Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert by Patricia Cornwell
Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation Assistant
Genre: True Crime, Non-Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: We all know about Jack the Ripper. Or rather, we know of him. Being that he was never caught and no confession accepted as truth, he remains a fascinating subject to this day. And author Patricia Cornwell knows that. She has released 2 other books about Saucy Jack, and her research keeps bringing her back to one man: English artist Walter Sickert. This volume fleshes out her theory on Jack’s true identity, and backs it up with forensic evidence. The rapid development of technology has allowed for new testing of letters that were supposedly from Jack – handwriting, paper watermarks and composition, even the blood stains are put to the test with surprising results.
My Review: I read the first of Cornwell’s Ripper books when I was in college. (Fun note there: I read it in one sitting while working an overnight shift in a haunted building. I was the only one in said building, but I kept hearing voices and things moving around. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep easy the next day.) I found her theories about Sickert to be fascinating. I’d never heard of him before that, but her evidence was compelling. This book expands on that. In the 15 years since that first book (Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper – Case Closed), Cornwell has been doing deeper research. Thorough detective methods weren’t applied at the time, and there is little to no physical evidence remaining, but modern forensics can still put pieces together.
Cornwell’s experience as a novelist keeps this book moving at rapid, entertaining pace. You won’t need to have read her previous books to fall head-long into this one. I burned through the first quarter of the book in a little under three hours (with repeated interruptions from my son and cats). Chapters are relatively short and focused, and are interspersed with photos and documents, making reference easy. The sympathy that she gives to all concerned, excepting Sickert himself, is tangible. This is a woman who wants to see justice for those that the Ripper killed, as well as those who were falsely accused.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Insightful, Approachable, Fascinatingly-Morbid
Give This a Try if You Like… CSI, To Catch A Murderer, Serial, Jack the Ripper
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!