Every fact, theory and myth behind the 1888 Whitechapel killings scrutinized, dissected and analysed by today's leading Ripperologist. In this comprehensive account of London's most infamous serial killer, Paul Begg, the foremost modern authority on the case, explores the facts behind the most grisly episode of the Victorian era: the slaughter of several prostitutes over a two-month period. Setting the scene in the impoverished East End, Begg's meticulous research offers detailed accounts of the lives of the Ripper's female victims and a thorough examination of the police investigation. It looks at the many suspects uncovered over the years and the way in which they have often mirrored contemporary concerns, and he examines the growth and development of the myth in film and literature.