Tag Archives: Crime

A Small Band of Dedicated Men by Andrew Lane

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: A Small Band of Dedicated Men
Author: Andrew Lane
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 7th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I really don’t think that will replace “Leather Apron” in the minds of the public.

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Synopsis

Druitt has called together all of the men accused of being Jack the Ripper. Their patrols might stop one killer, but are there more hiding amongst them?

Thoughts

This took a turn that I really wasn’t expecting. I thought that maybe this would be a story of innocents who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I mostly kept thinking this until the very end. Which quickly made me not so happy and more than a little uncomfortable. And incredibly glad that these men are dead, it was just a little too easy to believe this story.

Of all the Ripperologist theories I’ve recently been exposed to, the one that features Druitt is always what I feel closest to. Not necessarily because the evidence against him is the strongest, but more so because of the fact that this theory features in a Science Fiction series that I love (Sanctuary on SyFy). Which means that his central place in this storyline made me sink my nose right into the story and refuses to pay attention to anything around me.

Stories about teams of serial killers and mad men are starting to become a bit more frequent in my reading roster. Which is both terrifying, and kind of fun. There’s a totally different, unsettling feeling to these types of tales and I, for one, can’t wait to read more like this Small Band of Dedicated Men.

<- The Roebuck Cabal ReviewDear Boss Review ->
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The Roebuck Cabal by Martin Gately

Book Review, ,
Overview
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Title: The Roebuck Cabal
Author: Martin Gately
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: But our knowledge of these suspects may serve a purpose; one of colossal misdirection.

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Synopsis

A cabal of men get together frequently to discuss the occurrence of the Ripper in London. But what if he is walking among them?

Thoughts

I kind of liked this short story, and I kind of found it a little bit slow. It may be because I was reading this late at night and wasn’t really concentrating like I usually would for such a themed story. although I did really love the idea of a group of men meeting up to discuss the horrors of the Ripper, when one might have been amongst them.

This is one of those stories that no matter how many times you read it, you’ll find something new and exciting to unfold. Which is why, like the rest of this collection, I plan on reading it again in years to come.

 <- Flowers of the Chapel ReviewA Small Band of Dedicated Men Review ->
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Curses by Jim Butcher

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: Curses
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files #10.7
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 28th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: What stories are you interested in, specifically?

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Synopsis

Harry Dresden investigates how to lift a curse laid by the Fair Folk on the Chicago Cubs.

Thoughts

Baseball isn’t really my thing. Nor is it something that I’ve ever understood. Probably has something to do with being Australian and not really having many baseball players in the vicinity. But I still know that the Cubs are quite famous for not winning and having a loyal fan base. It seems to come up a lot in American TV, movies and books…

I love that this short story takes something that is so large in popular culture and gives it a beautiful, supernatural spin. It’s a great start to a collection of urban fantasy stories which I’m sure are going to get darker, grittier and far more fun as the tales unfold. It certainly started this book off with a great bang. One that made it kind of hard to put these stories down and get back to working like a real adult.

I was expecting a story in which Harry swings in and saves the day again. In this case, helps to unravel the curse on the Cubs and help them finally win the finals (or whatever they’re called). It didn’t quite work out like that, and I loved the change from routine that this indicates. The slight change from the typical trope. Which is probably why I love the Dresden series in the first place.

 <- Naked City ReviewHow the Pooka Came to New York City Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

Flowers of the Chapel by Sarah Morrison

Book Review, ,
Overview
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Title: Flowers of the Chapel
Author: Sarah Morrison
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 27th June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Lizzie, dear Lizzie.

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Synopsis

Lizzie is hurrying home to report to her master, with the Ripper on the loose, she knows that she shouldn’t be out alone. But, when she finds out who the true culprit is, her whole world is turned upside down.

Thoughts

I loved this twist on the traditional idea of Jack the Ripper. Instead of being a man, she is a woman. And not at all who I expected. Which of course, made it all the more intriguing and impossible to put down. A little more tragic when the final ending hit.

This was a little sadder than most of the short stories so far in the collection. Most of them are kind of twisted, but this was a bit tragic. I felt Lizzie’s loss and confusion as the final words were read and it made me feel more connected to the trials of the victims. More connected to their fear, pain and suffering. Not only at the hands of the Ripper, but also the fear that must have coated the entire city in the months of his terror.

 <- Oh Have You Seen the Devil? ReviewThe Roebuck Cabal Review ->
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The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper by Maxim Jakubowski & Nathan Braund

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper
Author: Maxim Jakubowski & Nathan Braund
Series: Mammoth Books
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, History, Non-fiction
Dates read: 13th March – 1st June 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1999
5th sentence, 74th page: It may be, as is generally assumed, that Louis Diemschutz, returning home, interrupted the murderer and prevented him from performing his usual mutilations.

Synopsis

Jack the Ripper – all the evidence, all the key theories, fully updated with the newest ideas

The crime world’s most enduring mystery, the identity of Jack the Ripper, has plagued professional historians, criminologists, writers and amateur enthusiasts for over a hundred years. Chief suspects include Montague John Druitt,Walter Sickert, Aaron Kosminski, Michael Ostrog, William Henry Bury, Dr Tumblety and James Maybrick.

This newly updated volume offers the fullest ever overview of the Whitechapel Murders case. It collects not just the key factual evidence but also 17 different arguments as to the identity of the Ripper, including the more recent theories from Patricia Cornwell and others. Contributions from the world’s leading Ripperologists include William Beadle, Martin Fido, Shirley Harrison, James Tully and Colin Wilson.

The essays are supported by a detailed chronology, extensive bibliography and filmography.

Thoughts

I’ve been hearing about Jack the Ripper for as long as I can remember. I always knew that there were many different theories surrounding who, what, why… but nothing is truly known. So, I thought it might be about time to read a little more about this infamous serial killer. Especially since I have a few books based around him and I really wasn’t quite adding up the hints and information that was found in some of the short stories I’ve been reading.

I love the way that this book is broken up. To start with it outlines the very basics of the known facts of the case. The five known, canonical victims. It tells us the very basics and all those little clues which have lead to theory upon theory being built up. Then, it takes you in for a deeper look at each of the five victims. Showing testimonies, court statements and aspects of the coroners report to give you even more facts. I ended up taking quite a long time to read the first part of this book, just because the sheer number of facts and figures was a little overwhelming. But in the best sense possible, considering that this is a non-fiction book…

Finally, the different popular theories are highlighted in small chapters by “Ripperologists”. They take the facts that you’ve spent an age reading and present them to you in a whole new light. Which made things kind of difficult for me…since every single version sounded plausible. This is another one of those books that I will pick up again and again, learning something new and different each time. Being fascinated and drawn in over and over.

<- By the Light of My HeartThe Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories ->

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Only Joseph by Sophie Hannah

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Only Joseph
Author: Sophie Hannah
In: I Am Heathcliff (Kate Mosse)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Crime
Dates read: 16th May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Borough Press
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: We usually refer to ‘the problem’ or ‘the issue’.

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Synopsis

She’s trying to find a new school for her troubled daughter. But when she comes across a conspiracy of murder and mayhem at a potential new place of education, things quickly spiral out of control.

Thoughts

Finishing off the I Am Heathcliff collection with this story worked surprisingly well. It took a modern take on Heathcliff’s stalkerish ways and also weaved in other themes of understanding, betrayal and appearances throughout the story.

The school setting made this an immediately relatable story. Alright, there was never a murder at my school (although there was an exorcism performed)… but the fact that a mother is searching for the best fit for her child and is constantly concerned that she’s not doing the right thing by her is touching. Not to mention a little frightening. I don’t have children, but now the idea of trusting my potential future children to possible murderers, and definitely people who don’t have the same concerns… it kind of gave me goosebumps…

 <- Heathcliff Is Not My Name ReviewI Am Heathcliff Review ->
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Oh Have You Seen the Devil? by Stephen Dedman

Book Review, ,
Overview
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Title: Oh Have You Seen the Devil?
Author: Stephen Dedman
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Dates read: 5th May 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The carter probed the darkness with his buggy-whip, crying something in a foreign language as the tip of the shaft poked Liz’s lifeless body.

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Synopsis

Michael and Liz are having a few relationship issues. Yet, when there is a horror stalking the streets at night, their relationship is truly put to the test. In ways that Michael could never imagine… and it brings him face to face with the devil.

Thoughts

This is an incredibly easy Jack the Ripper story to read. A lot of the literature, mythos and understanding around the man is kind of convoluted. A little bit confusing. And a lot bit intense. This was a much easier short story to deal with. It was more approachable, written in a far more current form of language, and actually incredibly relatable. So it was a nice change of pace compared to the other stories in this collection.

A disproportionately large number of attacks made on women is done by their significant others, or someone close to them. Which means that it kind of makes sense to have a villain in this story who is a significant other. There have even been some theories that there was an intimate relationship (beyond sex) with at least one of the Ripper victims which made him… well Ripperish. This provides a slightly different take on that, but still highlights the idea of a victim being ended by the man she is intimately involved with. Highlights the idea that maybe not everything in the murders was quite as they seem…

 <- Boiling Point ReviewFlowers of the Chapel Review ->
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Boiling Point by Alex Howard

Book Review, , ,
Overview
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Title: Boiling Point
Author: Alex Howard
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 28th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The air was oppressively foetid too from poor sanitation and what smelled like the effluvia of tanneries and glue factories.

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Synopsis

A man finds himself working alongside the most unpleasant of men. But it isn’t until he finds out about the conspiracy afoot that he begins to truly understand how unpleasant he truly is.

Thoughts

This retelling of the Jack the Ripper case took a more conspiracy theory ridden outlook than many others that I’ve read. It played on the idea of racism and people in power carrying these ideals. It even outlaid a future plan for the Ripper until he is stopped. A greatly different point of view in fictional retellings of the notorious butcher that I have read so far.

Normally I find conspiracies outlandish and incredibly unrealistic. This one not so much. It is actually kind of plausible and the fact that it was easily stumbled upon just made it all the more likely to understand. It made me want to read this short story again and look for small hints as to those responsible for the Jack the Ripper conspiracy.

 <- Kosher ReviewOh Have You Seen the Devil? Review ->
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Kosher by Michael Gregorio

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Kosher
Author: Michael Gregorio
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Crime, Historical fiction
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The same girl, standing outside a different door, under a big sign that gives the game away.

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Synopsis

Three Kosher butchers stumble across Jack the Ripper late one night. Things don’t quite go as planned, but they definitely have something to celebrate at the end of the night.

Thoughts

The introduction to this story filled me with intrigue. Not because it was a great opening to a story, but it explained where the author’s origin to this story came from. Accompanied by a photo, it made this story seem all the more plausible. And one that I would almost like to imagine actually happened.

One of the suspects of the Jack the Ripper case was Jewish. Or at least, a Jewish man was suspected (even if they didn’t have a specific identity). So I kind of liked that this story featured three Jewish butchers. People who would have been suspect, and indeed, in the retelling, I wondered if they were the villains. After all, a butcher was also believed to be the culprit.

Without giving the ending of this story away, it was kind of fun. But also with a fair amount of commentary on the social and political unrest of the time. It nestled in perfectly with reality and the imaginations of an author.

 <- Ripper Familias ReviewBoiling Point Review ->
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Ripper Familias by Terry Davis and Patrick Jones

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
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Title: Ripper Familias
Author: Terry Davis & Patrick Jones
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Family, Historical fiction
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Grandfather is quite right about the real police, I believe.

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Synopsis

What happens when you realise that the man you wanted to admire is actually evil personified? How would you react?

Thoughts

We all like to think that family means everything. That there is some kind of tie created by blood that can be impossible to escape. Speaking from my own experiences, that’s not necessarily true. And this story definitely echoes that theory.

Not only does this short story question the ties of family and how important these relationships can be, but it also brings in the Titanic. I love the intersection in history between these two moments, the way that a tragedy turns out to be a saviour for the young man whose family is a little… unwell.

This story is kind of heeby jeeby. Because even though you think that the young boy has made the “right” decision, there is still a sense of unrest. The idea that maybe he is a bit like his grandfather after all…

 <- Catch Me When You Can… ReviewKosher Review ->
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