Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation

By: Trevor Marriott

Narrated by: Norman Gilligan

There have been countless attempts to solve the brutal murders committed by Jack the Ripper more than 100 years ago. It seems that almost everyone has their own theory and their own suspect, ranging from the reasonably likely to the entirely preposterous. What this most famous of British criminal cases has always required is a professional eye to analyse it with all the benefits of modern investigate techniques.

Now that has been provided in the shape of the man most qualified to solve the case: former British murder-squad detective Trevor Marriott. His long and arduous investigation dispels the rumours, fantasies, and urban legends that have for so long stalked through the shadowy world of this vile killer. The results are startling: for many years it has been accepted that Jack the Ripper killed only five. But now, it can be revealed that up to nine were victims.

And, most astonishing of all, a new prime suspect never previously considered has emerged, with evidence linking him not only to the Whitechapel cases, but to murders all over the world. Jack the Ripper: the 21st Century Investigations reveals the Ripper's true identity at last, and the fate that befell him.

©2007 John Blake Publishing (P)2012 Prospero Media

scary, awesome

Would you consider the audio edition of Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator was excellent, the music was truely perfect! It really set a scary mood. The facts of the murders were so interesting and then the story of the author researching was the best.

What about Norman Gilligan’s performance did you like?

It sounded like an intelligent englishman

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The suspect presented by the author!

Any additional comments?

Excellent, anyone who like true crime will love this

I Wanted to Like This but...

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. As a reference book, I think this would be helpful with all the detail, but I found that that did not translate well into a recorded book. So much of the first volume sounded like a reading of the transcript of the coroner's inquest. I found this to be pretty slow and not engaging. Also, the narration was done with little inflection and something approaching a monotone.

What could Trevor Marriott have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Summarize more of the records that were read, presumably, in their entirety.

Would you be willing to try another one of Norman Gilligan’s performances?

No.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Doubtful.

Any additional comments?

This recorded book might work well for a researcher but I did not enjoy it.

A must for the Ripper-obsessed

Would you listen to Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation again? Why?

Probably not. The details are pretty gruesome, so once is enough.

What other book might you compare Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation to and why?

Patricia Cornwell's "Jack the Ripper: Case Closed"

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

The author identifies a suspect I'd never heard of before, and makes a compelling case for his theory.

Any additional comments?

Let's be clear - the author writes exactly like the former Scotland Yard investigator that he is. The book reads like a precisely written, scrupulously detailed, professionally objective crime scene report. Mariott lays the groundwork for his theory methodically, never mind if it requires that he repeat himself or that he covers familiar ground. In other words,don't expect early Patricia Cornwell. Likewise, Norman Gilligan reads the book with all the passion and drama of a courtroom stenographer.

BUT - as the actual eyewitness testimonies given at the coroner's inquests were read, I slowly became mesmerized. This was real, not the Sherlock Holmes version seen through the lens of a novelist's imagination.

So if you're fascinated by this most dreadful series of crimes as I am, pick this one up and stay with it. Marriott offers the most plausible solution to this 150 year old mystery that I've heard yet, and makes his argument extremely well. I believe him.

Was this the Ripper?

A new theory on the identity of the Ripper. The author starts with all the information available on each murder (police, coroner report, etc.) then continues in the same manner with all the past and current Ripper identities. The organization of data in this manner brings to light some very interesting conclusions. The author thoroughly supports his new entry into the ongoing Ripper mystery.

An excellent reference

This is a fascinating look at the investigations into the ripper killings. The daily lives of the victims is vividly illustrated by the testimony of the people who knew them personally as well as the police and examiners who worked the case. The actual facts of this case are more compelling than any fictional account. These accounts serve to underscore the absolutely brutal and soulless nature of the killer.

This book has received some negative reviews on amazon.com. One of the main complaints is that this is a rehash of other books. A good deal of this book does come from verbatim testimony taken during the investigations. This is necessary detail for a serious investigation that adds to the credibility of the work.

The author, Trevor Marriott; a retired police investigator, does raise some very worthwhile points and challenges some long accepted points in the case.

- The Goulston Street graffito; the famous "The Juews..." message, long assumed to be the work of the killer, may have and may not have had anything to do with the killings.

- While not new, Marriott explores killings beyond the canonical five victims that may have been the work of Jack the Ripper.

- Many more...

A New Take On An Old Mystery

Would you consider the audio edition of Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation to be better than the print version?

I would not know since I have not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation?

I am not certain how this question applies to what is essentially a "documentary" account. What I found compelling about this book is that the author has uncovered new information ad perspectives on one of the greatest unsolved cases from the 19th century. Just when I thought there was nothing more to say about the Ripper murders, Trevor Marriott uncovers clues and leads left uncovered for over a century, leading him to an entirely different conclusion than other authors on the topic.

Such leads include a conclusion that Jack the Ripper need not have had any supposed surgical skill at all. He further disputes the list of canonical victims. Rather than the usual five (Nichols, Stride, Eddows, Chapman and Kelly) he includes victims before Polly Ann Nichols and victims after Mary Jane Kelly, as well as victims in foreign countries. By expanding his view of victims he also expands the list of suspects.

While the Ripper Killings will never be definitively solved due to the long passage of time and the loss of physical evidence, Marriott has presented a compelling circumstantial case for his chosen suspect.

Which scene was your favorite?

This book is not an actual mystery, but instead is a book about a mystery. I suppose if I had to name a favourite part it would be the description of the author came to discount the theory that Jack the Ripper possessed advanced surgical skill.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I am not allowed the luxury of listening to books in a single sitting, and I deem this a silly question.

Fascinating topic, painful read

I've been endlessly fascinated by the Jack the Ripper case since I was a child and have devoured countless books on the subject. While this book is a great resource for information, it's written in such a manner that it takes a fascinating topic and makes it extremely dull.

It's flaws are a little more forgivable if you're reading the book yourself, but the flaws coupled with the narration makes it a flat out painful experience. I find the narration devoid of any emotion and the reading of the transcripts becomes tedious. Perhaps with different narration it would be a little better, but at this point, I think that if I choose to go back to this as a reference source, it'll be the hardcover book so I don't have to endure the narration.

for me, solved case closed

I have read a lot on this subject and I can't help but feel it has finally been solved, logical and complete investigation, the narration was excellent.

Fascinating!

Where does Jack the Ripper: The 21st-Century Investigation rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think I have become an official Jack The Ripper enthusiast after this book. The author put forth a great investigation and I completely believed his findings. We will never know for sure who Jack The Ripper really is, but the evidence outlined by the author gives us a very likely candidate.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed that the author would set forth the evidence and then explain how it fits into his picture of who he believes Jack the Ripper is.

I'm Convinced

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the exhaustive archival detective work, and the very clear way in which the evidence was put forward.

What does Norman Gilligan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Yes, the writing is fairly dry. Gilligan brings personality and emotion to the material.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was on the edge of my seat toward the end.

Any additional comments?

I am convinced that Marriott is correct and has, after more than a century, solved the mystery.