Son of the Ripper! (Paperback)

by Patrick Glendon McCullough (Author)
Key Phrases: acting sheriff, Miss Praft, Jack the Ripper, Miss Winton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A brutal murder has occurred in the hopelessly aristocratic town of Fenton, Massachusetts. Making matters worse, it falls on the twenty-first anniversary of another murder; one that was never solved, and which bred a shameful, unspoken legend - that it was committed by none other than Jack the Ripper, having moved to Fenton following his infamous London Spree. More afraid of the legend becoming public and hurting property values than of the killer living among them, the citizens endeavor to ignore the whole mess. Their sheriff, however, has grown disgusted by the town's absurd sense of decorum since returning from the grim realities of the First World War, and begins a very public investigation. But when the evidence suggests that the legend is less absurd than he thought, and as the killings continue, the Sheriff finds himself fighting to save the same town he set out to humiliate. www.SonoftheRipper.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Lethe Bank Press (June 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615216854
• ISBN-13: 978-0615216850
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,399,631 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth Reading, April 1, 2008

By	Michael Coughlin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Son of the Ripper! (Hardcover)

The novel was great, I actually found myself laughing out loud. Alistair, the main character, is quirky to the point that he's likeable and amusing and I couldn't help but continue reading to follow his thought process as the story unfolds.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good show, good show, October 2, 2007

By	UltraJoeBot (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son of the Ripper! (Hardcover)

The residents of Fenton, Massachusetts in 1927 are the sort that enjoy tea with their conversation and champagne with their croquet. A proud history devoid of any crime or scandal has provided the town's high society citizens with the luxury of fixating on such concerns as wine pairings and the proper knot for a necktie. But when the terrible inconvenience of a nearly double murder shakes the town to its foundation, its inhabitants are forced to reexamine their values and confront their fears. It is with such a set up that Patrick Glendon McCullough begins his debut novel, Son of the Ripper!

The story develops quickly, and as assorted aristocratic gentlemen cast suspicion on each other, a ghastly rumor arises that the murderer could be none other than the son of the infamous Jack the Ripper. The cast of characters falls into place nicely, each citizen dealing with the nuisance of having their life interrupted by a serial killer in their own way. The oft-inebriated sheriff Stewart Trundle and the snotty town genealogist Alistair Praft eventually team up to uncover the mystery, struggling to endure each other's personalities along the way.

McCullough has a flair for playing up the humor throughout the plot-driven narrative. Alistair's resistance to the romantic advances of Martha Radcliffe is featured in a few memorable scenes, the awkwardness of their interactions providing the substance of a seemingly accidental and understated comedy. The lighter moments are skillfully balanced with thrilling suspense, as the murders continue and the mounting clues seem to implicate any one of the townspeople. Sudden revelations and requisite plot twists propel the novel to its dramatic conclusion.

The culminating scene is one in which the drama and humor, which had been building separately throughout, ultimately combine as fingers point and accusations fly. Son of the Ripper! resists being overly formulaic, but maintains an easy accessibility in its 300-or-so pages. Its wit is dry but not smug; its action entertaining and light but not predictable or devoid of substance. Indeed one would be hard-pressed to find anything alienating in the entire book, the debut work from a promising young author who we will hopefully be hearing more from in the near future.

5.0 out of 5 stars Son of The Ripper! Offers Vivid Plot and Fast Paced Action , June 4, 2008

By	Clark Covington "Clark Covington" (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Son of the Ripper! (Hardcover)

Reading this book was a pleasure in two separate by equally delightful ways. The first noteworthy thing about this book is the time period in which it takes place, 1927. This period allows the author to delve deep into the art of character relationships at a time when people spent more time with one and other. This fact alone helped me instantly become interested in the plot and the way the characters relate to one and other. Will, the main character is sharp and quick witted, and his relationships with the other characters is a throwback to an age when people actually took time engage with one and other. No computers, cell phones, or ipods make the story an invigorating mystery in the purist sense.

The second reason this book is a must buy is the fast moving nature of the plot. With detailed descriptions of each setting in the book, and whimsical old world style conversations between characters the book instantly draws you into the plot. The language used in the book is apt for the period adding to the authenticity of this story. There are plenty of twists and turns in the book that helps the plot move very smoothly.

With an ironic backdrop of a slow moving society where crime is virtually nonexistent this double murder mystery is an absolute must read for anyone that loves a sure to be classic whodunit.