The Conan Doyle Notes: The Secret of Jack The Ripper

D.D. McGil Literari Mystery #3

by Diane Gilbert Madsen

“The Conan Doyle Notes: The Secret of Jack the Ripper,” uncovers clues as to Why the Dog Did Not Bark in the Night. Sherlock Holmes concluded that it was because the intruder was known to the dog. Madsen’s new mystery questions whether the identity of one of the greatest criminals of all time, Jack the Ripper, was deduced by Conan Doyle. Conan Doyle was already famous with his popular Sherlock Holmes stories when Jack the Ripper struck London in October 1888. Why was Conan Doyle silent about this case? Find out in “The Conan Doyle Notes: The Secret of Jack the Ripper.”

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Gram · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up on this book about a quarter of the way through. I tried to plough on but decided life's too short. The plot seemed to be more about the love life of the main character, DD McGil, than whether Conan Doyle (author of the Sherlock Holmes novels) had worked out who Jack The Ripper was.

[Luke Kuhns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was Jack the Ripper? To this day his identity has remained a mystery. Or has it? From the long list of suspects do we actually know who he was. Perhaps the author of the world’s greatest detective knew? Did Arthur Conan Doyle posses the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Diane Gilbert Madsen has D.D. McGil on the case! D.D. get’s a call from her friend and BSI member Tom Joyce saying he’s just uncovered something important: papers written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself that disclose the identity of Jack the Ripper! Tom won’t say anything over the phone and D.D. races to him. However, before she can reach Tom he’s assaulted, the papers are stolen, and he’s now in a coma; the situation couldn’t be more grim.

Next is an excursion through fact and fiction that put’s McGil’s career on the line as Madsen leads us on a path to who the Ripper was. Madsen uses a fictional platform and mixes the Sherlockian methods to present the evidence of who the Ripper was. Whether your believe the outcome is up to you…or maybe we finally have our culprit!

The book is a non-stop thriller. There are many Sherlock Holmes V Jack the Ripper books out there, most of which are trash, but this is a fresh and unique take on solving the Ripper mystery. I tend to prefer factual book on Ripper, but by setting Sherlock Holmes aside and using Doyle and the Sherlockian world was an incredibly fun way forward. This approach to blend fact and fiction keeps the story for very much alive and interesting. Well worth reading

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book. Told from the first person perspective of DD McGil, an insurance investigator who is the heroine of the author's literati mysteries. This is the first book I have read in the series and was mainly drawn to it by the Sherlockian/Ripper connection. Another factor that peaked my interest was the inclusion of a supporting character named Tom Joyce, a dealer in rare books. I know the real Tom Joyce, a rare book dealer, from various Sherlock Holmes Society's in the Chicago area. In fact, Mr. Joyce was responsible for bringing me into the world of Sherlockian Scion Societies by inviting me to a meeting of Sir Hugo's Companions so many, many years ago. Madsen's characterization of Tom Joyce in her novel is fairly accurate, although I remember Tom as being more of a cat person than a dog person. You will have to read the book to see what I mean.

This is a fun and fast read. DD and her friends and family are eccentric and funny. This is not what I would call a serious mystery, although Madsen's research and speculations created from her research are well done. This is more of a character driven mystery rather than a plot-centric story. When you look at it, though, most people read the Holmes' Canon for the Holmes/Watson relationship. Most of the mysteries are good but we come back time and again for the characters and not the plot.

[Caroline Hannam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit torn about this book; I want to like it and I really should as it has all the elements I enjoy in a story, A witty female protagonist, a well meaning elderly couple and family interfering , a number of sidekicks, drama, some action, some romance and a good story.
It’s all there and I don’t dislike it, but it didn’t quite hit the mark.

I didn’t bond with the characters and therefore when DD McGill, the main protagonist, got into scrapes and dodgy situations, as well as heart warming moments, I should have been eager to see the outcome, and while I still wanted to know what happens, it wasn’t with bated breath.

Part of me wonders if a female narrator would have made a difference for me. I cannot find a fault with Adam Blanford’s enunciation or speed of reading and he has a very pleasant voice, but there was a certain lack of intensity of emotion that would be evident in a woman’s voice.

While this does sound quite negative, the story itself was interesting and it was engaging enough for me to want to find out how it ends.

I received this book in audio book format free from the author and am leaving this review of my own volition.

[B.D. Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the more interesting features of this story is the discovery of a lost letter written by Conan Doyle that supposedly reveals the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Multiple mysteries compel the story forward. Who tried to kill Tom? Who is harassing DD? And the missing manuscript and letter. The history about Jack the Ripper is fascinating. Fortunately, the story is strong because I didn’t care for DD. I liked her Scottish background and many of the cast of characters surrounding her. But DD comes across as not too bright. She continually makes bad decisions that get her into more trouble. She’s headstrong, which is fine, but in some cases, her decisions came across as irresponsible.

I believe the author is trying for an ambiance of a Sherlock Holmes story, but it didn’t work for me. There is too much profanity, sexual suggestion, and on-page violence to fit into that sub-genre. These things seemed thrown in for a “modern” audience. I feel sticking more to a Conan Doyle type story would have made it a stronger story.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story and a good mystery, although I didn't manage to sympathize with any of the characters. Actually, I disliked D.D. quite a bit, TBH.

But, as I said, the mystery was good and it kept me engaged until the end. And having the sherlockian quotes at the beginning of every chapter was fun :D

The narration was good, too, except for chapter 54 that seems to have been completely overlooked when it was time to edit.

So, good entertainment but I don't think I'll be revisiting this series.

[Jessica Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several formatting issues that detracted from an enjoyable storyline. I imagine the ending was what one would feel like running full-speed into a stop sign.

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Narration, a story that twist and turns even more than a Sherlock Homes story; Loved It!

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Conan Doyle Identify JTR?

My thanks to Steve and Timi at MX Publishing for my review copy of this book. May all of your endeavors be rewarded!

DD McGil is an investigator who works for the Chicago firm of United Insurance. She is on a stakeout when she receives a call from her friend Tom Joyce. Tom owns a bookshop and is known as a Sherlockian of high ranking.

As a result of his expertise, he has been chosen to appraise the book collection of the David Joyce Grange estate. Mr. Grange had been a friend of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. That alone makes his collection of Sherlock Holmes material invaluable. But as Tom breathlessly tells DD, he has discovered a diary in the desk of Mr. Grange. It lies in a hidden compartment and contains references to the original manuscript of Doyle’s The White Company. Better still, it states that the manuscript contains Doyle’s notes on Jack the Ripper…

Then Tom gives a frightened gasp that someone is trying to kill him and the phone goes dead…

There are really two mysteries in this book. DD McGil and Tom Joyce are trying to find the missing manuscript and who tried to kill Tom. This sends them into danger time and again. Plans fail and effort misfires, causing mayhem with DD’s job, Tom’s health, and life in general as the two pursue their quarry into Wisconsin to an exciting and explosive climax!

Then there is the case of the actual notes by Doyle. Does it actually give the identity at long last of Jack the Ripper? And who will the notes name if that is true? And will evidence known about the Ripper match the suspect named? How much of a chance is there that the notes will be correct, and the serial killer exposed for the devil he was?

(SPOILER ALERT) It should be noted that Dr. Joseph Bell, friend of Conan Doyle and the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes, was given the evidence collected by the police for real. He shared them with “a friend who likes puzzles” whereupon they both wrote down their suspects name. The names were identical…

I give this book five stars!

Quoth the Raven…

[Ben Cardall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! One of the more compelling and above all, intriguing takes on the Jack the Ripper story that I've read. Highly recommended

[John Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly done. Lots of fun.