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The Night in Question 9781782069751 Books

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The Night in Question 9781782069751 Books

British author Laurie Graham's new historical novel, "The Night in Question", is about the Jack the Ripper murders in London. But like many of Graham's previous works, the protagonist is not the historical figure, Jack, but a bystander to the story, an actress called Dot Allbones. Dot is a 40ish music hall "artiste", known for her comedic work in the theater. She lives in Whitechapel, the area the Ripper operates in and even knows one of the victims, a figure from her childhood in Wolverhampton, who has also ended up in London, albeit in a different line of work than Dot's. And its this line of work - combined with a liking for alcohol - that has Catherine Eddowes meeting the Ripper's knife in a particularly heinous way.

Most of the Laurie Graham's books I've read are about famous figures or events in history, though told by a secondary character. For instance, Graham's excellent novel, "Gone With the Windsors", is told in the first person by a Baltimore-born friend of Wallis Simpson, who is in London with her during the courtship, David's abdication, and subsequent wedding. And in Laurie Graham's clever hands, the secondary characters are always as interesting as the "primary" ones.

In "The Night in Question", Graham makes clear that very little separates Kate Conway (Catherine Eddowes's 'street name') from Dot Allbones. If Dot hadn't had talent, self-confidence and a good childhood, she probably wouldn't have achieved the modest fame and professional respect she did in her life. She, particularly if she had had a weakness for alcohol, might have ended up as Kate did, living precariously on the streets, making her "bed money" by casual prostitution. The women who were counted as the Ripper's "canonical five", all shared a street life like Kate Conway, making them easy victims of the Ripper.

Dot Allbones has friends and professional acquaintances she works with who are also part of the story. Her boarder, a young man from the provinces, "Valentine St John", becomes friends with a very shady American doctor, Francis Tumelty, who Dot suspects of a connection to the murders. The investigation into the five murders and the attendant horror in London as the murders grow in number and ferocity are told in Dot's perceptive and sometimes laconic voice. The book is a clever mix of real and fictional characters and is well worth reading. The book is not out in the United States yet; I had to order the book from Amazon/UK.


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The Night in Question 9781782069751 Books Reviews

I love Laurie Graham's books. You can count on very clever characters. This novel is about 'Jack the Ripper' and it is funny. The main character Dot is hilarious. The novel includes Valentine her kookie friend, Tom her lover and goofy newsman, Monty her faithful but clueless manager, and more delightful characters. Also, wonderful information about London during this time including a map. Highly recommended!!! This book deserves an A+++++++++
British author Laurie Graham's new historical novel, "The Night in Question", is about the Jack the Ripper murders in London. But like many of Graham's previous works, the protagonist is not the historical figure, Jack, but a bystander to the story, an actress called Dot Allbones. Dot is a 40ish music hall "artiste", known for her comedic work in the theater. She lives in Whitechapel, the area the Ripper operates in and even knows one of the victims, a figure from her childhood in Wolverhampton, who has also ended up in London, albeit in a different line of work than Dot's. And its this line of work - combined with a liking for alcohol - that has Catherine Eddowes meeting the Ripper's knife in a particularly heinous way.

Most of the Laurie Graham's books I've read are about famous figures or events in history, though told by a secondary character. For instance, Graham's excellent novel, "Gone With the Windsors", is told in the first person by a Baltimore-born friend of Wallis Simpson, who is in London with her during the courtship, David's abdication, and subsequent wedding. And in Laurie Graham's clever hands, the secondary characters are always as interesting as the "primary" ones.

In "The Night in Question", Graham makes clear that very little separates Kate Conway (Catherine Eddowes's 'street name') from Dot Allbones. If Dot hadn't had talent, self-confidence and a good childhood, she probably wouldn't have achieved the modest fame and professional respect she did in her life. She, particularly if she had had a weakness for alcohol, might have ended up as Kate did, living precariously on the streets, making her "bed money" by casual prostitution. The women who were counted as the Ripper's "canonical five", all shared a street life like Kate Conway, making them easy victims of the Ripper.

Dot Allbones has friends and professional acquaintances she works with who are also part of the story. Her boarder, a young man from the provinces, "Valentine St John", becomes friends with a very shady American doctor, Francis Tumelty, who Dot suspects of a connection to the murders. The investigation into the five murders and the attendant horror in London as the murders grow in number and ferocity are told in Dot's perceptive and sometimes laconic voice. The book is a clever mix of real and fictional characters and is well worth reading. The book is not out in the United States yet; I had to order the book from /UK.