Despite the best efforts of Scotland Yard, the baffling and gruesome "Ripper Murders" remain unsolved mysteries to this day. Over a century later, the discovery of what might be the Ripper's diary re-awakened the unsolved cold case. Could a member of the royal family have been the true culprit of these heinous crimes? With the mysterious case reopened, the investigation falls to the rich and charming James Kent. James teams up with the stunning Alice Gull, who has her own reasons to defend the historic doctor's involvement.
As James and Alice reinvestigate royal links to the notorious serial killer in the London underground, they soon discover that the Ripper Murders were only the tip of the iceberg and their investigation launches an incredible search for truth that immerses them deep into London's seedy past, searching the capitol city's historical locations for clues. But patriotism can be a deadly trait in the wrong hands. And, lurking in the shadows is someone who will do anything to stop the duo from exposing secrets...
Jack is a captivating psychological thriller novel celebrating the grime and glory of Britain's capital city, and the heights and depths of its society. The forces that drove the Ripper to do his grisly work in 1888 are still very much at work today, and just as dangerous. To what lengths will they go to preserve the secret which can destroy the monarchy?
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It began on Friday, August 31st, 1988. IN THE BEGINNING
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(McBridge Foundation, 6 September 2020, 374 pages, ebook, copy from @PublishingPush and voluntarily reviewed)
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I've read a few novels inspired by / based on Jack the Ripper but most of them have been set around the time the murders took place. The vast bulk of this novel is set just now so I thought it would offer a different take on the murders that I'd read before. I'm aware of the rumours circulating at the time that the ripper was a member of the Royal Family. I liked how the author took this and ran with it, creating a unique story and explanation for the murders, rooted deep in the Royal Family and the government. The Prime Minister in the book is one of the villains and is actually called Mr Johnstone. I'm not entirely comfortable with the actual name of real people in today's government being used for characters. I don't think that's appropriate. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable crime novel / murder mystery / conspiracy theory read. James and Alice realise just how important the people responsible for the murders are and how far they will go to keep this out of public knowledge and find themselves in a dangerous situation. I would have enjoyed a few flashbacks to the murders though. There is one at the start and then no more and at times I actually forgot the murders being probed into were those of Jack the Ripper.
