The Secret of Prisoner 2267 by James Tully stands out for doing exactly that.
Rather than promising a dramatic solution, Tully focuses on a little-known individual and asks a carefully framed question: could this man plausibly have been Jack the Ripper?
It is a book that values investigation over assertion, and nuance over noise.
The Enigma of Prisoner 2267
At the centre of the book is Prisoner 2267, an inmate whose identity, movements and circumstances raise intriguing questions when aligned with the timeline of the Whitechapel murders. Tully examines what is known about this individual’s background, incarceration and behaviour, and why his story deserves closer scrutiny within the wider Ripper narrative.
Crucially, Tully does not rush to judgement. Prisoner 2267 is not presented as the solution, but as a suspect whose existence and records warrant serious attention rather than dismissal.
Making Sense of Fragmented Victorian Records
One of the book’s key strengths is its engagement with historical documentation, particularly prison and administrative records. Tully highlights just how incomplete, inconsistent and opaque Victorian record-keeping could be, and how easily individuals could be misidentified, renamed or effectively lost within the system.
The book explores:
Prison admission and release dates
Gaps and contradictions in official documentation
The use of aliases and unreliable personal details
How imprisonment may or may not align with the murder chronology
These elements are treated as lines of enquiry rather than proof, which lends the book credibility and restraint.
A Refreshingly Measured Approach
In a genre often crowded with “case solved” declarations, The Secret of Prisoner 2267 is notably cautious. Tully repeatedly distinguishes between possibility, probability and certainty, reminding the reader how limited the surviving evidence truly is.
Clear, Accessible Writing
Tully’s writing is straightforward and readable, making the book accessible to newcomers while still engaging for experienced Ripper enthusiasts.
Background context is provided without overwhelming the central argument, and the focus remains firmly on evidence rather than theatrics.
For seasoned readers, the appeal lies in the shift of focus, away from endlessly recycled suspects and towards a figure who has largely escaped mainstream attention.
Who This Book Is For?
This book will particularly suit:
Readers interested in lesser-known Ripper suspects
Those who enjoy archive-driven historical research
Readers wary of sensationalist conclusions
Anyone fascinated by how bureaucratic systems can obscure truth
Final Thoughts
The Secret of Prisoner 2267 – Was This Man Jack the Ripper? by James Tully does not attempt to close the case. Instead, it reopens a door that may have been overlooked, inviting the reader to question assumptions and reconsider how historical narratives are formed.
Whether or not one is persuaded by the case for Prisoner 2267, the book succeeds as a thoughtful, disciplined and quietly unsettling contribution to Ripper studies. In a field crowded with certainty, its greatest strength is its willingness to live with doubt.
This book will make an ideal Christmas present for those fascinated by the case of Jack the Ripper.
It can be bought here https://amzn.to/3MXhHRQ
