Ripped

by Shelly Dickson Carr

[Joni Reads]

This book was... interesting. I've never really read a time travel novel before and I felt that this book could be a bit confusing. But I'm a murder mystery lover so I wanted to give this book a try. I don't know much about the case of Jack the Ripper so if there were any blatant mistakes in the writing of this book I truly didn't notice them but I have seen reviews that are angry about the mistakes in the case. Now, in the author's defense, at the very end of the book she clearly states that she purposely changed details, victims, etc to suit the book.

I really liked the main character Katie. She was skunky and spirited and it was quite comical to read about her experiences living in Victorian London where girls were demure and quiet. She messed up quite often by acting in ways that were totally inappropriate back then. It was fun to read as she tried to explain her way out of her quirkiness without casting too much suspicion on her.

Also, the identity of Jack the Ripper was never made obvious throughout the novel. I was clueless even as he was being revealed and had to reread the page a few times to make sure that I had read correctly.

The book is intriguing and all around a fun read. If you want a book that's going to stick to the case of Jack the Ripper to a T, don't read this novel. If you want a book that going to take a case that is known throughout the world and put their own spin on it and "solve" the mystery, then this book should interest you. I know I found it to be an entertaining, if at sometimes confusing, read.