Review: The Bank Holiday Murders by Tom Wescott

• File Size: 767 KB
• Print Length: 260 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00IIWWS8E

So many Ripperologists only consider 5 murders to be his work, but Emma Smith and Martha Tabram were murdered earlier in 1888 and I always wondered myself if they truly were unconnected.  This book explores how they might be.  Their injuries were definitely not the 'same' as later known victims, but they could be consistent with a killer starting out.  And then escalating.

Regardless, this book interested me most by its trying to get beyond the 'known' 'facts' (terms I use loosely) and trying to find historical documents to find what was happening in that tiny section of Whitechapel.  Reading it made me see how tiny it actually was, and how people had to know much more than they were telling the police.

It certainly is not a sensational read, it is an historic investigation that found some interesting links and players that pretty much have stayed under the radar.  The author is cautious in his conclusions and honest.  I was really impressed.

There is also additional material on other theories and curiosities that really are a nice extra.

One thing it reminds us is that a skeptical eye is needed by any serious Ripper enthusiast.

Terri