Jack and the Thames Torso Murders: A New Ripper? by Drew Gray and Andrew Wise

[John G]

I could probably manage that much.

Sounds like a great idea Debra!

[John G]

Tbh, all I'm looking for is a dispassionate, fact-based report of the Torso murders. I've heard Trow's book has numerous errors.

I enjoyed Trow's book, and to be fair, it's mainly accurate, and unlike the book under discussion, it avoids being too speculative. However, this case is extremely complex and an absolute minefield for the unwary particularly, as Debra points out, as there are a number of errors in the press reports. In fact, I've even been known to make the odd mistake myself!

[Fisherman]

In fact, I've even been known to make the odd mistake myself!

Surely you´re mistaken there?

[John G]

Surely you´re mistaken there?

Yes, I've just realized that was a terrible error, Christer. Obvioulsy, I'm completely infallible. Well...sort of

[Harry D]

I enjoyed Trow's book, and to be fair, it's mainly accurate, and unlike the book under discussion, it avoids being too speculative. However, this case is extremely complex and an absolute minefield for the unwary particularly, as Debra points out, as there are a number of errors in the press reports. In fact, I've even been known to make the odd mistake myself!

That's why we need a factual book on the who, what, where and when from an authority on the subject *cough*Debs*cough*

[Abby Normal]

Ive got the title for it- "In the Shadow of Jack: The Thames Torso Killer"

[John G]

Ive got the title for it- "In the Shadow of Jack: The Thames Torso Killer"

"A Social Construct of Criminal Dismemberment in the Late Nineteenth Century: A Post-Modernity Viewpoint."

Or perhaps something slightly more technical!

[Sam Flynn]

Ive got the title for it- "In the Shadow of Jack: The Thames Torso Killer"

"Assault and Battersea"

[MrBarnett]

"Assault and Battersea"

Murderous urges - he couldn’t Rainham in.

[Abby Normal]

Murderous urges - he couldn’t Rainham in.

oh that was bad. yours too Sam. LOL

[Joshua Rogan]

Just been watching an episode of Michael Portillo's Hidden History of Britain concerning the now sadly abandoned London Hospital, which contained a section on Joseph Merrick, and also a bit on the Ripper, including an interview with Drew Gray.
He didn't mention anything about torsos.

[Abby Normal]

Just been watching an episode of Michael Portillo's Hidden History of Britain concerning the now sadly abandoned London Hospital, which contained a section on Joseph Merrick, and also a bit on the Ripper, including an interview with Drew Gray.
He didn't mention anything about torsos.

Abandoned London hospital? Sounds creepy and a cool place to sneak into. Bet there’s lots of ghosts.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Last night I finished reading Jack and the Thames Torso Murders (from my local library) Is Hardiman a realistic candidate? No. Not by any stretch of the imagination. There’s not a shred to connect him to the case. Gray has simply plucked out a person that was drawing breath at the time and then used more leaps the Jonathan Edwards to shoehorn him into place. You could get backache trying to follow his twisted logic. I’m sorry but this isn’t an honest book. I struggle to believe that the author actually believes any of it.

Hardiman sits very near to the bottom of the pile of ripper candidates.

The field is still open for a detailed, honest appraisal of the Torso Murders as Gray barely attempted to convince that Jack and the TK were one and the same.

Come on Fish and Debra.....a joint venture maybe?

[Scott Nelson]

Was there any acknowledgement of the pioneering work of Rob Hills re: Hardiman (see post #69)?

[Herlock Sholmes]

Was there any acknowledgement of the pioneering work of Rob Hills re: Hardiman (see post #69)?

Yes he gets 3 mentions along with Adrian Stockton.