Callie Hutton | Who Was Jack the Ripper?

My new book, THE PURSUIT OF MRS. PENNYWORTH takes place in the fall of 1888 in London, England. If that date seems notable, it is because that was when Jack the Ripper was wreaking havoc in White Chapel, one of the worst sections of London at the time.

With a degree in Education and History, doing research, while absolutely
necessary, can be a time suck for me. Once I find a subject I need to learn a
few facts about, hours later I am oftentimes still reading and googling for more
information. (The research black hole)

Thus became the overload of data I uncovered about Jack the Ripper.

While the actions of Jack the Ripper don't have a direct effect in my story
about a widow who is being stalked, it does impact the plot. Mrs. Charlotte
Pennyworth is receiving disturbing packages on her front steps. When she goes to
the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) they deny her help because Jack the
Ripper is keeping them busy. The police officer she speaks with indicates she
probably has an admirer, she is in no danger, and should enjoy the attention.

Charlotte then turns to Mr. Elliot Baker, a private investigator to assist her.

While doing research for my book, I read quite a bit about Jack the Ripper, and,
as many had over time, I became fascinated. The man killed five women. Certainly
horrible, yet when compared to other crimes and serial killers throughout
history, not extraordinary. Yet his case has confounded and fascinated crime
aficionados for over a century.

Is it due to the killer never being found? Or because the suspect was believed
to be a man of the upper echelon of society? A surgeon? The killings all took
place in a matter of two months. Does that mean the perpetrator died? Left London?

An interesting theory about Jack the Ripper's disappearance was addressed in the 1979 movie, Time After Time—a time travel film. The theory put forth in that story was Jack the Ripper escaped to the future in a time machine made by H. G. Wells. A cute story, and probably no more outrageous than other speculations.

Most likely the case has intrigued enthusiasts because the women who were
murdered were also mutilated, which showed a total contempt for women by a man
who committed sadistic butchery on the most unfortunate and lowest members of
London society.

No reason for the gruesome killings was ever discovered, although over the years
there were many, many theories on who the killer was, and what his motives were.

It is truly a fascinating case, and to this day there are still a number of
amateur crime solvers working in the research black hole every day.