This special edition is an extended preview (first 12 chapters) of the newly released Victorian crime thriller, 'Letters From a Murderer', first in the Argenti & Jameson series.

“One genius criminal profiler. One ruthless, streetwise cop. Both will need all their wits to capture the most notorious killer of all time.”

New York, 1891. A prostitute is found brutally murdered. The victim bears the same hallmarks as a notorious recent killing spree in England. Could it be that killer has crossed the Atlantic to fresh killing grounds? Or is this simply a copycat murder? Fear spreads through a city already rife with cut-throat gangs, corruption and vice. Aristocratic English pathologist, Finley Jameson, is teamed up with Joseph Argenti, a streetwise New York cop, to solve the case. But as the body-count rises and the killer taunts his pursuers in open letters, Jameson & Argenti find themselves fighting not just to prevent yet more victims, but also to save the city’s very soul.

Reviews:
"A thrilling tale of murder, corruption and trust, Letters From a Murderer is an exciting and captivating read and entirely unputdownable." --Uncorked Thoughts

'John Matthews ticked all the right boxes. From the interesting and odd coupling of Jameson and Argenti, to the characterisation of peripheral prostitutes and victims. Each element was three dimensional and invoked a sense of realism which helped transport me to the time where this heinous tale of bloodshed was splashed across the headlines.' --Just a Guy That Likes to Read

'To get this book, you need to add the following things in a blender: Sherlock Holmes, New York City, Jack the Ripper, and Gangs of New York. Add a dash of unique and excellent characterization and you have one explosive novel that will not let you put it down until you're finished, no matter how tired you may be.' --Meeting Chance

Fast moving story that grips you and constantly surprises you as it turns one way and then another... The characters too are sympathetic and intriguing. Set at the turn of the century, the atmosphere of the growing city with fast developing industry and the accompanying underbelly of vice and corruption is beautifully portrayed by Matthews. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it an immensely engrossing read. This book will certainly appeal to many lovers of the crime fiction genre.
-- Crime Squad

If you’re interested in historical crime, whether fact or fiction, then John Matthews has produced a book with a fantastic conceit... The milieu is fascinating and well described, and the two protagonists appear to have enough difference between them to develop an intriguing relationship where the sparks will sometimes fly.
-- Crime Fiction Lover

Racehorse of a narrative gives way to a thrilling dash for the finish... Matthews’s (Past Imperfect) latest is likely to be wholly satisfying to Ripperologists and Victorian enthusiasts. Fans of Matthew Pearl, Alex Grecian, Lyndsay Faye, and Alan Moore should take special note.
-- Library Journal

In a word ... brilliant. Over the years there have been a number of books, tv shows and films based on the Ripper murders. This is the best by far. I was gripped from page one right through to the end. The story, the characters, the setting, it was all perfectly executed. In fact, I am writing this now having finished reading it about ten minutes ago and my heart is still racing.
-- Dream Believe Write

I was quickly hooked by Letters From a Murderer and could not put it down. I'm already looking forward to the next case! This is one hell of a roller-coaster ride: a detective story, a psychological thriller, a historical mystery and characters who are all too human.
-- Popcornreads

The depth and layers of the action was a real highlight... A novel with so many ingredients can only result in a fully baked Victorian drama. I am already looking towards the second installment.
-- The Book Trail