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John Malcolm
Self published. Hardcover, illus. 105pp.
Casebook Review:
The first, hardcover edition of this book may very well rank as one of the rarest Ripper books ever published. Only 26 copies were printed, and these were distributed personally by the author to friends and colleagues - they were never officially available for purchase. Fortunately, Malcolm decided to release a second, softcover, edition in late 2005, making it available for public purchase for the first time.
The book is written in a conversational tone, and presents some of Malcolm's ideas and analyses concerning various aspects of the Ripper murders. Malcolm supports Sir Robert Anderson's conclusion that the identity of the Ripper was a "definitely ascertained fact." He also includes a lengthy list of books from his own Ripper collection, categorizing them into three sections - must reads, should reads, and best to avoid.
A fun, intimate little book, liberally illustrated with color photographs of Whitechapel and environs taken by Malcolm himself. Recommended for enthusiasts.