Julie Berry gets big response from hometown with launch of her latest book

Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) World-renown Jack the Ripper researcher Michael L. Hawley and author Julie Berry hold copies of their books prior to the launch celebration Monday night of Berry’s latest novel, If Looks Could Kill. At right is Valerie Fleshauer, a former student of Hawley’s, who introduced him to Julie and her husband Phil. Hawley opened the evening with a short talk on his research of Jack the Ripper suspect Francis Tumblety. (Right) Berry and Hawley share a hug after their presentations at the launch party Monday night for Berry’s newest novel which was influenced by Hawley’s research.

MEDINA – Julie Berry’s launch of her latest book If Looks Could Kill brought out a crowd of more than 100 people on Monday to Author’s Note, the bookstore she owns at 519 Main St.

“Such a tremendous show of support from Medina and the surrounding communities, and from faithful friends of the bookstore,” Berry said. “The most amazing things at Author’s Note are the people who work here and the people who come here.”

She thanked the book club members who are so vital to the store’s support, and gave special thanks to her team, including Olivia Marchese and Erica Caldwell who worked tirelessly to create beautiful, festive and meaningful decorations to set a celebratory tone.

A New York Times’ Best-Selling author, Berry got the idea for her latest book while remodeling the book store after she had bought it.

“I started thinking about murder and exploring a murder story and violence against women,” Berry said. “It is shocking the percentage of women who will experience violence in their lives.”

Then she started thinking, “What if women had the ability to pay back men who hurt them?” That thought resulted in a Medusa image. Medusa is described as “representing a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats, an image of evil to repel evil.” Her famous feature is her hair of snakes.

“In the myth, Medusa had no power to control her power,” Berry said. “I wanted a Medusa for the 21st century, who could control her power – could turn it on or off and manipulate the extent of its effects. I went into this book wanting female revenge. But I don’t believe in discriminate or over-reaching justice. I believe everybody deserves the opportunity to heal, learn and change, but if I was going to move this story forward with the vengeance I still wanted, I needed a very bad villain.”

She picked lower Manhattan as the scene for her newest endeavor, and there was Jack the Ripper, she said.

“I was angry and Jack the Ripper was just what I needed for my book about where to find peace, hope and trust, especially in the darkest of times,” Berry said.

Author and Jack the Ripper researcher Michael T. Hawley gives a slide presentation on why he believes Francis Tumblety, who is buried in Rochester, was Jack the Ripper.

Then, through Lindy Hop dancing with her husband Phil, she met Valerie Fleschauer, a scientist at the University of Rochester’s laser lab, who had been a student of Jack the Ripper researcher Michael L. Hawley. Fleschauer connected Berry with Hawley, who is an expert on Jack the Ripper, and in particular, the suspect Francis Tumblety.

Hawley has appeared on the Travel Channel, Ghost Hunter and History Channel, among others. He said every claim that Tumblety could not be Jack the Ripper has been debunked.  We don’t know if he was the Ripper, but Hawley believes the objections raised against him don’t stand up to the facts.

“To my mind, there is no reason to think Tumblety, who is buried in Rochester, could not be Jack the Ripper,” he said.

In concluding, Berry said Medusa is a power women can use and turn on and off.

“That is the power I want people to feel when they read this book,” she said. “Find your inner monster and ‘Medusify.’ Confidence makes a difference. Insisting you are going to be heard makes a difference.”

Scott Robinson and his wife Alix Gilman were among those who attended the launch.

“The launch of Julie Berry’s If Looks Could Kill at Author’s Note was a reminder of what makes Medina and Western New York so special,” Alix said. “Julie is an intoxicating trifecta of intelligence, talent and wit – but most of all, her heart and sense of justice and unparalleled. Events like this celebrate the incredible depth of talent and knowledge we have right here in our community, and the magic of gathering together to honor it.”

“This event was just the boost of faith, confidence and adrenaline I needed to take this tour nationwide,” Berry said. “That was Medina’s gift to me, and I’m grateful.”

Berry is now travelling on a 29-stop nationwide tour of her book. Click here for more on her book and the tour.