Rating: 
Summary: An Odd Book In So Many Ways
Review: It is not quite easy to understand how one is expected to take this book. At first, one is expecting a big revelation that lives up to the sub-title, Jack the Ripper Case Closed, but it quickly becomes apparent that Portrait of a Killer has no revelations to impart or, what is even more strange, any no information not discussed in many previous books. DNA evidence is hinted at but never delivered. Despite this, Patricia Cornwell presents all of her vague posturing as proof positive never realizing that just because it is new to her does not, in fact, make it new or, even, proof. To give the book its due, some of the forensic information concerning how the case would be handled today is interesting. Sadly, though, the book is marred by very bad editing as many paragraphs seem entirely unrelated to their neighbours or even to the chapter it is in, and very bad historical research. If a mystery writer were to tackle this time period perhaps Anne Perry would be a better choice as Victorian Britain is quite distorted by Cornwell's attempt at portraying it. I thought this book would be fun in the way some preposterous conspiracy theories can be a secret, silly delight to read. This book never even achieved that level of shameful pleasure. A frustrating, dissappointing book.
Rating:
Summary: Sorry, case still open
Review: Cornwell adds the artist Walter Sickert to a long list of Jack the Ripper suspects, but does little to prove her case. Sure, she has a fairly impressive pile of circumstantial evidence, but none of it, by itself, is at all convincing. She goes out on several limbs (the rather benign guest book at the end, which is owned by Cornwell. How's that for conflict of interest!), and leaves Sickert dangling from a noose she so eagerly wants him to fill. Some of the "evidence" is so speculative, her case would have been stronger if she left it out. The book takes the form of Cornwell playing prosecutor, agressively cross-examing a witness who is not alive to respond. In addition, the book is so poorly organized and so full of digressions that it is difficult to read. On the other hand, her descriptions of the East End of London, while derivative of other works, are well done, informative, and compelling.
Rating: 
Summary: Cornwell should get rid of her God complex
Review: There was a time when Patricia Cornwell was humble enough to let her stories tell themselves. Her early novels were superbly thought out, written, and edited. Sadly, this is no longer true, even with her Kay Scarpetta books, which have become more and more eccentrically written as time goes on. Perhaps Cornwell has simply lost her touch. I can add little new to earlier reviews concerning the sloppy science and historical research, misunderstanding of British culture, illogical conclusions, and poor editing. This book is not worth the time it takes to read. I will only point out that Cornwell has herself supplied a ready review of this book on page 271. On that page, she finds it strange that a newspaper as reputable as The Times of London would publish such a sophomoric letter as that written by "An Elderly Gentleman." Personally, I find it strange that as reputable a publisher as Putnam would publish such a sophomoric book as this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Controversial, personal, angry and riveting
Review: The reviews of this book seem as passionate as the writer herself. It's this passion that carried me through this at-times difficult book. I agree that Cornwell displays terrific arrogance by titling this book "Case Closed." She is presenting nothing more here than her theory. A firmly believed and well researched theory yes, but certainly not definitive. I can see where this would turn readers off. On the other hand, Cornwell's disgust with the crimes and with the public's fascination with the monster that was Jack the Ripper is real, personal and fascinating. She names the victims and fights to make them three dimensional. She portrays the times, mores and situations the victims found themselves in with realism and compassion. She seems intent on avenging them and bringing them justice. Her passion, while laudable, certainly gets in the way of her objectivity. In all, this book reminded me of Oliver Stone's JFK, the film about the crime of the century (perhaps of my lifetime) that I am far more familiar with. While that film has its share of inaccuracies and should under no circumstances be interpreted as a definitive history, it's still an important work about a crime that haunts us still. Likewise, Cornwell's book is a valuable addition to the dialog about Jack the Ripper, his times and his crimes. And those not to be forgotten poor women, with their desperate lives of oppression, deprivation, poverty and finally horrible death. Beware! None of the reviews I've read thus far have mentioned how really grisly this book is at times, even by Cornwell standards. One reviewer actually said he laughed while reading this book. Trust me, I found no laughs in it whatsoever! If you pick up this book, please know that it details crimes of genuine horror.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Read
Review: To accept that the case of Jack the Ripper has been closed by this book and the evidence it presents is presumptuous. But I think that a valid argument has been made for Walter Richard Sickert as the killer. Most of the primary source material for the claims are from the 1800s rather than referencing material written and interpreted by intermediary sources. I would have liked to have seen more samples of the Jack the Ripper letters and Walter Sickert's handwriting until I would have been allowed to draw my own conclusions. The other murders mentioned, but not originally attributed to the Ripper, could have been the work of the Ripper or a copycat - I will not comment further on that. What I truly found fascinating was the examination of the evidence with the comparison of how modern forensic science would handle the same evidence interesting in the extreme. It is amazing to see how far science and criminal justice has come in just over a hundred years. This book is not written to transport the reader to the dark, damp streets of London in 1888. This book is written in a way as to allow a 21st century reader interested in the Ripper case a chance to look at the evidence, procedures, and police work of that time. A resident of that era would not realize that the bull's-eye lantern carried by the police and shown in the papers as "beacons of light shining on the victims" were little better by our standards than a flashlight with dead batteries. In truth, I find myself more aware of how dark and squalid the world of Jack the Ripper would have been. We see movies, but they must be lit until we can see what is happening -- when in actually most of the Ripper's victims could probably see no more than a few feet in front of them at the time of their deaths. I suspect to get a true taste of the nights would require one to close a room until it is completely dark then light a single candle, not one with a well trimmed wick, but one that gutters and spits in the melting wax and slightest drafts. Whether or not a case is made does not matter to me. I found this book a fresh look at both a series of old murders and the time in which the occurred. In many ways, the Ripper case is no longer about who did it but the society that spawned the killer and the succeeding generations' interpretations of the evidence and society. It was an excellent read, though it did jar at times in the beginning when the voice of the modern forensic scientist stepped in. But I quickly became accustomed to the intrusion and welcomed the insights it brought. Was Walter Richard Sickert Jack the Ripper? Perhaps. I know that were I on the jury I would be looking very carefully at the evidence present and how it was processed.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting read for Ripper fans, but no hard facts.
Review: If someone were to ask me what this book was about I'd say it was about Jack the Ripper, his victims and how he did his dirty & evil deeds. It is an intriguing book that takes you through foggy streets of the infamous Whitechapel district. It paints a sinister portrait of Jack the Ripper by including letters & excerpts from the time of the murders. A Ripper fan will very much appreciate the ambiance of the book & all the facts that accompany the actual murders. As for the fact that Walter Sickert is indeed Jack the Ripper, this is most definately the author's opinion. Could Sickert be Jack the Ripper? Yes, he could. But anyone else could have been him too. Just because a man is a bit strange, dark & bizarre & happens to live in London during the times of the Ripper murdersdoes not make him the Ripper. Yes, I agree some things do match up and he would give some people reasons to beleive so, but there is still the lack of any real evidence besides the author's opinion that she knows who the Ripper was. Unfortunately, the author's deductions were made without any DNA or any scientific proof which should shelve this book in fiction not true crime. Yes, the occurances were true crime but her opinion is solely her own.
Rating:
Summary: The Proof Is In the Handwriting
Review: I had high hopes for this book. I saw the title "Case Closed," and thought that no one in their right mind, especially someone with a reputation such as Patricia Cornwell's, would make such a claim unless they had the goods. Wrong! As I read, I kept waiting for something, *anything,* in the way of good evidence, to show up in those pages. Even though nothing ever did, I kept pushing through, since I had spent good money and didn't want to think I'd been snookered. The denoument for me came when I got to the handwriting samples. Having read a little on handwriting analysis, I had a good time comparing the writing of Sickert with the other alleged "Ripper" letters. The little details you look for in handwriting - letter endings, "i" dotting, "t" crossing, fullness/height/shape of letters - were so different as to be startling obvious. I'd been taken! I immediately came to Amazon to check out the reviews (I'm assuming there were none when I bought the book, as I would have avoided it like the plague if I had read reviews such as these), and was both sickened and satisfied to see that I had been right all along about how nonexistent a case Ms. Cornwell had against Mr. Sickert. Thank goodness for the wonderful people at Amazon, and their generous return policy! I wrapped that book up quicker than you could spit, and sent it back (in pristine condition, I might add :-), and will get a much *better* book the next time around (I'm thinking of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Handwriting Analysis :-J).
Rating:
Summary: A NOVEL IDEA
Review: Every few years, theories pop up that are supposed to explain the identity of Jack The Ripper. I have little doubt that with modern criminal investigation methods, the identity could be discovered if the crimes were committed today. However, it seems Patricia Cornwell has molded the evidence to fit her suspect rather than letting the evidence lead to the suspect. Let's not be fooled by reviews, no DNA is available for comparisons since her primary suspect was cremated. The glue that holds the theory together seems to be, that if we believe that Jack the Ripper was a psychopath and we think Walter Sickert is Jack the Ripper THEN Walter Sickert must be a psychopath and capable of committing the atrocities and all behaviour that led to the acts. (Some of his) IMPRESSIONIST art portrays peripheral violence and suspicious characters in dark, dismal surroundings(Hmmm, I wonder what diabolical deeds Charles Addams can be accused of). Being constantly reminded that the suspect's whereabouts cannot be determined at many key periods; just leaves me to either accept the author's interpretation, or to scoff. I'm sorry to say that I scoff. BUT, what do I really know anyway. I guess it's possible that her theory could be DEAD ON TARGET (pardon the pun). The two stars that I give are for her vivid descriptions of not-so merry ol' England's dark underside and her numerous factual observations not her conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly Intense
Review: For years I have been fascinated by the story of the "Ripper" but wondered why no one was attempting to use modern forensic methods to solve the case. Finally Paricia Cornwell has done it! This work is brilliant and intense. Her descriptions are traditional Cornwell, graphic, detailed, and descriptive.She not only details the murder scenes, she also gives a history lesson on policing in the late 19th century and explains how DNA works in the crime laboratory of today. Her horror at what she has discovered and her revulsion at the conclusion is evident. I couldn't put it down and have recommended it to many of my friends and patrons at my library. If she hasn't solved this "unsolvable" crime then no one can. I believe she has.
Rating:
Summary: Not Worth a Flip
Review: ...at least two stars for effort and being so damn silly! i'm not one to be a party of a pooper, but this book sucks the big green weenie. good photos tho... .
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