I am obsessed with anything set in the Victorian era and have read a lot about the Jack the Ripper murders. With that in mind, I came to this book with lots of enthusiasm and a little bit of trepidation - I am a bit of a stickler for historical accuracy when a writer is using events that are so well documented as the basis for their story.

I needn't have worried at all - I was in safe hands with Clare Whitfield who has produced a well-researched and absolutely compelling book.

The story follows a young woman, Susannah, without family of her own who comes to work at the London hospital as a nurse. She catches the eye of a young doctor, Thomas Lancaster, who marries her and installs her in his home in Chelsea. The marriage isn't a happy one and, as the Ripper murders begin to terrorise the streets of Whitechapel, Susannah is led to consider the possibility that her husband is responsible for the killings.

What I loved about this book was the way that Susannah herself is presented. The story is told primarily in the first person, so we are given access to Susannah's thoughts and perspective. This is really effective as our doubts about Thomas grow as Susannah's do, although we also recognise her unreliability as our guide through this period of Victorian history as she has a laudanum dependency.

Another strength is the way that the Ripper murders are integrated into the story; initially, they are merely backdrop but, as Susannah's focus shifts to them, we get more involvement and detail. True Ripperologists will note the inclusion of the death of Elizabeth Smith, not one of the canonical five and often disputed as being one of Jack's victims, but this absolutely works in relation to the story and gives Susannah personal investment in the crimes. Indeed, the treatment of the victims by the writer is another commendable aspect of the novel; the women are given personalities, back-story and even a voice though Susannah's own imaginings of them.

Without giving too much away, the plot is extremely clever and the way that twists in the story are gradually revealed is absolutely engrossing - as the novel gathers pace in the second half, the reader is on constantly shifting sands which definitely left me racing for the denouement,

Overall, this is a well-constructed and well-paced novel with convincing historical detail and a heroine who - far from being perfect - is unreliable but extremely resourceful. I would recommend this to any lovers of historical fiction, but also those who enjoy psychological thrillers as there is something extremely tense (but enjoyable) in watching Susannah weigh up how dangerous her husband may prove to be.

I received a free copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, I'd recommend that readers try to get a physical copy of the book as there are some little illustrations separating chapters that I bet look fabulous in print.

Wow! I love a good atmospheric thriller. So many twists and turns. This is absolutely brilliant, and so well written. Had me hooked from the start. Can't wait to get my goldsboro version now!

Whitfield takes a new and unique spin on the Jack the Ripper story. It’s 1888 and Susannah has rushed into marriage with a surgeon, literally swept off her feet. But the charming and passionate man she thought she knew, turns into someone else when they return from their honeymoon. He’s out at all hours of the night and becomes surly and volatile. At around the same time, women in the seedier areas of London begin to be butchered. Susannah can’t help but notice that each time her husband stays out late, a woman is murdered. Could Thomas be involved somehow? Whitfield has taken a rather tired topic and created a fresh and exciting thriller

Advertisements