After Evil

by Neil Jackson, Jane Carter Woodrow

Criminologist Jane Carter Woodrow has spent many years working with both offenders and victims of violent crime, but it wasn't until she met Neil, whose mother was one of the Yorkshire Ripper's first victims, that she realised quite how devastating the aftermath of a murder can be.

Everything seemed perfect in Neil Jackson's childhood until one day, on a cold January morning in 1976. He was awoken by the police knocking on the door to break the shocking news that his mother had become the second victim of a serial killer - soon to become known as the 'Yorkshire Ripper'.

This evil act exposed a web of secrets and lies that was to devastate Neil and change his life forever. In After Evil , criminologist Jane Carter Woodrow reveals what happens when the camera and the lurid headlines fade away. Neil's riveting story captures the real nature of the tragedy that murder can visit on a family and shows how incredibly he pieced his life back together after becoming one of the forgotten victims of Britain's most notorious serial killer.

Genres: True Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2008

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book, I enjoy reading True Crime novels and this one was great as it delves into what its like after a loved one is murdered.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book about the victims of the Yorkshire Ripper, told from the perspective of one of the victims childen. It tells of the utter devestation that occurs in the families left behind. His mum was the second victim and the family were unaware that she had begun working as a prostitute in the weeks before her death. He followed the police investigation, hoping that the Ripper would be caught. Unfortunately the crimes occured before the national database was introduced- and although the murderer was interviewed several times he wasn't picked up. He was actually arrested for an unrelated offence.

I remember the case - and this book makes you think about the tragedies from a different angle.

This was one of a handful of books that I picked up in a charity shop yesterday- and despite it's upsetting theme was an interesting read.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most moving true stories I have ever read.

Told via a criminologist the book tells the story of how the Ripper,s 2nd victim was a full time housewife and mum who became a prostitute on Bingo Nights to earn extra money to pay off some of her husbands debts.

The family is torn apart by the murder and revelations of prostitution', it will take Jackson several years to find stability and happiness again again . None of the Ripper's victims families have ever received any long time term counseling or financial compensation.

Sutcliffe despite being
interviewed by the police on several occasions went on to claim further lives and when eventually arrested showed no remorse for his crimes.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

When horrific crimes are committed against people the victims' families are often forgotten about. This has been somewhat rectified by victim impact statements in more recent years but decades ago this was not the case. Criminologist Jane Carter Woodrow sought out victims of the Yorkshire Ripper and was especially drawn to Neil Jackson who was 17 when his mother Emily became the second victim of Peter Sutcliffe in January 1976. This is Neil's story and is told with frankness and a straightforward simplicity. There are many layers of tragedy in this story and it provides a rare perspective of the impact of the most heinous and violent of crimes in the murder of Emily Jackson.

Something that came across strongly for me was the evidence of opinion held by many that prostitutes were either partially responsible and perhaps even somewhat deserving of such a fate given the danger inherent in their profession. Whereas other women and girls who were not prostitutes were in the wrong place at the wrong time and therefore deserved more sympathy and this crime against them was somehow worse. All these victims were someone's daughters, most were wives and mothers and those who were 'on the game' did this for financial need and had fallen on hard times.

The point of view of Neil throughout the book highlights the lack of transparency, the lack of compassion and the lack of support for the victims left behind. The breakdown of families following such horrific crimes seems sadly inevitable - especially considering Neil and his family had to relive their nightmares another 11 times over the four years following their mother's murder. This is a sad book indeed but is a compelling read.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far to long and drawn out

Really had to push myself to read to the end of this book. The story is a good one but it it’s stretched out so much I found myself constantly looking at the percentage tab hoping to get to the end quickly.
Throughout the book did not grip me once to the point where I didn’t want to put it down.

[Janet Hollman · Rating 5 out of 5]

real evil

An insight to how families are affected by pure unadulterated evil. No support given to anyone, nowadays they might have better support. But even with support how do you move forward. This man should die in prison.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written from the boys point of view!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Sutcliffe

It was a very interesting read , I really enjoyed reading it . I couldn't believe how the father got married so soon

[Niel Greenhow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for years
Proud.
Mr Niel Greenhow

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding memoir by the oldest surviving child of Yorkshire Ripper victim Emily Jackson. This traces Neil's entire life, from the earliest time he could remember to when it all started to go wrong through to when he came out the other end. If ever you thought it was easy to pick up the pieces and move on after a death in the family, try it with paparazzi gawking in your windows night and day for years. Try it when your mother's murder is only the second in a series of 13, each successive killing ripping off the scab all over again. Try it when the killing uncovers a series of awful, unsuspected family secrets. And this is the story of just one of the children in just one of the 13 families. Seriously, do not miss this one.