To think I nearly gave up on this. It wasn't quite holding my fascination, but the premise promised so much that I continued on. And OMG! What a finish! About halfway through things start to move - think gothic fiction along the lines of "Gaslight" and "Rebecca" and you'll know what you are in for.

Just as Alice was led down the the rabbit hole by the White Rabbit, so Whitfield leads the reader through the crime-ridden sordid streets of Victorian Whitechapel, an area of overcrowding and abject poverty. It was a city of doss houses, sweatshops, abattoirs, overcrowded slums, pubs, a few shops and warehouses. It was a place were the wealthy gentlemen "slummed it" and the well-heeled ladies got their daily crime fix by visiting the scenes of the Ripper's horror.

When Nurse Susannah Chapman marries wealth doctor Thomas Lancaster, little did he know what she was getting in for - yes, marry in haste, repent in leisure is very apt. Thomas becomes a Jekyll and Hyde type character, and when the Ripper murders start, Susannah slowly connects the dots, coming to a horrifying conclusion that could end in her own death.

For a first novel, this is gripping stuff - as I said, I nearly gave up on it early on in the piece, but the scene was just being set with a bit of retrospective narrative - it will make sense as you near then end. And I especially loved the narrative ascribed to the Ripper's victims. The ending .... you know its building up to something, however, the something that we get is far for expected! It is almost noirish by definition.

This and Elizabeth Hill's "Killing The Girl" have to be two of my favourite crime reads for this year.

A fantastically atmospheric read, oozing with sumptuous historical detail and totally riveting from start to finish. Absolutely loved it.

This was go good read but ran out off puff towards the end. Jack the ripper meets Rebecca. some well drawn characters. The feel of Victorian London was well described and I was really enjoying it. However the later part of the book needs a rewrite. Maybe the author was. under pressure to meet a deadline? It kind of lost it’s way?

An interesting idea, sort of Rebecca meets Patricia Cornwell but overall it just din't gel with me. I admired Susannah's tenacity and determination but didn't find her a very likeable character. In fact I didn't really like any other characters. The story was believable to begin with but towards the end I did find my self questioning the voracity of the plot and whether it was really feasible.
Shame as I felt it had a lot of promise

I really wanted to love this book, it has all the right elements for me. A historical thriller with a female lead and lots of period detail. It just didn't work for me after the first half of the book. I was engrossed and taken in by Susannah for a long time but half way through I started to lose faith in her, find the characters almost caricatures of themselves, situations too unbelievable, nature v nurture a bit too much. I think the book is too long, good editing would have worked wonders but judging by other reviews, this is just me. There were some great scenes, it was an engrossing start but became a muddle.

My bookselling spidersense is telling me that People of Abandoned Character should be on every bookseller's lips. The narrative is told through Susannah, a nurse working at the London hospital, whilst there she finds herself being charmed by a wealthy surgeon. After a hasty marriage things begin to change, Thomas is no longer charming, he becomes secretive, the only person he seems to trust is their housekeeper Mrs Wiggs. Susannah finds herself alone and when a woman is murdered in Whitechapel, Susannah follows the news obsessively and begins to doubt her husband.

This is an absolute gem of a book. Clare Whitfield manages to create a novel which blends fact with fiction beautifully. With themes of poverty, science, the Ripper and feminism all worked into this highly readable novel.

An absolute ripper of a book. What would you do if you suspected the man you loved and married was a serial killer?

People of Abandoned Character is a grim and brutal atmospheric thriller convoluted with abrupt twists and dark turns. Some twists I anticipated whilst others were unexpected. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the tumultuous ride and devoured this book in one sitting.

Set in 1880’s Victorian England, this novel follows a young woman named Susannah, as she navigates her life from ward nurse to a newly wedded wife. Charmed by the enigmatic surgeon Thomas, Susannah is swept off her feet into a sudden advantageous marriage. The promise of a life of stability with a loving husband is new and exciting to Susannah. However, upon returning from their honeymoon their once sweet kisses turn sour as Thomas’ endearing demeanour changes. Thomas who was once attentive, devoted, and charming becomes cold, surly, and volatile. With the rising coincidental spikes in crime and her husband’s erratic behaviour, Susannah grows suspicious. What if Thomas is the fearsome murderer?

First, I must mention the two major factors that made me thoroughly enjoy this book: the narration and the protagonist. Upon reading the first few pages, I instantly fell in love with the narration. Written in first-person, the voice is distinct and gripping yet humorous at times. The story is well-paced with an engaging protagonist. Susannah is an intriguing character who is both determined yet naïve and unconventional and I enjoyed witnessing the story unfurl from her perspective.

Originally from a lower social class and having little to no prospects, Susannah is no stranger to the poor, unfortunate circumstances and sometimes violent ends women face in that era. Despite that, we witness Susannah grapple society’s expectation using her quick wit and determination. Throughout the novel, you can’t help but cheer for Susannah. Often berated by her grandmother of being a person of abandoned character, Susannah examines herself, questioning her morality and decisions. However, as the audience, we can’t help but empathise with Susannah and her actions despite her flaws.

Also, this book explores aspects such as class and gender, presenting fascinating insight whilst drawing attention to the disparity between the rich and poor and the inequality between men and women. A sad tune that still rings true till this day.

Overall, this was a compelling read with great pacing and intriguing twists. I enjoyed this thoroughly (and was satisfied with the ending!) and would recommend this book. Now I cannot wait for my Goldsboro copy to arrive.

Recommended for: fans of historical fiction centring on Jack the Ripper or set in the Victorian era, fans of mystery and thrillers

CW: domestic abuse, violence, death, anti-Semitism*

*I did feel uncomfortable with the casual anti-Semitism (Jewish characters facing prejudice from other characters). Whilst I can understand the sentiments do not necessarily reflect the author or the protagonist, rather the common prejudices held at that time, I’d like to inform readers it’s there. Also, this does not occur often and the protagonist questions the notions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher (Head of Zeus) for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This review will be posted on my blog closer to the publication date.

‘Thomas,’ I said, ‘how did you come by those scratches on your neck?’ He froze. It was as if every muscle in his body went rigid.

A dark and twisted fast-paced thriller that I found hard to put down.

A young woman named Susannah meets a surgeon named Thomas. He's sweet and kind at first, but soon he became abusive and distant, looking himself in their Attic and carrying the key on him all the time.
Making Susannah question who she married.

This is an interesting take on the story of Jack the Ripper.

I would give this 4/5 because the majority of this is very engrossing and exciting but it is let down by the last section which I felt went off piste and off point

Started off an engrossing vivid thriller and despite the gothic / macabre relish of investigating the underbelly on London life during the reign of Jack the Ripper it actually felt quite plausible. Then everything unravelled and the last fifth became rushed and ridiculous and made up for plot and character weakness with more gruesome detail than is really bearable. A shame as it held promise ad a crowd pleasing historical thriller in the early stages

I enjoyed this different take on the Ripper murders. It reminded me a lot of The Five, by Hallie Rubenhold, in that it concentrates more on the murderer’s victims than the man himself. It takes the historical non fiction research of that book and weaves it into a twisty and fast paced thriller.
Susannah Chapman has clawed her way up from poverty, via nursing then a seemingly advantageous marriage to the handsome and dashing Dr Lancaster. Her new life turns sour when she arrives at his London home and meets the taciturn, overbearing Housekeeper.
There’s a modern sass and edge to Susannah that keeps you interested in her as a character and it’s through her eyes that the murders are portrayed. She’s no stranger to the bleak and violent ends of poor women around London and she is always aware of how easily she could become one of them again if she doesn’t play the role of meek, dutiful wife. Her conscience and enquiring mind can’t quite let her do that, however, so she becomes embroiled in a dark world of intrigue.

I was a bit worried before reading this that it would focus too much on Jack the Ripper and diminish the victims role, as it is, it's a wonderfully evocative story that really places you in the heart of 19th century Whitechapel and - through the gory descriptions of their deaths, brings the victims to life through the eyes of the empathetic Susannah.

Susannah Chapman is training to be a nurse in 1880’s London, when she meets and marries a surgeon working in the same hospital. Things quickly fall apart for Susannah, when her husband changes almost over night from a loving husband to someone who terrifies her.

This is a new working on the Jack the Ripper saga, told from the point of view of a devastated wife, unable to reconcile the man she married to the man she is now living with. Having given up her own life for the security of a marriage, in the days when a wife was just her husbands property, she struggles to make sense of her place in this new world. Well written, giving an excellent insight into life at that time. For me it was a slow burner, and while I didn’t particularly enjoy it, it is an excellent first novel,

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Susannah Chapman, a heroine of sorts.

Susannah has no place in society, no future and little hope. She does have dreams and ideas; she could train and become a nurse – a somebody.

This is not a Jack the Ripper book! This is a page turning, can’t stop reading thriller. While reading the book, I could relate to Susannah – you want her to succeed and overcome. I loved the positive direction no matter how many trials Susannah has to face.

Hard to believe this is a first book – don’t miss reading this book that leaves you with a powerful and exciting impact.

It was a brilliant novel. Unusual and quite a different prospective from the usual man-driven narratives I read before. Really clever resolution of the most intriguing crime story in history. Astonishing that this a first novel as it feel much more developed and from a consumed writer. Brilliant.

People of Abandoned Character, Clare Whitfield

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (adult), Mystery & Thrillers.

Well, my reading recently, in the midst of Covid19, has been patchy, with usual favourites genres unable to hold my attention. Talking to friends I'm not alone. This one though, this story had me gripped, took me away from 2020 and back into the late 1800s. I know little of the history of the murders, only what I've read in fiction, and what we all pick up from the news when something harks back to those times and events, so I can't comment on how accurate the story is, but its feels very genuine.

At first it seems Susannah has fallen on her feet, a nurse in training, now married to a young and wealthy surgeon. As was the edict of the time she had to leave her employment, but marriage turns out to be anything but the wonderful paradise her adoring husband promised. Once back from honeymoon a very different man emerges, cold, cruel, mocking.
Bored, Susannah takes up following the recent murders, keeping clippings, puzzled at who it could be. Then her research has her worried that she might actually be married to the murderer. There are strange things afoot, he comes home scratched and bloodied, other times she doesn't see him for days, and together with his housekeeper Mrs Wiggs they form a tight unit that has no space for Susannah.

There are fascinating side tales, little plots that seem unrelated but which all tie in to the ending. The time period, the description of life for those unfortunate enough to have been born in the lower classes of the time, was very well depicted. From birth, when many died anyway, most of these poor folk faced an uncertain future, risking lives every day in the struggle to survive, while those of the upper classes looked down on them, regarding them as barely human.

Its a story full of secrets, ones that pose unlimited questions. Would things have been different if? And as the title suggests, were these folk of that character because of being abandoned in life, is life really nature v nurture, or would they be that way anyway? What turns people to killers, what makes us do things that others find immoral, unbelievable? Would we make the same decisions faced with the same circumstances? Its easy to be moral when we have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and safety for our families. If things were different though, if we faced those hard choices what would we do?

I really enjoyed this, didn't see those extra twists coming at the end. Its a book I doubt I'll reread, but which held my attention in this time when little else does. I'd certainly love to read more from this author.

Stars: Five, a really engaging story that was full of un-predicable surprises

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher

The title of this book is a euphemism splendidly chosen to describe the neglected, despised bottom end of London society at the time of Jack the Ripper. The social context is exceedingly well written as is the depiction of London at that time. Susannah doesn’t understand what has happened to her new husband given that when they married he seemed besotted with her although she was older, a nurse to his job as a surgeon and several social classes beneath him. Then it all goes wrong. The reader is conned into an obvious explanation for Thomas’s absences and weird behaviour but the story is much more subtle than that. There are several twists until all is revealed in a gory, lawless fashion typical of the period. This is a read to keep you going. I recommend it.

Wow this book was really good, I have always loved Jack the Ripper and loved this take on the story by the author

it is really good, I don't often read these types of books but this one had me gripped.

With thanks to Netgalley & Head of Zeus for the ARC of this in exchange for this review.

Loved this - perfect accompaniment to The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper from last year.

Brutal, grim and gripping. Perfect for anyone who is interested in Jack the Ripper, Victorian England, books with an alternative historical viewpoint.

I am obsessed with anything set in the Victorian era and have read a lot about the Jack the Ripper murders. With that in mind, I came to this book with lots of enthusiasm and a little bit of trepidation - I am a bit of a stickler for historical accuracy when a writer is using events that are so well documented as the basis for their story.

I needn't have worried at all - I was in safe hands with Clare Whitfield who has produced a well-researched and absolutely compelling book.

The story follows a young woman, Susannah, without family of her own who comes to work at the London hospital as a nurse. She catches the eye of a young doctor, Thomas Lancaster, who marries her and installs her in his home in Chelsea. The marriage isn't a happy one and, as the Ripper murders begin to terrorise the streets of Whitechapel, Susannah is led to consider the possibility that her husband is responsible for the killings.

What I loved about this book was the way that Susannah herself is presented. The story is told primarily in the first person, so we are given access to Susannah's thoughts and perspective. This is really effective as our doubts about Thomas grow as Susannah's do, although we also recognise her unreliability as our guide through this period of Victorian history as she has a laudanum dependency.

Another strength is the way that the Ripper murders are integrated into the story; initially, they are merely backdrop but, as Susannah's focus shifts to them, we get more involvement and detail. True Ripperologists will note the inclusion of the death of Elizabeth Smith, not one of the canonical five and often disputed as being one of Jack's victims, but this absolutely works in relation to the story and gives Susannah personal investment in the crimes. Indeed, the treatment of the victims by the writer is another commendable aspect of the novel; the women are given personalities, back-story and even a voice though Susannah's own imaginings of them.

Without giving too much away, the plot is extremely clever and the way that twists in the story are gradually revealed is absolutely engrossing - as the novel gathers pace in the second half, the reader is on constantly shifting sands which definitely left me racing for the denouement,

Overall, this is a well-constructed and well-paced novel with convincing historical detail and a heroine who - far from being perfect - is unreliable but extremely resourceful. I would recommend this to any lovers of historical fiction, but also those who enjoy psychological thrillers as there is something extremely tense (but enjoyable) in watching Susannah weigh up how dangerous her husband may prove to be.

I received a free copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, I'd recommend that readers try to get a physical copy of the book as there are some little illustrations separating chapters that I bet look fabulous in print.