Zen Garden > Book Review - Portrait of a Killer - Jack the Ripper - Case Closed by Patricia Cornwall

I won't be giving anything away by telling you that Cornwall names world famous ****** of the time (the late 1800's) W***** S****** as Jack the Ripper. She tells you herself on the inside dust jacket of the book. What is intriguing is the way that Cornwall arrives at this conclusion. This book is a wonderful flashback to a time when London was terrorised by its most famous ever serial killer. Read on to learn more about this excellent book and who really WAS Jack the Ripper...

Portrait of a Killer is an intense read. At times it became a little tedious as Cornwall delves into all the nuances of forensic techniques like mitochondrial DNA. I must admit, I don't fully understand all this but Cornwall explains that this form of DNA is found outside the nucleus of the DNA cell. She explains that it is like an egg where nuclear DNA would be found in the yolk, whereas mitochondrial DNA would be found in the egg white. Apparently, mitochondrial DNA is passed down only from the mother.

This is the sort of analysis that Cornwall delves into.

I won't be giving anything away by telling you that Cornwall names world famous artist of the time (the late 1800's) Walter Sickert as Jack the Ripper. She tells you herself on the inside dust jacket of the book. What is intriguing is the way that Cornwall arrives at this conclusion.

She compares handwriting, tests DNA on envelopes and stamps from suspects, including Sickert, and even examines his "dark" paintings and drawings for clues as to the deadly secrets of his mind. There are many examples of handwriting, photographs and drawings in the book. It really is quite fascinating. Well, I found it so anyway.

An interesting inscription at the front of the book reads: "To Scotland Yard's John Grieve. You would have caught him."

At the back of the book Cornwall lists all her primary and secondary sources in a bibliography that is thirteen pages long. It even lists a letter to Bram Stoker dated February 1, 1887. Stoker, of course, was the author of "Dracula."

If all these documents were examined then that represents a massive investigation. It is very impressive proof of just how much effort went into this book and its conclusion.

In my mind, I'm more inclined to believe Cornwall's conclusion that artist, Walter Sickert, was indeed Jack the Ripper. No other body of work is anywhere near as exhaustive or compelling.

In summary, "Portrait of a Killer" is an excellent investigation. I rate it as worthy of a 7.5 out of 10. It is hard reading but once you start you can hardly put it down.

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Gary Simpson is the author of nine books covering a diverse range of subjects such as motivation, self esteem, affirmations, self defense, wealth creation and much more. His many motivation and success articles appear all over the web.

Gary Simpson is a 7th Dan karate master who teaches self defense, motivation, self help and wealth building to students around the world through home study courses. You may reprint this article as you include this author credit and an active link to his web site. Finance - Self Help - Motivation - Self Defense - Personal Growth MotivationSelfEsteem.com