Not my cuppa tea.

I didn't think that the setting of Victorian England was well established, and had to suspend disbelief about quite a lot of the plot points to get through the novel. I think what bothers me most is Sarah's lack of concern for her livelihood, she's a Victorian woman with no relatives to fall back on and yet...

I read a review that characterized this as a cozy thriller, and maybe that's what bothers me most about the novel. I don't like cozies, and so this wasn't ever going to be for me. For me, I think with the plot being "centered" on Jack the Ripper, I was expecting gritty and dark, but that isn't what this was.

RATING: 4 STARS
2017; Crooked Lane Books

The title of The Ripper's Shadow both intrigued me and turned me off. There are so many things out there with the Ripper's myth I wasn't sure if I wanted to take on another. I am so glad I decided to go for it as I loved this book. Sarah Bain, the protagonist, is a savvy fierce lead. She is a photographer, that runs her own studio, but to make actual money she photographs local women "of the night". When two of the women she photographed turn up brutally murdered, Sarah suspects there is more to the story. Along the way, the private quiet Sarah joins up with a "street urchin", wealthy titled outsider due to his sexual preferences, a beautiful actress and a Jewish Butcher to look into the killings in White Chapel. The police catch on to Sarah and her crew looking into the crimes and wonder what her involvement in the crime is. Soon Sarah is not sure if the police are looking into the crimes or covering them up.

I liked Rowland's take on the Ripper case (and the conclusion) but it was the characters that I fell in love with. I not only enjoyed the characters but really liked the chemistry between them. What really draws me into a series, especially mysteries, is the chemistry of the characters in the group. I don't like when they are forced together or use bickering instead of bantering. Book one set up the series well, and left it open for book two. I am looking forward to the next book.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I've been fascinated by Jack the Ripper history, stories, and fiction since I first watched a particular <em>Star Trek</em> episode forty or so years ago (true geeks will know which episode I'm referring to). Since then I've been pretty much a sucker for anything Ripper-related, hence my selecting an ARC of this book.

Sarah Bain is a photographer in 1888 London's Whitechapel district ... yes, the same district that the infamous Jack the Ripper preyed upon. Yes, Sarah is nervous because, as a woman, she could easily become the Ripper's next target (though she's certainly not a prostitute as his victim's seem to be). But she's also nervous because she has an inside scoop on the Ripper's victims. She's photographed them all in some steamy Victorian boudoir photos.

Because she has a connection to the victims, she (and a strange collection of friends) decides to investigate the Ripper murders on their own. They make a terrifying discovery as to the Ripper's real identity, but revealing it won't be easy and will make surviving to see another dawn even more difficult.

I really, really liked the premise here. To see this most infamous of murders from the 'average' person's point of view, and someone with a connection to the victims is really wonderful. But a premise is not a book.

For every moment in which I appreciated the approach to the story, there were two or three moments when I slapped my forehead and wondered what the heck the author was doing. Where to start...

First, and most obvious, I think, is the fact that the language is so incredibly modern and very, very American. At one point a woman tells Sarah, in regards to her promiscuity and the likelihood of getting pregnant: "No, I won't. He uses a rubber." The term 'rubber' really struck me and I made a note in my Kindle to look it up later, which I did. 'Rubber' is almost solely an American term for a condom, though it has become known enough for people elsewhere to at least recognize the meaning. In England, today, the term 'rubber' usually means an eraser. So...1888 England? Rubber = condom? I don't think so.

We also have a very strange sexual encounter described in the book. Sarah is a quiet, shy woman but her inner desires shine through in one moment. This is supposed to be a budding romance, but it breaks off quite drastically and then has the potential to start again (though fortunately the book finishes before that can happen). There was nothing really remotely sexual happening in the book and all of sudden this sex scene appears. And because the story is told in first person, present tense, we get the details of what she's feeling.

I have nothing against a good sex scene in a book, but can it have some meaning please?

The book also commits one of the worst sins (for me) for a mystery: the action or plot revolves around a supposition that is deemed strong enough to move on. Here it is: "He must have seen Hugh guarding Kate and followed him." 'He must have'.... I tend to see this as the author not knowing any other way to have the story move from point 'A' to point 'B' ... instead we'll just make a character decide that it 'must' be the way and then go with it.

Author Laura Rowland had a pretty great idea for a story, but rather than research it or try to really set it in the time, simply wrote it as through it happened today, in America, but without some of the technology we have today. That's not historical fiction, that's poor research and writing.

Looking for a good book? <em>The Ripper's Shadow</em> by Laura Joh Rowland is a historical mystery set in Jack the Ripper's London, but without any of the feel for the time and place. It is a good idea, poorly executed.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Bain has kept the photography studio her father left her in business by taking “boudoir” photographs of women, mainly prostitutes. She knows that if she’s caught she faces prosecution for taking such photographs but she is a woman on her own and this is the only way she knows how to survive. However, the women she’s been photographing are now turning up dead and Sarah fears for the other women she’s photographed.

As she tries to find out more about the murders she ends up being a person of interest herself and has to keep one step ahead of the police. It’s hard to do when she finds herself intrigued by a handsome police officer. Sarah’s life is rapidly changing. She’s mainly led a solitary existence but now she is befriending others who may help her. Well, some of them first started off as adversaries, as is the case of Mick. The scrappy kid took off with her camera equipment but luck was on her side and he returned her items and in the end the pair learn to rely on each other.

The more Sarah tries to connect the crimes to the killer and alert the women to take care, the more she and her friends are at risk. There are many Ripper mysteries so why do we need another? Well, I hope you give this one a chance. The atmosphere the writer creates makes you feel like you are walking along the dangerous streets of Whitechapel. The characters are complex with insecurities and fears. Most of all I enjoyed that this is a fresh take on the Ripper story.

I liked seeing the events unfold with the main protagonist being an independent woman. Sarah makes for a great character and I’m happy to see that this is being turned into a series. If you are new to Rowland’s writing I also highly recommend her Sano Ichiro series which unfortunately I’ve fallen a bit behind on but those also bring to life another exciting time in history.

I just could not finish this which is too bad because really loved Rowland's Japanese history novels. The protagonist was a wimp; there were just too many improbable actions and I did not like any of the other characters.

This was an interesting take on the Ripper story that has been many times over.

In this version a photographer, Sarah Bain, a women who prizes her independence has taken soft porn photographs of the ripper's victims. Sarah begins a quest to bring down the Ripper when she realizes that the women she photographed have become the victims of the Ripper. Along the way, she meets up with a diverse crew of people who help her. a street urchin, an dance hall girl, a rich aristocrat with a secret, a Jewish and his wife, and a police inspector.

Sarah is challenged at every turn, mentally, emotionally and physically as she, along with her new found friends, suffer mightily to catch a killer. Sarah must decide who to trust, and how all the pieces fit together to solve the crime. Or did she?

Laura Joh Rowland weaves a compelling story, albeit a bit slow at times, for Sarah to overcome dangers and struggles to achieve her goal by working together to outsmart one of the world's most vicious criminal minds.
I like the melding of fact and fiction that made this a enjoyable read.

I did not get to this in time and didn't get a chance to review it as I had hoped.

The Ripper's Shadow is a page turning thriller. Laura Joh Rowland does a remarkable job of hooking the reader with likable, realistic characters. An excellent, well written book that I highly recommend.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Ripper's Shadow by Laura Joh Rowland from NetGalley in order to read and give an honest review.

I have to say I loved this book. At first I was a bit leery reading another book based on the history of Jack the Ripper but this was such a fresh take on something that has been done time and time again.

In order to make ends meet Sarah Bain takes a side job shooting illegal boudoir photographs of Whitechapel's ladies of the evening. When her models are being slaughtered one by one by Jack the Ripper, Sarah feels she needs to stop him. Not being able to go to the police Sarah and a group of eclectic friends put themselves in danger to try to save the rest of her models before Jack the Ripper makes another appearance.

It has it all; a fast-paced intriguing plot, dynamic characters, a touch of humor, edge of your seat scenes and some heartwarming moments between the characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to lose themselves in a good book.

Originally posted on my blogs www.BelindaWitzenhausen.com and IgniteYourCreativity.net

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

A different perspective on the Ripper that brings a unique slice of Victorian life alive also. Suspense, horror, and excitement

This was an excellent novel. With brilliant main characters and a wonderful plot, this book is a real page turner. I would highly recommend this book.

Compelling, sensitive and provocative.

First up I need to declare that I am a huge fan of Laura Joh Rowland. I have read all of her
Sano Ichiro Novel's and loved them. But this work is a far departure from those detective novels set in feudal Japan. Yet it contains the distinctive Rowland stamp of complex mystery and chilling intrigue.
The thing about Rowland is that she approaches a topic slightly out of left field. I was wondering how she was going to write another 'yawn' Jack the Ripper novel about prostitutes being gutted in the Whitechapel area of the East End in 1888.
Well there's no yawn about Rowland's Ripper's Shadow; rather we are treated to an intelligent, thoughtful and completely unique look at events through the eyes of a lonely spinster photographer. Not only that, but it seems it is the spinster's risqué boudoir photographs of the victims might be the key that links the murders.
Rowland draws together a group of unlikely conspirators bent on finding the Ripper. Sarah Bain because she feels guilty that her photographs appear to have led the Ripper to his victims.
Sara does all she can to protect the women. Along the way she gathers up other characters who come to assist her--Lord Hugh Staunton, whose partner preferences are of the male variety--a dangerous thing in Victorian England, Mick a rather wonderful street urchin, the Lepskys, a Russian Jewish couple who understand death and persecution, and Catherine, a young and beautiful actress, one of the women Sara photographed.
The brilliant depiction of the wider community endeavouring to band together to find the killer in the face of what they see as police ineptness, the palpable fear that spurs on mobs to rioting, and the dankness and stench of the alleyways and sewers such as where Mick lives are real.
As the story progresses we delve more deeply into the psyche of the main characters. Sarah has her own demons--a father who was killed in riots for which she blames herself, a lack of confidence, a fear of the police and serious bouts of anger. Catherine too has damaging secrets.
As things progress the group realize that there is not one but two Rippers. Sarah becomes a target for the police and her friends are dragged into the limelight. The tensions that develop are exquisitely wrought. Sarah's reactions constantly surprise herself and us. This in turn ensures that you are never quite sure what will happen, but that something shocking will follow as Sara and her friends race towards a climax seemingly set in motion by a few titillating photographs.

A NetGalley ARC

All reviews appear on Amazon, Goodreads plus Gr Facebook, LibraryThing plus LT Twitter, eyes.2c review blog (January 2017)

My review was originally posted on January 3, 2017 on my blog site From Ink To Paper. (see link below)

First book read of 2017!

I was lucky enough to get a chance to review this from NetGalley and was very happy that Crooked Lane Books approved my request. I was instantly drawn to the book one from the cover and two because I like Victorian time periods in books and also I like reading about Jack The Ripper type things. Just always something I find fun and fascinating.

I thought this book was very well written, I liked how it went along with the Jack the Ripper story while keeping true to its own story as well. This band of random people come together and create a group that is out there to help the people they know. They are taking into their own hands what the police are too blind to see. Granted there are a few things that Sarah knows that she hasn’t shared with the police which helps her investigation.

I thought the chemistry between all the characters was great, they were all really well developed and each had their own background and they just all meshed well. I was rooting for a little romance between Sarah and PC Barrett in the beginning, and there was some, but in the end I was glad that was not the focus because it would have taken away from the rest of the story. I was hooked from the beginning and just kept wondering what is going to happen! I was kept on my toes throughout it, especially when you find out there are 2 Ripper’s!

I like that there was some humor in the story so that the suspense was broken up. I like that they are like their own little detective agency and no matter what bad things happen to them they never gave up. I think that the growth of the characters throughout the book was great too, they all had their own personal growth that happened and changed them into different people. The story was engaging and well thought out. I sure hope that there is a second one and that I don’t have to wait to long to read it!