It's human nature to be fascinated about what scares you the most, which explains why Jack the Ripper is one of the most captivating serial killers in history. Everyone has their own theories, but there is no consensus on who viciously slaughtered five women in Victorian England. Although the Ripper murders are historical, they've almost become folklore and have morphed into their own horror stories and mysteries.
Historical fiction gives us the opportunity to rewrite history in the most creative and thrilling ways. Tales of Jack the Ripper haunt our minds as a classic whodunnit case giving us suspense, terror, mystery, and even a history lesson. No matter what reasoning you have for enjoying the story of Jack the Ripper, here are historical fictional books, movies, TV shows, and podcasts you can enjoy for more history, crime, and thrills.
If you want to READ historical fictionalized killing
In reality, we'll never know the real Jack, so having loose ends tied up and learning about the man behind the knife in a work of fiction is absolutely satisfying. In this story, an ailing man claiming to be Jack the Ripper says he has a story to tell. He opens the floodgates to our protagonist Charles Hapgood, who
is the sole witness to this man's last testimony. I Was Jack the Ripper is an exciting yet plausible story for those who enjoy historical fiction and don't want it exaggerated into a horror story. Read here.
England's Victorian period was a wild time of innovation, creation, and chaos. The Face of a Stranger captures the essence of this period but also the elements of murder and suspense. In The Face of a Stranger, the loveable yet troubled London detective William Monk hunts for a killer. It's a fictional police
procedural that leaves room for accurate historical details and various mysteries to unfold. Monk has his own memory lapses while on the hunt for a brutal killer. What could go wrong? Read here.
Set around San Francisco's 1906 earthquake, 12-year-old Shane and Sergeant Randall Blackburn team up to find a serial killer who killed Shane's adopted mom and sisters. As the investigation continues, the killer's horrific plans are made clear. The suspense increases as time begins to run out on catching him.
Hunting after an unknown serial killer will give Jack the Ripper fans the chase they're looking for. Read here.
This historical fiction novel brings us back to New York City's Gilded Age, a period of change and a distinct separation of class. Una is from the streets but hides her rough lifestyle from her snobby peers at nursing school. However, her instincts kick in when one of the patients ends up dead; she knows this is no
accident but is she willing to expose her street smarts to catch a serial killer? The mystery will intrigue any reader and keep them on the edge of their seat as we root for our rough-around-the-edges protagonist who is just trying to fit in. Read here.
London and Paris and Nazis, oh my! In the years following World War II, Billie is on the hunt for a socialite's husband. This mission brings her from London to Paris, hoping to solve his disappearance. If this mystery wasn't tricky enough, Nazis and other evils are lurking in the shadows to throw her off her trail as she
gets closer to solving the case. This novel tells an imaginary story, but the cruel and depraved history of the Nazis is very real. Read here.
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If you want to WATCH historical fictionalized killing.
Penny Dreadful is the perfect combination of history, fun, and drama for a television show set in moody Victorian England. This fictionalized fantasy puts us in a world with literature's most famous characters, such as Dorian Gray, Count Dracula, and Frankenstein, along with name drops of Jack the Ripper. Is he
killing people, or is it something supernatural? Penny Dreadful is an enjoyable way to see what life was like back then with period costumes and sets while also suspending disbelief for the thrill of the mystery. Watch here.
From rags to riches, a prostitute, Sugar, makes her way to the top, becoming a wealthy man's mistress in 1870 London. Although great on paper, this bargain poses some problems as Sugar realizes the rich and powerful have their own dirty secrets. Scandal, murder and the unknown begin to darken Sugar's
experience as she discovers more than she ever wanted to know. Watch here.
Shutter Island is a slow-burning psychological thriller. As you watch this Scorsese film set in the 1950s, you don't know what's real and what isn't. It will keep you guessing from start to finish. Any horror fan will enjoy the true-life depiction of insane asylums and be disturbed by their cruelty. They're victims of
their own circumstances, trapped by their traumas. Perhaps a fate worse than death during this time period. Watch here.
The Witch is another thriller period film. Set in the 1630s, we see how deep religious beliefs and fear can turn family members against each other. This film keeps you guessing if black magic is involved in the strange happenings or if it's just paranoia and isolation playing with their minds. As the story unfolds, the
lines of reality become blurred and the mystery increases. If you want a good scare, this movie is perfect for you. Although supernatural evil is scary, the real evils of serial killers and witch hunts are scarier. Watch here.
At first glance, Gosford Park is charming and depicts the peak of 1930s elegance until events take a turn for the worst in the middle of a relaxing retreat. Someone ends up dead. Things begin to unravel as suspicion arises. Who among them could have done this? The tension thrills the viewer as you also
wonder who the cold-blooded killer is in sheep's clothing. We have a classic whodunnit that will leave you guessing. Watch here.
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If you want to LISTEN TO historical fictionalized killing.
Here's a unique recommendation for those who simply love the quirks of the Victorian Era with a hint of true crime. Victoriocity is a detective comedy podcast that centers around a murder in Victorian England. With all of these factors of history and an unknown killer, it's clear why a fan of Jack the Ripper would enjoy
this audible series. Listen here.
2. Outliers- Stories from the Edge of History
Outcasts in society have been shunned throughout history, but with a fictional twist, Outliers gives everyone a chance to be recognized. Who knows how much we are missing because the marginalized were ignored or hidden during monumental events? This podcast gives listeners a new and refreshing
3. Ruth is Stranger than Fiction
This podcast is purely fictional but heavily researched. Ruth is Stranger than Fiction plays off of historical events with elements of horror and mystery. These elements add a supernatural feel to the podcast and provoke discussion between the host and their guest. Although some aspects may be gruesome,
4. Sherlock Holmes Is Real
Sherlock Holmes is Real requires you to suspend your disbelief. Pretend for a moment that Sherlock Holmes was an actual historical figure, but history is trying to make him out to be fictional. It's a quirky idea that makes for a thrilling, conspiracy-filled podcast. The case of Jack the Ripper has countless
conspiracies surrounding it, so anyone who likes to come up with far-out ideas will enjoy this one.
5. History through Fiction
History through Fiction provides the perfect balance between fiction and nonfiction. In this podcast, real history is told through an imaginary narrative. You can get your entertainment fix but also an education. The host is both an author and a historian who wants people to remember that learning never has to be
boring and can even be fun!
