2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

The present day murders were virtually identical to the Ratcliffe Highway murders. Did you think it might be the same killer or a copycat? What helped you form your opinion?

I thought it was the same murderer. It is true to this period for the magistrates, and Jarvis, to frame an innocent man. Their primary concern is to stop the working class from worrying about these horrendous crimes.

Also, It made sense that the murders stopped because the actual killer was out to sea. Every indication was more than one person as involved initially. The more we follow Sebastian, the more it looks like the ring leader of the Ratcliffe crew is cleaning up witnesses.

It doesn't surprise me that I didn't latch on to the present day killers until the reveal.

When I discovered the Ratcliffe Highway murders were a true crime, it confused me a little as no one ever investigated beyond John Williams’ death. But, there was much speculation that he wasn’t the murderer but they let it go because the killings stopped.

With that said, it was pretty clear from the true crime facts and Sebastian’s investigation that there was a high probability Williams wasn’t the killer. The fact that they’d murdered an innocent infant made me think there was a specific reason these people were killed and it wasn’t random or a robbery. I never believed the present day murders were copycats, though.