case closed by Patricia Cornwell

[Fictionnaire]

I just got this book out from the library. Also noticed that she had another book in the library (couldn't find it) called "The student, the tutor, the ripper" or something like that. James Kelly I think it was about.

I already find that Patricia is working under the assumption that the letters were written by Jack The Ripper. If they weren't the whole theory's basically out the window. And it's already stated that she was 'advised' to check out Sickert. Will post more once I read further into it.

[Fisherman]

Sorry, Kensei - the address should be a tad shorter: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/n...gerich/12.html

The best,
Fisherman

[Fisherman]

Kensei writes:

"I don't consider the feelings between Mary and Barnett to have been "earthshattering."

My main concern was to point out that these types of crimes are often perpetrated by people who are or have been emotionally involved with the victim. That would apply for Barnett too, methinks. A very interesting parallel case is that of Edward Gingerich, who actually committed a crime that has very many parallels to what Mary Kelly suffered as he destroyed his wife. The adress http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/gingerich/12.html[/url] will lead you to a closer look into that particular case.

And yes, it IS a Cornwell/Sickert thread, but since you brought the topic up on this very thread, I thought it a long way to wander to give the short and simple answer on another thread. Any furtther discussion should of course be moved!

The very best, Kensei!
Fisherman

[kensei]

Perhaps so Fisherman, but I don't consider the feelings between Mary and Barnett to have been "earthshattering." My impression is that they were not permanently broken up- he moved out after an argument but was continuing to visit her regularly and to give her money when he could. Basically, they were just "on a break."

But sorry- this is a Cornwell/Sickert thread.

[Fisherman]

Kensei writes:

"I will never accept Barnett- one simply does not do THAT to someone one has once loved."

On the contrary, Kensei - the ones who are subjected to things like these, are often victims of spouses and/or lovers! Cases involving earthshattering feelings often result in earthshattering deeds; just like what happened to Mary Kelly.

The best,
Fisherman

[Suzi]

Hi Gary and 'skypilot'

OK if you want a seriously good 'Royal Conspiracy' you must have a go at Stephen Knight's 'The Final Solution' 1976-ISBN 0-586-04652-6
It got a lot of us going in the first place I'm sure before we actually started to read about facts!- it still remains a tantalising read - in all of it's madness!

Suz x

(Forget Cornwell- Sickert is an interesting man in his own right- but 99.995% sure he ain't our man! she should stick to her 2nd rate crime fiction- IMHO!)

[babybird67]

hi skypilot

welcome to the forums. I'm new to this, too, and have never received a reply from anyone, so you're having more luck than I.

Just wanted to say hi, and welcome, as you are new, and haven't been replied to yet. Hope you have fun posting here.

[garydobbs]

Yeah you are quite correct - portrait of a killer it is. It certainly seemed more plausible to me than the Royal Conspiracy theory but I am reading much about the Ripper at the moment. I believe Sickert thought he had rented a room that the Ripper had stayed in and the painting, The Ripper's bedroom, was that room.

[Victor]

Just a rumour, but I hear she spells Martha Tabram's name correct!

What about Eddowes?

[Mike Covell]

Just a rumour, but I hear she spells Martha Tabram's name correct!

[Celesta]

Welcome, Skypilot. This is the first time I've bumped into you. I hope you enjoy the site.

Yes, there's evidence that Sickert was in France at the time of the murders. Spry's dissertation, posted in Mike Covell's link, is a good one to read on Sickert. However, I'm interested to see what Ms. Cornwell does in the new edition of her book, so I'll be looking for a marked down copy of it.

Once that new edition is out, you can bet that there will be discussions!

Hang in there.

[Mike Covell]

Hi Skypilot and Garydobbs, perhaps this will help seperate the wheat from the chaff. It's a dissertation written by Stephen P Ryder, who is also the man behind this website. Read it here, http://www.casebook.org/dissertation...ndsickert.html

I have spent a few months going through the hardback first edition and paperback second edition with a pencil highlighting all the errors, and passages based on conjecture, and now need a new pencil!! If you want to know more about Walter Sickert, I suggest you read Walter Sickert: A Life by Matthew Sturgis. It is a really good read, well researched, and shock horror, he shows his sources!!

[skypilot]

hello

HI all,

I am new here and hope this is the correct way to start a thread. I am currently reading Patricia Cornwell's Portrait of a serial killer: Case Closed. And I was wondering what is the general opinion on this book?

welcome to the forums. I'm new to this, too, and have never received a reply from anyone, so you're having more luck than I. Cornwell is supposedly coming out with an updated and revised book about Strickert, with further evidence (she claims). I've heard most folks discount him as a suspect because he was in Paris during two of the murders. Anyone know about this?

[Archaic]

Hi, Celesta & Jen and everyone- and a warm welcome to new members Gary & Lynn as well. This is an interesting thread.

I've always been fascinated by History and in particular by "Historical Mysteries", including Jack the Ripper. About 2-3/4 yrs ago I read Patricia Cornwell's book and I have to give her credit for sparking in me a renewed and much deeper interest in the case- which in turn led me to find Casebook & JtR Forums, where I've met so many great people from all over the world and learned so much.

I have always been interested in the Psychology and what I'll call the "internal dynamics" of serial killers. I'm sure this is because grew up in the exact area where Ted Bundy killed so many young women; as a kid I spent nearly every sunny day at Lake Sammamish State Park, where he found several victims, and I also attended the University of Washington, where he killed some more... later I lived in the densely-forested mountains of Issaquah, the area where he dumped their bodies.
I've always wondered how it was possible for any human being to want to do such horrific things to others, and how such a sick individual could successfully pass himself off as a nice, normal, charming man.

After reading Cornwell's book I began to think about the possibility that the Ripper wasn't some "insane Polish Jew", but might instead be more of a Bundy/BTK type: an outwardly 'normal', intelligent, yet utterly depraved individual addicted to extreme sexual violence. Bundy & BTK got away with their crimes for a long time & probably could have gotten away with them permanently if they'd been a little more careful... just think what an easy game serial murder would have been for a man like that living in the world of 1888.

Best regards, Archaic

[Celesta]

I shouldn't have said she made the wrong assumption about the letters but that with nothing to definitively tie the letters to the Ripper, all she might be able to do would be to tie them to Sickert.

Welcome, Lynnovosel.