"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.

本書は単なる事件記録ではなく、切り裂きジャックという神話が如何に生成・変容したかを解剖する、知的興奮に満ちたアンソロジーです。多角的な論考でヴィクトリア朝の闇に鋭くメスを入れ、伝説の裏側に潜む冷徹な真実と、現代まで衰えぬ人々の執着を浮き彫りにしています。 特筆すべきは、犯人捜しを超え、アイコン化された恐怖の正体を冷静に分析する視座の深さです。犠牲者の安易なロマン化への批判や証拠の再検証は、歴史を読み解く真の醍醐味を読者に突きつけます。事実に肉薄する情熱が、迷宮入りの事件に新たな息吹を与える一冊と言えるでしょう。