I received the following books for Christmas:

The Victims of Jack the Ripper by Neal Stubbings Shelden


Public Reactions to Jack the Ripper, edited by Stephen Ryder


Crime Archive: Jack the Ripper by Val Horsler.




The latter one measures 6.1 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches, making it perfectly miniature!


The Shelden book contains some very concise information (the whole book is 105 pages long, with pictures) but is no worse for that. In fact, Shelden hands you facts (such as we can be sure of) and figures about each victim in a very readable, forthright style. Shelden's agenda is to put a more human face on the victims rather than their murderer, and mentions his wish for a memorial to the victims to be placed in Spitalfields. The bonus of this book is that the author was able to interview members of the families of Ripper victims. Through Shelden and writer/researchers as Chris Scott, we have more information on them than thought possible, and for that they are to be applauded.