Title: Ripper
Author: Angela Slatter
Genre: Historical/magical realism (fantasy)
Intended audience: Adult
Date Read: 04/11/2020– 05/11/2020
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Ooh, I really enjoyed this supernatural take on the Jack the Ripper murders.
Kit Caswell has disguised herself as a man and is beginning her new career as a police constable. It pays better than her previous job in a milliner’s and she has her mother and sick brother to support. But it becomes personal when prostitutes being to be horrifically murdered in Whitechapel.
Having just read another novel set around the time of the Ripper murders, I was familiar enough with the case to be rather concerned when Mary Jane Kelly became a friend of Kit’s. I knew things weren’t going to end well for her. This really increased the tension, especially as the characters laid their plans.
The mystery is well constructed and I was surprised when I reached the reveal of the Ripper’s identity; though the clues are all there, I don’t think it’s one you’ll necessarily see coming.
I really loved the idea of the witches, and that all women have a certain degree of power. This aspect really comes into play at the end and I loved the way it worked (I’m being vague; I don’t want to get spoilery).
This one is only short as it was originally featured in an anthology, and I recommend if you want some historical magical realism and grisly murders one evening.
This review is part of my 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge. Click here for more information.
A Keyboard and an Open Mind 
Ohhh this sounds like a very interesting take on the Jack The Ripper murders! Fab review. xx
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