Blood Legacy

by Carl Hose

Who is Jack the Ripper? Most of us know the dark figure in a long coat and top hat, with a black medical bag clutched in one hand and a razor-sharp surgical knife in the other. We can all imagine this madman stalking the dirty back alleys and fog-shrouded streets of Whitechapel, searching for his next victim. What we can’t imagine is what history has left out. Blood Legacy is a chilling novel that follows a blood-drenched trail leading to a shocking new twist in the Ripper mythology.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2012

Reviews

[William Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. This is 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 guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

[William Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood Legacy by Carl Hose is one of those books that have the ability to evoke a time and place in a way that makes the story all the more believable to the reader. As the previous review points out, this book chronicles the legacy of the infamous Jack The Ripper.

Without giving too much of the story-line away, the central character is a writer living at the bottom of a bottle who is given an opportunity to travel abroad and meet someone who claims to know the real identity of Jack The Ripper. Begrudgingly, the main character accepts his publisher's ultimatum and sets off expecting nothing but an inconvenience.

What he finds is an old man in the last days of his pitiful life, confined to his bed in a sanitarium. The sick old man manipulates the writer as he reveals snippets of his past and genealogy. Once I started reading this book I couldn't stop. It is a quick read and would appeal to anyone who likes historical crime fiction, thrillers, serial killer novels, and the macabre.

I could not fault the editing/grammar on a whole and found the story to be as convincing as it was intriguing. My only criticism is that I felt it was too short and left me wanting more. Despite this small [tongue-in-cheek] criticism, this was one of the best fictional stories I have read related to the hypothetical revelation of the true character of Jack The Ripper.

Blood Legacy takes the Ripper-Literature canon a step further, with the utterly delightful premise that the Ripper's murderous reign did not end as history would have us believe, but that it was continued, not only by the killer himself elsewhere, but with the aid of another and perhaps more deadly emissary.

I have no hesitation in recommending this well-written and thoughtful psychological thriller and give it the 5-Stars it deserves accordingly. Can't wait to read more from Carl Hose.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror really isn’t my thing, but I was so impressed with the purpose of the paper.
However, I really enjoyed these stories, much to my surprise. It doesn’t surprise me that
these authors are considered to be the best of their genre.

I strongly recommend that everyone purchase this book. Not only is it a great read, but it supports a really great charity, the Ronald McDonald house. Definitely pick one or two up.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed these stories. I give this book 4 out of 5 clouds.


This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.

[Robert Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Captured me from the start and didn't let go.

Can't wait for more from this author!