Overview

Included in The Times Best Historical Fiction Books of 2025: 'A lively new perspective on a grimly familiar tale'The world's most famous unsolved serial killer mystery, told from the perspective of a gang of women. 'A fresh and captivating retelling of the Jack the Ripper mystery, brimming with authentic historical detail and well-drawn, sympathetic characters. A must-read for lovers of finely crafted historical fiction.' IRINA SHAPIRO 'This is a wonderfully crafted book where historical fiction meets seamlessly with historical fact. The case of Jack the Ripper as you have never read it before.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ London, 1888. A monster prowls the gaslit streets, and the police are looking in all the wrong places, at all the wrong suspects. But three women refuse to stay silent. Emma, the chief detective’s sharp-witted wife, sees the investigation failing. Maggie, a private investigator, exposes men’s darkest secrets. Bet, a police station cleaner, overhears what others ignore. Together, they form an alliance to hunt down the killer dubbed Jack the Ripper. But as the women weave through the slums, brothels, and smoke-filled parlours of London’s underworld, they uncover corruption more sinister than they ever imagined. The city belonged to men – until now. Readers are hooked by The Women in the Shadows:'Harriet Fox will delight readers with this clever reimagining of the Jack the Ripper murders through the eyes of Whitechapel women. Engrossing and original – this story will keep pages turning and night-lights burning.' ROSE PASCOE 'I can honestly say it was the most thrilling, page turning book I've read this year. I literally could not put it down.' HELEN PHIFER 'A wonderful romp through Jack the Ripper's London! A dark subject, but the author's light touch made it an unputdownable, easy read. I especially loved that each of the victims was given a personality and a voice, and that the women turned the tables on the Ripper through their investigations.' KATHLEEN MCGURL 'This is a thrilling page turner of a novel which will appeal to historical fiction and crime fiction fans alike' ANNIE LYONS 'A twisty and gripping thriller' MY WEEKLY 'A compelling reimagining' THE PEOPLE'S FRIEND 'I wasn't really sure there were any more takes to be had on the story of Jack the ripper. But I was wrong.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'In a world where the focus is more on the Ripper himself – this brilliant, disturbing, and heart-wrenching story gives these important women a voice.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This was so easy to read and very difficult to put down. Brilliant.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I can’t even begin to describe how many Jack the Ripper books I’ve read. But there are no books like this, and I’m so in love with the premise of it' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If Emma, Bet and Maggie popped up again in some other historical mystery… I would not be mad. I would in fact be asking the bookseller to take my money.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book grabbed me from the start and I couldn't stop reading' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely adored The Women In the Shadows.' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Full Product Details

9780008744182

Table of Contents

Reviews

Praise for author: 'A delicious Art Deco novel with a delightfully acerbic heroine and a cast of fabulously diverse characters having perilous adventures in exotic locations – what more could you want? Lovely fireside reading!' Marius Gabriel ‘What a page turner! A bookshop in wartime Lisbon is the gateway to a thrilling world of mystery, espionage, adventure and romance for brilliant and beautiful Lara.' Daisy Wood 'Original and immersive. If you read one Second World War novel in 2025 – make it this one.' Eva Glyn ‘A lively trip up the vertiginous backstreets of wartime Lisbon that serves up Nazi spies, Edward and Mrs Simpson and a bookshop with a difference, all seen through the eyes of an engaging young British actress. I lapped it up!’ Eliza Graham 'I was completely swept away by the story of smart, savvy heroine, Lara and the wonderfully, eclectic cast of supporting characters. A must-read for historical fiction fans and for me, Kerry Barrett’s best book yet.' Annie Lyons

Author Information

Harriet Fox is a writer and journalist and writes dark and twisty crime novels bringing women's stories out of the shadows of history. Harriet is obsessed with crime fiction, horror films and ghost stories as well as history podcasts and cryptic crosswords. She also writes historical fiction as Kerry Barrett.

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