Jack: A hidden truth. A royal conspiracy. A secret worth killing for.

by Max McBridge

JACK is a thrilling story of conspiracy and murder, celebrating the grime and glory of Britain's capital city, and the heights and depths of its society.

Jack the Ripper came and went without warning in the second half of 1888, leaving the mutilated corpses of five women in his wake. Despite the best efforts of Scotland Yard, the baffling and gruesome murders remain unsolved to this day.
Over a century later, the discovery of what might be the Ripper’s diary re-awakens the case.

The forces that drove the Ripper to do his grisly work in 1888 are still very much at work today, and just as dangerous. To what lengths will they go to preserve the secret which can destroy the monarchy?

Could a member of the royal family really have been the true culprit of these heinous crimes? With the mysterious case reprised, a renewed investigation falls to the bored, rich and charming, James Kent. James takes on the challenging case, teaming up with the stunning Alice, who has her own reasons to defend the historic doctor’s involvement. Together, with dangerous consequences ahead, they reinvestigate royal links to the notorious serial killer. But, patriotism can be a deadly trait in the wrong hands. And, lurking in the shadows, working to protect the greater good even with murder, is someone who will do absolutely anything in their power to stop the duo from exposing secrets…

With mounting tension and many twists and turns, the book takes readers on an extraordinary scavenger hunt across London and England. Reincarnating the capital’s most intriguing murderer, there are dark forces at play that cast increasing doubt over who is governing the country.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2020

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

James our protagonist is approached by a man who claims that his father's death, 2 years previously, was not an accident and it is up to James to figure out what his father knew... Was it worth dying for?

The case information he is given is all about the unsolved Jack the Ripper case from 1888. With the little information James has he starts to follow the trail that will help him solve the case and unmask the infamous Jack the Ripper! But there are people, people you don't want to mess with, who know exactly who Jack the Ripper was and they do not want that information known.

It had a little slow start where I wasn't sure where it was going, but it soon picks up and it was all a go as James gets sent all over London and the South of England following clues. I always love reading about familier places because I can see it just a little more clearer in my head.

Overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery, some history, and an adventure to remember!


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Take note! £1 of every book sold (paperback and ebook) will be donated to The McBridge Foundation; the foundation has committed itself to help to close the gap between those who can afford the rich opportunities of London and those who are increasingly left behind, especially in times of Corona. Find out more at mcbridge.uk/foundation

[megs · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so baffling. At the beginning, I was excited as I felt it had real potential, the introduction and starting chapters were very intriguing. But I have so many quarrels with this book I’m afraid
1) the author hasn’t really done his research? He labels the victims ‘prostitutes’ in a derogatory manner that is very outdated.
2) door a book called ‘Jack’, the book seems to deviate from the Ripper mystery to a relationship crisis.
3) the ending wasn’t really shocking.
4) the book became really royal family orientated which I didn’t like.
5) honestly, I just got bored.

I did give the book 2 stars because there was potential in the plot which unfortunately was executed in a way I personally did not enjoy. I also liked the investigation into the William Gull theory. Attitudes towards the poor are also clearly represented at the start of the book which literally had so much potential, it’s a shame the book deviated from this so dramatically.

[Steph G-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gripping book that kept me on the edge of my seat!

[Jill Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cool concept, executed very well. Jack the Ripper always makes for a smashing good story, albeit a very dark one. There is so much confusion, fear, horror and mystery around his actions and identity. They provide excellent fodder for storytelling, and McBridge does a great job taking the mythos behind the man and turning it into an original and entertaining tale. The plot dances back and forth in time, setting the scene in Jack's time then turning to the modern era in which an exhibit about the Ripper triggers theft, mayhem, secrets, revelations, and a scavenger hunt to uncover the truth about what happened in Whitechapel so many years ago...

This was a fun - if you can call a story about the Ripper "fun" without being thought weird - read. McBridge does a great job setting the scene for his tale. The characters are well-crafted and robustly established. The sense of adventure that follows James and Alice through their hunt for answers feels like a movie - in the best way. The family angle was well managed and the whole story well plotted and designed to keep readers guessing until the end. The Big Reveal was a twist I didn't see coming, and an original spin on the Ripper mythology.

I really liked this one!

Thanks to the author and publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One minor character I wasn't a particular fan of was William Johnson - he was someone who was very intent on carrying out his mission.
I understood that the theory needed to be put to rest, though I didn't like how it was done - but it made sense. For those who enjoy 'what-ifs' and stories that revolve around plot, try picking this one up. I got a copy in exchange for an honest review.