Reviews

Praise for Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut

Editorial Review Quotes:

 THE WHITECHAPEL SOCIETY  
“A real page-turner full of twists and turns, and readers will find it impossible to put down.”
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THE DAGGER: TRUE CRIME MAGAZINE
“Easily the best Jack the Ripper crime fiction novel of the last decade. 5 out of 5 Daggers for Crime Excellence.” 

RIPPEROLOGIST MAGAZINE 
“The originality and the consistent ingenuity of the storytelling make this a deeply rewarding and sublime book on many levels. A cut above most Jack the Ripper, crime and horror fiction.” 
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REDJACK
“I rarely do Fiction reviews. But when the work done by an author is really worthy, it should also be praised. If you are looking for something different… you have found it!
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READERS’ FAVORITE
“This book has brought a whole new perspective to the unsolved murders of Jack the Ripper. I found myself fully committed from the early pages. The idea of being able to watch how the Ripper murders took place, through the eyes of our protagonist, was thrilling to me.

Matt Leyshon has given us a thrilling account of the Jack the Ripper murders with an original twist that is great fun to read.”
Full Review

Jack the Ripper Non-Fiction Authors

To write a time-travel Jack the Ripper fiction is easier said than done because the author, not only must have an interesting plot with surprises but also honour the real-life victims of a cold-case and satisfy the ‘experts’ who could easily find fault in the historical aspects of the story. Matt makes the impossible seem easy due to his fine writing style, interesting characters and close adherence to Ripper lore. The story is well-structured and delighted me, a jaded long time Ripper researcher and writer.

Richard Patterson – Author of “Jack the Ripper: The Works of Francis Thompson”

I will admit to a little scepticism as I began to read. Not another fictional Jack The Ripper tale I thought. The author very quickly proved me wrong.
The author obviously has done his research. The book is easy to read. The author has a style of writing that takes the reader on a journey without boring his or her socks off. If the book were a roller coaster it would be one hell of a ride.

Steve Jessup – Author of “Fear In Fiction. Jack The Ripper, A Trilogy Of Terror.” and other works

I very rarely read Ripper fiction, I feel it can fog the memory and blend fact and fiction in my recall, but that said some books I have read as fact over the years may as well have been fiction! I enjoyed it, (your book ), it has some really original ideas in it.

I like the concept of time travel witnesses but not being able to change past events and a ring of authenticity that worked for me. I liked the pace of the book and it kept me hanging in there wanting to know what happened next.

The cover is superb and reflects the book well.

Neil R. Storey – “Grim Almanac of Jack the Ripper’s London” and other works

Amazon Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsWhere it the 6 Star button???
I loved this book, mainly because I am one of those people who has spent half their life reading every Jack the Ripper book published.
Here I was definitely out of my comfort zone, Non Uk Authors – No ( sorry Matt even part Australian ones!) Fantasy/time travel/ weird – Big No
American setting – er No, Kindle Version – prefer a paperback.
Everything about it – apart from JTR should have put me off. But I LOVED it. The story telling was great, the narrative pacy, the twists and turns delightful, the intrigue gripping and the reality of 1888 Whitechapel was overwhelming. Some wonderful, rarely repeated little JTR references, and a great dollop of imagination – that was almost believable.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think you could get the Beatles and JTR in the same book, but Matt has done it and pulled off an amazing novel, off for my second read through and I bet it wont be the last

5.0 out of 5 stars   Excellent!

This is an incredibly well researched and written book. The author is to be congratulated.

5 Stars  This book was fantastic!
You know you have just read a good book when you finish it and feel sad its over as you just want more, I literally didn’t want this story to end as it was such a good read. There were so many moments of surprise where I thought the story was going one way and went in a completely different direction. I love that you don’t have to be knowledgeable about Jack the Ripper to enjoy this story as it has so many more elements to it than just the Ripper history. Well done on such an amazing book Matt Leyshon, I would thoroughly recommend this to others.

5.0 out of 5 stars   AWESOME!!!
This was an incredible story. It kept me engaged the entire time I read it. I didn’t want to put it down for ANYTHING. Great characters, great plot line and amazing twists! Kudos to you, Matt Leyshon!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will be looking out for any more you may write 🤗 Thank you!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars   An Awesome Take on the Greates Cold Case A very clever …
A very clever and compelling read. The author has woven an engaging and creative fictitious story with the grim real story of Jack the Ripper. Impeccably researched and a thrilling story.Lovers of Dan Brown and similar styles will love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars   This book is great. I didn’t expect to enjoy it but it was a real page turner. Can’t wait for the sequel. Great job Matt.
Great book. Highly recommend it. I read the majority of it in one day. Couldn’t put it
down. Anxious to read the next book.

5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic Read!
Really enjoyed this book. I rarely read Jack the Ripper fiction, preferring to read factual books relating to the case, but I have to say, this book drew me in from the first page.
It’s a mix between an historical whodunit and a sci-fi thriller, the twists and turns keeping the reader spellbound as the story weaves between modern day Chicago and Whitechapel, London 1888.
Time traveller Carl Axford is sent back in time on a mission to discover who the killer was. He finds his answers but gets more than he bargained for nobody is quite what they seem… Highly recommend, and I’m hoping very much there is a book no.2!

 

5.0 out of 5 stars  I’m not much of a fiction reader and I love history so this book was a great find

I’m not much of a fiction reader and I love history so this book was a great find. In a time in which much of the entertainment I take in is a remake of some older tale, this book is fresh and new material. Jack the Ripper is history but the author adds a unique twist that makes this a brand-new story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat desperate to know what comes next. The story is so well intertwined with the facts that it would take someone well versed in Ripper lore many hours of research to know exactly where history transitions to story.

I could go on and on about the plot and backstory but that would be a huge spoiler. If you like history and/or Jack the Ripper and you need your fiction fix then I highly recommend this book. A fun and lively read that will entertain and, if you’re a Ripperologist, give you some additional fun doing fact checking to discern fact from fiction.
Enjoy.

5.0 out of 5 starsLots of twists
Fancy a trip to Whitechapel in 1888, and walk the streets of the Jack and his victims! This is exactly what Matt has achieved in this book, it’s certainly a whole new look on the Ripper murders. I love love love this book and highly recommend to anyone JTR fan or not

 

5.0 out of 5 starsHistorical fiction with a most enjoyable delivery! A+


Absolutely incredible read! This is historical fiction with an extremely creative and unpredictable delivery. After the first hundred pages, I only put it down for work and immediately resumed when I came home… finishing the rest of the book that night delighting in all the twists and turns. Highly enjoyable, recommended, and I look very forward to the next installment!

5.0 out of 5 stars   Great read
My Husband read this within three weeks and thoroughly enjoyed it

5.0 out of 5 stars   The attention to detail and research behind the story is perfect, making me feel I was walking the streets …
I have to be honest, I was initially afraid this wouldn’t hold my interest. As an avid thriller and horror reader, surely this topic had been “done” already. The original cover artwork made me think it wouldn’t be a “serious enough” storyline.Well. How completely incorrect I was, and what a pleasure to say so.
A fascinating, and extremely different take on a tale that has been the stuff of murder legend for so long. This is Jack via science fiction, secret agents and time itself, and I was transported to Whitechapel, with an intimate view of the victims lives prior to Jack taking them. So much focus is often placed on Jack himself, however this story brought the victims to the forefront, and made them real people. The attention to detail and research behind the story is perfect, making me feel I was walking the streets of Whitechapel myself.Not to mention the excellently detailed plot with plenty of turns that kept me hooked, right until the last roiling twist.Definitely a wonderful surprise read. Highly recommended for both Jack fans and lovers of a great adventure/thriller

5.0 out of 5 stars   Leyshon does not disappoint! There is a certain eccentricity with stories that …
It was both an honor and a privilege to have been the first person to read Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut in its entirety; thus, why shouldn’t I provide the first book review? Matt began sending me chapters, just a few at a time back in May of 2016, asking for feedback on his story; I was hooked on Chapter 1. The opening chapter has only five paragraphs that occupy less than two pages of space, but it’s a ninety-second read that launches you back in time and sets the tone of the story. I knew the basis of the book, but was not prepared for the immediate immersion into the story that came within Chapter 1. Leyshon does not disappoint! There is a certain eccentricity with stories that use both fiction and history in parallel. It’s easy for an author to leave chronological gaps, or stretch historic truth to fit the narrative, but not in this case. Leyshon’s attention to historical detail is explicit, complete with pictures, maps, floor plans and other details that leverage his work; plus, his reference to the Ripper’s rampage and the ongoing investigation by Scotland Yard is classic. In the process of submitting my chapter feedback to Matt, I found myself asking various questions regarding the historical accuracy of the story. His response went beyond the acknowledgement of the facts, typically followed by an extended answer to my questions. The character descriptions are meticulous and well thought out including the basic psychosomatic profiles of a few Whitechapel citizens.So, we have a story where the use of futuristic technology is applied in order to solve one of the world’s most gruesome serial murders in the last two hundred years. That in itself would make a good story, but Leyshon adds his own twist on the “why” and creates a fascinating tale that has the reader guessing who is good and who is bad as he leads you from chapter to chapter, leaving very subtle hints along the way that eventually come together in the final parts of the story. Don’t try and read between the lines, but don’t take the obvious for granted either.The story is well written, especially for such a young and novice writer. The writing style is straight-forward and makes no excuse; nor, does Leyshon try and emulate anyone else as a story teller. Jack the Ripper: Live and UnCut is an easy read, yet compelling enough to keep the reader engaged at all times. In fact, I found myself reading the handful of chapters that were released to me several times over just to make sure I didn’t miss any details.

5.0 out of 5 stars   A ripping tale!
As an avid student of the Ripper killings of 1888, for over forty years, i have devoured many, many volumes, both factual and fictional that have been written on the subject. Matt Leyshon’s book brings a whole new twist to the tale, as investigative reporter Carl Axford finds himself recruited by a shadowy organisation known as Limbo and is offered the opportunity to travel back in time to the streets of Whitechapel, London in order to finally unmask and identify Jack the Ripper himself. What investigator could resist? Having accepted Limbo’s terms and signing a non-disclosure agreement, he allows himself to be sent back in time and sure enough finds himself in 19th century Whitechapel. Only one drawback…he is in what is called ‘Separative Mode’ which means he can see and hear all that is occurring around him, but he can’t be seen and cannot communicate with anyone around him, making his effectively a ghost as far as the residents of old London are concerned. This state bring s about both advantages and disadvatages as Axford sets out to witness the brutal slayings of the five canonical victims of the Ripper.However, all is not as simple as it first appears. Axford soon discovers that Limbo, far from simply expecting him to identify the Ripper, has another, far more sinister motive, for selecting him, and for sending him back to witness the crimes. I can;t really divulge what lies behind the motives of the Limbo organisation without writing one massive spoiler, but, suffice it to say that the author has created a wonderful, tantalisingly rich look into the past. His ingeniously crafted story throws up as many questions as answers as we meet the women who were to fall victim to the Ripper, and many of the by now well known suspects. As he does so, we are led into the dark streets of Whitechapel, to the pubs and the dosshouses, the poverty and degradation that formed part of the everyday lives of those forced to live within the mean streets of old Whitechapel. He manages to show the victims in a respectful and sympathetic light, which I was grateful for, for these were real women, with hopes and aspirations, which nay have only extended as far as bed for the night, but who were to have their lives cut cruelly short by the blade of the Ripper.So, who was Jack the Ripper? As in many fictional accounts of the murders, the author provides an answer within the book, but whether it is the real answer we will likely never know, because unless, like Limbo, we are eventually blessed with the ability to travel through time, the answer lies buried in the mists of time.As for Limbo’s ulterior motive in sending Axford back in time, suffice it to say that he finds his life in real danger, and only his wits and some very clever manipulation of circumstances give him a way to avid being murdered and left to rot in an unmarked grave in 19th century London. This is a clever, well-written fascinating tale, a what-if, rather than a whodunnit and is well worth the read and equally well worth it’s five star rating from me.5.0 out of 5 stars   Fantastic Adventure, read before bedtime at your own risk!
This is the first work of fiction that I’ve started and actually finished in years. The story moves at a steady pace and builds at the end, the characters are well developed, the historical components well researched, and the plot has several twists, everything you want in a great adventure. There were times I didn’t want to put it down, but I had to sleep! Many times I found myself saying, “OK just one more chapter.” Great job and thanks for the adventure Matt Leyshon!

5.0 out of 5 stars   Highly recommended.
Matt’s book draws upon the events of the time where the Whitechapel district of London was the scene of murders by one of the most notorious serial killers known “Jack The Ripper”. For one who is drawn to Historical Fiction or Fictional History of 18th century England this carefully crafted story brings to life city, individuals, and events. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars   A fantastic read, a thriller on many counts, real page turner, suspense a plenty
I really wanted to find out who Jack the ripper was and this novel certainly solves the who did it but it is more than just a ripper thriller, a smart read full of twists and turns, i loved Carl’s character and hope there is more from Carl in the future, to the author thanks for the thrills and suspense and good luck with your future work. To the reader, do your self a favor and read the book, you won’t be disappointed

5.0 out of 5 stars   A carefully thought out study that compares favorably to any …
A carefully thought out study that compares favorably to any Lee Child’s series and that Ripper fans will find irresistible.

Death does not have the last word.

5.0 out of 5 stars   Carl Axford having just received a highly respected award for …
Carl Axford having just received a highly respected award for investigative journalism returns home wondering his next assignment. He need not wait long as he receives several postcards with curious numbers listed on the back. His task of discovering the meaning of these clues leads him into an adventure back to the time of Jack the Ripper and “the investigative story of a lifetime” with the help of LIMBO a research group involved with time travel.

To learn more read “Jack The Ripper Live and Uncut”. A compelling read from beginning to end

5.0 out of 5 stars   Excellent Read
The book contained plenty of facts about the Jack the Ripper murders. Matt accurately presented to his readers many historical names, places, and dates. Then he conceived a highly entertaining fictional story around those facts. He has a writing style that makes you want to read the next chapter right away. The book has a lot of twists to it, and it’s quite a ride. Newcomers to the field of Ripperology will enjoy reading it, as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars   Nothing else needed for a great weekend read!
Matt’s book, where do I begin…  This is the first work of fiction that I’ve started and actually finished in years. The story has an historical perspective that is not only accurate but without bounds and well researched. Great job Matt and great read! Looking forward to the next…

5.0 out of 5 stars   Jack the Ripper story as you’ve never seen it before!
Fantastic debut novel, with a unique take on the Jack the Ripper tale. I really enjoyed the book, particularly the character development. The author took all of my favourite genres (historical fiction, time travel and crime) and rolled them into one “Ripper” of a story!!

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
great read couldn’t put book down.
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