Jack the Ripper: The 21st Century Investigation

by Trevor Marriott

Book Overview

There have been countless attempts to solve the brutal murders committed over 100 years ago by Jack the Ripper, but this most famous of British criminal cases finally benefits from a clear, professional eye to analyze the evidence with all the benefits of modern investigative techniques. Former murder squad detective Trevor Marriott considers a mystery that has enthralled millions. Casting aside the rumors, fantasies, and urban legends which have...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1844541037
• ISBN13: 9781844541034
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Blake Publishing
• Length: 310 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Morbid, But fascinating Nonetheless

What is it about the human mind that makes us have a morbid curiosity about death, particularly violent death. I for one don't know, but it is there in a great majority of human beings and I seemingly am no different to anyone else. I approached this book with more than a little trepidation but after reading a dozen or so pages, I found it hard to put down. The book and author claim that 21st. century investigation methods have at last solved the Whitechapel murders. I personally found it inconclusive. The author puts forward a well structured and well thought out case but I personally feel that the timescale is against any investigation. I am sure that there may have been compelling evidence at the time of the murders, evidence that was either discounted, or never written down by incompetent, or by today's standard, poorly trained officers. Other books on the Ripper have intimated that because of who, or what these women were, their deaths were not taken seriously enough by the police, until that is they realised they had a serial killer to deal with. I found the book a really interesting, if unhealthily morbid read. Perhaps the time scale of one hundred years plus took some of the brutality away from the deaths of these poor unfortunate women, I am not sure. What I do know is that there will always be a fascination with Jack the Ripper, whoever he was . . .

A worthy read

I am a Londoner, grew up interested in the JtR case, I am also the spouse of a retired cop, so I know something of law enforcement protocols. I've read alot of books about this case, last one before this was Patricia Cornwell's work. Hers was a great read, but I felt she had forced some facts to fit her theory and I was not entirely convinced. I liked this book. I liked the fact this author considered all the traditional suspects, he gave the impression he was not trying to make facts fit any one of them in particular. This book gave an impression of impartiality which was refreshing. The long coroner reports could have been edited down for ease of reading. The cover picture suggests modern forensics would be a part of the study, when actual forensic samples are not available, hence the 4 star review instead of 5. Many enthuesiasts will be disappointed that long held beliefs such as the authenticity of the Ripper Letters is dismissed. Many enthuesiasts will hate any book that does not fit their idea of who was guilty of these murders. No 21st century forensics here, just old fashioned impartial detective work - that is a compliment by the way! If you are interested in examining what actually happened back then, and you are not totally stuck on who you think must have done it, then this is a must read.

One of the best

Having just renewed my interest in the Jack the Ripper story I was looking for material I had not read before. This is one of the best books on the subject. It includes the Coroner's Inquest on all the victims and in doing so reveals information that surprisingly seems to have been ignored over the past century. The author analyses the Coroner's information and also presents possible other ideas on who the killer might have been