Sherlock Holmes and the Autumn of Terror

by Randy Williams

Would Sherlock Holmes be able to catch Jack the Ripper? Everyone knows the name of Sherlock Holmes -- the fictional detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle with his superhuman powers of observation and unbeatable methodology for solving crimes. But could his 1800’s philosophy really work in the modern world to solve genuine crimes? That’s the very question that a real-life US-based private detective asked himself before embarking on the adventure of a lifetime by stepping into Holmes’ shoes and using his mindset to solve real crimes. So effective was this method that he decided to turn his attention to the greatest set of crimes known in history -- the brutal murders perpetrated by the criminal who came to be known as Jack the Ripper. The author, along with a team of three of the world’s top forensic scientists and criminologists, Dr. Michael M. Baden, Dr. Cyril H. Wecht and Dr. Henry C. Lee, have convincingly solved the infamous Jack the Ripper murders of 1888 London – arguably the world’s most talked-about unsolved murder mystery. But their true-life resolution of the case is presented here in the form of a Sherlock Holmes novel, painstakingly penned faithfully in the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In it, the author – who actually used Holmes’ methods to uncover the killers’ identity – explains exactly how the crimes were committed and by whom, all in the form of a fast-paced thriller featuring the world’s most beloved detective along with Dr. Watson, from whose point-of-view most of the tale is told. Once the reader has finally been clued in on the final solution, the murders are then revisited from the killers’ perspective. The story opens in the year 2017 with the sealed box of Holmes’ most controversial cases being opened by Watson’s great grandson Jacob, and among those cases is that of London’s Ripper murders that took place in what was then and has forever after been known as the “Autumn of Terror.” Jacob is shocked to learn the true story, as well as the reasons Holmes deemed the case’s explosive resolution too shocking and incendiary to have been revealed to the public in Victorian England and so to be sealed “entombed in a tin box” for 125 years, as were a number of other cases that are mentioned in some of Doyle’s Holmes stories. Along the way, the actual facts of the case and the evidence that led Randy and his team to the real killer will be revealed to the reader through Holmes’ investigative methods.

Genres: True Crime, Mystery Thriller

735 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Thomas Schoenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking and astounding new insight into the Ripper murders that terrorized London in the autumn of 1888. In some ways, these grisly slayings ushered in the "Modern crime era"
William's tome weaves Sherlock Holmes sensibility into every page. Jacob Watson, grandson of Holmes pugnacious side kick, opens a pandora's box, rebooting the Ripper mystery into 2017.

What makes this such an enjoyable read is that the author used Holmes as a literary device and has undoubtedly solved the actual murders.

In the 128 years since the terror, many suspects have been paraded through the public gullet. None fit, until now.

Buy this book. Its not only part history, part pathology and part fiction, its a teaching tool on how to look at old mysteries in a new light.

Randy Williams is an excellent story teller. The book is a towering giant in Ripperology. In fact, having read over 20 books on Jack the Ripper, this book is my favorite because it solves teh mystery once and for all.

[Crime Traveller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes and the Autumn of Terror takes a look at the murders of Jack the Ripper and the identity of those responsible from the perspective of Sherlock Holmes. Using the techniques and approach adopted by Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle’s books, Randy Williams looks to solve the longest running true crime mystery in British history. Supported by three of the top criminology experts in the world, Dr Michael M Baden, Dr Cyril H Wecht and Dr Henry C Lee, this may be the truth behind the riddle of Jack the Ripper.

It is a hybrid of fiction meeting true crime across almost 700 pages focused on the most fascinating historical true crime case of all time. While the tale may be placed on the fringes of fiction in relation to Sherlock Holmes, the theory behind the Jack the Ripper murders and the facts to support this theory are very much real. A well-researched and fact based book, this is a comprehensive piece of writing.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, and I am pretty close to the target audience as an armchair historian of the Victorian era; a lover of all things Sherlockian - read all of the "canon" stories by A.C. Doyle, seen all of the movies of the various eras, seen most-to-all of the TV shows from the Peter Cushing to the Jeremy Brett to the Benedict Cumberbatch era; and a person who has maintained a high-middle level interest in Jack the Ripper since the 100th anniversary when I was in high school. This is a "true crime" drama told through a fictional medium. Through the device of a Sherlock Holmes story the author is sharing what he sees as the truth in the Ripper murders, which he feels he has solved all these years later. And his evidence does hang together well and is quite compelling. So yes, I should have loved it. And I almost did.

First what's good. Mr. Williams knows his Sherlock Holmes and does a better job than most that give it a go at recreating Doyle's voice in his writing. Often "new Holmes" stories are just a little off, and while this version isn't perfect, it's very well done. Also, the author has done a good job of inserting his Ripper tale into the canon works, indicating which of the original stories are simultaneous with the goings-on of this book. This lends a certain verisimilitude to the work by divesting some of the weight of the Doyle stories into this one by association. Finally, the Jack the Ripper work is very well researched and thorough. In addition to his other talents Mr. Williams is a Ripperologist, and it shows. (This is is also a problem, as I'll get to in a minute.)

Second, what's not so good. The timeline is a little hard to follow. Yes, everything is "date stamped" so you can figure it out, but it all comes across as a little too out of order to me as we jump back and forth to various points in the story and to events that preceded it. I'm sure there was a method to the madness, but I never fully found it. Also, while at times the writing is exceptional, at other times the story snags on its own narrative. For example (no spoilers), Mr. Williams' enthusiasm for the finest details of the Jack the Ripper generally help his story along, but at times he gets lost in the thick of thin things. I'm by no means squeamish, but the details of the murders read more like a police report or case notes (undoubtedly because they were pulled from exactly that) than a blow-by-blow account. I believe the effect was meant to have us as readers see the true horror of these events, or perhaps to see the meticulousness and occult nature of the murders. And I suppose this is accomplished, but it seemed to me that it could be been better done through well-presented prose than a precise account of where cut was placed, or what was removed from where. In my opinion we just don't need to know all of that.

Which takes me to my final not-so-good point. In the end the gruesome details many of the murders are repeated THREE TIMES. First as they happen, next in detailed police reports and finally in a repeat of it all from a fresh point of view. It just seemed like at least once to many times to go over these gory details.

So, should you read this book? If you like Sherlock Holmes and/or Jack the Ripper, and aren't scared of intimate, gory details of terrible murders committed almost 130 years ago, probably yes. If that doesn't sound like you, probably not. If you're looking to get started on a Holmes project don't start here - go to the original stories of course. If you are a Ripperologist, already steeped in all the bloody gore-lore and therefore not at all taken aback by such things, who wants to know what Randy Williams thinks happened, and want to do it by way of a fictional story...well, this book is truly for you.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't want to know more about Jack the Ripper? Very interesting historical reading.
I haven't finished reading it but it is creeping me out like In Cold Blood and BTK story and I did not expect that in a Sherlock Holmes story. Lots of great new vocabulary for me. And I think that this story plot with Sherlock Holmes' activities makes it easier to put this complicated story line of Jack the Ripper, solved. into my brain.

[Sean Foon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend author Randy William's publication. It's a very plausible story in which the author and three highly recognized criminologists solve the White Chapel murders utilizing Sherlock Holmes methods and narration. Murders are examined in depth and clues lead to Jack the Ripper at the end. Fantastic read!!

[Suzanne Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first pages, i got involved in the misterious enviromment of the 19th century and it´s most famous serial killer´s crimes. Writen with a surprisingly methodic and correct language, no other than expected from a passionate writer and investigator. this book will surely get my attention until the end.

[Daryl Quincy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I waited so long to purchase this! Actually I do know why - its because until recently I didn't have time to properly appreciate it. The author has not just plucked another character out of the air to attribute the ghastly deeds to (such as childrens' author Lewis Carroll). Instead we hear names that are not unfamilar already to those interested in the Ripper atrocities, indeed some appeared in the press at the time and were known to police. One wonders, in fact, why they were not more intensely interrogated at the time! Well, investigator and crime author Randy Williams certainly makes up for that here! The very notion of a single 'Ripper' had thrown me way off any idea that there was ever a conspiracy and more than one assailant - and yet upon reading William's epic work one begins to wonder how it could have been otherwise. To reconceive the murders as effectively 'terrorist' acts committed for reasons of ideological crusading, propagandising, political change with religious and ethnic influences (too many factors to precis here!) weaves together the huge weight of evidence that Williams presents into a cohesive and logical case that leaves out little and includes even the finest of small details. All-in-all it is an astounding piece of work, just when you thought what could be said about 'the Ripper' had all been said! Much of what is discussed is not at all far-flung or inconceivable - the use of misdirection, using the media, having co-conspirators and perpetrators with a range of ages each drawn together by ideology, with a sort of 'ends-justifying-the-means' motivating them. Prevously I'd considered suspects I'd been 'given' by authors. This time I feel Randy Williams is in amongst the history and the community and motives are presented along with geographical factors such that the suspects begin to implicate themselves. Whilst I thought the 'escape' of The Ripper was due to his not living permanently in London (e.g. dreaded American hotelier H. H. Holmes), this book enabled me to consider what we know happens more often - that the killers and the victims are known to each other, or at least walk the same streets, inhabiting nearby dwellings. So what brings the band of killers together? How do they get away with murder? I'll let you read for yourselves as I'm doing. I'd wondered why this wasn't presented as 'true crime', but I'm not complaining because I enjoy Conan Doyle stories. Since all those involved are long since passed - and there's little in the way of forensic evidence - there is a large amount of retelling and conjecture needed, not unlike we would expect from the most famous of detectives! For Williams to adopt that style - and effectively create an historical re-enactment - is a brilliantly absorbing and rewarding way to present his research. I had to look up the other authors named, but they are heavyweights in the field. We can tell this is a labour of love from the author - who else has gone to these lengths? In other accounts that I've read I am left still thinking "We will never know", yet this is different, I am left feeling that those responsible for the horrendous acts on Whitechapel women are heavily implicated in this work and with ample evidence. I think I can safely recommend to anyone wondering about the purchase!

[William Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two books for the price of one.

The Autumn of terror visits two of my favourite literary subjects. Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper. I think for the author this is a good first outing in this subject. However, it seems to me to be two books in one. I think both subjects detract from each other a sense of belief. I found it difficult to reconcile both characters, mainly because one is fictitious and the other based on fact, although the latter is a theory wrapped around the facts. No more no less, despite the young authors enthusiasm to persuade us otherwise. The author has in my opinion over-fed us on theory and fact, that can be gleaned from the story without all the long winded resource research. The author not being a Brit and having a go at two legendary institutions of Britain means the speech is a little forced now and again. The indexing at the back is for diehards only I should think, but worth skipping through. All that said; I've given a four because of my love of the subject and there is enough talent to take you on the journey. Overall a good solid read. Would recommend if your a fan of either character. The theory on the Ripper is interesting and as solid as any I've read about. Although, I felt there was some reaching to fit the facts to the theory. Holmes and Watson are a nice pastiche of Doyle himself. The characters paid ample homage to the original characters. Worth a look then for the fans of these great characters because the theory seems fresh, or at least it is so to me. Enjoy the journey!

[Mark Kamleiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by researchers and it shows. The concept was a novel that would re-examine the Ripper murders and the evidence around them, as if it was Sherlock Holmes who was investigating the crimes. An interesting concept - but - the authors could not help trying to put all of their research into what is supposed to be a novel. With that caveat, it can be an interesting, although relatively slow read, if one is interested in what their research has uncovered and does not mind digressions into material that really do not move the plot forward. I stayed with the book until I read their conclusions as to who was the actual "Ripper." at that point I was about 60% of the book. I just could not force myself through the rest of the book. Because of my interest in history, I found the first part of the book to be interesting. As a "novel" it does not really make the grade.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lengthy but compelling

As a fan of Sherlock Holmes & Dr. John Watson, I felt compelled to finish this rather lengthy book. There were parts of it that I found that lost my interest & thus made the reading of it slower. But if asked what I would delete, I cannot do so. The entire contents are need to fully understand the author's aim for the book. I would recommend this book to any Sherlock Holmes fans who want to expand their knowledge with the understanding that the book is not as easy to read as other Sherlock stories.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read. It tells the story of one of the first serial killers that had a case that took 125 years to solve.This book made me feel like I was there along for the ride, right besides Holmes and Watson uncovering the Ripper's true identity. It is a great ride to be on and I hope others enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Martina Kovaříková · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I read and saw various theories of who the Jack the Ripper was and I have to say that this one was a new one - not of one the usual suspects. I admit it is a slower read, but it is well worth it in the end. I even recommended this to a friend who likes to read about serial murderers

[Stephen Motson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this and it is a fantastic book. If you're interested in Jack the Ripper or Sherlock Holmes (or even if you like a damned good read), you will, I am sure, enjoy this immensely It is the author's personal theory on the identity of Jack the Ripper, though in the guise of a Sherlock Holmes novel.. I was really impressed with how the author captured exactly the style of Conan Doyle as if writing a Sherlock Holmes adventure for The Strand. Doctor Watson recounts the story of how he and Holmes (along with Irene Adler) solve the mystery of the most infamous and mysterious series of murders in English history (Sherlock Holmes himself even has a go at writing - which is a fascinating addition to the book). While I don't agree with his identification of Jack the Ripper (though who am I to argue with the great Sherlock Holmes?), I was extremely impressed with the sheer amount of research that went into writing this excellent book. I have read many, many books on Jack the Ripper (as well as every Sherlock Holmes novel and short story written by Conan Doyle), but here I found detailed research on Jack the Ripper that I'd never previously encountered or considered before (for example, did you know that the hatpins were missing from each of the victims? I didn't). The author, like me, is a Private Investigator and Criminalist and I can wholly appreciate his attention to detail and comprehensive analytical thought processes he (or should I say, Holmes/Watson) presents in the investigation of this series of murders and the subsequent identification of Jack the Ripper. I recommend this book to anybody. It is a fascinating, enthralling, captivating and very enjoyable read.

[Craig Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. I just wish the author had been willing to consign more of his research to endnotes and appendices. The story-telling sometimes got lost is a welter of unnecessary detail.