LitPick Review
A Victorian-age murder case still has unanswered questions and has fascinated horrified recipients of the details for several hundred years. The Maybrick Murder began shocking many in 1889 and seemed closed after the decision to send Florence Maybrick to prison for the murder of her husband. But in modern times since, the connection between Jack the Ripper and Florence's husband, James, has come to light with significant new artifacts from the time. The Ripper Diary and the Maybrick Watch, two items that seem to have potential to make or break the case, are thoroughly dissected for authenticity and evidence in this new edition of the murder research titled The End Game. Though it is still up to the reader after all the evidence is outlined to decide if James Maybrick could have been the serial murderer Jack the Ripper, it is a thoroughly fascinating book filled with citations, pictures, and information meticulously collected from the annals of the crime case that seem to point to a truth that could have been muddled up by the societal biases of those first to look at the case. Perhaps the watch's etched inscription,"I am Jack," is the true "end game."
Opinion:
This book will intrigue amateur historians or avid murder mystery book readers. At times you will find yourself convinced that you know who the true murderer is based on all of the detailed accounts and artifacts only to read further into the historical research and realize that you may not be so sure. We may have to agree the "end game" the authors were eluding to is that we may never quite know the truth. Still, this book is also for any lover of old Victorian history as it was easy-to-appreciate the plerthera of amazing historical documents that are in this book. Some content about the case could seem graphic due to the nature of the serial murders, but overall this book would be suitable for mature young adult to adult readers.
