Book Review: Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper -- Case Closed

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper -- Case Closed     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Patricia Cornwell
Class/Genre:   Non-Fiction   True Crime
Putnam, Nov 2002, $27.95, 387 pp.

When this reviewer realized that Patricia Cornwell had written a nonfiction work focused on solving the cold case of the Ripper, the initial thought was "just what the world needs, another solve the Ripper Case’. Immediately after that idea came the thought that if anyone could do it Patricia Cornwell can and started reading the book only to find out it is impossible to put down.

She and her team applied modern day forensic techniques and crime scene methodology, and historical sleuthing to determine whom Jack the Ripper was. Several tons of documents and other physical evidence such as fingerprints, photographs, museum paintings, fine arts accouterments, and even DNA, etc. were evaluated. Using the assumption that Jack remained free and still operated after his several month killing spree in 1888, Ms. Cornwell follows the paths of the prime suspects and looks at police blotters near where they lived. This concerted effort led to Ms. Cornwell to declare unequivocally that Jack the Ripper is none other than read the book.

PORTRAIT OF A KILLER JACK THE RIPPER CASE CLOSED is a fascinating version of the Ripper case and the chronicle of how Ms. Cornwell and her team step by step drew their conclusion. The key to this true crime account is not the final claim though that is appealing, but the powerfully interesting nonfiction elucidation that hooks the reader to follow along as if Dr. Scarpetta was working the crime scene. Ms. Cornwell shows she could rule the true crime genre if she permanently switched fields perhaps to try to uncover the identity of Deep Throat next.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner