Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell & Pie and Mash
Pie and Mash… I tried to find a recipe traditional for the East End of London (where the murders took place). I found it fascinating to find the history behind Pie and Mash. I have included some links behind this recipe. What started out as Pie and Mash turned into chicken pot pie! 😆. After reading how this recipe has changed throughout the years, I decided to use the cooked chicken I already had in the refrigerator. I did not have potatoes so could not do the “mash.” I also did not have small pans for individual pies so had to use a big pie plate. So technically, what started out as pie and mash turned into chicken pot pie (which is very similar). Oh…I also didn’t have an eel to make the liquor sauce…nor do I think I would have made the liquor sauce if I happened to have an eel at home. Just sayin…
Links on history of pie and mash:
https://www.ft.com/content/8b7e1ac6-765e-11e9-bbad-7c18c0ea0201
http://www.keefcooks.com/east-end-pie-and-mash-with-liquor-recipe
Something else I experimented with was using an olive oil pie crust. If you are wondering why my crust is not smooth and flaky, now you know. All I am going to say is DO NOT DO AN OLIVE OIL PIE CRUST! I also decided to follow the chicken pot pie recipe (very similar to the pie and mash recipes) from the Salt Fat Acid Heat cookbook. Although pie and mash turned into chicken pot pie with an olive oil pie crust, it still turned out delicious!
Now for the book…
I have always been fascinated with the mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper. My second year teaching (about 19 years ago), I mentioned in my World History class something about seeing (news?) where a lady solved the Jack the Ripper case. I had a student tell me that was his aunt. I was like “yea, right!” Well, he wasn’t lying! Patricia Cornwell is his aunt! I believed him after some discussion. 😌A few days ago, I googled and found out her maiden name is this student’s last name so guessing his dad and she are brother/sister. Anyway, when I came across Cornwell’s book at Goodwill, I didn’t think twice about buying it.
So should you read it? Well, if you are fascinated with mysteries and this case, yes! Absolutely! If you love forensic science and criminology, yes! Absolutely! What about if you are squeamish? No! Disturbed easily? No!
You have to understand that she dives into details behind this psychopathic killer – the mind, the torments, the possible dysfunctions that drove this murderous spree. There are some subjects that may be bothersome to some; however, it is important to explain the possible motives behind his behavior. The entire book dives into how this case would have been solved with today’s forensic technology, something that was lacking in 1888. It is fascinating to read how she used DNA, handwriting analysis, even analyzing the stationery he used to write letters in order to prove (in her opinion) that the Ripper was the famed artist Walter Sickert. She gives a very good case proving why the Ripper has to be Walter Sickert.
I did come across an article, from 2019, that stated new DNA evidence proves it was actually a Polish Jewish guy (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/jack-ripper-s-identity-may-finally-be-known-thanks-dna-n984536). However, several other articles discuss the lack of reliability of this research.
So, who was Jack the Ripper? In Cornwell’s opinion, it was Walter Sickert. I believe, though, unless there was 100% DNA evidence (which is unlikely considering Sickert was cremated and had no children), there will always be doubt as to who this serial killer was. Cornwell did, though, spend $7 million behind her theory that it was Sickert, so I am going to go with her research! 😀
If you do not feel like reading the book but interested in the case, Hulu has a series out called Whitechapel, a present day murder mystery where the killer is mimicking Jack the Ripper’s murders. In episode 3, two of the main characters sit down to eat in a diner. Guess what they are eating? PIE AND MASH (in the liquor sauce)!!!! How cool is that!
Overview of Cornwell’s updated book on Jack the Ripper
