Jack the Ripper: First American Serial Killer

by Paul Gainey and Stewart P. Evans

Book Overview

Does the bloody trail of Jack the Ripper finally lead to America?

This headline-making book offers convincing proof that the serial killer who terrorized London in 1888 was, in fact, an American. Spurred by the startling discovery of a letter written by a Scotland Yard inspector, two veteran police investigators have traced the shadowy movements of a self-styled "doctor" from St. Louis who had a criminal record spanning both sides of the Atlantic...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568362579
• ISBN13: 9781568362571
• Release Date: December 1998
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.07 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Very thoroughly researched with a convincing suspect

I enjoyed this book. Admittedly, it has sat on my shelf for three years, waiting until I was in a suitably dark mood to be tempted by it. The authors present a lot of evidence and show very thorough research. The killer they suggest seems entirely plausible, much more so than in the other Ripper book I read and enjoyed (at the end of which, the author's conclusion was that the man had simply stopped killing. Serial killers don't just stop. So that was implausible). Good book.

The REAL Jack the Ripper FINALLY Unmasked

Contrary to what Reviewer #2 has to say with his low rating, having read MANY "Studies" of the Ripper over the years, I find the case brought against "Dr." Tumblety to be by FAR the MOST likely; there is just TOO much coincidence for it NOT to be this man. Of particular interest are a SIMILAR rash of murder/mutilations performed AFTER the Whitechapel murders in another locale where Tumblety was proven to have been in at the same time as THAT series occured. PLUS Tumblety's collection of fetuses, etc. HIGHLY recommended, to me one of the MOST compelling books yet written on the topic, with more than enough proof provided to prove Tumblety's guilt.

Very Thorough Research

Don't listen to reviewer #2. The book goes into great detail about Tumblety's connection to England, and furthermore, proves he was in England during the time of the murders. Also, the last reviewer is mistaken. Tumblety was arrested AFTER the murder of Mary Kelly. The only break in the chain that would irrefutably tie Tumblety to the murders is the 'Large Dossier' the Scotland Yard suppposedly had, that has not yet been located. Everything else points to him as THE most likely suspect yet considered.

The most up-to-date and, perhaps, authentic theory .

The book is based on a recently discovered (and authenticated) letter from a detective that investigated the case. Convincing evidence is presented concerning the American suspect, Tumbletry, who escaped to America with Scotland Yard on his heels. In fact, they followed him to the States, and the U.S. papers of l888 are full of speculation concerning this suspect and the chase. Perhaps the mystery is solved at last!