The Sixth Victim - A Review

Review

THE SIXTH VICTIM by Tessa Harris

The First Constance Piper Mystery

Constance Piper is no longer content with her life, selling flowers as her older sister picks the pockets of her customers. She can read and considers her teacher, Miss Tindall, a friend. But Miss Tindall hasn't been seen in weeks and Constance is worried. It's 1888 and terror has gripped Whitechapel as women are being found butchered on the streets. As vigilance groups patrol the district and mediums try to make contact with the victims Constance finds herself changing. Dreams are coming true, dreams about his victims. But Jack is not the only evil prowling Whitechapel, other men are involved in almost equally heinous activities. Does Constance truly have the second sight? Will she be able to uncover the menace in Whitechapel? Or will she become another victim? 

While I am by no means a Ripperologist I'm fascinated by the mystery of Jack the Ripper and enjoy stories set during his reign of terror in the infamous Whitechapel district of London. I also am captivated by the popularity of Spiritualism during this time. I was therefore delighted to see a mystery combining these two subjects. While the author takes some liberties, I absolutely love her choices regarding Mary Kelly. 

THE SIXTH VICTIM tells the story from two points of view, that of our protagonist, Constance, and Emily. Emily is the omniscient one. She knows the truth of what happened and guides readers, even more than she guides Constance, teasing out facts and showing important events as they happened. There are several mysteries going on here, all intertwining.

Constance Piper is a strong young woman who wants more. Streetwise, but longing for more than a brutal life of destitution, where thieving is the accepted way to make a living. Seeing Constance discover and develop her gift of sight, especially amidst the horror of the time was rewarding.

THE SIXTH VICTIM is an atmospheric novel showing men's inhumanity and the women who rise and fall because of it. With brutal realistic descriptions of an area steeped in poverty and crime, the author manages to find some light and I look forward to seeing Constance grow and evolve, hopefully being able to share that light with the unfortunates around her.