Portrait of a Killer by Patricia Cornwell (2002)

By the time I finished this book, I almost felt like slitting my own throat!
This is a poorly written, disorganized, and disappointing book. It appears as if not one word was edited out of this ridiculous, plodding tome that could have been one third its current size. The book reads as if Cornwell took all of her voluminous research notes, taped all her little sticky notes together, and just typed it up using some kind of stream-of-consciousness technique known only to her. The fake, grainy, sepia-tone illustrations lost a great deal of important detail seemingly for the sake of uniformity and artsy design. Many of the important primary documents would have been more convincing and much easier to see if they had been carefully and professionally photographed. Cornwell jumps around, not necessarily discussing events in chronological order. In addition, maddening and irrelevant asides are thrown in between the important points she is apparently trying to make. She discusses probable additional victims, yet doesn't bother to provide any kind of comprehensive, dated timeline or chronology for the reader to refer to. The same kind of timeline or chronology should have been provided for the most important of the hundreds of letters the Ripper allegedly wrote. All of that said, I believe that Sickert did the awful deeds, but I don't think Cornwell even came close to making a case. The proof may be in there somewhere, but someone else will have to find it, and rewrite the book. I hope someone from Scotland Yard takes up the ball. In a library, this book is unfortunately classified as a non-fiction book. It should have been placed along side the rest of Ms Cornwell's FICTION! © 2003 S. Spika (rarebookwoman on eBay)

I have not yet read this book, so it's hard to write a review for it. I saw something about it on television, the author talking about it, and it certainly sounded like a good read! As someone who finds the Jack the Ripper murders intriguing, I can't imagine a more perfect book to read!

As a big fan of Partricia Cornwell's writing's, & having read several other books about "Jack the Ripper", this book was an obvious read for me. It's definently not for the faint of heart, as it contains some pretty gruesome details, but she tends to get off the subject several times during the book.

I think Cornwell really did a great deal of research on this subject & I truly believe she it right about her
final analysis of who the actual killer was!!!!!! I think OVERALL she did a great job on this book & I would give the book a rating of 8!!!!!!!!

I recieved the book and the seller is very good.The book itself is very interesting and it has some historial facts about it too.

humph90

This book explains in many details about Jack The Ripper, from his childhood to his death.Photos are included and I would highly recommend to anyone.

Cornwell did a superb job in putting the pieces together when writing this book.
It was hard to put down as you wanted to know what was going on next. I thought I would not like this book, but am so glad I bought it.

If you want to learn more about the Jack the Ripper cases, this is a great book to read. However, it's not for the faint of heart, as it contains some pretty gruesome pictures. Patricia Cornwell did not totally convince me that her suspect is the real Jack the Ripper. In fact, she made me want to read more about him and others opinions as to who he was. This is not your typical Patricia Cornwell book, as it is non-fiction. But she's a good writer and it comes through in this non-fiction account as well. If this subject interests you in the slightest, it's definitely worth reading! I'd give it an 8.

Entertaining, thought provoking read. Jumps around at times from different moments within the time frame in which she is writing. However, very good at getting her point across as to whom she believes is Jack the Ripper's true identity. At the end of this book I thought--I think she just may be right!

I had never read a book written by Patricia Cornwell before, but will certainly do so again! I purchased 'Portrait of a Killer' out of my curiousity for serial killers and was nothing short of amazed by this book. Cornwell with the help of law enforcement experts and modern technology literally solves the Jack the Ripper mystery. That's right, this book identifies the Ripper outright! Corwell lays it all out for the reader with a detectives wit, a writers style and in layman's terms. The autopsy pictures are the stuff of legend and the book left no stone unturned! Truly an amazing read from start to finish. An excellent book for fans of the genre, true crime fans or anyone looking for an outstanding read.

This is another great book by a wonderful author. It is a great twist on an old unsolved case. A new history lesson on those interested in "Jack the Ripper".

I did not find this book very interesting. I usually enjoy Patricia Cornwell very much as an author, but I did not think that this book was up to her usual caliber. I stopped reading the book halfway through because it was so boring.

At first reading, she had me convinced! Patricaia Cornwell tackles the 100 year old mystery of the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Her book is a very compelling and detail oriented one. I was convinced she had figured it out the first time I read the book. Then, I read it again and reminded myself that her research pulled up a great deal of circumstantial evidence. Even still, it's a fascinating read. Very thoroughly done.

Too bad that Patricia Cornwell is not a police detective with her knowledge of criminal investigation. Lucky for us that she missed that calling and became to be an intriguing author instead. This book is a pager turner! I couldn't tear myself away!

As a curious person who has always been fascinated with Jack The Ripper I bought this book on those merits alone, But Patricia Cornwell delves deep into the mystery of the unknown killer, her smooth flowing writting style puts you back in the foggy shadow filled nights of Whitechappel. Weather or not Walter Sickert was Jack The Ripper is only part of the story,You also experience life in old England and the lives of the misfornutates, What a Journey. Highly recommended book.