2026 Reading Challenge
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

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

by Hallie Rubenhold (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Five, please sign up.

Answered Questions (7)

Did anyone else see the typo in Elizabeth's chapter? I don't know if I missed something and I'm being a total idiot, but her name is spelled one way for half the chapter and another way for the second half, and I looked back to see whether it was because she might have changed it when she moved to London but there's no mention of it... it just changes spelling within a couple of sentences...
Shanna Yes, it did change. She was born with the spelling Elisabeth in Sweden. She changed it to Elizabeth when she moved to London per her English records. …moreYes, it did change. She was born with the spelling Elisabeth in Sweden. She changed it to Elizabeth when she moved to London per her English records. It says this on the bottom of page 159.(less)
flag
do you gave any book club questions?
Sarah You could probably tailor some "standard" book club questions to the genre and style of the book and add some specific to the subject matter of the bo…moreYou could probably tailor some "standard" book club questions to the genre and style of the book and add some specific to the subject matter of the book and its reception.
eg.
What did you enjoy the most/least about this book?
What did you find the most surprising?
Which of the five victims' stories did you find the most intriguing or resonating? Why? Have you previously read any other books about the crimes of Jack the Ripper? How did this book vary?
Do you feel a basic knowledge of the Ripper crimes is necessary to get the most out of this book? Why or why not? Did this book change your perspective on the crimes of Jack the Ripper? If so, how?
What do you think about the author's research for this book? Did you feel the sources the author used were credible and well-balanced?
How do you think female victims of violent crime are represented in the media?
How are they perceived by members of the public and the justice system?
Do you think this has changed significantly since the late 19th century? If so, how and why?
Why has the mainstream Ripper "narrative" assumed that all five victims were prostitutes and why is this relevant?
The author has received substantial criticism from "Ripperologists" since this book was published, principally because of her suggestion that three of the five victims were not at the time of their deaths, and never were, prostitutes (see: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...). Why do you think the book has prompted this reaction from some quarters? Do you think it is justified?(less)
flag
trigger warnings??
Ryan de Ste. Croix As you'd imagine it deals with some challenging themes.

TW for:

Death
Rape
Murder
Sexual assault/abuse
Alcoholism
Domestic violence
Mental health …moreAs you'd imagine it deals with some challenging themes.

TW for:

Death
Rape
Murder
Sexual assault/abuse
Alcoholism
Domestic violence
Mental health (less)
flag
If it's "untold lives" how is it written? Unless someone told her or she found out via research. I always say the truth comes out.
Zi She researched their lives rather meticulously from records she found I believe, it’s untold because they’re always the secondary players in the popul…moreShe researched their lives rather meticulously from records she found I believe, it’s untold because they’re always the secondary players in the popular ripper narrative(less)
flag
The Five: The Untold Stories of the women killed by Jack the Ripper is a work of non-fiction. My favorite genre is historical fiction. Does this read like a novel or a text book? The topic is certainly interesting just wondering about the writing style.
Zi it reads most like a biography :)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more