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wslockard's review against another edition
2.0
Rather pulpy and sensational, but since it was written in 1913, we do not see any gory details here. AND this book bases the plot upon "Jack the Ripper"'s rampage through London's slums in the late 1800s.
Our protagonists are Mr. & Mrs. Bunting, semi-retired from service--I mean to say they used to be servants. They are very poor and have set up a lodging house on the absolute edge of a respectable neighborhood. So they are literally within screaming distance when the murders begin.
(Not?) coincidentally, a lodger knocks upon their door, and he is a very strange gentleman.
Mr. & Mrs. Bunting spend the rest of the novel trying to pretend that their lodger does not creep the hell out of them. And since they are dull and unpleasant characters, this heightens the strangeness of the situation. If a potential villain can arouse fear and suspicion from the bland, dense, incurious minds of the folks who'd rather just go about their own business, then here's the glimmer in this story. Not much glimmer, but a bit.
Our protagonists are Mr. & Mrs. Bunting, semi-retired from service--I mean to say they used to be servants. They are very poor and have set up a lodging house on the absolute edge of a respectable neighborhood. So they are literally within screaming distance when the murders begin.
(Not?) coincidentally, a lodger knocks upon their door, and he is a very strange gentleman.
Mr. & Mrs. Bunting spend the rest of the novel trying to pretend that their lodger does not creep the hell out of them. And since they are dull and unpleasant characters, this heightens the strangeness of the situation. If a potential villain can arouse fear and suspicion from the bland, dense, incurious minds of the folks who'd rather just go about their own business, then here's the glimmer in this story. Not much glimmer, but a bit.
ashiferraro's review against another edition
3.0
Classics are always so lengthy without reason but good story
kath27's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
zeddredd99's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
persypie's review against another edition
3.0
“Your end will be bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword; your feet shall go down to death and your steps take hold in hell.”
An intriguing tale of murder, butchery, and good housekeeping. When a strange man comes to stay at the same time a rash of murders take hold of the city, one wonders how much his money is truly worth.
An intriguing tale of murder, butchery, and good housekeeping. When a strange man comes to stay at the same time a rash of murders take hold of the city, one wonders how much his money is truly worth.
alexryan3's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Excellent mystery/suspense novel. Basically just a fictional Jack The Ripper retelling. The writing is simple but also very deliberate in word choice and is worth analyzing. Enjoyable read for the late fall/early winter
sydneyheights's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
verydazedragon's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The thing that makes this book a classic, albeit a little known classic, is that it could’ve been written yesterday. The writing felt very modern. It was very creepy, very spine tingling in some places. I liked the premise: how does one react when one comes to realize they are housing a serial killer? And how does one behave when they realize that the killer is practically helpless, in his own way? I thought that it was an artistic choice, to leave the ending unresolved, just as the murders of Jack the Ripper were unsolved. It leaves one unsettled, as if perhaps he could show up at any time to exact the revenge he swore he would deliver.
rose9522's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
cbt00004's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A thoroughly enjoyable listen, well written and gripping.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs