The Frightened Man

An American author in Victorian London investigates the rumored reemergence of Jack the Ripper in this historical mystery series debut. London, 1900. In the dying days of the old queen's reign, the city is filled with imperial ambition, scientific revolution, and the shrill blast of factory whistles. For an American named Denton, it's the perfect place to disappear. A former frontier sheriff turned novelist, all he wants is to escape his own memories. But now he must face another dark specter from the past. Jack the Ripper hasn't been heard of for more than fifteen years. But at least one ferrety little fellow claims to have seen him at his grisly work. And when a prostitute turns up dead, Denton can't shake the notion that the frightened man may have something to be frightened about. Nor can he shake his old instinct to see justice done.