Ripper

by Linda Rosencrance, Edward Lee Jr.

The Darkest Urge. To his friends and neighbors, Jeffrey Mailhot was an ordinary, law-abiding motorcycle enthusiast with a fondness for 80's rock `n roll. But there was a dark side to Mailhot-and an urge he couldn't control. The Vanished Bodies. Rhode Island detectives knew they had a serial killer in their town. But the victims were women who lived and worked in a sexual underground-and whose bodies were never found. Then, prostitutes began to talk about a man who played too rough. Police arrested Jeffrey Mailhot, and an incredible duel of wits began. The Confession Of A Serial Killer. A brilliant police interrogation led to a chilling confession. Now, this insider's account of a modern-day Jack the Ripper takes us into the room where Jeffrey Mailhot, in his own words, told police how he killed women with his bare hands, cut their bodies into pieces, and then went out to kill again. Includes 16 pages of shocking photos!

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

311 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Jeffrey Mailhot who killed at least three prostitutes in Rhode Island. This was a crime I had never heard of and was reported well. I find the book interesting and really my only complaint is the title -- I really dislike Jack the Ripper references to sensationalize true crime when the crimes really are completely different.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a very boring book for me. It wasn't the writing style it was the topic. It was your same old same old prostitute gets cut up and dismembered etc , maybe I have read too many of them. I couldn't wait to finish it so I skimmed through it.

[Micky Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but the author runs out of things to say so talks about other murderers

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes farther than just describing the crimes of Jeff Mailhot. By the end of the story we've been given a much larger picture of life, and crimes against women, in Rhode Island, especially Woonsocket. I came away with the sense that the police there have a whole lot to sort through and keep up with, not least their own bungling, which is a major undercurrent in this story. With that said, I'm very impressed with their determination to see this case through and get some answers for the victims' families.

[Luke Ahearn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible

Why is this book called Ripper? He was a choker. And I have never read a book so completely full of fluff and filler.

[Lisa Kerrigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Local for me
Information I didn’t know

[Stacey W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I'm not sure if she has written others I will read them. I feel this book should have been entitled "A History of Serial Killers". The book contained more information on other serial killers to compare aspects of Jeffery Mailhot and what I felt was the rest of the book primarily contained complete dialog of confession and police interrogation. I wish the author would have continued to focus more on the criminal in this story than serial killers and spree killers from others. I just am not sure this particular story needed an entire book due to no real big information. I hate giving bad reviews, and rarely will, but I just can't say this one was great. I did enjoy the refreshing course of serial killers I have read about before and names of new ones to read about.

[Faye · Rating 1 out of 5]

This read more like a police report than a book. There was at least 150 pages of 300 dedicated to the "confession." It was so long and drawn out. This entire book could have easily been condensed down to 100 pages. Not only was 50% of this book the "confession" which were repeated questions over and over and over but another 30% or so was dedicated to other cases and killers that were used as comparison and filler. Disappointed.

[Melisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book and story but the author did jump around too much telling of different murders that didn't have to do with the main character and the murders he commited. I do like the fact however, that she told about the lives of the women that were murdered by this "monster", about the problems they faced growing up and the ones they were facing at the time of thier deaths.

[Jenny Mandeville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this happened much too close to home. I had heard about it but never followed it on the news. While it was filled with all the details, I wouldn't recommend reading it if you are familiar with the area at all. Very creepy to read a true crime book that happened in your city.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topic, case profiles and interrogation techniques. Author jumps around quite a bit and, besides the factual content, is presented from a prosecutor's viewpoint.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting because I know all the places and streets. It was fairly well written. I'm just glad he is in jail!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interested since I lived in woonsocket and never knew about this serial killer. Well written with makes the story easyn to read!! Good book!,

[Laura Berthelette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book I live in Woonsocket I don't like the fact that he had to kill these young women there are 3 kids with out a mom now I know for a fact because I knew her