The Complete Jack the Ripper

This is easily the best book on Jack the Ripper I have read yet. Rumbelow adds a lot of background to the case study, including an early chapter on just how horrible the London slums were in Victorian times (far worse than anything out of Dickens). He also covers what the press and the police departments were doing as the case unfolded, which form interesting subplots of their own. The last half of the book is not quite as good as it wanders over a slew of suspects, a handful of later serial killers, and comments on a few media versions of the case. Still Rumbleow is thorough and objective and easily proves to be one of the leading Ripperologists working today.

I've had the distinct pleasure of taking Rumbelow's "Jack the Ripper" walking tour and of meeting him at the "2002 Jack the Ripper Conference." He is indeed the leading expert on the Ripper. His book covers all factual aspects of the crimes in depth. He espouses no theory or suspect, believing that the Ripper was someone in the neighborhood who wasn't famous and who will never be discovered. I highly recommend this book as the very best on Jack the Ripper.

This book is a great start for someone interested in Ripperology! Although there have been theories born since the first edition of this book, Rumbelow's theories and information are complete for its time. Rumbelow's clearly presents the facts and information. He also clearly discounts other theories with facts as well. It is a cleanly written book and a suprisingly fast read. Black and White photos are included. Rumbelow never clearly states who he believes the Ripper was, but it is evident "between the lines". Read it and see for yourself. I think you'll enjoy it!

This is the best book on the subject, written by a retired Police Officer at Scotland Yard. I loaned it out and it never came back. This is the definitive Jack the Ripper book.

This book opens your eyes with how far we've come in handling serial killers. Whether that's a good comment on our society or not-who knows. Looking at how they handled the case compared to what we know now, it's suprising they had a list of suspects! The book shows just how easy it is for a killer to happen as our cities get more & more crowded.