Feedback for Prisoner 4374

[Into The Abyss]

Not sure if I can do this through the Forum (please do let me know if it is not permitted), but I have just finished the book and would like to find a good 2nd home for it, as I am under strict instructions (!) to slim down my true crime library. Any reasonable offer for this good-as-new hardback would be welcome. If allowed, please PM me. Many thanks.

[Steadmund Brand]

I couldn't agree more....I actually have 3 copies....one on my Kindle...a cherished signed copy from Amanda and a 3RD I bought to loan people ( for fear I wouldn't get my signed one back!!!!) plus some friends have bought it on my recommendation.....of the approximately 12 people I know who bought it or borrowed it...10 loved it...1 still hasn't read I and 1 didn't like it at all....but they thought it was a total work of fiction...
When I explained that no...Cream was indeed a real person...they said ok...let me look into him a bit then re-read it....so jury still out on her....so pretty good percent of approval eh!!

one of my 2 favorite " ripper related" books in years.....and that's saying something as I TRY to read as many as I can....

I do know that Amanda has been hard at work on another book....and looking forward.....

Steadmund Brand

[GUT]

I eagerly await anything Amanda might bring out in the future.

Some authors I read and say that was good, some I read and say well that was a waste, some I read and say, wow have to look for my by them.

Amanda's writing style means she is firmly in that third group, I WANT more.

[GUT]

It is apparent that Amanda put a huge amount of research into the book.

Now I have never put a lot of time into Cream, previously but this has spiked my interest and when time permits I will be having a look at some other information on him.

The Photos were brilliant.

The one spot to me that it stumbles is the lack of referencing. To many that won't matter one iota, to others it will be fatal, to me it's a bit of a mid point thing.

I like to be able to double check asserted "facts" for myself. And I know that there was a great deal of criticism of Amanda and the book on this ground earlier. BUT if it was full of Endnotes/Footnotes it wouldn't have been as smooth of a read, for those who just wanted to read not study.

I appreciate that this is a balancing act that plagues many authors. Now it's no great secret that I detest Kindle but it is probably going to resolve this dilemma letting you turn references in and off.

I would advise anyone who wants a good read to grab this book because it is that. I loved the autobiographical style (again though not sure that it's a style that lends itself to referencing).

I'd advise anyone with an interest in Cream to grab this book, seems to thoroughly cover that span of his life, but would love to see Amanda release a referenced work more of a biography of the man.

Not sure that it's a book for those only interested in the Ripper, 'cause while it's a ripper of a book, not sure I'd say it's a book about the Ripper.

[GUT]

Firstly it is a great read, it was actually the only book I managed to get through in the month. (I was still struggling to concentrate but this was such a good read on a purely readable level it wasn't hard).

If it were a "Novel" it would be in the best seller list.

Even the lovely Mrs Gut read it and enjoyed it, though she thinks I'm crazy for having any interest in Jack, when she says there are so many other historical mysteries (what she calls real history King Tut, Richard III, that sort of thing).

A fellow we met on the ship borrowed it too, got through it in one day (he had torn the ligaments in his foot and was laid up for a few days and was begging for books to read). Thought it was the best "read" of a selection that included James Patterson, John Grisham and a few others.

On that category it excelled.

[GUT]

Firstly I feel dreadful that this slipped through.

I got the book lat year at a time when my health was absolutely Crap, in and out of hospital, in a great deal of pain and heavily medicated.

I knew I wasn't in a good place to read it, BUT had a month long cruise coming up, so put it aside to read it (along with a few other books), on the cruise.

Came home to a dead PC and wasn't going to pick out a review on my phone, posts maybe reviews never. Well to be frank with Christmas and all that it just got left on the to do list.

So I grovel at Amanda's feet for my tardiness.

[pinkmoon]

Books like this should be applauded genuine research and very well written unlike a lot of ripper books that I could mention.

[Amanda]

Done. Although I am drunk now and when I wrote it, and it doesn't approach the quality of Phil's. But nevertheless it is very positive!

Thanks Barnaby,

Excellent review, glad you enjoyed the book.
Amanda

[Barnaby]

Would you mind putting a review on Amazon please? Every little helps
Much appreciated,
Amanda

Done. Although I am drunk now and when I wrote it, and it doesn't approach the quality of Phil's. But nevertheless it is very positive!

[Amanda]

Thank you for your review Phil.
You make some very valid points & I'll take those on board when attempting my next book. So glad you enjoyed 'Prisoner 4374'.
Amanda

[Phil Carter]

A review

Prisoner 4374 - A.J. Griffiths-Jones. A review.


Having read many a "Ripper related book" that has been published over the years, it takes an awful lot for this writer to be able to say that a book is unique. This offering, the author's first literary offering by the way, is indeed unique. Let that be said right from the outset.

Firstly, this isn't a book about "Jack the Ripper". It has Ripper connections, through suspect history, and so-called suspectologists in the genre have generally been quite adamant for a while that Dr. Cream could not have been "Jack the Ripper". That, however, is not what this book is about.

Primarily a book about Dr. Cream himself, using unseen documentation from his prison records, the author decided to create a new slant in writing this book, by writing in an "autobiographical" style.. as if we are reading Cream's words himself as he writes. It took me a little while to get used to this idea; I admit. However, upon completion, and again upon re-reading the entire book, I found the style quite pleasantly different. The only problem I had,, and it is perhaps a case of personal taste, is that there are only a limited amount of ways "Cream" can address the reader.. and "Dear friend, Dear reader.." etc became a little repetitive to these eyes. However, this is a minor point.

The content of the book is cleverly thought out. It is clear that the papers from the prison that the author obtained, have been the basis of the "conversational thoughts" of "Cream", the "writer" throughout. Interpretation of these real documents must have been difficult, for there are numerous obstacles that stand in the way of the author attempting to "put themselves in Cream's place". Emphasis of sentence, spoken style v written style, language, spoken or written.
The author has managed to achieve an even gait throughout the book and the style has not wavered, which one feared may happen as one went along. A 2nd re-read confirmed to me that indeed, the level of interpretation stayed constant throughout,

The author is to be congratulated on this work. It is not easy to write a good book. And to write a convincing tale in the manner used is indeed an achievement.

My only query lies in the lack of footnotes, citations, or even some form of a bibliography. The book lacks this, and when one talks of writing of an historical happening, or happenings, references must be made, enabling the reader to retrace steps whilst reading and browsing for making notes.

Again, A J Griffiths-Jones is to be thoroughly congratulated on her first attempt at book writing. She can very proudly call herself an "author" now. And quite rightly so too.I look forward to an eventual follow-up (in the same genre) to this offering sometime in the future, I am sure that any eventual tweaks and lessons learnt along the way will be rectified in the future. However, that said, this is a very fine piece of work. Highly recommended.


Phil

[Amanda]

This book was off my radar I must admit but I'm intrigued by the positive reviews and enthusiasm so will give it a look. I have a huge problem with unsubstantiated claims and leaps of faith in non-fiction however it doesn't seem as though you're guilty of that - most refreshing!

Thank you Silverpaw,

Prisoner 4374 was the result of many years of research, I hope you'll give it a chance. Despite the unusual choice of writing it in an autobiographical style, the rest is fact. Even some of the words I used were taken from Cream's prison file. I look forward to your feedback.
Amanda

[Amanda]

I assumed it was a lead-in to a second book, of course. To me, it just detracted the attention from Cream. But I'm not in your mind and I haven't read the second book yet. And so I reserve the right to change my mind when I read it!

I also am nit-picking. I read it without putting my Kindle down but once (babies will force you to do these things!). I was definitely entertained, and educated about Cream.

Thanks Barnaby. Actually I only decided to write a second book after I'd found a few connections to Cream & people in London. It's still a work in progress as I'm a stickler for checking facts before I begin the writing process.

Would you mind putting a review on Amazon please? Every little helps
Much appreciated,
Amanda

[Silverpaw]

This book was off my radar I must admit but I'm intrigued by the positive reviews and enthusiasm so will give it a look. I have a huge problem with unsubstantiated claims and leaps of faith in non-fiction however it doesn't seem as though you're guilty of that - most refreshing!

[Barnaby]

Hi Barnaby,
Glad you enjoyed the book. However it isn't a 'forced connection' between Cream and the Ripper. 'R' is someone whom Cream met during his time at St.Thomas' Hospital. I believe that he may have a significant connection to the Ripper crimes. My second book will explain all.
Amanda

I assumed it was a lead-in to a second book, of course. To me, it just detracted the attention from Cream. But I'm not in your mind and I haven't read the second book yet. And so I reserve the right to change my mind when I read it!

I also am nit-picking. I read it without putting my Kindle down but once (babies will force you to do these things!). I was definitely entertained, and educated about Cream.