Yawn.

Don't get me wrong, the narration is great, and the book is well researched; particularly as the historical, sociological and criminological facts and references are apt and correct. However, the hypothesis posed (essentially that "free-masons did it!") just gets tiresome and predictable... I'm sure the author (Bruce Robinson) would read this review and assume that it was conspired by the cult itself...

This book definitely is not enjoyable as an audiobook. But, I suppose it has uses for 'academic' purposes... I.e. it's best used in paper copy, and completely boring as an audiobook.

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Fascinating read with caveats..

I have to applaud B Robinson for the depth and extent of his dogged research. He seems to have unearthed so much material I've never come across ( although this does occasionally become something of a diversion.) The premis of the book is fascinating, and pretty convincing to a non expert. There was obviously wicked collusion by all parties in the Florence Maybrick trial, and certainly circumstantial evidence that his Ripper suspect was correct although circumstantial does not make the case cast iron... his own conviction however that it is.
The issue I found hardest to cope with ( apart from some of the graphic detail) was some of the language used... sluts and worse used frequently when referring to the victims, who he seems very uninterested in. I'm assuming he was trying to echo the attitudes of the times he was writing about with all the rampant victorian hypocrisy but it was often hard to read and really felt uncomfortable and provocative. If you do not like frequent use of every expletive this may not be a book for you. His rage at Victorian society andFreemasonry is absolutely palpable, quite possibly justified . He also sneeringly expresses his attitudes towards ripperologists, which felt unnecessarily belligerent. He obviously sees himself as a very different investigator.
Overall a very dense and articulate read ( caveat above) and a fascinating theory. Certainly recommended for anyone interested in the subject.

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Absolutely Fascinating

Thoroughly researched, left no stone unturned. His assessment and conclusion are very difficult to not agree. Too many coincidences and the evidence for his suspect is overwhelming. Amazing book. I think I’ll reread it.

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Brilliant detailed account of

This is an amazing piece of work. Absolutely gripping stuff. The story is much deeper and more shocking than we all believed....and we thought it was shocking to start with!

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5 people found this helpful

Wide Conspiracy Theory & Troubling Language

An interesting book on the Ripper with a clever candidate. However, throughout the book is troubling offensive language, used seemingly only for effect. The conspiracy is somewhat hard to fully buy into but the idea of police incompetence saying the Ripper was dead whilst the ghastly killing continued is more plausible. With checking out but with those two major caveats.

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Fascinating

Ever since a mysterious figure ripped his way through the East End of London in the late 1880s, writers and filmmakers have focused on the identity of the perpetrator. The mystery of Jack the Ripper still exudes a fascination to lovers of murder mysteries and horror stories, spawning more theories and possibilities than any other serial killer.

In this book, writer and movie director Bruce (Withnail and I) Robinson takes a very particular view on the subject. In this meticulously researched tome, he explores the idea that the identity of the mysterious Jack was a conspiracy created and prolonged by Freemasons, the Metropolitan Police, the British Government and a bevy of coroners, doctors and bent witnesses.

I bought the paperback version of this ages ago, but as it runs to more than 800 pages and has a font size that I’d need a microscope to read, I also bought the audio version. Narrated by Phil Fox, with an introduction by the author, this is a fascinating book that uses police and court reports, newspaper articles, letters and witness statements to back up the theory that Freemason Michael Maybrick was the man behind the murders, and how his letters to Commissioner Charles Warren taunted the pudding-headed policeman with clues that even a black cat in a coal cellar at night couldn’t have failed to follow.

Robinson’s style pulls no punches and he makes it very clear what he thinks of all these alleged conspirators, using language that would put a hardened navvy to shame. Though his theory is a complex one and demands that dozens, if not hundreds of individuals must have been involved in the conspiracy, it nevertheless sounds plausible, and explains why even now certain documents are still not available for public viewing.

A fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable book that puts the scribblings of Ripperologists everywhere firmly in the shade.

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Fascinating

Ive become obsessed with this book. It is about so much more than some Psychopath who murdered maybe five maybe 35 people. it is about the very fabric of England and everything that is wrong with
It.

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Bruce the Ripper

Really enjoyed Mr Robinson's work here. His obvious and extensive researches are remarkable and his intelligence and dark sense of humour add greatly to his interesting hypothesis. A fascinating book full of the bile that appears heartfelt by Mr Robinson; who must have spent so very many hours emerced in this frustrating world of hypocrisy and conspiracy. My only criticism, if it is at all so, is that the book is a little overlong to keep the attention. But perhaps with the wealth of information he wishes to impart; a shorter version would suffer greatly from this editing. I do though thoroughly recommend this book, and implore the readers to stay until the end; it is worth it!

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A brilliant and fascinating listen

What a brilliant and well researched book.

The book pretty much covers all aspects and suspects ever mentioned in the ripper case.

A great listen and would highly recommend

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Mind blown

What a sensational book. Full of factual well researched evidence and well considered opinion. A must read for "ripperologyists, historians, crime readers and those interested in who runs the show, how they do it and how they got away with it. Highly recommended!

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