Kevin Turton

The Return of the Ripper? by Kevin Turton looks at the case of Frances Coles in relation to the possibility of it being another Ripper murder, being the crime of a primary suspect, or being neither.

If you were thinking this book might offer some definitive answers, you'd be mistaken. First, we probably would have heard if there had been enough progress made to even remotely solve the case. Second, both the book description and the tagline would have marketed the book as solving the case rather than offering some analysis and speculation. Having put that to rest, we can enjoy the book for what it is, a logical look at which of the options are most plausible.

That isn't to say this is a perfect book, there were some things I think could have been tightened up as far as organization and presentation. But not what often afflicts such works.

I don't mind that there wasn't essentially a brain dump at the beginning then going back to explain the reasons. That works in many cases but here it would have taken away from a feeling of working through the evidence. Yes, it seemed scattershot at times, but such is the case with any actual investigations, so it didn't bother me (often).

I also don't mind books of any sort, but especially true crime cold cases, that generate more questions in my mind than answers given. As long as some answers were given and most of the remaining questions are new ones, that is fine with me. That may be a leftover from my philosophy days, I like being left with questions.

I would recommend this to readers with an interest in Jack the Ripper (which is a very large number) as well as those who just like to read about why a suspect may or may not be guilty of a crime. Again, don't expect to walk away with a definitive answer, though your position may be pretty solid in your mind.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)