The Five

by Hallie Rubenhold
The Five cover
Good Books rating 4.33
True Crime
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 2245
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781473542266
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2019-02-28
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold is a groundbreaking work that shifts the focus from the infamous Jack the Ripper to his five victims. Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Mary-Jane were women from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique stories. Rubenhold meticulously reconstructs their lives, offering a poignant and respectful account that challenges the prevailing myths surrounding their murders. /n/n This book is not just a retelling of a historical crime but a powerful narrative that restores dignity to these women. Rubenhold's extensive research and eloquent writing provide a fresh perspective on a well-known case, making it a compelling read for history enthusiasts and true crime fans alike.

Reviews
Girl with her Head in a Book · 2020-11-28
nuanced 4.50

The reviewer finds the book disappointing for those seeking true crime details but appreciates its focus on the victims' lives. They acknowledge the book's strengths in historical research and narrative style.

The reviewer notes that this book may disappoint readers looking for sensational true crime details, as it deliberately avoids that angle to focus on the lives of the victims. They appreciate the author's clear and confident writing style, which makes the book read more like fiction than non-fiction. The reviewer also acknowledges the book's strengths in historical research and its ability to provide a nuanced understanding of the social and economic conditions that shaped these women's lives. They find the book to be a valuable contribution to women's history, even if it may not meet the expectations of true crime enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    Anyone looking for salacious true crime will find The Five a disappointing read.

    From the outset, Rubenhold is explicit that this is not a book about the murders.

    The writing is very clear and confident, and reads much like fiction rather than non-fiction.

Lynn Bryant · Lynn Bryant · 2020-08-05
compassionate 4.50

The book is praised for its meticulous research and clear writing, offering a compassionate portrayal of the victims' lives. The reviewer appreciates the author's honest and unflinching approach.

Lynn Bryant commends the author for her thorough research and the clarity of her writing, which makes the book engaging and accessible. She particularly appreciates the compassionate and honest portrayal of the victims' lives, which avoids romanticizing their struggles. Bryant also notes that the book is a significant contribution to women's history, providing a nuanced understanding of the social and economic conditions that shaped these women's lives. She finds the book to be a powerful and necessary read that challenges the traditional narratives surrounding Jack the Ripper.

Quick quotes

    The book is very well-written and immaculately researched.

    The author makes no attempt to see her subjects or their lives through rose-coloured spectacles.

    This is a book that needed to be written, and Rubenhold has done it with sensitivity and skill.

The Guardian · 2019-02-13
insightful 4.00

The book challenges the misogynistic narratives surrounding Jack the Ripper's victims and offers a nuanced look at their lives. It's a significant contribution to historical research and feminist discourse.

This review highlights how the book shifts the focus from the infamous killer to the lives of his victims, providing a much-needed perspective that has been overlooked for over a century. The reviewer appreciates the depth of research and the courage to confront the societal issues that led to these women's tragic ends. They praise the book for its ability to humanize the victims and challenge the sensationalism that often surrounds their stories. The reviewer also notes that the book is a call to action against the misogyny that continues to pervade society.

Quick quotes

    A landmark study calls time on the misogyny that fed the Jack the Ripper myth.

    Why has it taken 130 years for a book telling the stories of these women to be written?

    Rubenhold’s book is a powerful corrective to the way these women have been remembered – or rather, not remembered.

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