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Ripper Confidential: New Research on the Whitechapel Murders
Groundbreaking history and exciting investigative journalism combine in a work jam-packed with newly unearthed finds and fresh insights that pull us deeper into the world of Jack the Ripper and closer to the man himself. Wescott does not promote a suspect but instead comprehensively investigates the murders of Polly Nichols and Elizabeth Stride, bringing to light new medical evidence, crucial new material on important witnesses, and – revealed for the first time – the name of a woman who may have met Jack the Ripper and survived to tell the tale.
Also discussed in this book:
Charles Lechmere, recently name as a suspect in the Jack the Ripper documentary, Conspiracy: The Missing Evidence, is restored to his proper place in history as an innocent witness.
Walter Sickert, the subject of Patricia Cornwell’s Jack the Ripper books, was not the Ripper, but is revealed here to have been only one of several artists and poets who may have been acquainted with victim Mary Kelly.
Bruce Robinson’s Jack the Ripper book, They All Love Jack, controversially endorsed the myth that fruiterer Matthew Packer sold grapes to Liz Stride which were later found on her hand. Around this was constructed an intricate police conspiracy. In Ripper Confidential the truth is exposed and these events are proved beyond doubt to have never taken place.
Was Elizabeth Stride a Ripper victim? For the first time, all the myths are cleared away and the facts are looked at in great detail.
The contemporary investigators speak out from the past and tell us what they thought of one of the Ripper’s most enigmatic and controversial clues – the chalk-written message on the wall in Goulston Street. Did the Ripper write it and what might it actually have said?
A comprehensive look is taken at Berner Street witness, Israel Schwartz. Why did he disappear within weeks from the written record? Was or was he not a legitimate witness? This and much more is discussed, and for the first time it’s revealed why he did not give evidence at the inquest, why the two best known versions of his story are inconsistent, and – most crucially – that he was not the last person to see Liz Stride with a man who was probably her killer.
From the author of the award-winning The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders.
Also discussed in this book:
Charles Lechmere, recently name as a suspect in the Jack the Ripper documentary, Conspiracy: The Missing Evidence, is restored to his proper place in history as an innocent witness.
Walter Sickert, the subject of Patricia Cornwell’s Jack the Ripper books, was not the Ripper, but is revealed here to have been only one of several artists and poets who may have been acquainted with victim Mary Kelly.
Bruce Robinson’s Jack the Ripper book, They All Love Jack, controversially endorsed the myth that fruiterer Matthew Packer sold grapes to Liz Stride which were later found on her hand. Around this was constructed an intricate police conspiracy. In Ripper Confidential the truth is exposed and these events are proved beyond doubt to have never taken place.
Was Elizabeth Stride a Ripper victim? For the first time, all the myths are cleared away and the facts are looked at in great detail.
The contemporary investigators speak out from the past and tell us what they thought of one of the Ripper’s most enigmatic and controversial clues – the chalk-written message on the wall in Goulston Street. Did the Ripper write it and what might it actually have said?
A comprehensive look is taken at Berner Street witness, Israel Schwartz. Why did he disappear within weeks from the written record? Was or was he not a legitimate witness? This and much more is discussed, and for the first time it’s revealed why he did not give evidence at the inquest, why the two best known versions of his story are inconsistent, and – most crucially – that he was not the last person to see Liz Stride with a man who was probably her killer.
From the author of the award-winning The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders.
364 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 16, 2020
Extremely detailed look by the author at the 1888 murders, but I'm not quite sure what his point is. He discusses many aspects, but never 'names' a real suspect. He is seemingly obsessed with the case itself rather than trying to determine a perpetrator of the five murders, which is fine; but by continually going over the same material, it beomes almost boring. Certainly not my first choice for a look at the Jack the Ripper murders.
April 3, 2020
Far too technical for a Ripper layperson like me. I stubbornly continued even after Wescott stated right off: “My apologies to any readers for whom this is your first Ripper book. It shouldn’t be.” So, this is my fault. 😆 I did a fair amount of skimming because I wasn’t interested in so many details. I just need the basics to get a general idea of the murders and possible suspects, not pages upon pages about Elizabeth Stride, for example.
June 18, 2017
After reading The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders, I was excited to read this follow-up book. Tom Wescott does an amazing job finding undiscovered documentation related to the Jack the Ripper history and presenting it in a way that is both riveting and educational.
I enjoy how he holds a microscope to specific events, giving incredibly in-depth essays that both analyze and question the accepted facts that have been presented in previous books by other authors. In this book, he goes into great detail about the Polly Nichols and Liz Stride events, breaking the incidences down in a minute-by-minute style that adds so much suspense that I felt like I was watching an action movie (and I mean that in the best possible sense.) The book is full of shifty characters, including investigators as well as local residents, who are so authentically presented that they rival some of the best portraits I've seen in fiction, yet they are real and played pivotal roles in the JtR saga. Reading the book, I got a strong sense of the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of 1888 Whitechapel, which makes the material feel even more immersing.
So much of the information that he presents is not included in any other JtR books I've read, which is so exciting for someone who is interested in studying the case. He's my new go-to Ripper authority, and I can't wait for his next book.
I enjoy how he holds a microscope to specific events, giving incredibly in-depth essays that both analyze and question the accepted facts that have been presented in previous books by other authors. In this book, he goes into great detail about the Polly Nichols and Liz Stride events, breaking the incidences down in a minute-by-minute style that adds so much suspense that I felt like I was watching an action movie (and I mean that in the best possible sense.) The book is full of shifty characters, including investigators as well as local residents, who are so authentically presented that they rival some of the best portraits I've seen in fiction, yet they are real and played pivotal roles in the JtR saga. Reading the book, I got a strong sense of the sights, sounds, and atmosphere of 1888 Whitechapel, which makes the material feel even more immersing.
So much of the information that he presents is not included in any other JtR books I've read, which is so exciting for someone who is interested in studying the case. He's my new go-to Ripper authority, and I can't wait for his next book.
November 1, 2017
As with his previous excellent book, The Bank Holiday Murders, Tom Wescott has delivered a terrific entry for the more experienced and knowledgeable Ripperologist. I don't really read popular suspect books any more as I find they rarely offer anything beyond sensationalism. I prefer well-researched and more academic entries such as this book, which deliver fresh insights and new evidence, all well accredited. Where Mr Wescott does speculate he makes it very clear that he's doing so, and leaves the reader to interpret the facts in well laid out detail. This is one of the best entries in Ripper non-fiction - perhaps the best since Wescott's last book - and I look forward to his next offering.
March 24, 2025
I had to read this book after having read his other Ripper research, "The Bank Holiday Murders." Yet, once again, I found myself plodding through the material. It had some interesting points and theories, but it took soooo long to get through. It wasn't long in pages, just a very slow read. I felt relieved when I came to the last page and could declare that I was finished. Read this if you enjoy some meticulously researched evidence and ideas about the Ripper murders, just be prepared for slow progress.
March 26, 2019
The Ripper
It wasn't what I was expecting to get upon starting, but I found it to be extremely informative. It opened my eyes to the many complexities and questions surround JTR. I will definitely,be reading more and delving deeper in to the world of Ripperology.
It wasn't what I was expecting to get upon starting, but I found it to be extremely informative. It opened my eyes to the many complexities and questions surround JTR. I will definitely,be reading more and delving deeper in to the world of Ripperology.
January 13, 2019
Ripper
Wonder if the Dr Treves was the same doctor that helped the Elephant Man,would have been about the same time and place ,
Wonder if the Dr Treves was the same doctor that helped the Elephant Man,would have been about the same time and place ,
April 3, 2019
Another excellently researched book from Westcott, among the forefront of modern reassessment of the era.
July 30, 2017
This collection of Wescott's previous journal and small press articles about the Ripper, albeit expanded and revised, isn't your normal JTR book following the well trod format of background, killings, and then pet suspect. Instead, he assumes the reader is familiar with the case (and gives recommendations if they are not), before diving into the absolute minutiae of various topics with historical rigour and an open mind. This approach mines gold. New information includes identifying a probable "one who got away" hours before the murder of Polly Nichols, a detailed if brain-melting timeline of "who saw what" prior to the murder of Elizabeth Stride, new details on various personalities connected to the investigation, and the busting of a few myths. An excellent read for anyone absorbed by the case. I look forward to his next book, hinted as a full exploration of the private detective, conman, and provocateur Charles Le Grande.
November 14, 2021
Excellent book!
A very, very detailed breakdown of some of the key points of the Jack the Ripper mystery. Very objective and not one of the "look, I've identified who Jack the Ripper was" books. Tom Wescott manages to take all his previous ripper essays, update them and present them in a logical format. However, as a lot of people have said in their reviews, you need to have a background knowledge of the murders and the suspects etc first. I read his first book, The Bank Holiday Murders first and that gave me enough to comfortably read this one.
An excellent read that doesn't point the finger in any direction but suggests many objectively. Really enjoyed.
A very, very detailed breakdown of some of the key points of the Jack the Ripper mystery. Very objective and not one of the "look, I've identified who Jack the Ripper was" books. Tom Wescott manages to take all his previous ripper essays, update them and present them in a logical format. However, as a lot of people have said in their reviews, you need to have a background knowledge of the murders and the suspects etc first. I read his first book, The Bank Holiday Murders first and that gave me enough to comfortably read this one.
An excellent read that doesn't point the finger in any direction but suggests many objectively. Really enjoyed.
July 24, 2018
Easily one of the best books on "jack" in recent years. Westcotts priority is not to identify the killer but to forensically look at witness evidence and test it against all criteria. This is done relentlessly and with much good logical thinking. Westcott is excellent at comparing and weighing up news reports at the time and judging vital things such as timing of the murders themselves against witness statements. He doesn't look at all the murders but the focus on Elizabeth Stride in particular is fascinating. Westcott does what many lesser books claim to do, in forensic detail and eschews hyperbole and prurience. He is good at dispatching myths that have grown up and has an intriguing idea about the Goulston Street Graffiti. He is also good at judging the motivations of witnesses; the press and high ranking police officers. His comments on Ripperology and recent research are also pertinent and interesting. This is clearly a work in progress but provides much food for thought.Lets hope he continues to publish his thinking since it is clear, plausible and not hide bound by the need to name the killer. Highly recommended.
July 1, 2020
This book was a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it is exceptionally well researched, with lots of little information that I haven't seen elsewhere. On the other hand, while Wescott goes to great lengths to state over and over and over that he only follows the facts, he then makes gigantic assumptions anyway. He engages in rather astonishing logic gymnastics in order to create possible scenarios, as if viewing himself as some sort of modern day true-to-life Sherlock Holmes.
But I suppose, for me, the aspect of the book that drags its rating down is Wescott's relentless tendency to dismiss virtually all other Ripper authors with words like "meaning no disrespect to author X, who wrote a book on the Ripper", which he immediately follows with derisive hyperbole, reserving tiny bits of praise only for those whose work doesn't clearly overlap his. In other words, he has staked out his turf, and anyone who encroaches on it gets an elbow to the face.
It is a shame that Wescott's titanic ego mars such well researched material. Nonetheless, I can still recommend this book, because it has great information, and some of Wescott's conclusions are actually pretty fascinating.
But I suppose, for me, the aspect of the book that drags its rating down is Wescott's relentless tendency to dismiss virtually all other Ripper authors with words like "meaning no disrespect to author X, who wrote a book on the Ripper", which he immediately follows with derisive hyperbole, reserving tiny bits of praise only for those whose work doesn't clearly overlap his. In other words, he has staked out his turf, and anyone who encroaches on it gets an elbow to the face.
It is a shame that Wescott's titanic ego mars such well researched material. Nonetheless, I can still recommend this book, because it has great information, and some of Wescott's conclusions are actually pretty fascinating.
February 7, 2019
Great ..if you can't sleep
Whenever you watch a murder mystery you have a story and then at the end you have a person quickly explaining how they figured out who the murderer is. This book skipped the story and went into an extremely long and extremely detailed breakdown of tiny points of uninteresting opinion. I personally think assuming that a person doesn't know a lot of the details surrounding Jack the Ripper this author should have told the whole story in detail of the victims. Perhaps the author then should have had a list of the primary suspects with why he felt they were strong or weak suspects and let the reader come to their own conclusions. I just felt like I read a mishmash of conjecture that didn't tie together anything and bored me in no time at all
Whenever you watch a murder mystery you have a story and then at the end you have a person quickly explaining how they figured out who the murderer is. This book skipped the story and went into an extremely long and extremely detailed breakdown of tiny points of uninteresting opinion. I personally think assuming that a person doesn't know a lot of the details surrounding Jack the Ripper this author should have told the whole story in detail of the victims. Perhaps the author then should have had a list of the primary suspects with why he felt they were strong or weak suspects and let the reader come to their own conclusions. I just felt like I read a mishmash of conjecture that didn't tie together anything and bored me in no time at all
January 4, 2020
Another Jack the Ripper book
Yes this is another Jack the Ripper book but one with a difference. The author is not trying to name a suspect, he is laying out facts about different aspects of the case. It's clear the author has done his research. There is new information and in-depth interpretations of known information. If you are new to Jack the Ripper this might not be the book for you. It helps if you have a working knowledge of the case and the people involved. It's easy to get a bit lost in the facts but it's well worth the effort. I've been reading ripper books for the last twenty years and there were things in here that I'd never read before.
Yes this is another Jack the Ripper book but one with a difference. The author is not trying to name a suspect, he is laying out facts about different aspects of the case. It's clear the author has done his research. There is new information and in-depth interpretations of known information. If you are new to Jack the Ripper this might not be the book for you. It helps if you have a working knowledge of the case and the people involved. It's easy to get a bit lost in the facts but it's well worth the effort. I've been reading ripper books for the last twenty years and there were things in here that I'd never read before.
October 20, 2020
An admirable achievement
This book is full of painstaking research and thoughtful analysis. However it probably should not be read as an introduction to the Ripper murders as it is best read by someone with at least a basic knowledge of the events, area and conditions. Westcott quotes Philip Sugden's work and that would be a very good introduction, followed by this book and its predecessor "The Bank Holiday Murders". Perhaps "The Five" by Hallie Rubenhold should be read afterwards. A real achievement.
This book is full of painstaking research and thoughtful analysis. However it probably should not be read as an introduction to the Ripper murders as it is best read by someone with at least a basic knowledge of the events, area and conditions. Westcott quotes Philip Sugden's work and that would be a very good introduction, followed by this book and its predecessor "The Bank Holiday Murders". Perhaps "The Five" by Hallie Rubenhold should be read afterwards. A real achievement.
April 23, 2018
Bit of a let down after the outstanding Bank Holiday Murders. Wescott remains a refreshing voice in the field, but this feels very disjointed (the amount of recycled material from Ripper Notes and elsewhere contributing to that) and was honestly a slog to get through by the end. Poor copy-editing shows in a lot of glaring typos which become more frequent as the book progresses.
July 21, 2019
Interesting anthology.
This is a series of essays that deal with arcana surrounding the Ripper murders. It is aimed very much at seasoned Ripper readers and is positively unwelcoming to a newbie. If you have a fascination for the case then it will intrigue and either inspire or irritate. Otherwise avoid like the plague.
This is a series of essays that deal with arcana surrounding the Ripper murders. It is aimed very much at seasoned Ripper readers and is positively unwelcoming to a newbie. If you have a fascination for the case then it will intrigue and either inspire or irritate. Otherwise avoid like the plague.
March 15, 2020
Worth less than Kindle charges
I admit to being a journalist since 1968. When the author said early in this work that his earliest editor had to go through the submitted work and remove entire swaths, Wescott wasnt kidding. The problem seems to be that his current editor hasnt done the same.
I admit to being a journalist since 1968. When the author said early in this work that his earliest editor had to go through the submitted work and remove entire swaths, Wescott wasnt kidding. The problem seems to be that his current editor hasnt done the same.
April 24, 2020
A must read for the experienced Whitechapel Murders reader or theorist. Tom Wescott delves into various areas of study within the Ripper case and reexamines the evidence. Much in the same way as his earlier work, The Bank Holiday Murders, he looks beyond the long held ideas to try and find other possibilities.
March 12, 2020
So many threads
I enjoyed reading the history of the different characters as well as JTR's story. Interesting that back then, just like now, the government is always manipulating the whole story to its own interests. The more things change, the more they stay the same. 👍 👍👍
I enjoyed reading the history of the different characters as well as JTR's story. Interesting that back then, just like now, the government is always manipulating the whole story to its own interests. The more things change, the more they stay the same. 👍 👍👍
November 29, 2020
Enlightening
Enjoyed this book as much as the previous one. Seems to approach the subject in a new way and has caused me to look again at many thoughts I previously held. I have read many books on subject over years but these have to be the best
Enjoyed this book as much as the previous one. Seems to approach the subject in a new way and has caused me to look again at many thoughts I previously held. I have read many books on subject over years but these have to be the best
March 3, 2019
Not a book to read without knowing more about the subject as the author states.
January 15, 2020
Somewhat hard to follow
Quite a few scenarios going on. Hard to follow unless you have a map or illustrations to help you along. Good read though.
Quite a few scenarios going on. Hard to follow unless you have a map or illustrations to help you along. Good read though.
June 12, 2020
Great read
If you are fascinated with the Jack the Ripper case, this is a must read. Packed with fact and some information that was new to me.
If you are fascinated with the Jack the Ripper case, this is a must read. Packed with fact and some information that was new to me.
August 4, 2020
Tedious; went round and round but got virtually nowhere.
October 10, 2022
Booked was very informative.
January 5, 2021
"The man behind the mystery who for lack of a given name, we call Jack the Ripper".
With The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders (by the same author) each chapter was introduced in a vivid (though respective) narrative that led to another forgotten or overlooked portion of research concerning the unsolved Whitechapel Murders. These interconnected sections were built slowly and methodically but were overall a cracking convincing read and a fine addition to my shelves. How I wish I could feel the same about this followup work that reads more like a pieced together article archive; it's never a good sign I have to remind myself about a book's description only a few months after turning the final page. Perhaps I'm being too harsh as Ripper Confidential isn't meant to be a gritty voyeuresque look at the Autumn of Terror and the following months to suspected years of the reign of Saucy Jack; it does hammer home the unfortunate lack of evidence collecting and the equally sad state of affairs where the seriousness of these murders fell on detectives' desks. It just all missed something vital for myself that look for in a non-fiction book.
If you are familiar with the popular theories of the Whitechapel murders that have been made into bestsellers, you will be well prepared to examine a few major points for the length of this work, mainly dealing with the hotly debated topics of if Elizabeth Stride was really a part of the Canonical Five or did she meet her end at the hands of jealous lover? And, did evidence or important details get tossed in the gutter or clues (ie. the infamous grapes) "switch hands"? The ever popular Sickert theory is examined at length as well. Although all fascinating to look at from every angle possible, I feel the evidence has run into a dead end. Saying that I will stubbornly still snap up the next book if this author would elaborate on his personal theories and findings of how the victims all knew one another, had a connection to one figure in general and even lived in the same building at one point, that can't all be a twisted coincidence!
With The Bank Holiday Murders: The True Story of the First Whitechapel Murders (by the same author) each chapter was introduced in a vivid (though respective) narrative that led to another forgotten or overlooked portion of research concerning the unsolved Whitechapel Murders. These interconnected sections were built slowly and methodically but were overall a cracking convincing read and a fine addition to my shelves. How I wish I could feel the same about this followup work that reads more like a pieced together article archive; it's never a good sign I have to remind myself about a book's description only a few months after turning the final page. Perhaps I'm being too harsh as Ripper Confidential isn't meant to be a gritty voyeuresque look at the Autumn of Terror and the following months to suspected years of the reign of Saucy Jack; it does hammer home the unfortunate lack of evidence collecting and the equally sad state of affairs where the seriousness of these murders fell on detectives' desks. It just all missed something vital for myself that look for in a non-fiction book.
If you are familiar with the popular theories of the Whitechapel murders that have been made into bestsellers, you will be well prepared to examine a few major points for the length of this work, mainly dealing with the hotly debated topics of if Elizabeth Stride was really a part of the Canonical Five or did she meet her end at the hands of jealous lover? And, did evidence or important details get tossed in the gutter or clues (ie. the infamous grapes) "switch hands"? The ever popular Sickert theory is examined at length as well. Although all fascinating to look at from every angle possible, I feel the evidence has run into a dead end. Saying that I will stubbornly still snap up the next book if this author would elaborate on his personal theories and findings of how the victims all knew one another, had a connection to one figure in general and even lived in the same building at one point, that can't all be a twisted coincidence!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews