Jack the Ripper: The Suspects (Whitechapel Society) [Paperback]

The Whitechapel Society has published this excellent little book to coincide with the 2011 London Conference and there is nothing not to recommend it to anyone with more than a passing interest in the case.
The Society has been going now since 1995 (initially as the Cloak & Dagger Club) and has a tremendous breadth and depth of knowledge amongst its membership. Eleven of those members display that expertise in this new publication, each taking a different suspect.
Those Suspects are;
1. Joseph Barnett by Mickey Mayhew
2. William Bury by Christine Warman
3. Severin Klosowski / George Chapman by Sue Parry
4. Montague Druitt by Adrian Morris
5. William Gull by M J Trow
6. Aaron Kosminski by Philip Marquis
7. James Maybrick by Chris Jones
8. Walter Sickert by Ian Porter
9. Francis Tumblety by Joe Chetcuti
10. Prince Albert Victor by M W Oldridge
11. The Best (or Worst) of the Rest by William Beadle
There is a helpful Introduction by Robin Odell and an informative feature on the Whitechapel Society by Frogg Moody
In the Joseph Barnett chapter, Mayhew examines Paley's assertion that Barnett was Jack and rejects it for amongst other reasons the likelihood that Joe was a devoted partner. Perhaps because of space constraints, the chapter concentrates on the Kelly case whereas, of course if Barnett was guilty, any in depth analysis would need to examine his relationship with at least the other canonical four. The chapter is a strong one and Barnett's character emerges clearly.
Christine Warman writes compellingly about William Bury's troubled childhood, which formed a strong base for him to become the thoroughly unpleasant adult he undoubtedly was. He was a drunk, a small time crook, wife beater and, ultimately wife murderer. The author supports Bury as being JTR but this reviewer found few of the facts in her chapter convinced him
Sue Parry writes on `Abberline's suspect' Severin Klosowski (later George Chapman). A selfish poisoner certainly, but JTR? Who knows. Most of the evidence seems to be that he was in the area at the time and was a bit like the description Hutchinson gave. Hardly a clinching argument.
Montague Druitt's chapter benefits from a new photo of the suspect from the Winchester College archives. Adrian Morris concludes that Druitt suffered from depression and drew parallels between his own life and a case he defended as a barrister, that of Christopher Power in August 1888 who was found guilty but insane. This parallel being compounded by his own family's history of mental problems and the self-doubt brought about by his dismissal from Valentine's school.
I have long been a fan of Mei Trow's work and his piece on William Gull did not disappoint. Trow sketches how the theory that Gull was the Ripper emerged, and an enthralling story it is! He then systematically exposes the theory for the nonsense it is
Before picking up this book I had just finished Rob House's book `Case for Scotland Yard's Prime Suspect' so was looking forward to the piece on Aaron Kosminski. Philip Marquis is a great storyteller and his style makes for an engaging chapter. It would be interesting to know what Scotland Yard had on Kosminski but did not survive over the years because what emerges from this piece is a non-violent paranoid schizophrenic. Of course a cynic may suggest that the fact that he was a bit strange and a Polish Jew was enough. I couldn't possibly comment!
Chris Jones who is something of an expert on the man writes the Maybrick chapter. Maybrick's candidacy is irrevocably linked to the authenticity of the diary and to a lesser extent the watch. Jones sketches out the story of both and of subsequent research. After outlining the considerable authenticity evidence on both sides, he concludes that future research will clinch the matter (the authenticity matter, not if Maybrick was Jack) one way or the other. It is difficult to argue with that.
Ian Porter does not repeat the well-known arguments against Cornwell's theories in his essay on Walter Sickert. He concentrates on Walter Sickert's placement in the area at the time of the murders. He gives a lively sketch of the area in the Late Victorian Period and particularly of its `open all hours' nature. Could Walter Sickert have merged in? Porter concludes not.
Joe Chetcuti's tells a twisted tale of misrepresentation, unfulfilled promises, and subterfuge to acquire wealth all undertaken by an accomplished liar. A story of modern day politics in a book about Jack? No this is the chapter on the story of Francis Tumblety. A good outline of the sociopath who probably was not the Ripper but was certainly suspected at the time.
Prince Albert Victor. You couldn't leave him out could you? M W Oldridge outlines the history of this resilient story from Phillipe Julien in 1962 to Melvyn Fairclough in 1991 and intriguingly links the popularity of the story with the socio-political climate of the times and society's thirst for conspiracy theories. He rightly concludes that this suspect theory is now passé
Finally, Chair of the Whitechapel Society William Beadle looks at The Best (or Worst) of the Rest! He points out that JTR was not even the East End's first serial killer, that `honour' probably falling to the Ratcliffe Highway murderer in 1811. He examines the cases against James K Stephen, Robert D'Onston Stephenson, Aaron Cohen and George Hutchinson. The latter emerges, perhaps unsurprisingly, as the strongest contender from this ill matched bunch, all of whom have pretty thin qualifications to be our man.
At £9.99 in the UK this book is outstanding value for money. Which chapter you prefer will probably depend on your favourite candidate. Having eleven different authors means that there are eleven different writing styles which keeps the interest up all the way, in fact I read it all in one go despite frequently promising myself `just one more chapter then I'll stop'!
There really is no excuse not to buy this little volume.
More please Whitechapel Society! After Jack The Ripper: The suspects how about;
Jack The Ripper: The Victims
Jack The Ripper: The Police
Jack The Ripper: The Locations
Etc.?

This great little book has been written by members of London's Whitechapel Society - the premier society for the study of Jack the Ripper.

The suspects under the magnifying glass include: Joseph Barnett (the partner of the last Ripper victim, Mary Jane Kelly), William Henry Bury, George Chapman, Montague John Druitt, Sir William Gull, Aaron Kosminsky, James Maybrick, Walter Sickert, Francis Tumblety, Prince Albert Victor - and a section on notable others.

The book features a fascinating introduction by legendary Jack the Ripper author, Robin Odell and Frogg Moody presents a brief history of the Whitechapel Society.

Each suspect has been painstakenly researched by the ten authors making this book an absolute 'must have' for anyone interested in Jack the Ripper or students of true crime. There are many illustrations and photographs including a 'never seen before' picture of leading suspect, Montague John Druitt pubished here for the first time.

Whitechapel society website - [...]

Some people who have made a study of the subject give us the evidence backing up their theories. Some of the more outlandish suspects are left out, whilst the more likely ones (or who they think are more likely)are left in.