A Heart-Wrenching British Murder Story covering the True Murder of Young John Gill in Yorkshire,1888.
Johnny Gill, a young seven-year-old from Bradford, comes from the poor end of town. Despite being poor, his family are tight-knit, loving and well-respected within their community. One foggy morning, just a few days after Christmas, Johnny's mother sees her son off from the front door as he climbs into the milk wagon of William Barrett. As Mary Ann Gill waves goodbye to her eldest son that morning, she has no idea that this will be the last time she will see him. Johnny doesn't come home for his lunch and his mother starts to worry about him. The family search frantically for him for three days and nights. They search Manningham, and wider Bradford until someone finds him early on the Saturday morning, just meters from their home. His little body has been hacked up, drained of blood, thoroughly washed, his organs displaced and his intestines are draped around his neck eerily similar to the murders that have been happening in London done by Jack the Ripper. Several letters were sent by Jack stating that he would murder a little boy soon. After the murder another letter was sent stating that he had been up to Bradford. However, was this murder committed by the infamous Jack the Ripper? There are other clues involving Masonic rituals found in a local house at the same time of Johnny's death that point to the possibility that it was. And yet, William Barrett was the last one to see Johnny. The modus operandi could well be a copy-cat murder. In addition, William Barrett isn't saying much.
"Who Killed Little Johnny Gill?" is a fictionalised account of the true murder of a young boy in Bradford, England that is still considered today to be one of the worst British murders in England, despite the fact that it occurred in 1888 of Victorian Times. After the author presents the facts of this fascination English crime fiction novel, will you think William Barrett is innocent? Well, you will have to read the book to find out for yourself.
This well-written, true story will transport you back to Victorian Times where McMaster skilfully brings to life the people and the city of Bradford, England presenting a well-crafted, fictionalised account of the events based on documents and trial transcripts. This is one murder mystery you won't be able to put down until the last page is turned.
" As a 'true crimeophile' this is one of the best historical books I have read." - Paul Hunt
"What an amazing read! Kathryn transports us back to 1888 Bradford, in what was the year of Jack The Ripper, and keeps us transfixed by the characters and events involved. The retelling involves fictional conversations, but the factual events are all there, and it reads as crime non- fiction in real terms. Everything falls into place and The narrative was so compelling. I want to see the crime scenes now ( many streets and surroundings survive to this day) Please buy this book if you like true crime, Jack the Ripper, or simply want a great who-dunnit, brilliantly told.Magnificent! " - David Hall
This book is written in British English.
