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I Was Jack The Ripper
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When Jack the Ripper terrorised London in 1888, he would spark a mystery when he disappeared and his string of violent and horrific murders ended as quickly as they began, leaving one of the worlds oldest unsolved crimes in his wake.
Now, in 1907, biographer Charles Hapgood is about to be visited a man with astonishing claims that he was the famous Ripper and wishes to tell his tale before his coming death. Sceptical at first, Hapgood agrees to hear his story, only to soon be shown undisputable proof that his visitor speaks the truth and is who he claims to be.
As Hapgood listens to the man’s tale, he is drawn into a world of pain, cruelty, horror and sadness as he discovers how an innocent child grew into the greatest living monster the world has ever seen.
As the story unfolds he begins to fear for his own safety as the man once known as Jack The Ripper tells his story in his own words, a tale which goes far beyond the known timeline of his horrific crimes and reaches new depths of terror and depravity that Hapgood could never have imagined.
When Jack the Ripper terrorised London in 1888, he would spark a mystery when he disappeared and his string of violent and horrific murders ended as quickly as they began, leaving one of the worlds oldest unsolved crimes in his wake.
Now, in 1907, biographer Charles Hapgood is about to be visited a man with astonishing claims that he was the famous Ripper and wishes to tell his tale before his coming death. Sceptical at first, Hapgood agrees to hear his story, only to soon be shown undisputable proof that his visitor speaks the truth and is who he claims to be.
As Hapgood listens to the man’s tale, he is drawn into a world of pain, cruelty, horror and sadness as he discovers how an innocent child grew into the greatest living monster the world has ever seen.
As the story unfolds he begins to fear for his own safety as the man once known as Jack The Ripper tells his story in his own words, a tale which goes far beyond the known timeline of his horrific crimes and reaches new depths of terror and depravity that Hapgood could never have imagined.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2017
31 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bray
134 books236 followersMichael Bray is a bestselling author/screenwriter of more than twelve novels and numerous short stories. Influenced from an early age by the suspense horror of authors such as Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Shaun Hutson, James Herbert & Brian Lumley, along with TV shows like Tales from the Crypt & The Twilight Zone, his work touches on the psychological side of horror, teasing the reader’s nerves and willing them to keep turning the pages. Several of his titles have been translated into multiple languages including a major bookstore distribution deal in Japan and his biggest selling title, Whisper, has, on numerous occasions topped the overall horror charts for Amazon titles in both the UK and US with thousands of copies sold.
His work has been featured in anthologies alongside such horror greats as Clive Barker, Adam Nevill, Shaun Hutson, Brian Lumley, Paul Tremblay, Ramsay Campbell, Ray Bradbury and many others and he continues to be an active and popular member of the horror/suspense genre.
A feature film written by Bray based on his co-written novel MONSTER starring Tracy Shaw (Coronation Street), Daniele Harold (East Enders) & Rod Glenn (American Assassin / World War Z) was shot in January 2018 whilst another of his titles, MEAT is currently with a leading Los Angeles based production company with a view to production in 2019.
My IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm8960144/?r...
Where to find Michael Bray online
Official website: www.michaelbrayauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaelbrayauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelbrayauth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelbrayauthor
Google +: www.plus.google.com/michaelbrayauthor
Where to find my books
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Bray/...
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Bray/e/...
To discuss publication or television / movie rights to
any of my work, or for any other queries, please
contact me directly at darkcornersbook@gmail.com
His work has been featured in anthologies alongside such horror greats as Clive Barker, Adam Nevill, Shaun Hutson, Brian Lumley, Paul Tremblay, Ramsay Campbell, Ray Bradbury and many others and he continues to be an active and popular member of the horror/suspense genre.
A feature film written by Bray based on his co-written novel MONSTER starring Tracy Shaw (Coronation Street), Daniele Harold (East Enders) & Rod Glenn (American Assassin / World War Z) was shot in January 2018 whilst another of his titles, MEAT is currently with a leading Los Angeles based production company with a view to production in 2019.
My IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm8960144/?r...
Where to find Michael Bray online
Official website: www.michaelbrayauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaelbrayauthor
Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelbrayauth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/michaelbrayauthor
Google +: www.plus.google.com/michaelbrayauthor
Where to find my books
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Bray/...
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Bray/e/...
To discuss publication or television / movie rights to
any of my work, or for any other queries, please
contact me directly at darkcornersbook@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 2, 2017
I have always been a little obsessed about history's most infamous serial murderer, the brutality and the mystery surrounding the crimes of Jack the Ripper. When I heard about this book I was compelled to hit the pre-order button, I was not disappointed.
The author effectively mixes fact with fiction in a way that keeps the story flowing seamlessly from beginning to end, the characters believable and their situations saddening.
The author's descriptions are so vivid that you can almost smell 1888 London and feel the cobblestones of Whitechapel beneath your feet.
The overall story and the circumstances can be very emotional in places and you may find yourself lost in the horror and the sadness of the murders.
All-in-all I absolutely love this book and I'll certainly be revisiting 1888 Whitechapel again!
The author effectively mixes fact with fiction in a way that keeps the story flowing seamlessly from beginning to end, the characters believable and their situations saddening.
The author's descriptions are so vivid that you can almost smell 1888 London and feel the cobblestones of Whitechapel beneath your feet.
The overall story and the circumstances can be very emotional in places and you may find yourself lost in the horror and the sadness of the murders.
All-in-all I absolutely love this book and I'll certainly be revisiting 1888 Whitechapel again!
Read
May 9, 2019Really enjoyed this latest from Michael Bray. I have been following along with the serialized installments and I thought he brought things to a satisfactory conclusion. The story moves well, with just the right level of brutality to it. He does a good job making the Ripper into a dynamic character. And as historical fiction is not the easiest thing to write, I thought he did a good job capturing a tone of voice that sounds authentic without overdoing it. Definitely check this one out.
December 5, 2017
I've never regretted picking up a Michael Bray book, and it's the same for this piece. I Was Jack the Ripper moves from a series of one to one interviews to recollection and diary entries to tell the story of the man claiming to be Jack the Ripper. I found the story completely immersive and hard to put down. It had the right about of brutality and the character of Jack the Ripper was recreated with such depth, I found myself reeled into his story.
August 15, 2018
Jack the Ripper
This is the third of the five book series. I enjoyed this book more. We are privy to Jacks story in more depth. Hapgood, the author, is given his personal journal and this gives all the gruesome details. This book is fictionalized fact about the Whitechapel killer. If you enjoy this genre then this series is for you. Just beware there are some pretty grisly scenes. I gave it four stars for content and plotline.
This is the third of the five book series. I enjoyed this book more. We are privy to Jacks story in more depth. Hapgood, the author, is given his personal journal and this gives all the gruesome details. This book is fictionalized fact about the Whitechapel killer. If you enjoy this genre then this series is for you. Just beware there are some pretty grisly scenes. I gave it four stars for content and plotline.
September 12, 2021
Impredescible el final, no pudé evitar reír cuando en el diario describe cuando ya no puede realizar su trabajo. Me gusto!
October 29, 2017
In his own words
“I Was Jack The Ripper” is the newest novel by horror/thriller author Michael Bray. While not a ‘factual account’ of the Whitechapel Murders or the Ripper, it is a tale of fiction based on fact which allows the author more room for artistic license. Also, in the true form of the time-period and subject matter being covered, this is not a novel that should be read by those who are easily offended.
Initially released as a test offering to members of his mailing list and then as a serialized novel in five parts earlier this year, Bray has aggregated all his previous work into complete novel format just in time for a suitably gruesome Halloween read. For more detailed analysis of each individual section, please visit my corresponding reviews that have been posted for each of the serialized parts.
Told in a format that was at times reminiscent of “Interview with the Vampire” in its setting, the story begins with Jack – now using the pseudonym Edward Miller as he calls upon an author currently in the process of writing about the Whitechapel Murders. Jack requests that Mr. Hapgood tell his story as well so the world can know who the Ripper was. Hapgood initially refuses, but finally agrees upon learning Miller’s real identity. Jack begins his narrative at the pivotal point of his early life as he relays a chain of events that turned a once happy boy into one of the most brutal serial killers of all time. As the evening wears into night and then early morning, Edward/Jack relays his story and the events from his tragic childhood, youth and adult years that have served to shape the stuff of legend. As expected the canonical five murders are also revisited from the standpoint of the Ripper, but the story does not end here as Bray uses the final 25% of the book or so in a speculative account of what may have been in the life of the Ripper in the form of a personal “journal”. As the story draws to its inevitable conclusion, Jack finds closure and a bit of absolution while remaining an enigma and the stuff of legend.
After having read through the Jack series in all its iterations over the last eighteen months I found myself going through a myriad of emotions. Michael Bray’s imaginings of Jack as a child, youth and young man plagued with all sorts of horrors and injustices that work to incite his inner demon to come to the forefront is an amazing story. I found myself feeling sorry for young Edward and almost at time understanding how the events of his youth served as the catalyst for the birth of one of the most legendary killers of all time. Many times, I found myself physically sick at the tortures that young Jack was made to endure. The speculation of the Ripper’s early life and how it shaped his remaining days and his now infamous work was not only genius but also plausible. The story itself is well researched and eerily factually accurate based on what I have seen from various source material. If you, like me, have a curiosity of sorts with serial killers and Jack the Ripper specifically I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed
“I Was Jack The Ripper” is the newest novel by horror/thriller author Michael Bray. While not a ‘factual account’ of the Whitechapel Murders or the Ripper, it is a tale of fiction based on fact which allows the author more room for artistic license. Also, in the true form of the time-period and subject matter being covered, this is not a novel that should be read by those who are easily offended.
Initially released as a test offering to members of his mailing list and then as a serialized novel in five parts earlier this year, Bray has aggregated all his previous work into complete novel format just in time for a suitably gruesome Halloween read. For more detailed analysis of each individual section, please visit my corresponding reviews that have been posted for each of the serialized parts.
Told in a format that was at times reminiscent of “Interview with the Vampire” in its setting, the story begins with Jack – now using the pseudonym Edward Miller as he calls upon an author currently in the process of writing about the Whitechapel Murders. Jack requests that Mr. Hapgood tell his story as well so the world can know who the Ripper was. Hapgood initially refuses, but finally agrees upon learning Miller’s real identity. Jack begins his narrative at the pivotal point of his early life as he relays a chain of events that turned a once happy boy into one of the most brutal serial killers of all time. As the evening wears into night and then early morning, Edward/Jack relays his story and the events from his tragic childhood, youth and adult years that have served to shape the stuff of legend. As expected the canonical five murders are also revisited from the standpoint of the Ripper, but the story does not end here as Bray uses the final 25% of the book or so in a speculative account of what may have been in the life of the Ripper in the form of a personal “journal”. As the story draws to its inevitable conclusion, Jack finds closure and a bit of absolution while remaining an enigma and the stuff of legend.
After having read through the Jack series in all its iterations over the last eighteen months I found myself going through a myriad of emotions. Michael Bray’s imaginings of Jack as a child, youth and young man plagued with all sorts of horrors and injustices that work to incite his inner demon to come to the forefront is an amazing story. I found myself feeling sorry for young Edward and almost at time understanding how the events of his youth served as the catalyst for the birth of one of the most legendary killers of all time. Many times, I found myself physically sick at the tortures that young Jack was made to endure. The speculation of the Ripper’s early life and how it shaped his remaining days and his now infamous work was not only genius but also plausible. The story itself is well researched and eerily factually accurate based on what I have seen from various source material. If you, like me, have a curiosity of sorts with serial killers and Jack the Ripper specifically I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed
January 15, 2020
This really should be a 5 star book but the typos and repetition let it down a little... but on to general reflections...
As soon as I started reading the opening chapter, my mind instantly thought "interview with a vampire" ... a "monster" meets a writer to tell his side of the tale.
It was dark and intriguing.
I remember studying Jack the Ripper in school for history and being intrigued back then. This is probably why I picked up the book on Kindle when I read the blurb. The case never being solved is open to all sorts of possibilities and a work of fiction based on the killers view point was fascinating.
The writing was very good and draws the reader in. A work of fiction based on facts from the case told from Jack's view point. A great piece of disturbing horror that gets the imagination going.
Halfway through the story, it switches from Jack verbally recounting events to a journal style view. Which I felt was an interesting approach. And one that worked well. It moved the story forward.
The author has explored how the Ripper may have grown up and the possibilities, that in time, contributed towards the Ripper commiting his crimes. And... it was believable.
Overall, a very interesting and page turning book that had me hooked. I was completely immersed in the style and voice of the plot line. It's just a shame that my pace of reading was interrupted somewhat by typos.
The ending was a plot twist I thought I saw coming but oddly was left feeling surprised and satisfied. As if the Ripper got one last triumph. Very well done indeed.
As soon as I started reading the opening chapter, my mind instantly thought "interview with a vampire" ... a "monster" meets a writer to tell his side of the tale.
It was dark and intriguing.
I remember studying Jack the Ripper in school for history and being intrigued back then. This is probably why I picked up the book on Kindle when I read the blurb. The case never being solved is open to all sorts of possibilities and a work of fiction based on the killers view point was fascinating.
The writing was very good and draws the reader in. A work of fiction based on facts from the case told from Jack's view point. A great piece of disturbing horror that gets the imagination going.
Halfway through the story, it switches from Jack verbally recounting events to a journal style view. Which I felt was an interesting approach. And one that worked well. It moved the story forward.
The author has explored how the Ripper may have grown up and the possibilities, that in time, contributed towards the Ripper commiting his crimes. And... it was believable.
Overall, a very interesting and page turning book that had me hooked. I was completely immersed in the style and voice of the plot line. It's just a shame that my pace of reading was interrupted somewhat by typos.
The ending was a plot twist I thought I saw coming but oddly was left feeling surprised and satisfied. As if the Ripper got one last triumph. Very well done indeed.
December 27, 2019
The identity of Jack the Ripper has long been the subject of speculation. Even in fiction, authors tend to pick one of the suspects and focus their story around that individual. Michael Bray disabuses his readers of any claim to knowing or revealing who the Ripper was in his Disclaimer from the Author.
I WAS JACK THE RIPPER shows us a killer in much the same way a profiler would get inside the head of someone like Ted Bundy or Ed Kemper. We are given a glimpse of the childhood traumas that fed Jack's demon, and how his damaged psyche informed his actions as an adult. This is accomplished by allowing Jack to narrate much of his own story.
I've been reading accounts and speculations about the Whitechapel butcher for a very long time. I've also been on a Jack the Ripper walk in London part of which was in a portion of the East End that has remained unchanged since Victorian times. Spine chilling doesn't begin to describe what it is like to read, or otherwise experience, the Ripper's world. I WAS JACK THE RIPPER is a heart pounding page turner.
The one thing that can break the spell for is misuse of language. Overall, the writing is good, but there is one point where the end of a sentence is completely missing. It would also seem that Bray relied on a spellchecker rather than an actual reading to find those misused words.
I WAS JACK THE RIPPER shows us a killer in much the same way a profiler would get inside the head of someone like Ted Bundy or Ed Kemper. We are given a glimpse of the childhood traumas that fed Jack's demon, and how his damaged psyche informed his actions as an adult. This is accomplished by allowing Jack to narrate much of his own story.
I've been reading accounts and speculations about the Whitechapel butcher for a very long time. I've also been on a Jack the Ripper walk in London part of which was in a portion of the East End that has remained unchanged since Victorian times. Spine chilling doesn't begin to describe what it is like to read, or otherwise experience, the Ripper's world. I WAS JACK THE RIPPER is a heart pounding page turner.
The one thing that can break the spell for is misuse of language. Overall, the writing is good, but there is one point where the end of a sentence is completely missing. It would also seem that Bray relied on a spellchecker rather than an actual reading to find those misused words.
March 7, 2023
Good story, but oh my......
This was a really good story, but oh my, the issues.....
While I am talking right now of the overall story and concept, I have to say it's really good.
However, it's like the author gave pen and paper to a 6 year old and had him write it out. The grammar, punctuation, just...all of it. Awful. Words were capitalized in the middle of a sentence, and he seemed to think that words like "rat" were meant to be capitalized mid sentence.
One minute, Miller spoke of having stopped the alcohol for a while and next sentence, he's drunk and stumbling. What??! And only around, hmmm....6 times? did Miller say he realized that he was addicted to alcohol. You realize something once. After that, it's a continuing acknowledgement.
And about three quarters of the way thru the book, whilst Hapgood was reading Miller's journal, things got even worse. Repetition, contradictory statements within the same paragraph!......I had to skim the last quarter at this point. It was awful.
Mr Bray....for goodness sake. GET A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR! You have a good story here. Pare it down, have it edited, and then you might actually go from a good story to a great one.
This was a really good story, but oh my, the issues.....
While I am talking right now of the overall story and concept, I have to say it's really good.
However, it's like the author gave pen and paper to a 6 year old and had him write it out. The grammar, punctuation, just...all of it. Awful. Words were capitalized in the middle of a sentence, and he seemed to think that words like "rat" were meant to be capitalized mid sentence.
One minute, Miller spoke of having stopped the alcohol for a while and next sentence, he's drunk and stumbling. What??! And only around, hmmm....6 times? did Miller say he realized that he was addicted to alcohol. You realize something once. After that, it's a continuing acknowledgement.
And about three quarters of the way thru the book, whilst Hapgood was reading Miller's journal, things got even worse. Repetition, contradictory statements within the same paragraph!......I had to skim the last quarter at this point. It was awful.
Mr Bray....for goodness sake. GET A PROFESSIONAL EDITOR! You have a good story here. Pare it down, have it edited, and then you might actually go from a good story to a great one.
June 28, 2018
Otra excelente novela de Michael Bray, quien se perfila como uno de los grandes maestros del género del horror psicológico. En este libro, el autor nos introduce de lleno al ambiente sórdido y cruel de la Inglaterra de finales del siglo XIX para presentarnos una versión alternativa de la serie de extraños asesinatos que tuvieron lugar en Whitechapel, el conocido barrio londinense de clase trabajadora, en el año de 1888. El relato es narrado en primera persona por el propio asesino, un envejecido Jack el Destripador, al escritor Charles Hapgood, con el objeto de que sus "hazañas" queden registradas para la posteridad. Ojo, esta novela contiene escenas fuertes y no se recomienda para menores de edad y quienes se ofenden fácilmente.
June 20, 2019
Wow...
I am almost a ripperphile!!! I love anything Jack the Ripper related. So when I saw this by Michael I jumped at it.
I was not disappointed!!!
I could SMELL the corruption in the man, I could feel the darkness bubbling below the surface, waiting to get out, waiting to grab a sharp knife and totally get back to what he did best.
If you love 19th Century tales of London and you love Jack the Ripper... then I urge you to get this book.
I am almost a ripperphile!!! I love anything Jack the Ripper related. So when I saw this by Michael I jumped at it.
I was not disappointed!!!
I could SMELL the corruption in the man, I could feel the darkness bubbling below the surface, waiting to get out, waiting to grab a sharp knife and totally get back to what he did best.
If you love 19th Century tales of London and you love Jack the Ripper... then I urge you to get this book.
December 1, 2017
Brilliantly written.
Whatever you may think of Jack the Ripper, this is a story to be read. A fictional story about a true crime told spectacularly from the killers point of view. The story straws you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. A++ Michael Bray is becoming a favorite author of mine!!
Whatever you may think of Jack the Ripper, this is a story to be read. A fictional story about a true crime told spectacularly from the killers point of view. The story straws you in and doesn't let go until the very last page. A++ Michael Bray is becoming a favorite author of mine!!
March 3, 2018
Worth a read
I really enjoyed this, lots of spelling mistakes, but who cares you can understand him easily enough. It's a different take on old jack, cause unlike a lot of other versions of the story this jack is completely fictional, which meant he didn't have to fit a prototype of the usual suspects. Really enjoyed, will read it again one day.
I really enjoyed this, lots of spelling mistakes, but who cares you can understand him easily enough. It's a different take on old jack, cause unlike a lot of other versions of the story this jack is completely fictional, which meant he didn't have to fit a prototype of the usual suspects. Really enjoyed, will read it again one day.
March 17, 2023
I honestly don't know what I think. I like the idea and I think it could be a superb story. But I have to say it's lacking something. Now and then I was almost bored to tears, so repetitive, but still...at the end of the book, I still like it, but it could have been so much more.
June 18, 2023
If only all stories were this good
This is quite simply one of the best books I have read in such a long time.the plot draws you in to the point that you just have to read one more chapter and then another.
This is quite simply one of the best books I have read in such a long time.the plot draws you in to the point that you just have to read one more chapter and then another.
August 3, 2025
Good story, but...
A very plausible telling of the Ripper legend. Would have rated higher but for the huge amount of typos: missing words, wrong tenses, misspellings, punctuation errors. Needs proofreading and editing
A very plausible telling of the Ripper legend. Would have rated higher but for the huge amount of typos: missing words, wrong tenses, misspellings, punctuation errors. Needs proofreading and editing
December 2, 2025
So far a terrific story. For folks who want to find a plausible motive and profile of the killer...this is it!
Also, from a researchers standpoint, this covers the bases of Jack not being the top hat, Gladstone bag-carrying stereotype the media has produced for over a century.
Also, from a researchers standpoint, this covers the bases of Jack not being the top hat, Gladstone bag-carrying stereotype the media has produced for over a century.
November 4, 2017
Brilliant
Really good book read in in one night certainly gives you a thought weather this really happened even though it is fiction would recommend this book
Really good book read in in one night certainly gives you a thought weather this really happened even though it is fiction would recommend this book
December 19, 2017
Very good book! Well written and well constructed characters
January 28, 2018
there is a knock at your door you answer and an old man says
'i'm jack the ripper'
and he wants to tell you his story....
and what a story it was (is)
'i'm jack the ripper'
and he wants to tell you his story....
and what a story it was (is)
April 13, 2019
Superb. A magnificent piece of fictional work on the life of Jack the Ripper from childhood through. Just read this.
Want to read
December 16, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2019)! 🎁
December 21, 2019
Page Turner
An interesting take on the mystery of Jack the Ripper's identity.
Editing / proof reading left much to be desired.
An interesting take on the mystery of Jack the Ripper's identity.
Editing / proof reading left much to be desired.
January 11, 2020
Wow
We all know the supposed story of Jack the Ripper but omg this book is awesome!
Completely different take on things and completely believable
We all know the supposed story of Jack the Ripper but omg this book is awesome!
Completely different take on things and completely believable
May 30, 2022
A real page turner
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. An excellent merging of historical fact, and fiction, and some interesting speculation
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. An excellent merging of historical fact, and fiction, and some interesting speculation
July 25, 2024
Amazing
Love the story...they way it was written had me at the get-go. Couldn't wait to finish reading the end. Awesome.
Love the story...they way it was written had me at the get-go. Couldn't wait to finish reading the end. Awesome.
February 24, 2018
I've recently finished reading this work an I must say, it was quite enjoyable.
It has a brutal, horrific side without ever feeling overdone.
The mix of historical fact and fiction is a nice touch.
Could have used closer proofreading.
It has a brutal, horrific side without ever feeling overdone.
The mix of historical fact and fiction is a nice touch.
Could have used closer proofreading.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews