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DCI Pendragon #2
The Art of Murder
In all his years on the force, Detective Chief Inspector Pendragon had never seen a corpse like this one. After the initial horror, he recognised the reference to the surrealist painter, Magritte. But that made the crime even more sickening - accomplished, as it had been, with a sickening ferocity which placed it in another league from common or garden homicide.In the Whitechapel area of London in the 1880s, a person, who remains unidentified to this day, committed a series of sadistic murders of local prostitutes, which involved elaborate mutilation of the victims' bodies.Although the contemporary crimes are not directed exclusively at female targets, there is grotesque similarity in the mindset of the two perpetrators - divided, as they are, by more than a century. But Pendragon is determined that his pathologically brilliant killer will not escape detection.THE ART OF MURDER reveals Michael White's mastery of a crime genre that he is making uniquely his own.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
18 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Michael White
46 books137 followersMichael White was a British writer who was based in Perth, Australia. He studied at King's College London (1977–1982) and was a chemistry lecturer at d'Overbroeck's College, Oxford (1984–1991).
He was a science editor of British GQ, a columnist for the Sunday Express in London and, 'in a previous incarnation', he was a member of Colour Me Pop. Colour Me Pop featured on the "Europe in the Year Zero" EP in 1982 with Yazoo and Sudeten Creche and he was then a member of the group The Thompson Twins (1982). He moved to Australia in 2002 and was made an Honorary Research Fellow at Curtin University in 2005.
He was the author of thirty-five books: these include Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science; Leonardo: The First Scientist; Tolkien: A Biography; and C. S. Lewis: The Boy Who Chronicled Narnia. His first novel Equinox – thriller, an occult mystery reached the Top Ten in the bestseller list in the UK and has been translated into 35 languages. His non-fiction production included the biography Galileo: Antichrist. Novels following Equinox include The Medici Secret, The Borgia Ring and The Art of Murder.
White wrote under two further names, Tom West and Sam Fisher. He used the latter pseudonym to publish the E-Force trilogy, State of Emergency, Aftershock, and Nano.
A further novel by White, The Venetian Detective, features characters including Galileo and Elizabeth.
White wrote a biography of Isaac Newton, The Last Sorcerer. He was both short-listed and long-listed for the Aventis prize. Rivals was short-listed in 2002, and The Fruits of War long-listed in 2006. He was also nominated for the Ned Kelly Prize for First Novel (for Equinox in 2007).
He was a science editor of British GQ, a columnist for the Sunday Express in London and, 'in a previous incarnation', he was a member of Colour Me Pop. Colour Me Pop featured on the "Europe in the Year Zero" EP in 1982 with Yazoo and Sudeten Creche and he was then a member of the group The Thompson Twins (1982). He moved to Australia in 2002 and was made an Honorary Research Fellow at Curtin University in 2005.
He was the author of thirty-five books: these include Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science; Leonardo: The First Scientist; Tolkien: A Biography; and C. S. Lewis: The Boy Who Chronicled Narnia. His first novel Equinox – thriller, an occult mystery reached the Top Ten in the bestseller list in the UK and has been translated into 35 languages. His non-fiction production included the biography Galileo: Antichrist. Novels following Equinox include The Medici Secret, The Borgia Ring and The Art of Murder.
White wrote under two further names, Tom West and Sam Fisher. He used the latter pseudonym to publish the E-Force trilogy, State of Emergency, Aftershock, and Nano.
A further novel by White, The Venetian Detective, features characters including Galileo and Elizabeth.
White wrote a biography of Isaac Newton, The Last Sorcerer. He was both short-listed and long-listed for the Aventis prize. Rivals was short-listed in 2002, and The Fruits of War long-listed in 2006. He was also nominated for the Ned Kelly Prize for First Novel (for Equinox in 2007).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 6, 2017
I feel like a mystery/thriller book should either be mysterious/thrilling, either not be published at all. This was a random pick while I was waiting for eight hours at the airport and I needed something cheap and pocket format. The description on the back caught my attention as well.
The mere idea of the plot was interesting, but the way how it was developed didn't draw me in. I was having few flashbacks from The Da Vinci Code while reading it, since it involved paintings, but unfortunately found it poorly written and lacking of suspense. The characters lacked the spirit and depth and I couldn't feel them or get into the events. All in all, the whole thing failed to captivate me.
I would rather consider this as a weak resemblance of Dan Brown's work.
The mere idea of the plot was interesting, but the way how it was developed didn't draw me in. I was having few flashbacks from The Da Vinci Code while reading it, since it involved paintings, but unfortunately found it poorly written and lacking of suspense. The characters lacked the spirit and depth and I couldn't feel them or get into the events. All in all, the whole thing failed to captivate me.
I would rather consider this as a weak resemblance of Dan Brown's work.
September 7, 2018
Jack Pendragon wraz ze swoimi partnerami próbuje rozwikłać zagadki tajemniczych, przerażających zbrodni wzorowanych na dziełach malarzy-surrealistów. Jednocześnie obserwujemy też jeszcze jedną historię, która dotyczy, jak można się domyślić, Kuby Rozpruwacza, co do którego mam wielką słabość. Pomysł sam w sobie jest bardzo ciekawy, jednak mam pewne problemy z wykonaniem:
- nie twierdzę, że to błąd, ale bardzo dawno (o ile kiedykolwiek) nie spotkałam się z takimi zdaniami przy perspektywie mordercy jak "zabójca cytował...", "powiedział zabójca...". Niby to tylko chwilowe, ale mam wrażenie, że brzmi to dziwnie.
- nie czytałam pierwszej części, więc nie wiem jak zostali tam przedstawieni partnerzy Jacka, ale tutaj wypadają dość słabo. Nie są zbyt wyraziści, stanowią właściwie jedną bezkształtną, szarą masę (jak praktycznie każda inna postać tutaj). Jedynie Turner ma jakiś tam charakter.
- przy prowadzeniu historii nie podobały mi się te sprzyjające zbiegi okoliczności. Trzeba było się o czymś dowiedzieć? Jack AKURAT ma znajomego, który za odpowiednią zapłatą wszystkiego o wszystkich się dowie, bo był tak jakby człowiekiem "światowym" i też ma znajomości. Trzeba było zdobyć jakieś nazwisko, ale jest blokada prawna, żeby je odkryć? TAK SIĘ SKŁADA, że ktoś też ma swojego znajomego, który pracuje w danym lub powiązanym miejscu i problem rozwiązany.
- dialogi czasem wydawały mi się nienaturalne, sztywne. Tak, jakbyście stali przed kimś, zapadłaby niezręczna cisza, więc mówicie cokolwiek byle mówić. Serio, ciągle się zastanawiam, po co niektóre kwestie zostały wypowiedziane.
- nie mogło zabraknąć wątku złego dziennikarza. Czy był potrzebny? Nie.
- jeśli chodzi o tę interpretację historii Kuby, to trzeba przyznać, że pomysł był naprawdę oryginalny i fajnie się to czytało. Nadawałoby się to nawet na całkiem oddzielną książkę, jeśliby to rozwinąć. Jednak patrząc, jak zakończył się główny wątek, odniosłam wrażenie, że Kuba Rozpruwacz i jego dzieje nie miały ostatecznie tak mocnego wydźwięku. Liczyłam na bardziej spektakularne powiązanie.
- nie twierdzę, że to błąd, ale bardzo dawno (o ile kiedykolwiek) nie spotkałam się z takimi zdaniami przy perspektywie mordercy jak "zabójca cytował...", "powiedział zabójca...". Niby to tylko chwilowe, ale mam wrażenie, że brzmi to dziwnie.
- nie czytałam pierwszej części, więc nie wiem jak zostali tam przedstawieni partnerzy Jacka, ale tutaj wypadają dość słabo. Nie są zbyt wyraziści, stanowią właściwie jedną bezkształtną, szarą masę (jak praktycznie każda inna postać tutaj). Jedynie Turner ma jakiś tam charakter.
- przy prowadzeniu historii nie podobały mi się te sprzyjające zbiegi okoliczności. Trzeba było się o czymś dowiedzieć? Jack AKURAT ma znajomego, który za odpowiednią zapłatą wszystkiego o wszystkich się dowie, bo był tak jakby człowiekiem "światowym" i też ma znajomości. Trzeba było zdobyć jakieś nazwisko, ale jest blokada prawna, żeby je odkryć? TAK SIĘ SKŁADA, że ktoś też ma swojego znajomego, który pracuje w danym lub powiązanym miejscu i problem rozwiązany.
- dialogi czasem wydawały mi się nienaturalne, sztywne. Tak, jakbyście stali przed kimś, zapadłaby niezręczna cisza, więc mówicie cokolwiek byle mówić. Serio, ciągle się zastanawiam, po co niektóre kwestie zostały wypowiedziane.
- nie mogło zabraknąć wątku złego dziennikarza. Czy był potrzebny? Nie.
- jeśli chodzi o tę interpretację historii Kuby, to trzeba przyznać, że pomysł był naprawdę oryginalny i fajnie się to czytało. Nadawałoby się to nawet na całkiem oddzielną książkę, jeśliby to rozwinąć. Jednak patrząc, jak zakończył się główny wątek, odniosłam wrażenie, że Kuba Rozpruwacz i jego dzieje nie miały ostatecznie tak mocnego wydźwięku. Liczyłam na bardziej spektakularne powiązanie.
September 30, 2014
Este é um livro que se lê mas que não fica na memória. Não me encheu as medidas nem me fez suspirar por mais. Quando faltavam umas páginas para o final do livro eu já tinha adivinhado quem era o assassino, mas não por que o tinha feito.
Penso que a melhor característica deste livro é a introdução do relato do séc XIX. Um relato que (supostamente) pertence ao famoso Jack, o Estripador. O pior assassino em série de Inglaterra. E um assassino que nunca fui encontrado.
É um livro mediano que serve para entreter.
Penso que a melhor característica deste livro é a introdução do relato do séc XIX. Um relato que (supostamente) pertence ao famoso Jack, o Estripador. O pior assassino em série de Inglaterra. E um assassino que nunca fui encontrado.
É um livro mediano que serve para entreter.
June 30, 2014
'Arte Assassina' começa muito melhor do que acaba; o que, num thriller, quando tudo avança para a 'grande revelação', é normalmente sinónimo de desilusão.
Começamos com um homicídio numa galeria de arte - uma mórbida imitação do famoso quadro de René Magritte, O Filho do Homem. O inspector-chefe Jack Pendragon faz imediatamente a ligação entre a cena do crime que tem à sua frente e a obra de arte mas o motivo que levaria alguém a fazer algo tão doentio ultrapassa-o completamente… especialmente quando começam a aparecer outros cadáveres, vítimas de uma crueldade furiosa e extremamente violenta, todos bizarramente alusivos a uma conhecida pintura surrealista.
Ao mesmo tempo, vamos lendo cartas escritas por um outro assassino, supostamente Jack, o Estripador, em 1988. Foi desta tentativa de entrar na mente perturbada de um psicopata que mais gostei - especialmente um perpetrado como sendo extremamente disciplinado e metódico, convencido da sua superioridade intelectual, vocacionado para a maldade desde a infância. A comparação da produtividade artística e criatividade de um pintor com a de um escritor e a avaliação da extensão da loucura no mundo da arte são pontos focados de forma perspicaz e inteligentemente deixados em aberto, à nossa consideração.
Foi, no entanto, a investigação - muito dúbia, na minha opinião - que acabou por prejudicar o livro. Muita da informação é obtida clandestinamente, sem o envolvimento directo da polícia, o que nos leva a questionar de imediato a sua competência. Apesar de ter simpatizado com Pendragon, pareceu-me não possuir nenhum instinto para a profissão. Suspeitei da identidade do assassino muito antes de Pendragon, portanto, tornou-se irritante vê-lo ignorar pistas óbvias e passar o resto do livro apenas à espera da confirmação.
Este é um livro que funciona melhor pela perspectiva dos assassinos nele apresentados devido à curiosidade que possamos desenvolver pelas suas consciências e pensamentos, a forma como entendem as coisas que os rodeiam, até onde são capazes de ir. E porquê.
Começamos com um homicídio numa galeria de arte - uma mórbida imitação do famoso quadro de René Magritte, O Filho do Homem. O inspector-chefe Jack Pendragon faz imediatamente a ligação entre a cena do crime que tem à sua frente e a obra de arte mas o motivo que levaria alguém a fazer algo tão doentio ultrapassa-o completamente… especialmente quando começam a aparecer outros cadáveres, vítimas de uma crueldade furiosa e extremamente violenta, todos bizarramente alusivos a uma conhecida pintura surrealista.
Ao mesmo tempo, vamos lendo cartas escritas por um outro assassino, supostamente Jack, o Estripador, em 1988. Foi desta tentativa de entrar na mente perturbada de um psicopata que mais gostei - especialmente um perpetrado como sendo extremamente disciplinado e metódico, convencido da sua superioridade intelectual, vocacionado para a maldade desde a infância. A comparação da produtividade artística e criatividade de um pintor com a de um escritor e a avaliação da extensão da loucura no mundo da arte são pontos focados de forma perspicaz e inteligentemente deixados em aberto, à nossa consideração.
Foi, no entanto, a investigação - muito dúbia, na minha opinião - que acabou por prejudicar o livro. Muita da informação é obtida clandestinamente, sem o envolvimento directo da polícia, o que nos leva a questionar de imediato a sua competência. Apesar de ter simpatizado com Pendragon, pareceu-me não possuir nenhum instinto para a profissão. Suspeitei da identidade do assassino muito antes de Pendragon, portanto, tornou-se irritante vê-lo ignorar pistas óbvias e passar o resto do livro apenas à espera da confirmação.
Este é um livro que funciona melhor pela perspectiva dos assassinos nele apresentados devido à curiosidade que possamos desenvolver pelas suas consciências e pensamentos, a forma como entendem as coisas que os rodeiam, até onde são capazes de ir. E porquê.
September 22, 2012
'The Art of Murder' had a pretty interesting synopsis, enough to make me pick it up and think this should be quite good. Alas, it just wasn't that good.
The story itself is interesting, alternates between the contemporary killings taking place and extracts from Rippers killings back in the 1880s. Although personally, both sets of murders were completely different, so I don't know why the author decided to even use the Ripper killings.
The writing was fairly bland...very basic and not particularly descriptive or emotive enough to make me feel much apart from apathy however because the plot intrigued me, I continued, it just wasn't outstandingly written.
I feel in part because the writing was nothing special that this lead to very poorly developed, basic and two dimensional characters that once again, made me feel not a lot. I couldn't say I liked or disliked them. I didn't really feel much.
So I won't pick any more books up by this author. Interesting plotlines but nothing else. I like my writing and characters well developed so that I really like or love a read, not just find it barely okay.
Sorry Mr White, your writing isn't quite up to scratch!
The story itself is interesting, alternates between the contemporary killings taking place and extracts from Rippers killings back in the 1880s. Although personally, both sets of murders were completely different, so I don't know why the author decided to even use the Ripper killings.
The writing was fairly bland...very basic and not particularly descriptive or emotive enough to make me feel much apart from apathy however because the plot intrigued me, I continued, it just wasn't outstandingly written.
I feel in part because the writing was nothing special that this lead to very poorly developed, basic and two dimensional characters that once again, made me feel not a lot. I couldn't say I liked or disliked them. I didn't really feel much.
So I won't pick any more books up by this author. Interesting plotlines but nothing else. I like my writing and characters well developed so that I really like or love a read, not just find it barely okay.
Sorry Mr White, your writing isn't quite up to scratch!
April 29, 2014
Love it!!!
February 26, 2025
Solid read. Hope I'll have a chance to read next story with DCI Jack Pendragon.
July 4, 2013
Inhoud:
In al zijn jaren bij de politie is inspecteur Jack Pendragon nog nooit geconfronteerd met zo’n gruwelijke reeks moorden. De lichamen van de slachtoffers zijn op verschrikkelijke wijze verminkt en vervolgens zo gepositioneerd dat ze verwijzen naar werken van beroemde surrealistische schilders. Om de zaken nog ingewikkelder te maken, lijkt er een verband te zijn tussen deze moorden en een serie onopgeloste moorden in Londen in 1880, namelijk die van Jack the Ripper. Pendragon is vastbesloten de zaak op te lossen, maar zijn tegenstander is niet alleen gevaarlijk, hij is ook bijzonder intelligent en laat geen spoor achter. Een bloedstollende race tegen de klok begint…
Waardering:
Het boek was spannend, soms walgelijk als je weet om welke werken het gaat en toch ook een intrigerend boek. Hoe kan je als auteur zo iets bedenken, maar White heeft het bedacht en beschreven en het maakt je een boek dat je wel vasthoud. Ik had een start nodig, maar daarna kostte het me steeds mee moeite om het boek alleen voor het openbaar vervoer te gebruiken. De laatste ongeveer 150 pagina's zijn ook zonder reistijd gelezen, maar ik wilde weten wie de dader was. Waarom en hoe waren de andere vragen. Niet alles werd bevredigend beantwoord, dit heeft wel een ster gekost als ik het me nu zo bedenkt. In eerste instantie toen ik het boek uit las, gaf ik het hier een vier, maar nu ik er over nadenk en alles op een rijtje zet is het net niet goed genoeg. Er zaten hier en daar wat spelfouten in, maar niet iets dat heel storend was. Het verhaal zelf was apart en de hoofdpersoon Pendragon steelt heel langzaam over de boeken en door de verhalen heen je hart. Soms heb je met hem te doen en andere keren denk je zoiets als wat ben je toch een sukkel, maar al met al een leuke personage die in deze boeken thuis hoort. Mijn fantasie laat mij een personage zien die buiten de koffie overigens een echte Engelsman is.
boekinformatie:
©2010 The White Family Trust
©2010 Nederlandstalige uitgave: Uitgeverij Unieboek/Het Spectrum bv
Oorspronkelijke uitgave: Arrow Books/The Random House Group Limited
Oorspronkelijke titel: The art of Murder
Vertaling: Parma van Loon
Omslagontwerp: DPS Design
Omslagbeeld: www.headdesign.co.uk
Opmaak:Zetspiegel, Best
ISBN: 978.90.475.1753.5
Paperback, 351 pagina's
In al zijn jaren bij de politie is inspecteur Jack Pendragon nog nooit geconfronteerd met zo’n gruwelijke reeks moorden. De lichamen van de slachtoffers zijn op verschrikkelijke wijze verminkt en vervolgens zo gepositioneerd dat ze verwijzen naar werken van beroemde surrealistische schilders. Om de zaken nog ingewikkelder te maken, lijkt er een verband te zijn tussen deze moorden en een serie onopgeloste moorden in Londen in 1880, namelijk die van Jack the Ripper. Pendragon is vastbesloten de zaak op te lossen, maar zijn tegenstander is niet alleen gevaarlijk, hij is ook bijzonder intelligent en laat geen spoor achter. Een bloedstollende race tegen de klok begint…
Waardering:
Het boek was spannend, soms walgelijk als je weet om welke werken het gaat en toch ook een intrigerend boek. Hoe kan je als auteur zo iets bedenken, maar White heeft het bedacht en beschreven en het maakt je een boek dat je wel vasthoud. Ik had een start nodig, maar daarna kostte het me steeds mee moeite om het boek alleen voor het openbaar vervoer te gebruiken. De laatste ongeveer 150 pagina's zijn ook zonder reistijd gelezen, maar ik wilde weten wie de dader was. Waarom en hoe waren de andere vragen. Niet alles werd bevredigend beantwoord, dit heeft wel een ster gekost als ik het me nu zo bedenkt. In eerste instantie toen ik het boek uit las, gaf ik het hier een vier, maar nu ik er over nadenk en alles op een rijtje zet is het net niet goed genoeg. Er zaten hier en daar wat spelfouten in, maar niet iets dat heel storend was. Het verhaal zelf was apart en de hoofdpersoon Pendragon steelt heel langzaam over de boeken en door de verhalen heen je hart. Soms heb je met hem te doen en andere keren denk je zoiets als wat ben je toch een sukkel, maar al met al een leuke personage die in deze boeken thuis hoort. Mijn fantasie laat mij een personage zien die buiten de koffie overigens een echte Engelsman is.
boekinformatie:
©2010 The White Family Trust
©2010 Nederlandstalige uitgave: Uitgeverij Unieboek/Het Spectrum bv
Oorspronkelijke uitgave: Arrow Books/The Random House Group Limited
Oorspronkelijke titel: The art of Murder
Vertaling: Parma van Loon
Omslagontwerp: DPS Design
Omslagbeeld: www.headdesign.co.uk
Opmaak:Zetspiegel, Best
ISBN: 978.90.475.1753.5
Paperback, 351 pagina's
September 21, 2016
An enjoyable enough crime fiction novel which flirts between a modern case involving a killer inspired by surrealist paintings and a journal purporting to be written by Jack the ripper.
Both cases co exist within the novel but to be honest only are only tenuosly linked...however whilst reading through flashing between both is fun.
As I have read from other reviews it does seem the killer is easily picked out even if there's still more to their identity...I myself had the killer sussed shortly after their introduction to the novel...mainly as they did seem to be engineering themselves too much into the case.
Anyhow all told an enjoyable serial killer type romp very reminiscent of the sometimes gritty T.V. dramas in vogue these days...good fun.
Both cases co exist within the novel but to be honest only are only tenuosly linked...however whilst reading through flashing between both is fun.
As I have read from other reviews it does seem the killer is easily picked out even if there's still more to their identity...I myself had the killer sussed shortly after their introduction to the novel...mainly as they did seem to be engineering themselves too much into the case.
Anyhow all told an enjoyable serial killer type romp very reminiscent of the sometimes gritty T.V. dramas in vogue these days...good fun.
July 15, 2015
Whilst reading this book I liked the passages from the point of view of Jack the Ripper more than the main storyline. I knew who the killer was halfway in and only continued to read to see if I was right... Shocked that I was.
The characters are not painted in depth and whilst the writer seems to try and build a connection to the main character, through his backstory about the disappearance of his daughter, he barely scratches the surface.
I also thought it was a bit cliched that the killings were in London and that the author used Jack the Ripper as a subplot. It was very predictable, but those sections were the most captivating.
The characters are not painted in depth and whilst the writer seems to try and build a connection to the main character, through his backstory about the disappearance of his daughter, he barely scratches the surface.
I also thought it was a bit cliched that the killings were in London and that the author used Jack the Ripper as a subplot. It was very predictable, but those sections were the most captivating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2017
The light kind of a book, nothing too complex; good for a light read during a vacation.
The murderer was easy to get since the person was introduced in the story.
3/5 Stars.
The murderer was easy to get since the person was introduced in the story.
3/5 Stars.
March 20, 2018
MICHAEL White has created his own niche of crime writing with books like Equinox, The Borgia Ring and The Art of Murder.
What sets them apart is the combination of a modern crime story with an intriguing slice of history.
The Art of Murder again dramatically blends the past and present, this time presenting Detective Chief Inspector Pendragon of Whitechapel in London with a gruesome serial killer who’s
imitating surrealist paintings.
More than a century earlier, a killer called Jack the Ripper was creating his own art in Whitechapel with his knife.
The answers as to who Jack’s new, twisted apprentice is, lie in some old letters from the Ripper, that have been passed down through one family.
In The Art of Murder, White has again brought together an old mystery, a series of new, brutal crimes and a multi-layered detective in Jack Pendragon to deliver up a treat for crime lovers.
While I preferred The Borgia Ring, only because I had a greater interest in the relative period of history than the time of Jack the Ripper, The Art of Murder was still a top read for those who love crime stories woven with mysteries from the past.
What sets them apart is the combination of a modern crime story with an intriguing slice of history.
The Art of Murder again dramatically blends the past and present, this time presenting Detective Chief Inspector Pendragon of Whitechapel in London with a gruesome serial killer who’s
imitating surrealist paintings.
More than a century earlier, a killer called Jack the Ripper was creating his own art in Whitechapel with his knife.
The answers as to who Jack’s new, twisted apprentice is, lie in some old letters from the Ripper, that have been passed down through one family.
In The Art of Murder, White has again brought together an old mystery, a series of new, brutal crimes and a multi-layered detective in Jack Pendragon to deliver up a treat for crime lovers.
While I preferred The Borgia Ring, only because I had a greater interest in the relative period of history than the time of Jack the Ripper, The Art of Murder was still a top read for those who love crime stories woven with mysteries from the past.
April 7, 2018
Easy read murder /police procedure novel, If you go into this thinking it is a suspence book you will be dissapointed as the killers identity is not a huge surprice. However I really liked the main character Jack, the crimes were horrific but it felt possible and main chapter jack didn't jump ahead to huge 'I figured it out moments' leaving you scratching your head like some detectives. The modern version was well written, and easy to read but I think the flash back letter chapters were redundant and added nothing to the modern story other than a passible inspiration for the killer, book I think we could have gotten there without it. It at times felt like two stories and that is the only reason for not giving it 5 stars.
August 15, 2022
What an interesting read. The way that the two stories combined together was interesting but I thought the last part was a bit rushed. I knew who the murderer was from the part where they found the hair but didn’t connect the idea that the murderer would be the girl who had committed suicide. As you can see I already forgot half if the names from the story and I think there were a lot of characters which was a bit confusing at times. I wanted to read more about what happened to Jack after Oglebbe found him and what he did to him but I guess not. And the way that Archibald died was devastating as he could have solved the Ripper case. I also like the chapter where we were in the pov of the murderer and how they constructed the actual murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2018
I enjoyed this book, it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting. I bought it cos it had something to do with Jack the Ripper and I like the way a modern day story was linked to these killings.
My biggest criticism was that the parts about the Ripper killings was very inaccurate, names and dates were wrong and that really bugged me which is why I’m only giving it 3 stars. Shame really cos the modern day stuff parts are really good
My biggest criticism was that the parts about the Ripper killings was very inaccurate, names and dates were wrong and that really bugged me which is why I’m only giving it 3 stars. Shame really cos the modern day stuff parts are really good
February 14, 2022
Am ales să citesc această carte datorită legăturii cu pictorul suprarealist René Magritte. Din păcate, a fost mai puțin interesantă decât mă așteptam.
Cartea are ca temă un copycat al celebrului Jack Spintecătorul, cu adaos de suprarealism datorat macabrelor mutilări.
Pe parcursul romanului, inspectorul londonez Jack Pendragon încearcă să preîntâmpine desfășurarea unor noi masacre, iar secretele descoperite pe parcurs măresc suspansul cititorului.
Cartea are ca temă un copycat al celebrului Jack Spintecătorul, cu adaos de suprarealism datorat macabrelor mutilări.
Pe parcursul romanului, inspectorul londonez Jack Pendragon încearcă să preîntâmpine desfășurarea unor noi masacre, iar secretele descoperite pe parcurs măresc suspansul cititorului.
December 2, 2022
This book is OK. The writing is not great. The murderer was easy to guess. Like many others have said, the two stories are not linked together well. The characters are all pretty flat. I never did keep up with the different cops, I couldn't even remember who was male and who was female. This book had some good points, but on the whole, just not worth the bother.
September 22, 2025
Ooph. Even for an emergency (airport equivalent) book, that was rough. Characters were barely more than sketched out (and the few women even more so). The plotting predictable and and laughable. Even the writing felt like it was still in draft. Really not one for me.
May 8, 2018
I enjoyed both stories that unfold in the book,but I found some detailes really unimportant and quite boring. Also, the ending was a bit flat... But overall, it’s a good police mistery.
September 2, 2019
Um livro de leitura acessível e interessante, permitindo explorar a parte mais artística. O final deixa muito a desejar.
September 27, 2019
Niet slecht dit boek. Maar ik heb er al veel betere gelezen.
Het concept oogde mooi. Maar ik ben toch wat op mijn honger blijven zitten.
Het concept oogde mooi. Maar ik ben toch wat op mijn honger blijven zitten.
August 19, 2020
Not a bad read ,different concept
March 17, 2024
Interesting idea but a bit pedestrian.
March 29, 2025
Gostei imenso deste livro!
Muito melhor que o Anel dos Bórgia do mesmo autor.
Mais simples, um bom vilão e um ótimo detetive
Foi uma surpresa bem agradável.
Muito melhor que o Anel dos Bórgia do mesmo autor.
Mais simples, um bom vilão e um ótimo detetive
Foi uma surpresa bem agradável.
April 20, 2025
Very interesting book. I don’t usually read this type of book but it was in the phone booth free book exchange so I gave it a go and it was Ok to be fair easy to read and I enjoyed reading it.
September 26, 2013
Honestly, I couldn't get into this book at all. I found the characters dull and wooden and nothing really drew me to it. However, as a friend had recommended it, I read it all.
The murders themselves were very imaginative, so full marks for those, but the rest pulled it down.
As an avid Jack the Ripper fan, I was intrigued by White's fictitious story, but hated the way, at the end, that he suddenly decided to disprove the whole thing - very poor judgement. He should have left it out there, as this is only fiction.
The two storylines didn't gel for me and have no idea why White decided to run them together. The link was so tenuous, it was pointless.
I much preferred the story and writing style of the Jack the Ripper part.
The murders themselves were very imaginative, so full marks for those, but the rest pulled it down.
As an avid Jack the Ripper fan, I was intrigued by White's fictitious story, but hated the way, at the end, that he suddenly decided to disprove the whole thing - very poor judgement. He should have left it out there, as this is only fiction.
The two storylines didn't gel for me and have no idea why White decided to run them together. The link was so tenuous, it was pointless.
I much preferred the story and writing style of the Jack the Ripper part.
September 5, 2015
É uma história interessante se pensarmos na relação entre as obras de arte e os assassínios em si.
Fiquei um pouco triste porque me pareceu que a escolha do assassino foi feita um bocadinho a pensar "ah, e tal... parece que est@ é o mais adequad@..." mas, enfim, escolhas. :)
gostei do facto de me ter posto a procurar sobre as obras retratadas e também muito agradavelmente surpreendida por conhecer algumas!
É uma leitura fácil se não nos importarmos com detalhes mais mórbidos.
Fiquei um pouco triste porque me pareceu que a escolha do assassino foi feita um bocadinho a pensar "ah, e tal... parece que est@ é o mais adequad@..." mas, enfim, escolhas. :)
gostei do facto de me ter posto a procurar sobre as obras retratadas e também muito agradavelmente surpreendida por conhecer algumas!
É uma leitura fácil se não nos importarmos com detalhes mais mórbidos.
September 12, 2013
An interesting take on the old Whitechapel "Ripper" legend.
Its nothing new but is a good detective novel set in both the current day and 1888.
It was interesting to see where the Ripper story was going and how it would tie into the current day story. I guessed the murderer about half way through but it was still enjoyable to watch it come together.
Its nothing new but is a good detective novel set in both the current day and 1888.
It was interesting to see where the Ripper story was going and how it would tie into the current day story. I guessed the murderer about half way through but it was still enjoyable to watch it come together.
June 9, 2015
This book reminded me of the TV series Whitechapel, the characters, location and the story delving back into the past. Not sure what came first, the TV series or the book, but I should really do some research. Story is fine, guessed the bad guy, but not quite the whole story behind the bad guy. Only paid £1 for it in a Waterstones sale box - well worth the price.
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