Investigating Charles Lechmere: Was He Jack the Ripper? (Hardback)

As heartwrenching as it was to read about the victims, the book sheds light on the dark side of Victorian London and is a good introduction for any budding Ripperologist.

NetGalley, Mona M

I really liked this book because it’s well done. It explains the case, the victims, the possible suspects and the reasoning of why they believe Lechmere is the Ripper. It all read very well and made sense. It was quite riveting in fact and I finished it in about a day, reading a lot of it on my lunch break. I think this author did well to explain his reasoning and the thought process. It did give me a lot to think about regarding the case.

NetGalley, Em Dobschuetz

The book is really well written and is informative without being overpowering with the information, It definitely gave me lots to think about while I was reading it and afterwards.

NetGalley, Kirsty Montgomery

Jack the Ripper revealed?
“Investigating Charles Lechmere” is comprehensive summary of the canonical Ripper cases, and similar crimes discounted as his work. This establishes the author’s credentials as someone who has undertaken an almost forensic study of the crimes; the victims, the nature of the injuries, a psychological profile of the killer, and an analysis of the suspects and their whereabouts when the crimes happened. The author draws up a full list of suspects and makes the arguments for and against their identity as the gruesome Jack. And finally, presenting the case for Charles Lechmere as the guilty man.
I am no Ripperologist – more someone with a general interest in the late 19th century – and so I was surprised how many of the suspects were identified in the later part of the twentieth century – hence – enter the subject of this book, Charles Lechmere.
It is no spoiler (given the title of the book) that the author believes Charles Lechmere was indeed the Ripper. So who was this man?
Lechmere was a cabman (the 19th century equivalent of a white van man) who knew the streets of London like his own hand. He lived in Whitechapel and familiar to many of the women on the streets. His job involved being abroad at night, allowing him to move around without suspicion. And the kicker is, he found one of the bodies. And that’s where it gets interesting, because piecing together and reviewing witnesses’ statements at the time, it seems likely the victim was still alive when Lechmere ‘discovered’ her. It’s entirely plausible that may have pretended to find her to cover his tracks. Added to that he gave a false name…and the circumstantial evidence starts to build a strong case.
An absorbing read that makes a strong case. See what you think!

NetGalley, Pippa Elliott

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There are numerous books about Jack the Ripper and his identity remains a mystery. Neil Norman presents a compelling case for Charles Lechmere as the perpetrator. As with most compelling cases, we’ll probably never know the truth, but if you enjoy true crime or Ripper books, this is a must. It’s well written in that the scene is set well with detail of the area, the times, the police and the social climate. There’s good context to the victims as well. So often secondary to Ripper stories, the reader can place the victims from the detail given. The author also explores other possible victims and the investigation. Looking back, the police action was woeful but the benefit of hindsight has done little to resolve the mystery. I like this book for the social context and the sympathetic treatment of the victims. There are insights into many aspects of the case and food for thought. A fascinating series of photos at the end, including one of Lechmere and some interesting pictures of the Whitechapel area. An extensive index, bibliography and other source material is food for further reading. Fascinating and well argued.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

A must read if you are a fan of true crime and especially a fan of all the mystery involving what has to be one of the biggest true crime stories in the world: Jack the Ripper.
A very interesting view on the victims, possible suspects and according to the author the true identity of the ripper.

NetGalley, Elisa Martins