Mary Kelly was the final victim of the infamous Victorian-era serial killer, Jack The Ripper.
The circumstances of her death overshadow her life, and in The Last Dance of Mary Kelly , E. David Brown imagines for her a life and occupation beyond the "prostitute" label typically attributed to her. Having fled poverty in Ireland, Mary Kelly finds employment in a textile factory where she becomes embroiled in the workers' movement, and the investigations of American journalist, Bryson Ward. Victorian London doesn't "shine" in this novel of intrigue and historical injustices; rather, it seeps into the skin like a coal-infused fog, and keeps you hooked. Because you might think you know the history, but until you turn the final page you won't know the whole story.
"…fans of Victorian period pieces and those with an interest in theories surrounding Jack the Ripper will find plenty to interest them in these pages. A detailed, if sometimes gruesome, narrative that effectively explores the socioeconomic corruption of Victorian London."
– Kirkus Reviews
"Blending crisp prose with sumptuous detail, Brown delves deeply into the cruel underbelly of 19th century London. […] Brown invests in the bravery of Whitechapel’s murdered citizens as much as he focuses on the havoc that was Whitechapel. […] Brown summons up the lung-choking dust, the lamp-lighters and ever-present press of history, and what one character calls the “blood and guts tales on this patch of hell."
– BookLife Reviews
"…for true crime patrons who like their speculations served with more than a dash of drama. Its powerful characters and sense of the times makes for an outstanding read that stands apart from most Jack the Ripper recreations."
– Midwest Review
"Brown’s characters are fully believable, and he writes with snappy dialogue and descriptive passages that vividly capture the city’s underbelly: The filth and stench practically jump off the pages. Meanwhile, readers are inexorably drawn into the creepy possibility that there’s more to these murders than existing literature has suggested. Ultimately, this is much more than a mystery. It’s a fascinating and horrifying history lesson—one you simply can’t put down."
– Blue Ink Review
"The Last Dance of Mary Kelly is not just historical fiction—it’s historical justice. It’s a novel that forces us to remember the woman, not the headline. For readers who love stories that honor the forgotten, that question the easy answers of history, and that leave a lasting ache in your chest, this is an absolute must-read."
– Ily Renfroe, Media/Journalist
