Review

I cannot believe its been 10 years since Zulu Hart was released, a book that i highly enjoyed along with its follow up Hart of Empire, Saul David brought alive the character of George Hart, the history of the time and the depth of history in each of those books, as an author he truly brought those books to life.

The Prince and the Whitechapel Murders was a wonderful surprise after a 6 year break from George Harts adventurous life, a long awaited next on the series. Its has been sometime since the last fictional novel from Saul David and i felt it in the start of this book, unlike the previous two books this one didn’t capture me immediately, or at least it wasn’t George who did, as with other books the realism of the authors portrayal of the period did, it was my previous attachment to the character that kept me totally involved and interested in him. However it didn’t take long for the author to bring George back to life, particularly with the intrigue around his past.

What follows next is a well crafted crime novel full of intrigue and misdirection, set in a period where great squalor and hardship exists, an environment where the weak can be preyed upon, an environment where Jack the Ripper roams. While George is tasked with protecting Prince Albert Victor from Fenian terrorists, he also gets drawn into the investigation for one of the most notorious killers in British history. Saul David doesn’t just then take the reader on a fanciful ride, we are treated to an accurate and plausible account of the investigation of who the ripper may have been. In doing so i defy anyone to not be hooked by the plot and enamored with the characters.

During the book the author also drops many little Easter eggs from Georges past, the gap in time that exists between Hart of Empire and this book, all of which could be potential stand alone novels or novellas, i hope this means we will see much much more of Georges past and his future, and i also hope that we don’t have to wait another six years for it because Saul David has a talent for creating the most fantastic scenery for his characters to grow into.

Recomended

(Parm)

I've read a lot previously about the Jack the Ripper crimes in Victorian London, so was aware of the theory that Prince Albert Victor ('Eddy'), grandson of Queen Victoria, was a suspect. This book explores that idea as Major George Hart, fresh from military success overseas, is tasked with protecting Prince Eddy while also checking out his possible involvement in the crimes. Throw in some violent Fenians who have their sights on assassinating the Prince and the Prince's penchant for visiting Whitechapel to look for male company and Major Hart has quite a few problems on his hands.

This is apparently the third book in the series featuring George Hart, part Zulu member of the British Army. However, I haven't read the previous novels and felt that this was fine as a standalone mystery.

I liked the character of George Hart himself - he was likeable and human. I also felt that the setting was well done - there was a real sense of the grimness of the East End and the fear evoked by the Ripper among the poor and desperate of London. The facts of the actual Ripper murders were also cleverly woven into the narrative, and I loved that Mary Kelly was given a voice and depth that she is usually denied as a victim. My only quibble is that the narrative was a little slow in places.

Overall, this is an enjoyable crime novel staged around the facts of the Ripper crimes and some real historical figures. It was the setting of Victorian London that brought me to this novel, but I'd certainly read more in the series.

Thanks Hodder & Stoughton and netgalley for this ARC.

Finally we get some answers to questions from the beginning of this series. It's nice to tag along for this atmospheric, gritty , and gruesome book.

This is the third in the historical Major George 'Zulu' Hart series, but it works fine as a standalone as it speculates on the Jack the Ripper murders in Whitechapel, based on actual facts and real people. Saul David has carried out impeccable research on this period of Victorian history, making use of the rumours that abound of the possibility of the involvement of Prince Albert 'Eddy' Victor, second in line to the throne, in the gruesome murders. Hart is the mixed race illegitimate son of a Dublin actress, who suspects that the army chief, the Duke of Cambridge, is his father. His wife is Lucy, but Hart is deemed to have married well below his social strata, and he has a son, Jake. Having engaged in heroic action in the wars in Africa and Afghanistan, Hart is called to London and asked to be a bodyguard for Prince Albert, there is credible intelligence that Irish Fenian assassins are planning to kill him. His job is to protect Albert, equip him with better skills for the army, and keep scandal at bay. Hart is persuaded to take on the role as he needs the money to meet his gambling debts.

Hart is moved into the Prince's cavalry unit, he sets out to befriend Albert. However, his task turns out to be more difficult than he thought, Albert's sexual proclivities, he is bisexual, has the Prince risk venturing into the East End in search of sexual thrills. Albert and his friends, who have strong misogynist views, often go to Whitechapel as a group. Meanwhile, George is going undercover into a Fenian terrorist group in an effort to find out their plans and foil any assassination attempts. There are macabre murders of prostitutes in Whitechapel, and evidence emerges that points to the Prince who has been in the area at the time of the deaths. Sir Charles Warren, the Police Commissioner, asks for Hart's help in preventing the heightened tensions of the poverty stricken and squalid East End erupting. Hart joins forces with Sergeant Fletcher in a covert investigation of the Ripper case as the police choose not to follow up certain leads. Hart decides to try and eliminate the Prince from his inquiries, is the Prince being falsely implicated or is the unthinkable true?

Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel murders provide the exciting background to this compelling historical thriller. There has been a huge amount of focus and speculation on this period of Victorian history from a range of different quarters, and interest has not diminished through time. Saul David adds his own theories outlined in the narrative, although it has to be said he bases it on what is known and the real people known to have been part of the police investigation. Hart puts his life at risk to find evidence to exonerate the Prince whilst identifying the real perpetrator(s). He is a man who enjoys the risk and adventure, and desperate to return oversees as part of the British military. This is entertaining historical read with plenty of suspense and tension with the odd twist here and there. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.