Dan Leno and The Limehouse Golem - Peter Ackroyd

Advantages: Well-researched, very Jack the Ripper in atmosphere
Disadvantages: The unnecessary appearance of Karl Marx, H G Wells and other historical characters from the period

...theatre company where the famous Dan Leno, character actor extraordinaire, is based. After a period of time doing odd jobs, she is taken on as a character actor in her own right. Interspersed with Elizabeth's story is a number of murders committed by a being that the locals name the Limehouse Golem, reported partially from diaries attributed to Elizabeth Cree's husband, John. The murders are particularly cruel and heartless - the first diary entry ...
...The characters Confusingly, although Dan Leno is mentioned in the title of the book and is a real person, he only plays a minor part in the book. Elizabeth, who shows a remarkable talent for acting and comedy, becomes his protégé, although for some reason, he chooses to keep his distance from her. Elizabeth herself is portrayed as a young woman who has suffered greatly and who has a cruel streak, but has luckily managed to find her feet in the theatre. ... Read review