This book investigates the historical identity of the unidentified serial killer known as Jack the Ripper through a re-examination of Victorian-era police records and contemporary accounts. Richard Deacon utilizes his background in investigative journalism to synthesize existing theories and introduce new evidence regarding the suspects in the Whitechapel murders. The work argues for a specific culprit by analyzing the social, political, and medical context of 1888 London.

Readers frequently note the investigative rigor Deacon applies to the archival material, though the conclusions remain a subject of historical debate. Experts highlight this as a notable entry in the extensive bibliography of Ripperology, useful for those interested in the evolution of criminal profiling.