The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Hallie Rubenhold’s groundbreaking book reframes one of history’s most sensational crime stories by centring the victims rather than the killer. Through meticulous research, Rubenhold reconstructs the lives of the five women murdered by Jack the Ripper, restoring their humanity and complexity. She dismantles long-held myths and challenges misogynistic narratives that have defined the case. The book reads as both social history and moral reckoning, exposing how poverty, gender, and class shaped these women’s lives. Rubenhold writes with empathy and authority, making a compelling case for rethinking whose stories matter. It is revelatory and deeply moving.