What do you think?
Rate this book
Jack The Ripper: Live and UnCut
Jack The Ripper. The most coveted murderer in history as well as the most elusive. For over a century the pursuit of Jack and proof of his identity continues to come up short. The murders remain unsolved and there is no conclusive evidence pointing to a single suspect.
Investigative Reporter Carl Axford is offered the story of a lifetime. When recruited by Limbo, (a covert group that uses unique technology to solve cold cases), Axford is presented the chance to crack the greatest cold case in existence. Catch Jack The Ripper!
The opportunity of a front row seat to the Jack The Ripper murders seems too good to be true. What will Axford discover in 1888? Will he be able to identify history’s greatest criminal and bring him to justice? Or does Victorian Whitechapel hold further secrets that influence events of the past as well as the present?
Jack The Ripper may not be the only mystery Axford has to solve.
Investigative Reporter Carl Axford is offered the story of a lifetime. When recruited by Limbo, (a covert group that uses unique technology to solve cold cases), Axford is presented the chance to crack the greatest cold case in existence. Catch Jack The Ripper!
The opportunity of a front row seat to the Jack The Ripper murders seems too good to be true. What will Axford discover in 1888? Will he be able to identify history’s greatest criminal and bring him to justice? Or does Victorian Whitechapel hold further secrets that influence events of the past as well as the present?
Jack The Ripper may not be the only mystery Axford has to solve.
ebook
Published November 11, 2017
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 10, 2018
As an avid student of the Ripper killings of 1888, for over forty years, i have devoured many, many volumes, both factual and fictional that have been written on the subject. Matt Leyshon's book brings a whole new twist to the tale, as investigative reporter Carl Axford finds himself recruited by a shadowy organisation known as Limbo and is offered the opportunity to travel back in time to the streets of Whitechapel, London in order to finally unmask and identify Jack the Ripper himself. What investigator could resist? Having accepted Limbo's terms and signing a non-disclosure agreement, he allows himself to be sent back in time and sure enough finds himself in 19th century Whitechapel. Only one drawback...he is in what is called 'Separative Mode' which means he can see and hear all that is occurring around him, but he can't be seen and cannot communicate with anyone around him, making his effectively a ghost as far as the residents of old London are concerned. This state bring s about both advantages and disadvatages as Axford sets out to witness the brutal slayings of the five canonical victims of the Ripper. However, all is not as simple as it first appears. Axford soon discovers that Limbo, far from simply expecting him to identify the Ripper, has another, far more sinister motive, for selecting him, and for sending him back to witness the crimes. I can;t really divulge what lies behind the motives of the Limbo organisation without writing one massive spoiler, but, suffice it to say that the author has created a wonderful, tantalisingly rich look into the past. His ingeniously crafted story throws up as many questions as answers as we meet the women who were to fall victim to the Ripper, and many of the by now well known suspects. As he does so, we are led into the dark streets of Whitechapel, to the pubs and the dosshouses, the poverty and degradation that formed part of the everyday lives of those forced to live within the mean streets of old Whitechapel. He manages to show the victims in a respectful and sympathetic light, which I was grateful for, for these were real women, with hopes and aspirations, which nay have only extended as far as bed for the night, but who were to have their lives cut cruelly short by the blade of the Ripper.
So, who was Jack the Ripper? As in many fictional accounts of the murders, the author provides an answer within the book, but whether it is the real answer we will likely never know, because unless, like Limbo, we are eventually blessed with the ability to travel through time, the answer lies buried in the mists of time.
As for Limbo's ulterior motive in sending Axford back in time, suffice it to say that he finds his life in real danger, and only his wits and some very clever manipulation of circumstances give him a way to avid being murdered and left to rot in an unmarked grave in 19th century London. This is a clever, well-written fascinating tale, a what-if, rather than a whodunnit and is well worth the read and equally well worth it's five star rating from me.
So, who was Jack the Ripper? As in many fictional accounts of the murders, the author provides an answer within the book, but whether it is the real answer we will likely never know, because unless, like Limbo, we are eventually blessed with the ability to travel through time, the answer lies buried in the mists of time.
As for Limbo's ulterior motive in sending Axford back in time, suffice it to say that he finds his life in real danger, and only his wits and some very clever manipulation of circumstances give him a way to avid being murdered and left to rot in an unmarked grave in 19th century London. This is a clever, well-written fascinating tale, a what-if, rather than a whodunnit and is well worth the read and equally well worth it's five star rating from me.
March 24, 2018
I have to be honest, I was initially afraid this wouldn't hold my interest. As an avid thriller and horror reader, surely this topic had been "done" already. The original cover artwork made me think it wouldn't be a "serious enough" storyline.
Well.
How completely incorrect I was, and what a pleasure to say so.
A fascinating, and extremely different take on a tale that has been the stuff of murder legend for so long. This is Jack via science fiction, secret agents and time itself, and I was transported to Whitechapel, with an intimate view of the victims lives prior to Jack taking them. So much focus is often placed on Jack himself, however this story brought the victims to the forefront, and made them real people. The attention to detail and research behind the story is perfect, making me feel I was walking the streets of Whitechapel myself.
Not to mention the excellently detailed plot with plenty of turns that kept me hooked, right until the last roiling twist.
Definitely a wonderful surprise read. Highly recommended for both Jack fans and lovers of a great adventure/thriller.
Well.
How completely incorrect I was, and what a pleasure to say so.
A fascinating, and extremely different take on a tale that has been the stuff of murder legend for so long. This is Jack via science fiction, secret agents and time itself, and I was transported to Whitechapel, with an intimate view of the victims lives prior to Jack taking them. So much focus is often placed on Jack himself, however this story brought the victims to the forefront, and made them real people. The attention to detail and research behind the story is perfect, making me feel I was walking the streets of Whitechapel myself.
Not to mention the excellently detailed plot with plenty of turns that kept me hooked, right until the last roiling twist.
Definitely a wonderful surprise read. Highly recommended for both Jack fans and lovers of a great adventure/thriller.
June 25, 2019
I love a mystery, love a thriller, love a good horror novel. The trouble with any of the three is, to review it in any detail is to give the game away to potential readers and spoil the experience. So let's just say that, through certain means (and clever plotting), investigative reporter Carl Axford travels back in time to London's East End in the autumn of 1888 with the opportunity to witness first-hand the infamous Whitechapel murders and to identify the killer in the coldest cold case of all, the Jack the Ripper slayings. The story is fast-paced, sometimes brutal, always gripping. And, while life gave me no choice but to put it down a few times, I was always eager to pick it back up and dive back in. I loved Matt Leyshon's 'Jack the Ripper: Live and Uncut'. You will too.
May 18, 2018
AWESOME!!!
This was an incredible story. It kept me engaged the entire time I read it. I didn’t want to put it down for ANYTHING. Great characters, great plot line and amazing twists! Kudos to you, Matt Leyshon!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be looking out for any more you may write 🤗 Thank you!!!
This was an incredible story. It kept me engaged the entire time I read it. I didn’t want to put it down for ANYTHING. Great characters, great plot line and amazing twists! Kudos to you, Matt Leyshon!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be looking out for any more you may write 🤗 Thank you!!!
December 30, 2017
Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut by Matt Leyshon is a reading that takes the reader back in time and mixes both historical fiction and real facts appropriately to solve one of the most gruesome serial killings in the world.
I rarely do Fiction reviews. I prefer to deal with Whitechapel Murders arguments in a more historical and documentary way. An unsolved crime like this requires all the seriousness possible. But when the work done by an author is really worthy, it should also be praised.
Unlike many authors, Leyshon does not leave chronological gaps or extends historical truth to adapt it to the narrative. The characters are meticulously described and it is possible to find in them the characteristic elements of some types of Whitechapel inhabitants.
Although Jack's story is well known, the author adds his personal vision to the "why" of those 10 weeks of terror and creates a fascinating and engaging story that leaves to the reader the dilemma of determining who the good and the bad guys are in a story full of clues that are not always evident but that will eventually find their clear position and interpretation.
Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut is an easy but compelling read. If you are looking for something different ... you have found it!
I rarely do Fiction reviews. I prefer to deal with Whitechapel Murders arguments in a more historical and documentary way. An unsolved crime like this requires all the seriousness possible. But when the work done by an author is really worthy, it should also be praised.
Unlike many authors, Leyshon does not leave chronological gaps or extends historical truth to adapt it to the narrative. The characters are meticulously described and it is possible to find in them the characteristic elements of some types of Whitechapel inhabitants.
Although Jack's story is well known, the author adds his personal vision to the "why" of those 10 weeks of terror and creates a fascinating and engaging story that leaves to the reader the dilemma of determining who the good and the bad guys are in a story full of clues that are not always evident but that will eventually find their clear position and interpretation.
Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut is an easy but compelling read. If you are looking for something different ... you have found it!
January 23, 2018
Matt Leyshon sets his novel in present day Chicago but the real story beings when Carl Axford is sent back in time to Whitechapel London 1888 and where he will bear witness to the work one of history most notorious serial killers known “Jack The Ripper”.
For those who are drawn to historical fiction and enjoy a good gripping thriller this is a must read . It has every thing a good fictionalised historical novel should have well researched historical details and a good dose of fiction.Well dons Matt can't wait for the next one.
For those who are drawn to historical fiction and enjoy a good gripping thriller this is a must read . It has every thing a good fictionalised historical novel should have well researched historical details and a good dose of fiction.Well dons Matt can't wait for the next one.
January 9, 2019
A cut above the rest! This story has identifiable characters, especially our main boy Carl Axford. Though a work of fiction, research clearly shines through that makes this story quite believable in today's world.
I fully enjoyed Leyshon's characterizations, his plot, and every surprise that he threw at us. I was at around 20 pages in when I knew I would read this to completion, and by 40% I was shirking other duties to read 'just one more chapter.'
This is a piece to be proud of, and I cannot state my approval enough. Thank you for writing this story!
I fully enjoyed Leyshon's characterizations, his plot, and every surprise that he threw at us. I was at around 20 pages in when I knew I would read this to completion, and by 40% I was shirking other duties to read 'just one more chapter.'
This is a piece to be proud of, and I cannot state my approval enough. Thank you for writing this story!
February 21, 2019
Having spent decades researching the crimes of ‘Jack the Ripper’ fiction on the topic rarely interests me. However, this book is well worth the read. Time travel, a hungry journalistic instinct & great characters form the back-drop for this intriguing tale and the author has certainly earned his stripes by checking every detail of the period in question. Although I remain unconvinced of the murderer offered up, this is a work of fiction & a very good one at that. I believe that a series is going to be forthcoming & I look forward to more Axford investigations in the future.
July 17, 2018
This story had a bit of an indie feel to it at times - especially in the scenes where Carl Axford and Genevieve were together; and looking back I was hoping for more scenes with them. If you enjoy suspense and mystery, definitely put this book on your to-read list. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2018
A gripping and fascinating book, where I was happy to see a tried and tested old plot device be used for new thrilling stories. The historical mystery had me hooked from the get go and I wasn't disappointed. Leyshon's writing style is beautiful and complex, but easy and never dull at the same time. Well researched and planned out, all in all great book.
March 17, 2019
This book was fantastic. The plot is great, Carl being sent back by Limbo to witness the murders and discover Jack’s identity. It was to the best of my knowledge historically accurate. Especially when he arrives to Whitechapel. There was no point where I was not interested in reading this book, it is well written too.
April 26, 2022
This book is well researched, unique and haunting. I could not put it down. So interesting to see how a time traveler solves the mystery, layering new on old. Kudos. This is not a genre I read a lot, but so glad I did! Bravo! Highly recommend
July 20, 2019
Sublime
A superb Jack the Ripper novel. A savvy journalist, a mysterious organisation, great plot and well researched detail. I dont do spoilers, but I can only sing the praises of this novel. The tale is a little different from the usual Ripper books. Imaginative, with vibrant characters that fit perfectly into a well constructed plot, with more than a few twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Superb book.
Robert Southworth
Author of the Spartacus Chronicles and The Ripper Legacies
A superb Jack the Ripper novel. A savvy journalist, a mysterious organisation, great plot and well researched detail. I dont do spoilers, but I can only sing the praises of this novel. The tale is a little different from the usual Ripper books. Imaginative, with vibrant characters that fit perfectly into a well constructed plot, with more than a few twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Superb book.
Robert Southworth
Author of the Spartacus Chronicles and The Ripper Legacies
December 11, 2018
Best book of my year
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews