Last page ‘ripper’ leaves readers wondering whodunnit

IT GIVES a new meaning to the category of “crime fiction”, but police have been called in after it was reported that the final pages of detective novels and other books at a library and charity shop were being ripped out.

The vandal – dubbed Paperback the Ripper – has been leaving book lovers frustrated in the Kentish seaside town of Herne Bay.

Some 15 titles a week have been targeted by the culprit since Easter.

Each time the bottom half of the back page has been ripped out, leaving readers bereft on an ending.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers were called on July 9 to reports that pages had been ripped out of books at a business premises in Mortimer Street between June 1 and July 9 and are investigating.”

The local library and the charity shop Demelza, which raises funds for sick children, have been targeted by the paper pirate.

Demelza store manager Nick Rogers said the ripper had gone quiet for a few days but he fears they will return.

He said: “I haven’t found any damaged books this week – it seems to have stopped.

“It seems like the person’s been scared off, but they could come back later when the spotlight’s not on.

“We’re relieved and hopefully things will get back to normal.”

The ripper had been damaging books in the true crime, sport, travel and miscellaneous sections, which cannot be seen by staff when they are stood at the till.

He added: “We’ve never suspected anyone, so whoever it is is still out there.

“A lot of the customers are more aware now, so a lot of people have a look and make their presence known.”

But there are few clues. Staff members at Herne Bay Library have not found a pattern as the defaced paperbacks have been from different sections.