People of Abandoned Character

By: Clare Whitfield

Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Marry in haste....

Murder at leisure?

London, 1888: Susannah rushes into marriage to a young and wealthy surgeon. After a passionate honeymoon, she returns home with her new husband wrapped around her little finger. But then everything changes.

Thomas' behaviour becomes increasingly volatile and violent. He stays out all night, returning home bloodied and full of secrets. The gentle caresses she enjoyed on her wedding night are now just a honeyed memory.

When the first woman is murdered in Whitechapel, Susannah's interest is piqued. But as she follows the reports of the ongoing hunt for the killer, her mind takes her down the darkest path imaginable. Every time Thomas stays out late, another victim is found dead.

Is it coincidence? Or is her husband the man they call Jack the Ripper?

©2020 Clare Whitfield (P)2020 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Astonishing.... I'd be amazed if it isn't dominating the shortlists come next year's awards season." (M.W. Craven)

Not what you think...

I was blown away to learn this is the author’s first book. It’s a great mystery with all too human characters. So many twists. It might offend some if you are sensitive. I can’t say what might give offense without giving too much away. Well done Clare Whitfield. I look forward to your next novel.

what a ride

this book was not at all what I expected, bit as the drama unfolded, I was hooked. Awesome book!

Damn this was a great book

The narration! The story! The words!
Victorian England remains horrifying in my mind. What a great, imaginative spin on the Ripper story.

Good Solid Story

This was a good story my only problem is that I wish it had a trigger warning for victims of assault.

Minimal spoiler alert:
This author did a phenomenal job of telling a story that sounded true with true feelings without the need for explicit sexual stuff. I felt the author did so well, this could easily been mistaken for a non-fiction. She has such a great way of expressing torment, pain, fear, and despair of which I’m sure many people felt, all around the world in those times. I came to care a lot about the main character and her friends/acquaintances for what they all went through, and despise her tormentors. I’m most definitely keeping an eye on this author.

In addition to those who might want to know ahead of time, there are gay characters in this book. Just an fyi as I know I want to know what kind of characters I choose to read about, and feel that should be fully under people’s personal control. This book was NOT sexually graphic in any way (I honestly don’t like to read ‘unnecessary’ explicit sex scenes of ANY ANY kind in a thriller/mystery book… authors need to learn to write without the use of gratuitous explicit sex to sell their story without trying to be a 70’s/80’s horror movie!).

Absolutely shocking and amazing!!

I would read this over and over again! The story was fantastic and intriguing and do many twists and turn until the very end!!

Wow! Great first novel! Really enjoyed it!

Although I thought it began a bit slowly (it didn't, I was just impatient) I just got sucked into the story. I read all Victorian noir/ Jack the Ripper fiction I can and this one kept me enthralled! Can not believe this is a first novel. Really enjoyed the story and the narrator was great! Wish I could find more books like this! What fun!