Book synopsis
What would you do if you thought you had married a murderer?
He is my husband.
To honour and obey.
Until murder do us part.
London, 1888: Tormented by the death of her secret lover, Nurse Susannah Chapman rushes into marriage to a doctor. While attracted to her adoring, younger husband, she is more than aware her decision is at least partially driven by her ambition to escape a life of servitude to the labouring poor of the East End of London. After a passionate honeymoon, she returns home confident in her marriage. But then everything changes.
She quickly learns she has swapped her profession for a type of captivity; that of a Victorian middle-class housewife,feeling isolated in her home as her housekeeper refuses to acknowledge her as mistress. Her husband becomesincreasingly volatile and distant, he stays out all night, returning home dark with secrets.
She quickly learns she has swapped her profession for a type of captivity; that of a Victorian middle-class housewife,feeling isolated in her home as her housekeeper refuses to acknowledge her as mistress. Her husband becomesincreasingly volatile and distant, he stays out all night, returning home dark with secrets.
Following the first death in Whitechapel, Susannah’s interest is piqued. Lost in boredom and self-doubt, she becomes obsessed with the string of violent murders terrorising the city. Horrifyingly, she finds herself beginning to believe the charming young man she thought she had seduced for economic security, could well be involved in the crimes.
Is it coincidence? Or is her husband the man they call Jack the Ripper?
About the Author
Clare Whitfield is a UK-based writer living in a suburb where the main cultural landmark is a home store/Starbucks combo. Clare nurtures an obsession with female characters that are as much villain as hero, and enjoys lurking in the blurry landscape between perception and reality. She is the wife of a tattoo artist, mother of a small benign dictator and relies on her dog for emotional stability. Previously Clare has been a dancer, copywriter, amateur fire breather, buyer and a mediocre weightlifter. People of Abandoned Character is her first novel. Follow Clare on Twitter (@whitfield_riley) and Instagram (@clarerileywhitfield)
My review
This is a take on Jack the Ripper and just from reading the synopsis I knew I would love this book and I was not disappointed. A full five stars from me! I loved reading about how Susannah went through so much in her life and what she overcame even while she was married she was still drawn back to her old deprived life somehow. It intrigued me and was a real page turner of a book for me. I wanted to find out what happened. I don’t read many historical fiction stories but after reading this one I think I should read more as I throughly enjoyed it. I urge you to pick up this book as I loved it!
Disclaimer – Thank you to Head of Zeus and Midas PR for the free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own