for this collection and the rest were published over the past 120+ years.
The two-column layout is annoying because my eyes wish to move fully across the pages; I have never encountered another fiction or non-fiction anthology with such a layout. I do not know if this was Penzler's idea or the publishers but it was a poor one.
October 16, 2016
Just like with any anthology, you're not going to like every story and I didn't. But I did enjoy quite a bit of them. The Ripper has such a wealth of potential for stories that can be used and shed different lights on what could've happened. I appreciate the first third of the book since it uses all the evidence and even reprinted the original newspapers, the later half is a bit mixed but it's cool to see different crime writers have a stab at Jack.
February 25, 2017
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5
Why do we have such a fascination with Jack the Ripper? I've been enthralled by the murderer since reading what I know understand to be one of the many, many books suggesting the identity of the mysterious killer. But when I told my wife about some of the things I was reading in this, she asked me why Jack the Ripper was so infamous. Was it the number of people he killed? Other serial killers have killed more. The gruesome manner in which he did it? Jeffrey Dahmer ... need I say more? The way he taunted authorities with his letters? The fact that he was never positively identified? I suggest it was because of all of these things, along with the fact that media was just beginning to publicize these things in a way that had a far-reaching effect. But whatever the reason is - and it's probably different for everyone - Jack the Ripper is a popular figure in historical mysteries, thrillers, and nightmares.
Editor Otto Penzler has put together a tremendous volume of essays and fiction featuring this most infamous of killers. At over 800 pages long, the book is no light read and will likely take even the hardiest of readers a significant amount of time to get through this book.
The book begins with a series of articles and essays. Non-fiction writing about the murders. This is about one-fifth of the book and in many ways was more interesting than the fiction pieces. We often think we know the 'facts' of the case; some might be able to name the victims. But as with most crimes, there's much more behind what might get reported. "Mystery Solved" was one of the best pieces in the book.
The fiction section boasts an incredible range of stories, from Marie Belloc Lowndes short story "The Lodger" to her novel of the same title, expanding on the short story, to works by Robert Bloch, Harlan Ellison, Ramsey Campbell, and a host of others. Some I found quite compelling, and others not so much. But with a book of this size, with this many works included, that's to be expected. While most of the works here are collected from other sources and have been in print before some, such as Anne Perry's "Jack" and 'Jack Be Nimble, Jack be Quick' by Stephen Hunter, were written for this book.
Clearly, you need to be prepared to read articles and stories (and novels) about one of the most infamous murders in human history when you tackle this book, but if you have any interest in the subject matter at all, this is a collection you won't want to miss.
This book includes:
Introduction by Otto Penzler
THE TRUE STORY
Victims in the Night - David Abrahamsen
The Jack the Ripper Murders - Anonymous
Key Texts:
(Witness Statements)
(Autopsy Reports)
(The “Ripper Letters”) - Maxim Jakubowski and Nathan Braund, eds.
London’s Ghastly Mystery - Anonymous
The East End Murders: Detailed Lessons - Anonymous
Blood Money to Whitechapel - George Bernard Shaw
Who Was Jack the Ripper? - Peter Underwood
Mystery Solved! - Anonymous
“Frenchy” —Ameer Ben Ali - Edwin M. Borchard
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick - Stephen Hunter
Copy Murders and Others - Robin Odell
MYSTERY, CRIME, SUSPENSE—STORIES
"In the Fourth Ward" - Theodora Benson
"Jack" - Anne Perry
"Spring-Fingered Jack" - Susan Casper
"The Uncertain Heiress" - Isak Dinesen
"Knucklebones" - Tim Sullivan
"A Kind of Madness" - Anthony Boucher
"The Sparrow and the Lark" - Lyndsay Faye
"The Decorator" - Boris Akunin
"Guardian Angel" - Gwendolyn Frame
"In the Slaughteryard" - Anonymous
"The Lodger" (short story) - Marie Belloc Lowndes
The Lodger (novel) - Marie Belloc Lowndes
"The Sins of the Fathers" - Scott Baker
"Don’t Fear the Ripper" - Holly West
"The Mysterious Card Unveiled" - Cleveland Moffett
"Jack Be Quick" - Barbara Paul
"A Matter of Blood" - Jeffery Deaver
"A Study in Terror" - Ellery Queen
RED JACK—AN INSPIRATION
"G.I. Jack" - Loren D. Estleman
"The Legacy" - R. L. Stevens
"Jack’s Little Friend" - Ramsey Campbell
"The Stripper" - H. H. Holmes
"The Ripper Experience" - Daniel Stashower
"The Treasure of Jack the Ripper" - Edward D. Hoch
"The Hands of Mr. Ottermole" - Thomas Burke
SAUCY JACK—TIMELESS
"Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper" - Robert Bloch
"A Toy for Juliette" - Robert Bloch
"The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World" - Harlan Ellison
"Gentleman of the Shade" - Harry Turtledove
"The Adventure of the Grinder’s Whistle" - Howard Waldrop
"Sagittarius" - Ray Russell
"The Demon Spell" - Hume Nisbet
"My Shadow is the Fog" - Charles L. Grant
"By Flower and Dean Street" - Patrice Chaplin
"The Final Stone" - William F. Nolan
"The Gatecrasher" - R. Chetwynd-Hayes
"A Punishment to Fit the Crimes" - Richard A. Gordon
"From Hell Again" - Gregory Frost
"An Awareness of Angels" - Karl Edward Wagner
"A Most Unusual Murder" - Robert Bloch
"Jack the Ripper in Hell" - Stephen Hunter
Permissions Acknowledgments
Looking for a good book? True crime lovers, historical fiction lovers, fans of mysteries, and anyone with even a passing interest in the legendary 'Jack the Ripper' will want to read The Big Book of Jack the Ripper edited by Otto Penzler.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Why do we have such a fascination with Jack the Ripper? I've been enthralled by the murderer since reading what I know understand to be one of the many, many books suggesting the identity of the mysterious killer. But when I told my wife about some of the things I was reading in this, she asked me why Jack the Ripper was so infamous. Was it the number of people he killed? Other serial killers have killed more. The gruesome manner in which he did it? Jeffrey Dahmer ... need I say more? The way he taunted authorities with his letters? The fact that he was never positively identified? I suggest it was because of all of these things, along with the fact that media was just beginning to publicize these things in a way that had a far-reaching effect. But whatever the reason is - and it's probably different for everyone - Jack the Ripper is a popular figure in historical mysteries, thrillers, and nightmares.
Editor Otto Penzler has put together a tremendous volume of essays and fiction featuring this most infamous of killers. At over 800 pages long, the book is no light read and will likely take even the hardiest of readers a significant amount of time to get through this book.
The book begins with a series of articles and essays. Non-fiction writing about the murders. This is about one-fifth of the book and in many ways was more interesting than the fiction pieces. We often think we know the 'facts' of the case; some might be able to name the victims. But as with most crimes, there's much more behind what might get reported. "Mystery Solved" was one of the best pieces in the book.
The fiction section boasts an incredible range of stories, from Marie Belloc Lowndes short story "The Lodger" to her novel of the same title, expanding on the short story, to works by Robert Bloch, Harlan Ellison, Ramsey Campbell, and a host of others. Some I found quite compelling, and others not so much. But with a book of this size, with this many works included, that's to be expected. While most of the works here are collected from other sources and have been in print before some, such as Anne Perry's "Jack" and 'Jack Be Nimble, Jack be Quick' by Stephen Hunter, were written for this book.
Clearly, you need to be prepared to read articles and stories (and novels) about one of the most infamous murders in human history when you tackle this book, but if you have any interest in the subject matter at all, this is a collection you won't want to miss.
This book includes:
Introduction by Otto Penzler
THE TRUE STORY
Victims in the Night - David Abrahamsen
The Jack the Ripper Murders - Anonymous
Key Texts:
(Witness Statements)
(Autopsy Reports)
(The “Ripper Letters”) - Maxim Jakubowski and Nathan Braund, eds.
London’s Ghastly Mystery - Anonymous
The East End Murders: Detailed Lessons - Anonymous
Blood Money to Whitechapel - George Bernard Shaw
Who Was Jack the Ripper? - Peter Underwood
Mystery Solved! - Anonymous
“Frenchy” —Ameer Ben Ali - Edwin M. Borchard
Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick - Stephen Hunter
Copy Murders and Others - Robin Odell
MYSTERY, CRIME, SUSPENSE—STORIES
"In the Fourth Ward" - Theodora Benson
"Jack" - Anne Perry
"Spring-Fingered Jack" - Susan Casper
"The Uncertain Heiress" - Isak Dinesen
"Knucklebones" - Tim Sullivan
"A Kind of Madness" - Anthony Boucher
"The Sparrow and the Lark" - Lyndsay Faye
"The Decorator" - Boris Akunin
"Guardian Angel" - Gwendolyn Frame
"In the Slaughteryard" - Anonymous
"The Lodger" (short story) - Marie Belloc Lowndes
The Lodger (novel) - Marie Belloc Lowndes
"The Sins of the Fathers" - Scott Baker
"Don’t Fear the Ripper" - Holly West
"The Mysterious Card Unveiled" - Cleveland Moffett
"Jack Be Quick" - Barbara Paul
"A Matter of Blood" - Jeffery Deaver
"A Study in Terror" - Ellery Queen
RED JACK—AN INSPIRATION
"G.I. Jack" - Loren D. Estleman
"The Legacy" - R. L. Stevens
"Jack’s Little Friend" - Ramsey Campbell
"The Stripper" - H. H. Holmes
"The Ripper Experience" - Daniel Stashower
"The Treasure of Jack the Ripper" - Edward D. Hoch
"The Hands of Mr. Ottermole" - Thomas Burke
SAUCY JACK—TIMELESS
"Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper" - Robert Bloch
"A Toy for Juliette" - Robert Bloch
"The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World" - Harlan Ellison
"Gentleman of the Shade" - Harry Turtledove
"The Adventure of the Grinder’s Whistle" - Howard Waldrop
"Sagittarius" - Ray Russell
"The Demon Spell" - Hume Nisbet
"My Shadow is the Fog" - Charles L. Grant
"By Flower and Dean Street" - Patrice Chaplin
"The Final Stone" - William F. Nolan
"The Gatecrasher" - R. Chetwynd-Hayes
"A Punishment to Fit the Crimes" - Richard A. Gordon
"From Hell Again" - Gregory Frost
"An Awareness of Angels" - Karl Edward Wagner
"A Most Unusual Murder" - Robert Bloch
"Jack the Ripper in Hell" - Stephen Hunter
Permissions Acknowledgments
Looking for a good book? True crime lovers, historical fiction lovers, fans of mysteries, and anyone with even a passing interest in the legendary 'Jack the Ripper' will want to read The Big Book of Jack the Ripper edited by Otto Penzler.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2018
Given the fascinating story of Jack, this book is surprisingly dull. I think this has to do with two things - 1. Penzler has taken an encyclopedic approach, collecting any story regardless of literary merit; 2. Ripperology doesn't tend to attract the most sophisticated writers in the first place.
Nevertheless, there were a few things worth reading, namely:
"Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick", Stephen Hunter (5/5) - a fascinating and persuasive study of Hunter's favorite suspect
"The Sins of the Fathers", Scott Baker (4.5/5) - a dark story in which the horror comes from an unexpected source
"Jack Be Quick", Barbara Paul (5/5) - when she looks in the tea pot, woah!
"G.I. Jack," Loren Estleman "(4/5) - an entertaining WWII-era police procedural
"The Ripper Experience", Daniel Stashower (4.5/5) - a modern story, amusing and readable
"Sagittarius", Ray Russell (4.5/5) - Jack meets Jekyll
"An Awareness of Angels", Karl Edward Wagner (5/5) - a nicely paranoid story
So maybe seven works that I really enjoyed, out of more than 800 pages, two columns per page, small font?
Out of the fictional works (the book begins with some non-fiction pieces), here are my ratings:
5s (works I really enjoyed) - 2
4s (works I enjoyed) - 7
3s (readable but mediocre) - 7
2s (a chore, subliterary) - 18
1s (what am I doing with my life) - 5
Nevertheless, there were a few things worth reading, namely:
"Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick", Stephen Hunter (5/5) - a fascinating and persuasive study of Hunter's favorite suspect
"The Sins of the Fathers", Scott Baker (4.5/5) - a dark story in which the horror comes from an unexpected source
"Jack Be Quick", Barbara Paul (5/5) - when she looks in the tea pot, woah!
"G.I. Jack," Loren Estleman "(4/5) - an entertaining WWII-era police procedural
"The Ripper Experience", Daniel Stashower (4.5/5) - a modern story, amusing and readable
"Sagittarius", Ray Russell (4.5/5) - Jack meets Jekyll
"An Awareness of Angels", Karl Edward Wagner (5/5) - a nicely paranoid story
So maybe seven works that I really enjoyed, out of more than 800 pages, two columns per page, small font?
Out of the fictional works (the book begins with some non-fiction pieces), here are my ratings:
5s (works I really enjoyed) - 2
4s (works I enjoyed) - 7
3s (readable but mediocre) - 7
2s (a chore, subliterary) - 18
1s (what am I doing with my life) - 5
November 2, 2021
I had originally picked this book as part of my Halloween-themed reading, plus I wanted to dig into one of Penzler's gigantic anthologies, of which there are many. I would not consider myself to be a Jack the Ripper enthusiast, although I am vaguely familiar with the case lore. However, I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated, despite it taking me many long weeks of listening to get through it. There is an excellent variety of content here, which should satisfy any mystery reader. There were entries about the real-life case details, newspaper articles, the letters Ripper wrote to taunt the authorities. Some of the stories were Victorian, some modern, some time-travel--really a little bit of everything. Of course I did not enjoy all of the stories (I tend not to like gory stories and some were a bit graphic), but again, its a wide enough variety that there is something in there for everyone. I am looking forward to trying out another of these anthologies, as it was so well curated.
July 23, 2025
This is a HUGE, 800+ page monster of a book with two columns of 10-point font on each page. It is made up of historical documents, analyses, mystery fiction, horror stories, and two short novels about Jack the Ripper. I definitely did not read all of it! I went through a period of fascination about the Ripper murders back when I was a sophomore in college, and read a lot about them, which led to an interest in serial murder in general, which led to me writing my senior thesis as a psychology major on serial murderers. 90+ pages in a one-on-one class with the head of the Psychology Department at U. Maine, pretty much all of it self-directed. Jack the Ripper was definitely a part of that project!
No one knows who Jack was. No one knows what happened to him, but the iconography of a foggy London street, a drunken doxy silhouetted in the dim light of a flickering gas lamp, a figure in a cloak and tall hat with a sharp knife in his hand, and the mutilation of the victims...you can't beat those tropes for spookiness.
"From Hell, Mr. Luske..."
No one knows who Jack was. No one knows what happened to him, but the iconography of a foggy London street, a drunken doxy silhouetted in the dim light of a flickering gas lamp, a figure in a cloak and tall hat with a sharp knife in his hand, and the mutilation of the victims...you can't beat those tropes for spookiness.
"From Hell, Mr. Luske..."
May 15, 2017
It was fine for the sake of reference, be warned though...........the author did nothing to sugar coat any of the details of the women. He used actual case notes and coroners reports. So its all real.
I browsed through some of the fiction stories and they were OK, but just not for me.
I could have done without the authors ideas about prostitution though............only his own personal speculations there which don't really go with the actual details of the crimes.
Aside from that if you want all the real gore details and some fiction stories to go with them, then this one is for you.
I am giving it four stars for the sake of the beginning section where the real stories and information are. The fiction stories are the reason five stars was not given.
I browsed through some of the fiction stories and they were OK, but just not for me.
I could have done without the authors ideas about prostitution though............only his own personal speculations there which don't really go with the actual details of the crimes.
Aside from that if you want all the real gore details and some fiction stories to go with them, then this one is for you.
I am giving it four stars for the sake of the beginning section where the real stories and information are. The fiction stories are the reason five stars was not given.
January 15, 2018
I borrowed this book from the library and my suggestion? Don't do that - if you're going to tackle this compendium, go all out and buy the book so you can enjoy it at your leisure. It took me three months of renewals to finally get through the whole thing. I had to take breaks because there are only so many stories you can read on the same subject matter for hours on end. There were some fantastic reads in this collection, and some not-so-fantastic reads. I found myself enjoying the final two sections the most, so am happy I finished it out.
August 7, 2017
I was impressed with all the great writing in this book. Being a writer and fan of anything Ripper I had to read this. As with any book of this type I enjoyed some of the stories more than others. Each story was different and inspired with that artist words taking you along with them on the hunt for Jack the Ripper.
September 29, 2017
I love all of Otto Penzler's "Big Books" and this one is no exception, but I will tell you that most of the stories in here are fiction. The stories that are in the beginning of the book are non-fiction, but then it goes to fiction stories. In my opinion, the two best ones are "The Lodger" and the Ellery Queen novella.
September 7, 2020
Best for those *truly* interested in Jack the Ripper
Very well put together anthology: comprehensive selection of authors that covers various writing styles and genres.
The book introduction was well written and informative. I also found the notes on each author concise and to to the point. All in all, quite an accomplishment of Martin Edwards, the editor.
I hate when book reviews turn into personal stories and whining. So I will not bore anybody with the reasons I personally did not enjoy the book. I will just say that one has to be totally fascinated by Jack the Ripper or somewhat of a historian of serial murder in Victorian England. The ability to enjoy pretty much every writing genres in short story form also helps.
Very well put together anthology: comprehensive selection of authors that covers various writing styles and genres.
The book introduction was well written and informative. I also found the notes on each author concise and to to the point. All in all, quite an accomplishment of Martin Edwards, the editor.
I hate when book reviews turn into personal stories and whining. So I will not bore anybody with the reasons I personally did not enjoy the book. I will just say that one has to be totally fascinated by Jack the Ripper or somewhat of a historian of serial murder in Victorian England. The ability to enjoy pretty much every writing genres in short story form also helps.
June 7, 2017
Generally speaking the majority of the stories are very good. The author did a good job assembling both fiction and non-fiction information together. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway, I thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
June 20, 2018
If you're a fan of Jack the Ripper stories, this book is for you! Besides the fact of the actual case, there are stories and theories of just who really was Jack the Ripper. Enjoy.
Read
October 29, 2020Interesting stories and theories. That was a long read though, over 800 pages!
August 17, 2021
I have genuinely solved this case and I need to share someone ask me about it
September 4, 2025
I did it, I read the whole thing. It's a huge paper back with double columns, it's more like 1,600 pages! But some really good stories. All kinds of interpretations on the Ripper theme.
November 18, 2023
Personally, I really enjoyed the info in this book; of my interest, in the matter of Jack the Ripper.
November 1, 2016
An extensive collection of Jack the Ripper stories that, perhaps, is a bit too long; after a while the short stories feel repetitious (especially as the "You fools! 'Twas I that rampaged through London!" twist is heavily relied upon) and the violence, perpetuated almost exclusively upon women, becomes oppressive (if your Jack the Ripper story is set like 100 years in the future, give me more innovative thinking than just using a space knife to rip women open). The nonfiction portion is very interesting as I love a conspiracy theory and these really get in there and root around in the mire. A particular standout is the Fandorin novella smack in the middle of the collection - pick up this brick for that entry alone.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2016
Princess Fuzzypants here:
I am no scaredy cat. I love books on Jack the Ripper and to find an anthology filled with some terrific stories that revolve around him, is a real treat for Halloween. This is no trick.
I have read some of the authors before and some are new to me. Obviously, there are stories that I loved and others I was indifferent to but overall, it is a cracking good book. Some of the takes on the story of Jack the Ripper are quite novel while others are more straightforward. Jack the Ripper travels to the future, he meets vampires and he stands accused on his crimes in Hell to name but a few. If you are looking for interesting twists and turns, you may like this collection a lot.
I know I did.
I give it five purrs, two paws up and a couple of really good shivers.
I am no scaredy cat. I love books on Jack the Ripper and to find an anthology filled with some terrific stories that revolve around him, is a real treat for Halloween. This is no trick.
I have read some of the authors before and some are new to me. Obviously, there are stories that I loved and others I was indifferent to but overall, it is a cracking good book. Some of the takes on the story of Jack the Ripper are quite novel while others are more straightforward. Jack the Ripper travels to the future, he meets vampires and he stands accused on his crimes in Hell to name but a few. If you are looking for interesting twists and turns, you may like this collection a lot.
I know I did.
I give it five purrs, two paws up and a couple of really good shivers.
May 15, 2017
Penzler has collected a large group of wide-ranging short pieces on Jack the Ripper, including non-fiction essays, famous stories like The Lodger, and less well-known speculative fiction.
Penzler did a brilliant job of curating this collection. There are some really strong pieces in this book, and there were a lot of stories and authors I had never heard of before, even though I had previously read a lot on Jack the Ripper.
As in any anthology, there will always be some pieces that read as weaker than others. But there were very few of those instances in this collection.
If you are interested in Jack the Ripper, I highly recommend this book. It's a great mix of fact and fiction, including everything from essays stating the facts to stories involving time travel.
Penzler did a brilliant job of curating this collection. There are some really strong pieces in this book, and there were a lot of stories and authors I had never heard of before, even though I had previously read a lot on Jack the Ripper.
As in any anthology, there will always be some pieces that read as weaker than others. But there were very few of those instances in this collection.
If you are interested in Jack the Ripper, I highly recommend this book. It's a great mix of fact and fiction, including everything from essays stating the facts to stories involving time travel.
October 6, 2016
I have always enjoyed books on Jack the Ripper. This is one of the best books. The stories by Lyndsay Faye and Jeffery Deaver are phenomenal. Definitely adding this one to my collection
December 18, 2016
I liked the non fiction parts better than the fictional ones
July 17, 2019
A mixture of nonfiction and fiction, mostly fiction. I have think it would have been a better collection if it included more nonfiction.
April 4, 2017
OK, another winner from Mr. Penzler. the first 136 pages are largely reiterations of the known facts of the case, including newspaper articles of the time. but then we get into the swing of things with the short story variations on the main theme, with a lot of very novel interpretations of how the actual case may have played out. Well worth your time to get lost in this book.
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