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M. J. Trow
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Lestrade and the Ripper (Inspector Lestrade Book 3) Kindle Edition

by M. J. Trow (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 143
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‘Splendidly shaken cocktail of Victorian fact and fiction … Witty, literate and great fun.’ The Times

‘One of the funniest in a very funny series … lovely lunacy.’ Daily Telegraph

‘High-spirited period rag with the Yard’s despised flatfoot wiping the great Sherlock’s eye …’ Observer

__________________________

Book three in the Inspector Lestrade series.

In the year 1888, London was horrified by a series of brutal killings. All the victims were discovered in the same district, Whitechapel, and they were all prostitutes. But they weren’t the only murders to perplex the brains of Scotland Yard. In Brighton, the body of one Edmund Gurney was also found.

Foremost among the Yard’s top men was the young Inspector Sholto Lestrade and it was to his lot that the un-solved cases of a deceased colleague fell. Cases that included the murder of Martha Tabram, formerly a prostitute from Whitechapel, and that of the aforementioned Gurney.

Leaving no stone unturned, Lestrade investigates with his customary expertise and follows the trail to Nottingham-shire, to a minor public school, Rhadegund Hall. It is his intention to question the Reverend Algernon Spooner. What he finds is murder.

As the Whitechapel murders increase in number, so do those at Rhadegund Hall and so do the clues. What is the connection between them all? As if it weren’t confusing enough, Lestrade is hampered by the parallel investigations of that great detective, Sherlock Holmes, aided by Dr Watson. Who is the murderer of Rhadegund Hall and are he and the man they call ‘Jack the Ripper’ one and the same?
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  1. Book 3 of 18
    Inspector Lestrade
  2. Print length
    266 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    September 14, 2020
  6. File size
    954 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Here's an unlikely novel: an amusing mystery about the Jack the Ripper murders. Like the other Lestrade books (Brigade, etc.), this one is permeated with sharp historical detail, delightful humor and wordplay, plus a large gallery of characters. Among its players are, of course, Sherlock Holmes ("The epitome of a man inches from neurosis") and Dr. Watson ("with the unmistakable stoop of a man who had been hit by a jezail"), who provide no small amount of comic relief. Lestrade's patience and expertise are tested to the fullest when he inherits the men and caseload of a recently deceased inspector. Continuing those cases takes him to Rhadegund Hall, a public school where, by chance, young, pregnant Maggie Hollis is discovered drowned in a laundry tub. That night, back in London, the mutilated body of Mary Ann Nichols, the first of the Whitechapel murder victims, is found. Soon, Lestrade is investigating the Ripper murders as well as the rising body count at Rhadegund Hall, and in doing so the long-suffering inspector must contend with both the incompetence of his superiors (who destroy vital evidence) and the quirks of the school's masters. Despite the distractions of an attractive matron and interference from Holmes, Lestrade perseveres to the endAas will grateful readers. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This popular 16-volume Edwardian series featuring the Conan Doyle character Inspector Sholto Lestrade of Scotland Yard was first published in Britain. In his fifth adventure, Lestrade investigates a series of murders that threaten the London Olympics of 1908. Then, in September, he takes on the ripper.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08J3RK2P3
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BLKDOG Publishing (September 14, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 14, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 954 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 266 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 143

About the author

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M. J. Trow

M. J. Trow

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M J Trow (the 'M' as most people know by now stands for Meirion, a Welsh name few can manage, so he writes as M J, is known by all and sundry as Mei, rhyming with 'my') has been writing for many years, with his first book - The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade - being published in 1984 by Macmillan. More Lestrades followed and then some true crime and somehow it all snowballed so now he has many historical biographies and three other crime series (Maxwell, Marlowe and Grand and Batchelor, the latter two written with his wife, writing as Maryanne Coleman, though her name is Carol, actually!) to his credit. He claims to be retired, but that's just from teaching. In fact he has never been busier and is a sought after 'ghost' these days as well as historian and novelist, with many different subjects' stories having been told through him. He has recently started collaborating on fiction projects (with someone other than his wife, that is) and finds it a really exciting and pleasurable experience.

To relax he ... actually, that's a bit tricky, as he doesn't really ever relax. He has been known to garden, he is a keen cook and artist and likes to travel. This is rather easier these days as he is a popular speaker on cruise ships - in fact his profile picture was taken on a very gusty day in Cape Town, setting off on a long voyage home to Southampton through some of the scariest seas he and his wife have had the pleasure to meet! It really was the calm before the storm, despite being a Force 9 just leaving the Bay.

Family is important and he is very proud of his wife, Carol (aka Maryanne Coleman) for her own books and also the ones they write together, the Kit Marlowe series. His son, Taliesin, known as Tali, is a writer who has written a biography of the Tudor explorer Martin Frobisher as well as collaborating with Mei on several biographies. An exciting series is in the melting pot at the moment and will hopefully be appearing soon; remember where you heard it first. Tali is also a musician, playing various instruments with some acclaimed bands; Gemma Hayes, the Coal Porters, Circulus and currently acid-folk ensemble The Lords of Thyme. He also records and tour-manages. His crystal vocals enhance everything he does and it's just as well someone in the family can sing, as it is the first thing anyone asks a Welshman!

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
143 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Alison K. Diamond
5.0 out of 5 stars A GOOD READ AND A FUNNY, PUNNY IMAGINATIVE BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2014
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This entertaining book has layers of verbal skill and double meanings. It is a pleasure to read and will make you want to read more books in the series.
2 people found this helpful
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Fourlocks
4.0 out of 5 stars A Rippering Good Yarn
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2015
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This pastiche of the Sherlock Holmes canon is well-written. MJ Trow certainly did his research into the time period, the late 1800s, and adroitly uses this knowledge to inform us about the setting with its politics, its religion, its mores, its clothing, its transportation, etc. Mr. Trow sets the stage for this twist on the Ripper murders by making Inspector Lestrade the hero of the case, the tenacious bulldog who will be stopped by nothing, not even certain death, to solve the case. Mr. Trow paints a very good picture of England in that time period, enough to satisfy even the most zealous Anglophile. I find his version of Lestrade capable, charming and witty, but, at the same time, vulnerable. He is no superhero. Mr. Trow's take on the Ripper case faithfully revisits all the facts of the case as historically recorded, but goes one better by throwing in Rhadegund School and all of its trials and tribulations. This mystery novel is an easy read, not a history lesson. My only reason for giving the book four stars is this:
I am a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. I understand what Mr. Trow is doing by making such a contrast between Holmes and Lestrade. Perhaps he feels that his series is a sort of karma for Conan Doyle making Holmes so skillful and Lestrade so "behind the eight ball". Anyway, I think I would have enjoyed the story more if Mr. Trow had just made Holmes and Lestrade equal competitors racing to the solution of the mystery, each respecting the others talents but hoping his own won the day. In this novel Holmes comes across as a goofball dressing up as a prostitute and accomplishing almost nothing. He makes Watson even more blustery and clueless than the Basil Rathbone / Nigel Bruce films of years ago. That is my only complaint. If you can get past that, this novel with its plot and group of memorable characters will definitely entertain.
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brandi
3.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Ripper?
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2014
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An interesting but slow moving tale. Quite wordy in places where more action was needed. Main character seems at times to be the secondary. The story line made me believe I was definitely going to read about the Ripper. That character was almost forgotten. A good read if you are stranded and have no place to go.
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Unknown
5.0 out of 5 stars xlent story a must read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2014
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Enjoyable novel well plotted mystery ,brings back memories of the Jack the Ripper of and his horrible murder spree,you can almost the terror he wrought in the London fog. Read it,But not alone! M C
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Ripper Lite?
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2014
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So full of puns it's almost the "Mythadventures" of detective stories. But that does lighten it up and keep the ho-hum Jack the Ripper-again from happening, as does the Sherlock add-in. Lestrade becomes a sympathetic character by the end; the long-suffering cop. Covers the standard Ripperology theories, with a twist.
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Bill Baker
2.0 out of 5 stars One of the slowest mysteries I've ever read... : /
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2014
I jumped into this expecting a fine period piece with a little humor as advertised and found one of the slowest paced mysteries I have ever read with a heavy handed sense of humor mostly to make Lestrade look poorly educated and ignorant. This is so over done that it comes out like a burnt roast - and the humor occasionally backfires as when Lestrade thinks Plato is actually Pluto and thinks that he knows Pluto is a
planet...Pluto wasn't discovered until 1930, decades after this mystery is supposed to take place in 1888...and that is only once example of this author's ignorance. Nevertheless, this is fun for the time period itself.
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Carol C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Lestrade rules
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2014
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Interesting book kept my attention throughout'. I learned slot about detective Largesse. I use to think he was not to bright. This book changed my mind.
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Barbara Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Mystery/Murder Story
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2014
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This is a unique mixture of a very interesting series of murders at a private boys school during the Jack The Ripper's reign. Inspector Lestrade is involved in both, concentrating on the school murders. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson make a guest appearance. Well done.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Old friends and new
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 7, 2024
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As usual, well written, very funny and a cracking story.
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brudervomweber
4.0 out of 5 stars Meet Inspector Sholto Lestrade ...
Reviewed in Germany on January 18, 2014
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Die Buchreihe des englischen Schriftstellers M.J. Trow um den laut Sherlock Holmes noch besten eines schlechten Haufens an Inspektoren bei Scotland Yard bietet eine kunterbunte Mischung aus historisch akkuraten Bonmots vermischt mit kontinuierlichen Überlagerungen mit dem fiktiven, von Sir Arthur Conan Doyle erdachten Kosmos um den Meisterdetektiv Mister Sherlock Holmes. Stilistisch durchsetzt mit einer Fülle an sprachlichen und narrativen Witticisms und Puns, die mitunter schon jenseits der Grenze zum Slapstick wandeln, ist es mitunter schwierig, das Geschehen an sich ernst zu nehmen, zumal die Fülle an Figuren und vor allem Todesfällen eine solide Orientierung innerhalb des hier präsentierten Doppelfalls nicht leicht machen.

Aber so ist es nun einmal: In Trows Lestrade-Romanen sterben die Figuren wie die Fliegen, und LESTRADE AND THE RIPPER macht hier keine Ausnahme. Die Besonderheit dieses Romans ist es allerdings, dass die historisch verbürgten und jenem inzwischen legendären Anonymus "Jack the Ripper" zugeschriebenen Morde im Londoner Whitechapel-Bezirk sowie die überlieferten Ermittlungsmethoden, Verdächtigen und die soziale Anspannung im Umfeld der bestialischen Morde gewissenhaft recherchiert und authentisch beschrieben werden.

Was die Lektüre wiederum von dieser finsteren Atmosphäre "erlöst" (oder um sie schmälert, je nachdem, wie man es sehen will), ist das unterhaltsame Spiel des Vermischens von historisch belegten und rein fiktiven Figuren des ausgehenden neunzehnten Jahrhunderts, mit welchen der hier erstmals mit einem Vornamen ausgestattete Inspektor Sholto Lestrade im Zuge seiner Ermittlungen zu verkehren hat. Insbesondere die Zeichnung des nicht immer so meisterhaft agierenden Meisterdetektivs Holmes und seines reichlich begriffsstutzigen Sidekicks Dr. Watson sorgen durchaus für einiges Amusement.

Aber auch die Art und Weise, wie Trow die tatsächlichen Geschehnisse in Whitechapel mit einer erfundenen Mordserie in einer Privatschule in Northamptonshire verwebt, mit deren Aufklärung der bodenständige Lestrade neben der sporadischen Unterstützung der Whitechapel-Mordermittlung betraut ist, hat Pfiff ... wenn - und das ist leider der einzige, aber wesentliche Wermutstropfen in Trows Konstruktion - es insgesamt nicht von so dermaßen vielen "red herrings" wimmelte, dass die Aufklärung am Ende nach blankem Zufall und einem etwas hilflos wirkenden Griff zum vielzitierten "deus ex machina" röche.

Ich hatte diesen Roman vor etwa 15 Jahren bereits einmal  in der deutschen Übersetzung  gelesen, die von Hans J. Schütz recht ordentlich besorgt und sogar noch um ein Glossar erweitert worden war, welches die Vielzahl an Anspielungen, die der Text birgt, aufbereitete und kommentierte, und welches mir in der (im übrigen von "Tippfehlern" doch überdurchschnittlich stark durchsetzten) Kindle-Edition, in welcher ich mir den Roman nun im englischen Original vorgenommen habe, doch irgendwie fehlte.

Wie schwer es gewesen sein muss, den Roman halbwegs vernünftig und ohne einen erheblichen Verlust gerade an feinsinnigen sprachlichen Spielereien in lesbares Deutsch zu transponieren, ist eine Erkenntnis, welche ich aus der Lektüre des Originals außerdem ziehen konnte - Trow jongliert mit der Sprache jenes alten Englands, mit Missverständnissen und Doppelbedeutungen, die insbesondere in der Differenz sozialer Niveaus ausgespielt werden - so läuft Lestrade beispielsweise in der Kommunikation mit dem Direktor der Privatschule St. Rhadegund, Dr. Theophilus Nails in einem fort ins offene Kommunikations-Messer, wenn er Ausdrücke der gebildeten Oberschicht misinterpretiert oder mit Begriffen eines ihm weit geläufigeren Gaunerjargons verwechselt, was ihm mehr als einmal das Prädikat "true idiocy" einbringt.

Trows Lestrade erinnert mich in vielerlei Hinsicht an einen anderen fiktiven Polizisten eines vermeintlich ganz anderen Genres, nämlich an Terry Pratchetts Samuel Vimes, der in den Discworld-Metropole Ankh-Morpork seinen Dienst versieht. Wie auch dieser ist Lestrade ein Mann, der aus einem unhinterfragten inneren Antrieb seinen Job erledigt, weil irgendjemand ihn ja erledigen muss, und der schlecht ausgestattet und - nicht unbedingt mit dem überlegenen Intellekt und der wohlinformierten Bandbreite seines verhassten Kontrahenten Holmes gesegnet - auf seinen Instinkt und Fleiß setzen muss, um am Ende den Mörder dingfest zu machen.

Zugegeben: LESTRADE AND THE RIPPER ist nicht in allen Belangen ein Volltreffer, er hat seine unbestreitbaren, oben angesprochenen Schwächen, die einem den Spaß an diesem Kriminalroman verderben können, wenn man diese als Kardinalstugenden eines guten Krimis ansieht. Aber er hat auch unleugbare Stärken, und wegen dieser ist es sicherlich nicht das letzte Mal gewesen, dass ich zu einem von Trows Lestrade-Romanen greifen werde - und trotz fehlenden Glossars sei die Wahl der Lektüre im englischen Original definitiv anempfohlen.
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Kindle Customer FW
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice to see Sherlock on the receiving end
Reviewed in Australia on December 23, 2015
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Well written tongue in cheek version of the Jack the Ripper tales. Nice to see Sherlock on the receiving end.
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Cave Canem
4.0 out of 5 stars Overall it was enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2014
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There were parts of this book I found distracting, and almost irrelevant, however I did enjoy the book overall. In fact, what saved he book was the main character who jumped off the page.

So, overall an enjoyable read, and I may try some of the others in the series
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Docdaved
3.0 out of 5 stars Teacher jokes and Ripperology
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 2, 2014
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Not a bad read but not as good as the Maxwell series. there is a difficulty in expanding on someone else's characters and Trow has tried to make Lestrade something of his own by making him bumbling and loveable. The book was also full of terrible jokes (what my students used to call teacher jokes) and, as a retired teacher, I do not mind them but they are groan making and might be too much (or too little) for some readers. The Ripper material sticks fairly close to the generally received wisdom regarding the likely events in Whitechapel. Overall good fun but rather lightweight.
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