Jack The Ripper, the Cleveland Torso Murderer, the Zodiac Killer: the public's interest in unsolved serial killings is a well documented fact. With a plethora of true crime books and television specials revisiting the historical details, it seems everyone has a theory or opinion. These gruesome killings capture our imagination and have haunted our nightmares for generations. And this is also the fertile ground author Carl Hose tackles with his most recent offering, Blood Legacy.I'll admit I've been a fan of Hose's work for quite some time and Blood Legacy is a perfect example of why that is. Taking us from the fog-enshrouded streets of the 1800s Whitechapel District to a sanitarium in 1958, the author adds his own twist on Ripper lore… which can be a tricky undertaking. In the hands of a lesser wordsmith there is always the chance that fictional elements added to historical facts could come across as contrived and hokey. Hose, however, masterfully pulls off this feat in a manner that is as believable as believable as it is well written.
The bulk of the tale is primarily told through flashback sequences as a geriatric serial killer shares his story with an initially dubious author who has been invited to hear the old man's deathbed confessions. The pacing between these two distinct portions of the plot counterbalance one another perfectly, guiding the reader through eighty years of history with enough finesse that the plot details never become muddled or overwhelming.
I've been purposefully avoiding discussing those details here because I really don't want to give away too much. What I will say, however, that of all the books authored by Carl Hose that I've read, this one definitely stands out as my favorite. Well crafted and intriguing through and through, I strongly suggest this book for anyone with an interest in serial killers, Jack the Ripper, or horror in general. A word of warning, though: there are some extremely graphic passages within these pages and it is not recommended for children. For everyone else, however, I say go ahead and treat yourself to this book. I can almost gaurentee that you won't be disappointed.
Ebook available from http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/121372
Paperback available from http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Legacy-Carl-Hose/dp/0983376395/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326851056&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Thanks, WT. This is an awesome review, both from the standpoint of what you say about the book and how it's presented. As always, you're support means the world to me.
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