The Streets of Whitechapel

Picked this book up from Book Depository based on its cover art and its intriguing blurb-question, ‘Who was Jack the Ripper?' Sometimes I take random gambles on books in this way and I'm very glad I did in this case! Jacobs' debut novel is a brilliant exploration into this infamous figure who terrorised London's Whitechapel district in 1888. The plot flows with an intoxicating rapidity but Jacobs still manages to maintain a vivid, Gothic eeriness throughout. Researched thoroughly, Whitechapel's streets, pubs and residents have been rendered with authentic realism.

The plot follows, in first person, the heart-wrenching story of teen-aged James Collins. After the brutal murder of his father and becoming disillusioned about his mother's virtue, he leaves his home of Ireland for London, settling in the Whitechapel district. Soon he unwittingly finds himself embroiled in the schemes of a psychopathic killer. As the victim-count rises so too does the tension, leading to a brilliant and satisfying ending-climax.

Now I'll have to pick up Jacobs' second book! Thoroughly recommended.