First published in Great Britain in 2015 by
Fourth Estate
An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
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London SE1 9GF
Copyright © Punditbest Ltd 2015
The right of Bruce Robinson to be identified as the author
of this work has been asserted by him in accordance
with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988
A catalogue record for this book is
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Source ISBN: 9780007548873
Ebook Edition © October 2015 ISBN: 9780007548897
Version: 2016-07-08
In memory of Sergeant T. J. Hageboeck
of the Los Angeles Police
Power, like a desolating pestilence,
Pollutes whate’er it touches, and obedience,
Bane of all genius, virtue, freedom, truth,
Makes slaves of men, and, of the human frame
A mechanised automaton.
Shelley, 1813
Contents
Appendix I: The Parnell Frame-Up
Appendix II: A Very Curious Letter
There is an aphorism. When you see a giant, make sure it isn’t a dwarf standing in a favourable light. Thus we approach ‘the mystery of Jack the Ripper’.
He’s in a house of smoke and shifting mirrors. There are glimpses of amorphous faces. Many Jack the Rippers are in here, feeding off what historical fragments their keeper can throw into the pit.
Middle-aged men with disturbing expressions lean over