Ripper Notes

Book excerpt: "Ripper Notes: The Legend Continues" looks at the enduring mystery of the Jack the Ripper murders with essays covering the myths from the past that still survive today as well as the way modern enthusiasts keep the case alive. Wolf Vanderlinden starts things off with an in-depth look at Carl Feigenbaum, a convicted murderer whose own lawyer thought he was Jack the Ripper. Dan Norder tackles the concept of copycat killings and uncovers evidence that the Whitechapel murderer changed his methods to live up to his own legend. John Bennett examines top hats, black bags and other icons of the Jack the Ripper myth. Craig Hansen criticizes unrealistic attempts to romanticize the life of Ripper victim Mary Jane Kelly. Andrew Spallek investigates rail service between Blackheath and London to see if suspect Montague J. Druitt can be placed in the East End around the times of the murders. Jonathan Menges dissects recent claims that DNA has proven Dr. Hawley Crippen innocent of the death of his wife. Bernard Brown examines the Thomas Street Murder of 1894. In addition to the regular news briefs and book reviews, there is also detailed coverage of the 2007 Ripper conference, the Trial of James Maybrick and Frogg Moody's Ripper-themed rock opera. Profusely illustrated with rarely-seen images, Ripper Notes is a nonfiction anthology series covering all aspects of the Jack the Ripper case and other murders of Victorian era.