Death at Whitechapel

Kathryn Ardleigh #6

by Robin Paige

Kathryn Ardleigh and her husband, Charles, are called on for help when scandal threatens Jennie Jerome Churchill. Her son Winston's political future is jeopardized by someone who claims to have proof that his father was none other than the notorious Jack the Ripper...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Victorian

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2000

About the author

Robin Paige is the pen-name of husband and wife team Bill and Susan Wittig Albert.

The Robin Paige Victorian/Edwardian mystery series was written by Bill and Susan Albert from 1994-2006. There are a dozen books in the series (now completed), beginning in the mid 1890s and continuing through 1903.

The series, beginning with Death at Bishop's Keep, features two amateur sleuths: Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and Sir Charles Sheridan, later Lord Sheridan , Baron of Somersworth. Kate is an Irish-American woman who writes under the pseudonym of Beryl Bardwell.

She comes to England and inherits a small fortune and the estate of Bishops Keep, located in East Anglia, near the village of Dedham, Essex. Sir Charles is a landed peer and amateur scientist with a special interest in new forensic techniques, such as fingerprinting, ballistics, toxicology, and photography.

In each of the 12 books in the series, Kate and Charles meet notable figures of their time as they set about solving the relevant mystery.

Reviews

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 2 out of 5]

They say truth is stranger than fiction. It's certainly more complex. The authors writing under the name of Robin Paige have written a fiction based on a speculative version of the truth, and the storytelling suffers. I lost count of how many false endings the book presented before it finally wrapped up with resolution of the cook, Mrs. Pratt's domestic drama (apparently to bring us back to commonsense and the everyday after such a potboiler). And yet all the machinations don't conceal the fact that the main outlines of the solution to the mystery of Jack the Ripper were clear at the halfway point of the book--and I'm the sort of reader who neversolves the mystery by then.

I like Kate and Charles, and they're the main reasons to read this book. (The description of the East End at the turn of the twentieth century is also worthwhile.) Charles seems unusually distant and patronizing toward Kate in this one, not consistent with the rest of the series, however.

I wouldn't blame you if you skipped this book and went on to the next one in the series.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 297. If you are a Jack the Ripper fan, then give this Robin Paige novel a try. Kate and Charles are drawn into their own attempts at solving the mystery of who Jack the Ripper was when one of their acquaintances, Jenny Churchill, is being blackmailed. There are many twists and turns in this story and while I'm not prepared to believe that this is the one absolute proof of the identity, the authors do provide a bibliography of sources. This is one that will end with the reader thinking, Uhmmmmm.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - I've always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper and perhaps I enjoyed this story so much because it delves into one of my favourite mysteries, and almost makes the absurd royal conspiracy seem believable. I also enjoyed seeing a possible different side to Winston Churchill, as most people will only know him as the victor over the Nazis, but he was young once and this book explores that time.

Genre? - Mystery / Crime / Historical

Characters? - Kate Ardleigh Sheridan / Charles Sheridan / Jennie Churchill / Randolph Churchill / Winston Churchill / Mary Kelly

Setting? - Bishop's Keep & London (England)

Series? - Kate Ardleigh #6

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 20/20

[Ellie Cripps · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was such a disappointment and has finally officially put me off the series. For some reason, the authors have completely changed the relationship between Charles and Kate, with him now treating her like an foolish woman and simple wife where in the first couple of novels she was genuinely the main character. Making the murder mystery historic rather than contemporary to the characters was a lot less compelling as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing. I usually enjoy this serious but the author's regurgitation of crap theories was tedious. Almost put down the book without finishing it, but settled for scanning to the end. Even the scanning was tedious.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the others in the series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number six in this series set in late 1800's England and following the investigations of Kathryn and her husband Charles Sheridan. In this book Kathryn & Charles are approached by Lady Jennie Churchill (widow of Randolph and mother of Winston) to help her discover who is blackmailing her. The blackmail centres around allegations of a connection with the the Jack the Ripper series of killings ten years earlier and her late husbands involvement.

I really enjoy these books and they are definitely made more interesting by the addition of real historical characters inserted into the plot. In this we not only meet Jennie Churchill but also a young Winston. Saying this, I felt this offering was not as strong as previous books - somehow the relationship between Charles and Kathryn was not quite the same and the whole plot line around the Jack the Ripper story was difficult to accept. The theory put forward as to who the perpetrators were is not a new one and moreover one that has, since this book was written, been discredited. That said it all moved at a cracking pace and was still a good read.

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another historical novel which takes up the rumours about artist Walter Sickert, and his stories about the Ripper murders. Strong characters, and a convincing portrayal of the fluctuating fortunes of the Churchill family.

[Eugenea Pollock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Churchillian twist on the Jack the Ripper crime spree of gruesome murders in London’s back alley haunts

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this one 4 stars, because it really impressed me! Lord Charles Sheridan and his wife Kathryn (Kate) find themselves tracking Jack the Ripper 10 years after the fact. They're drawn into the whole thing by Jenny Churchill, the American-born wife of Lord Randall Churchill and the mother of Winston Church.

Jenny has been blackmailed for years by an unknown person calling himself (or herself) A. Byrd. In fact, the blackmailer has been so prolific in his threats, that Jenny has gone through the entire Churchill fortune and more; she's deeply in debt, and not only because she feels the need to keep up appearances with the Marlborough set, which includes HRH the Prince of Wales. Daisy Wentworth suggests that Jenny befriend the Sheridans, since they did her and HRH a good turn recently in a murder and scandal involving personal letters from HRH to Daisy, when she was his mistress.

At first, Charles and Kate don't want to get involved. Charles doesn't want to be at the beck-and-call of every friend of HRH and spend all his time recovering lost love letters and the like. But Kate is convinced there's more to it, and when she talks with Jenny, the bomb drops. Jenny is trying to make sure that her son, Winston, gets his start in politics; but if word got out about what the blackmailer has on the Churchills, Winston's career is at a permanent end. Because, you see, the blackmailer claims to have pictorial proof that Lord Randall Churchill was involved with the Ripper murders, 10 years before!

When Jenny shows the Sheridans the damning picture, Charles is almost positive that the photo is doctored. But he needs the negative to be sure. So Charles and Kate spring into action.

Along the way, the blackmailer is discovered murdered and Jenny is suspected in the death; she was seen coming from his rooms about the time of his murder. Despite the heavy black veils she wore, someone knew who she was and gave an anonymous tip to the police.

As the Sheridans investigate and try to recover the photo negatives, they find themselves drawn deeper and deeper into the mystery of Jack the Ripper. And while the folks in the East End/Whitechapel know more than they're saying, Kate and Charles can't seem to get any solid information. Everyone is too scared.

The unraveling of this mystery seems to be a Gordian knot; the more the Sheridans uncover, the more mysteries surface. Will they have to uncover the true identity of Jack the Ripper in order to solve this mystery? Can they do so without being murdered, themselves?
=================
Such an interesting book! So in-depth compared to the usual froth and fluff of this series.

I knew several of the theories behind Jack the Ripper, but a lot of the information I read in this book was new to me. While the authors (yes, it's a husband and wife team being Robin Paige) don't purport to have uncovered anything new and to have taken some license with the facts, there was still a lot of information that I'd never heard or seen. And since the authors based their "facts" upon research done by several BBC researchers and revealed in 1976, the final theory, as it were, seems quite plausible. And very tragic... sad for all involved.

There's a sub-plot involving Winston Churchill and a young man who's acting as editor for Jenny Churchill's magazine. It seems the young man was in the same schools and a regiment; but something happened that neither Winston nor the young man wish to discuss. And when that's finally uncovered, we get an entire different picture of Winston Churchill than might be well-known. (Certainly not well-known to Americans.) Every hero has his flaws, and several of Winston Churchill's are on open view; however, Winston is only 24 or so in this book. It's obvious that he had a difficult time with his father - couldn't do anything to please the old man. So Winston's ambition and self-promotion are viewed in the light that he was constantly trying to prove himself, mostly to his dead father. Familiar theme!

Quite a good book - much more absorbing and fascinating than the usual in this series, although the books in the series are fun and good reads. But this book takes us to the darker, underbelly of murder, blackmail, corruption, and evil.

[Ellyreynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant read

[SpellsBooksandKrystals · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let’s toss another cozy book on the READ shelf!

Death at Whitechapel is the 6th book in the Kathryn Ardleigh series. In this novel, we find the husband and wife team of Kathryn and Sir Charles coming to the aid of Winston Churchill’s mother, Lady Randolph. We also get some Jack the Ripper theories and a storyline that rides the line of being labeled as a crazy conspiracy theory. That is NOT a complaint, and I am not mad at it at all. It’s presented in a way that could be completely plausible for the time.

The main characters of Kathryn and Sir Charles make a dynamic crime fighting duo. The other minor characters were also well written. However, I will say that it did get slightly complicated to tell them apart towards the second half of the book. This, however, may also be due to the slightly muddled storyline as the climax wrapped up, my only real issue with this book.

I experienced this book via audiobook. It was my first time reading any book in this series, my first time reading any book by Robin Paige, the pen name of husband and wife authors Bill and Susan Wittig Albert, and it was also my first time listening to a Helen Johns’ narration.

Normally, I am a stickler for reading books in order, but, if this book is similar to the other novels, the mysteries are wrapped up by the end with no cliffhangers or lingering storylines. Other than witnessing the development of Kathryn and Charles’ relationship, I honestly don’t feel like anyone would miss out on much by skipping the first five books.

Will I read the first five books though? Probably not. I am keen on listening to Helen Johns narrate more audiobooks though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #DeathatWhiteChapel

[Anna Bergmark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack the Ripper? There's suction in that outburst of blood and gore, yes, but is it an appropriate object for a lighthearted Victorian murder mystery-series? No, not really.

Add the fact that it's already a cold case by the time the plot heads off, throw in a blackmail with a murder of its own, involve the Churchill family, dress two upper crust ladies in servants clothing and send them out into the slum, let them discover a story about the butchered women that the whole of East End knows about but that has eluded the rest of the country for ten years (including the press!) and what you got is a complete and utterly senseless mess.

And even if gutted bodies and slashed throats would fit into a feel good cozy, and it's a giant sized IF, reading about the besotted prince, the secret wedding, the Freemasons, the crazy Doctor Gull... Gosh! It's like seeing From Hell all over again. (One expects Johnny Depp to pop up at any moment!) I mean... If the authors had found some angle of their own it might have been different, if they could have happily surprised the reader, but this old uninspired rehash...

I just don't buy this story, it's unbelievable, silly and pointless. Sarah Pratt brings with her a nice waft of the earlier installments, but her own little blackmail business is poorly attached to the rest of the novel, it just flutters out there in the wind, seemingly for no or little reason. The humour is missing in action and... Well. I think you can tell. This book disappointed me. Has this series gone south for good? Cause it used to make my smile so broadly.

[Susan in NC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started a bit slow but really picked up and I remembered why I enjoyed this series! It doesn't have as much humor as "Silent in the Grave", but more than Anne Perry's books, so it's a happy balance for a Victorian husband/wife mystery series. The interesting thing is "Robin Paige" is actually a husband/wife team of writers, and they work actual historical figures into their stories (Beatrix Potter, Lillie Langtry, Rudyard Kipling, etc.). Makes for an interesting read, and you learn about the political/social climate of the times.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book suggests a solution to the gruesomely infamous and unsolved Jack the Ripper case and an astonishing lesser publicised insight into a young man who would later become a much revered wartime PM I didn’t enjoy it as much as others I’ve read so far in the series. However, as with each of these Victorian Mysteries, it had me constantly consulting Google to try to discern just how much fact is buried in the fiction.

[Dyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must preface this review by saying that I know nothing about Jack the Ripper or the theories about how and why he killed his victims. Therefore, I found it an entertaining read and an intriguing mystery all the while knowing it was historically inaccurate and one of many theories out there. I found this theory credible enough to believe. It's another book in the series featuring one or more historic figures and events that are seamlessly woven together with fictional characters and events. This plot involves Jack the Ripper, blackmail, and the author's conspiracy theory surrounding the ghastly and unsolved murders, who was involved, why the crimes happened, and the scandal involved. At the beginning of each chapter are short excerpts from letters, writings, books, newspapers, etc. which enhance what the chapter is going to reveal.

The book begins in 1898 when a young Winston Churchill (24 years old) is welcomed home by his mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, after a glorious victory from the Egyptian campaign at Omdurman. She is living way beyond her means, being blackmailed, and frightened that her deceased husband, Lord Randolph Churchill, may be Jack the Ripper. Winston's burgeoning political career would be shattered if a photograph she received of her former husband and the Ripper's latest victim, Mary Kelley, was published. The picture was accompanied by a note signed "A. Byrd" and stated that unless she gave him 100 pounds, the photo would be released to the newspapers. Taking advice from a friend Jennie contacts Lord Charles Sheridan and Lady Kathryn Ardleigh - our husband and wife sleuthing team - to make this all go away.

Charles determines the photograph is fraudulent and a composite, but he needs the negative for corroboration. Kate is an Irish American who inherited her aunt's estate, Bishop's Keep, and has a secret literary career writing sensational dramatic stories under the pen name of Beryl Bardwell. To accomplish this, she researches true crime stories like those of Jack the Ripper's which occurred ten years earlier. She also has brains, courage, an independent spirit, a quick wit and resourcefulness and compliments her husband's interest in science, fingerprinting, and other forensic endeavors. Kate works separately for a while when she and Jenny investigate the scene of the crimes and interview people who might know something. They disguise themselves as Irish relatives of one of the victims, Mary Kelley and visit the dirty alleys of the East End. Everybody they talk to refuse to tell them anything they might have saw or heard. Charles goes on the hunt for the negative.

Jennie also gets a summons from the blackmailer, but when she arrives at his place heavily veiled, she finds him murdered. Now the police are looking for the mysterious woman who visited Tom Finch just before he died. More fodder to ruin Winston's political career. After receiving a clue from Fred Abberline, a retired Scotland Yard Detective Inspector, Charles seeks out Walter Sickert, an artist who befriended Prince Eddy, Queen Victoria's grandson. He tells Charles the whole sordid story of what happened.

Subplots include:
- Jennie Churchill is working on the first issue of her new literary magazine to be called The Anglo-Saxon Review. Her managing editor is Manfred Raeburn. He has secrets of his own. Some contributors to the magazine are to be Beryl Bardwell, Algernon Swinburne, Henry James, and the Duke of Devonshire.
- Jennie Jerome Churchill is having an affair with George Cornwallis-West who is obsessed with her. He has become a complication in her life as he dogs her every step. How to get rid of him?
- Sarah Pratt, the cook at Bishop's Keep hasn't seen her husband for 22 years and calls herself a widow because of his shameful imprisonment for stealing three quid from his boss. Now he shows up on her kitchen doorstep and tells her to supply provisions for him or he will make her resume her marital duties. It won't be a onetime thing so how to get rid of him? Mary Plumm, the kitchen maid, refuses to do her chores when she eavesdrops and finds out what is going on. How can Mrs. Pratt keep two forms of blackmail from Lady Kate when things go missing?

At the back of the book is a list of references that the authors found helpful in writing this book. Other names dropped in the plot include Bram Stoker, Whistler, Oscar Wilde, and Bernard Shaw. In this well researched book, there are plenty of twists, turns, and red herrings. There are also some great descriptive passages of social and political life in Victorian England. My question is - what happened to Patrick? - the young boy Charles and Kate were going to take in and maybe adopt from the last book. Recommended series.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: Rounded to 4 Stars. I found DEATH AT WHITECHAPEL quite thought provoking as it dealt with serious subjects - Jack the Ripper murders/mutilations and Winston Churchill’s early years (before becoming PM). This series features a newly married and likable husband & wife team as MCs with various mysteries to solve, interesting historical details, and famous people from this particular era. Usually the overall tone is upbeat and somewhat Cozy but, due to the content, I found DAW more somber than most of the earlier books.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good & might or might not read it again; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS & might read it again; 4= I LIKED IT A LOT & would read it again; 5= I Loved this; it was great! & most likely will read again (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).

October, 1898 ~
Due to word of mouth regarding their investigative past, Kate Ardleigh Sheridan and her husband Charles Sheridan (recent heir & baronet, Sir Somersworth) are pulled into the personal concerns of one of Kate’s acquaintances, Lady (Jennie) Randolph Churchill. Jennie confesses to Kate and Charles that she is being blackmailed by someone who claims her husband was involved in the ‘Jack the Ripper’ murders of ten years earlier. Jennie admits that her husband had been acting particularly strange the last years of his life but if true, this news could destroy both her own and her son’s lives in Society.

Comments ~
1) DEATH AT WHITECHAPEL is bk6 in Robin Paige’s (a husband/wife writing team) 12 book Victorian Mystery series. DAW can be read as a standalone novel although certain supportive secondary characters develop over time & reappear in each book. I prefer beginning with bk1.
2) I enjoy the MCs in this series. Sir Charles was born a second son, not coddled at birth as a first son who will someday inherit the title. Charles has integrity, healthy hobbies, integrity and an overall respectable character. He gains his title only by default when his older brother dies. Kate is an Irish American woman who moves to England upon the request of her 2 (previously unknown) older aunts. Kate has been earning an income for herself for several years, through the writing of published books and mysteries, by the time she meets Charles, who later becomes her husband. By pure necessity, Kate has become financially independent; she has tenacity and enjoyes working cases with Charles.
3) Paige’s novels contain interesting facts and historical details that that never fail to prod my interest (living conditions and privileges in upper vs lower classes, upper class modern conveniences, ie., upgrades in lighting, cooking stoves, heating), the concept of “rational dress” for woman (less layers, no corsets, split skirts, raised hems for ease in walking), photography used in investigations, the beginning of X-rays for scientific and medical reasons, the development of the automobile industry & hot air balloons. Each book also includes 1 or more a person from history. DAW featured theories regarding the Jack the Ripper cases, Churchill’s father, Sir Randolph, Winston Churchill in his 20’s, his mother, Lady Jennie Churchill (who irl, apparently, was quite the character!) An urban Impressionist artist around this period, Walter Sickert, is also featured in this book. Robin Paige’s author notes at the end of (each) book helps differentiate actual historical facts from fiction. I must admit that I find it distressing that possibly ‘English politics at the highest level’ might have prevented justice from being done, in the investigation of ‘Jack the Ripper.’ If so, it is a disheartening thought.
4) I prefer Mysteries which aren’t particularly dark, graphic or political (this one was a bit of an exception). Overall, I have been enjoying this series and look forward to reading the next book. I recommend it to readers of:
> Edwardian & Victorian fiction
> Cozy Mysteries
> British Mysteries
> Historical Mysteries and fiction
> Character driven Mysteries
> Seasoned character series
> Joint male/strong female lead character series
DEATH AT WHITECHAPEL might be of interest to readers interested in either Winston Churchill’s history or Jack the Ripper cases.

READER CAUTION ~ Minimal.
Rare or no use of strong language; any murders occur off scene.

POSSIBLE TRIGGER -
This book touches on the historical 1888 (unsolved) London ‘Jack the Ripper’ cases (the ‘brutal murder and mutilation of 5 lower class women). The facts of the case are mentioned and discussed but are not the main focus of this book. Rather, the character of Sir Randolph Churchill, his close associates and the situation at that time are the focus.

[David Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing a review of this book is about as difficult as it was to listen to it. It is not for the faint of heart.
This is the sixth in the series of mysteries by Robin Paige that feature the character of Kathryn Ardleigh, the transplanted American who , through a series of fictional events, becomes both a member of the British aristocratic society and an accomplished author, and dabbles in the investigation of murders as well. Would that we could all be so blessedly accomplished!
Like all the previous books in this series, the story features some characters from history. In this case, the story focuses on Jennie Churchill, the mother of Winston Churchill along with others in the Churchill family.
[SPOILER ALERT!!]
The unpleasant but major part of the story is the connection of the plot to the murders allegedly committed by the legendary Jack the Ripper. I had certainly heard of these deaths and of the mystery surrounding the question of who was Jack the Ripper, but I had not -- to the best of my recollection -- ever heard or read the gory details of those deaths -- and if the details are portrayed here accurately, they were truly gory, and certainly committed by someone (or by more than one person) who was depraved. The author describes the deaths and subsequent -- shall we say -- "treatment" of the bodies in considerable detail, and refers to many details more than once. Somehow, connecting the deaths to the circumstances involving the historical characters seemed to make the deaths more vicious, more reprehensible, and more diabolically purposeful than I had imagined.
Having said all that, I have to acknowledge that the complex plot, which intertwines multiple characters (some real and some imaginary) is clever and engaging. It is one of the more layered such mysteries I have read. I was both grateful to reach the end both to learn of its final disentanglement, and to be done with its unpleasantness. (Perhaps reading it during the weeks just before Christmas was not the wisest decision.)
So -- a well-written mystery novel, clever and complex plot, with intriguing involvement of historical characters, with interesting side plots around the staff of Kate Ardley's household staff. But I might take a bit of a break before I read another one!
PS: Doing a bit of side reading about Lady Jennie Churchill was very worthwhile. She was a remarkable person, and of course her son Winston had a profound influence on history, including events in my lifetime.
PPS: I wish the publishers of the audio version would always include the Author's Notes in the recordings. I am sure the authors would have had something worthwhile reading for this story, in particular.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at Whitechapel by Robin Paige is part of a favorite series that I read years ago. In this newest form it is even better. Some books are meant to be made into audiobooks. Some are not. This is the former. Helen Johns does an excellent job reading the book. She is outstanding as the narrator. I didn’t like her portrayal of Kate as much, but that is personal taste. It is always challenging to hear a favorite book or see it on video. Too much chance it will destroy what the reader had imagined from the words alone. This was a good choice. It is an excellent book with a Victorian setting, a charming hero and heroine, and the opportunity for legendary personalities of the time to make an appearance. In this case, it is Jenny Churchill, the American mother of the infamous Winston ( who makes a brief appearance) who has sought out the couple for help. She is being blackmailed and it has been going on for a while. She is bankrupt, which is a related but separate problem.

Charles Sheridan is a modern Englishman who respects and admires his wife and includes her in his life and investigations. Kate is a typical American of the time, too willing to hurry things along and rush straight into a situation. She is not squeamish, as are many of her British counterparts. She is willing to plunge right in to help Jenny even as Charles is taking amore conservative approach. The plot revolves around the murders of women in Whitechapel, the work of Jack the Ripper. This is a time when technology is just beginning to raise its ugly head and one of the pieces used to blackmail Jenny is a photograph which has been “doctored,” much different than today with the advent of Photoshop and so much more. I totally enjoyed this listen.

I was invited to listen to an e-Audio version of Death at Whitechapel by Dreamscape Media, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #DreamscapeMedia #RobinPaige #Helen Johns #DeathAtWhitechapel

This review is posted under the audio CD although it is now available for download.

[Debbie Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setting the Scene: It has been some ten years since the shocking murders by Jack the Ripper, but they are the basis of a scandal threatening Jennie Jerome Churchill, and by association, her son Winston Churchill. Not knowing to whom she can turn, Jennie calls upon Charles and Kathryn Ardleigh for assistance.

What I Thought: This book was first released in 2000, and it is no less entertaining today. Set in late 19th and turn of the 20th century London, Charles' and Kathryn manage to fit into society while living very progressive lives. As an American, Kathryn was not raised with the restrictions of British society, and though she is able to hold her own in any setting, she is her own woman. She carries on business and has her own property and money. Charles, a true gentleman and Brit, admires and respects his wife, who reciprocates where his interest in the burgeoning field of forensics is concerned. In fact, Charles' knowledge of photography is key to the resolution of the scandal plaguing Jennie Churchill, and may be the earliest form of a superimposing picture. The couple and the historic characters and events that are portrayed in this book, and others in the series, make for a captivating and engaging read.

The narrator did an excellent job.

I received a copy of this book from #DreamscapeMedia and #NetGalley for an honest review.

#deathatwhitechapel #robinpaige #susanwittigalbert #NetGalley #dreamscapemedia #cozymysteries #historicalmysteries #britishcozymystery #amateursleuth #strongfemalelead #mysterybooks #bookreview #bookworm #bookaddict #booklovers #bookrecommendations #bookloversofinstagram #bookwormsofinstagram

[Sanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not going to lie. This book took me ages to finish, and I had to restart at least once because I could not – for the life of me – remember who everyone was. By the time the story picked up, though, I got into it very fast. The intrigue, the theories, the murders, the side-plots, … everything drew me in. This has much to do with Helen Johns narration. If not for her and her many ways of portraying each character I probably would have given up on the book for good. But I’m glad I didn’t because while it was historically inaccurate, the authors used one of the more credible and plausible theories as a backbone which made for an entertaining listen/read.
[3.75 stars]

Something I thoroughly enjoyed was the way the authors (I only learned after finishing that the pen name Robin Paige is used by a 2 people; a husband and wife) included actual historical figures in the story. It also shows how people at that time might’ve experienced the scandals in real time and a bit later. It was also interesting to see and learn about the political and social climate of that time.

To people interested in this book: I recommend it very much if you like historical murder mysteries, Jack the Ripper, female protagonists, etc. but I do warn you about the very slow start of the story. So don’t give up because it does get better after a while and is totally worth the read. Especially the audiobook i recommend, because Helen Johns does an incredible job narrating.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audiobook arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lorin (paperbackbish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Jennie Jerome Churchill comes to her friend Kathryn with a dilemma: she's being blackmailed. Finances already in trouble, the blackmailer poses a serious threat to Jennie and her son Winston Churchill. They claim that Lord Randall, Jennie's late husband, was the infamous murderer Jack the Ripper. But that can't be true...right? Kathryn and her husband Charles start investigating, and they discover a tangled web of deeds and associations that quickly spin out of control. Will they be able to help Jennie prove the accusations false and save Winston's fledging political career?

Gosh, what a ride. This mystery was so twisted! I enjoyed it for the most part, but unfortunately, it took a turn that I personally don't enjoy in my books. Aside from that facet, though, I think this was a really great little Victorian mystery. It's a relatively short read, and I flew through it in a day. The inclusion of speculation over who Jack the Ripper really was is always interesting to me, so that bit was great!

Thank you to Robin Paige, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for my audio copy.

[Liz V. · Rating 2 out of 5]

For well over a hundred years, the Ripper murders--whether 5, 11, or more--have fascinated and horrified readers and spawned theories implicating over 100 men and women. This book is based on conjecture first made public in 1962, according to Wikipedia, and discredited subsequently by incontrovertible evidence that the His Royal Highness Albert Victor was 500 miles from London and died in an influenza pandemic in the presence of innumerable family and courtiers.

While the book is well written and entertaining, I find it troubling that persons, even long dead, would be named of complicit in such horrific crimes, involving murder and conspiracy to commit murder, false imprisonment, and destruction of evidence. There is some suggestion that a lawyer in a brothel case implicated the Prince in that case to deflect suspicion from his client.

Altogether, it is troubling to me that this vast conspiracy theory, implicating the royal family, the cabinet and top police officials is given credence and, from the authors' note, subscribed to.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction around Jennie Churchhill, her deceased husband Randolph, her son Winston, and the Jack the Ripper murders.
Jennie is being blackmailed with a picture of her late husband Randolph talking to Ripper murder victim Mary Kelley. She is paying up because she doesn't want anything to impede her son's future political career. But when she ends up in the house of a dead man she decides she needs help and goes to her friends Lord and Lady Charles and Kate Sheridan; they've been known to help solve mysteries before.

I loved the quotes at the heads of the chapters such as:

When murderers shut deeds close, this curse does seal them: If none discloses them , they themselves reveal them! Cyril Tourneur The Revenger's Tragedy 1607

Oh, how many torments lie in the small circle of a wedding ring! Colley Cibber The Double Gallant 1702

The efforts we make to escape from our destiny only serve to lead us into it Ralph Waldo Emerson Fate

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Least favorite of the Robin Paige Victorian Mystery series. Hard crime is not my thing and doesn't really seem like the type of mystery that the Sheridans would be involved in normally. I almost decided to skip this book but wanted to see if any of the domestic situations changed, so I read on. I was surprised, however, to learn that Jennie Churchill and her son Winston would be caught up in such a mystery, as I had never heard this particular aspect of the famous politician's life mentioned. I also had no idea the mother of Winston Churchill was such a colorful character. I can't say that this piqued my interest in any of the subjects of this story, so that is why it is my least favorite of the series so far. The plot also seems contrived and even Sir Charles seems a bit sad at being involved in the whole sordid tale.

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our senior center has started a book grab bag. You go into the lobby and pick a bag of books, the genre written on the bag, no picking. I picked a bag called "Murder in different places." It contained three books, 2 of which I had already read, so I quickly read this book and returned the bag to make another selection. It is probably one I would have never picked on my own, but it was interesting. It made me want to re-read my book on Jennie Churchill for one thing. The other does a very good job of "solving" the mystery of Jack the Ripper. I have read several books on this subject and feel these authors certainly presented a viable possible solution to the mystery. The characters are very likeable, very true to life. I wouldn't consider it a great book, but it's certainly worth the time it takes to read it, and presents a very interesting picture of Winston Churchill.

[Autumn Brimm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death at Whitechapel is the sixth book in a series, and despite being able to be read as a standalone, I think I would have liked this one more if I had read the other five first. This book is set in 1800s England and I really enjoyed how the author portrayed the treatment of women during that time. It was very realistic. It was hard to get to know the characters in this book, probably because I haven't read the rest of the series. Everyone seemed very flat and one dimensional. The plot was a complex story about Jack the Ripper so I had expected more suspense and danger than the book provided. So while this book was well written it just wasn't for me. I'm sure lovers of historical fiction will really enjoy this one though.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Marie-Lyne (Gonewithflynn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this story is an interesting one - I love the Victorian setting and the ties to Jack the Ripper. While the story is slow burn, the audiobook narrators were engaging and enjoyable and having started the series with this book, which is book 6, I didn't feel like I was lacking any information to understand the story, though perhaps it would've been nice to have the character development from the previous books for the investigating duo! All that said, I did feel like the story dragged. The multitude of characters were also a bit hard to keep track of by audio. I feel like sections of this book could've been cut out without negatively impacting the story and it might've even sped up the pace a bit.

Thanks to Dreamscape media and Netgalley for the audiobook ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Anns Bibliotherapy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be the first to admit that I have a love for the macabre, specifically serial killers and Jack the Ripper makes me wonder over and over who is it, how no one figured it out, and why did he do it.

Robin Paige has taken a story that everyone has at least heard of and written a new story, one that starts not at the beginning but after the fact and puts all of the pieces of the puzzle in place.

With surgical precision, we watch our characters try and figure out if there's anything to the blackmail, who really knows what, and how they go forward with what they know now.

Our Narrator Helen Johns does a wonderful job adding tension and depth to certain situations and mystery and intrigue to others.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this audiobook. I have voluntarily listened to it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death At Whitechapel by Victorian mystery author Robin Paige has a really wild premise that was so much fun to hear.

Though the 6th book in the series of sleuthing in love couple, American writer Kathryn and her English gentleman husband Charles, it was easy to settle in to this late 19th century mystery. Jennie Churchill, mother of future prime minister Winston Churchill, is being blackmailed by someone claiming her deceased husband and Winston's father was the infamous Jack The Ripper!

Narrator Helen Johns was everything I want from a British mystery with her prim and proper dialect to her tough broad American accented Kathryn. I already ordered the first book in the series.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

*This Review Is For The Audiobook*