Of Thimble and Threat: A Novel of Catherine Eddowes, the Fourth Victim of Jack the Ripper

In Victorian London, the greatest city of the richest country in the world, the industrial revolution has created a world of decadence and prosperity, but also one of unimaginable squalor and suffering. Human degradation, filth, rats, parasites, danger, sorrow, and death are ever-present in its streets. Catherine Eddowes is found murdered gruesomely in the city's East End. The possessions, including clothes--over fifty personal items--carried on her person are listed in the police reports of the crime. Wearing several layers of clothing and having stayed the two night prior to the one of her death in the workhouse casual ward (homeless shelter), the possessions may have been everything she owned in the world. In OF THIMBLE AND THREAT, Alan M. Clark tells the heartbreaking story of Catherine Eddowes, the fourth victim of Jack the Ripper, explaining the origin and acquisition of the items found with her at the time of her death, chronicling her life from childhood to adulthood, motherhood, her descent into alcoholism, and finally her death. OF THIMBLE AND THREAT is a story of the intense love between a mother and a child, a story of poverty and loss, fierce independence, and unconquerable will. It is the devastating portrayal of a self-perpetuated descent into Hell, a lucid view into the darkest parts of the human heart.

About the Author
Clark, Alan M.: - Alan M. Clark, fine arts painter, illustrator, and author, hails from Tennessee where he grew up in a house full of human bones and old medical books. At present, he lives in Eugene, Oregon with his wife, Melody. In his 33 year freelance career, he has created illustrations for hundreds of books, including works of fiction of various genres, nonfiction, textbooks, young adult fiction, and children's books. He is the author of 17 books, including eleven novels, a lavishly illustrated novella, four collections of fiction, and a nonfiction full-color book of his artwork. The World Fantasy Award and four Chesley Awards are among the honors he's received for his work. Mr. Clark's company, IFD Publishing, has released 39 books, including hardcovers, paperbacks, ebooks, and audio books. IFD Publishing's authors include F. Paul Wilson, Elizabeth Engstrom, and Jeremy Robert Johnson. www.alanmclark.com