The House That Jack Built

Time Scout #4

by Robert Lynn Asprin, Linda Evans

IT'S HARD TO KEEP A GOOD PSYCHOPATH DOWNTIME... And it's harder to figure which psychopath to fear most! Senator John Caddrick hires a professional assassin to murder his own daughter and threatens to destroy the whole time-touring industry. Caddrick's hired gun plans a high-level double cross -- but then everyone's plans are thrown into chaos when Jack the Ripper's killing spree spreads from Victorian London to Time Terminal Eighty-Six. In this breath-stopping sequel to Ripping Time, retired time scout Kit Carson and ex-con man Skeeter Jackson enter an unholy alliance that surprises everyone -- including Skeeter and Kit. All they have to do is track down Senator Caddrick's missing heiress, lost somewhere in history, rescue Ianira Cassondra from the clutches of a madman, and keep the most famous time-touring station in the world open for business, while avoiding death in The House that Jack (the Ripper) Built.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy, Ebooks, Science Fiction Fantasy, Travel

480 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 2, 2001

About the author

Robert (Lynn) Asprin was born in 1946. While he wrote some stand alone novels such as The Cold Cash War, Tambu, and The Bug Wars and also the Duncan & Mallory Illustrated stories, Bob is best known for his series fantasy, such as the Myth Adventures of Aahz and Skeeve, the Phule's Company novels, and the Time Scout novels written with Linda Evans. He also edited the groundbreaking Thieves' World anthology series with Lynn Abbey. Other collaborations include License Invoked (set in the French Quarter of New Orleans) and several Myth Adventures novels, all written with Jody Lynn Nye.

Bob's final solo work was a contemporary fantasy series called Dragons, again set in New Orleans.

Bob passed away suddenly on May 22, 2008. He is survived by his daughter and son, his mother and his sister.

Reviews

[Jammies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh drat. When I first read this book, I loved it. I gave it four stars for creativity, characters and plot. I liked the way the authors interwove the facts of the Jack the Ripper case with the events happening to the characters in the book. I loved the steampunk aspects of the entire series. I even understood why the authors found it necessary to invent a whole new character to pin the murders on.

What I do NOT understand is why the authors made a huge historical error (by neglecting one tiny piece of research) for no reason that advances anything in the book. One of the prostitutes who is soon to be murdered goes to Aleister Crowley for help when she feels endangered, and he has sex with her, but can't help her avoid her coming fate. There is nothing in the scene with them which advances the plot or the reader's understanding of any of the characters. It's as if Crowley is dragged into the novel just so the authors can mention his self-awarded reputation as "The Great Beast."

One big problem--Crowley was thirteen years old when the Ripper murders took place. He wasn't in London, wasn't even living on his own. One teensy little websearch by either Asprin or Evans would have turned up this little fact.

You blew it, guys.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What more can I say? I loved this story (book 3 and 4 of the Time Scout series - Ripping Time and this book - form a two-parter).

Going back in time to determine the actual identity of Jack the Ripper... what a cool premise. And the authors did everything right, giving authentic and authoritative details that allow you to enjoy the novel on multiple levels. Have a wikipedia page open to Jack the Ripper and you'll see that every event in the novel matches the true events. But here they're all included in a sharp narrative that delivers consistently - every single facet is incorporated smoothly and satisfyingly.

I debated giving this book 5 stars, but it is not quite perfect. One particular complaint about Jack the Ripper's character - he is quite perfectly and painstakingly developed throughout the book, and comes alive. But then the setting changes from London 1888 to the Time Terminal itself, and suddenly Jack is jarringly different, not at all what he was before, but something else. It's not scary because it's not convincing... sorry.

A great read... too bad the rest of the series wasn't as good as books 3 and 4.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of Ripping Time that drags at times but picks up at the end. Written to allow for more sequels that we will never read due to the premature passing of Mr. Asprin. Not a book that should be read without first reading Time Scout, Wagers of Sin and Ripping Time. By far not my favorite series by this author.

[Korry Thorpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series, and this book was probably the best. Although I can't say I'm all that fond of TBC'rs (To Be Continued) and this book is the second half of one of the those. But other than that I really liked the book.

[Lynn Calvin]

baen ebook

[Borka]

since when is sandringham in scotland

[Stephen Nuchols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. just wish there were more stories.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that differs quite a bit from some of Asprin's other work. It was a good read.

[Joe Wolfenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate to see the series end. Great look into historic times

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Time Scout series was a nice mix of serious (90%) and fun (10%).