Jackaby harks back to when detective mysteries were cunning and tricky with plenty of hints for readers to pick up on if they are paying close enough attention. Thankfully, Ritter is kind enough to fill us all in at the end on the clues he sprinkled through out the book - which are really obvious once you finish the book! I've gotten so comfortable reading novels with plenty of filler lines that I missed some really big hints regarding the villain's identity and how he committed the murders. I was satisfied with the novel in the end and I regret that I didn't pay attention to the smaller details.

The whole book was sort of like an introduction to Jackaby's world and Ritter's writing style.not that this is a bad thing.both are very crafty and wonderful. I'm not sure, but I found myself a bit off kilter once I started reading the first book of William Ritter's Jackaby series. I guess I expected more macabre and less humour. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Jackaby before I started. Meanwhile, Abigail is exposed to plenty of strange creatures and raises the question: just what has she gotten herself into? And does she want to continue being Jackaby's assistant even if it could lead to her death?īanshees, were-creatures, psychics and all manner of non-human creatures debut in Ritter's young adult take on Sherlock Holme's murder mystery genre. Only problem is the Police want New Fiddleham's most bonafide quack detective far away from their crime scenes. When a serial killer begins to commit gruesome murders, striking fear in the residents of New Fiddleham, Jackacky wastes no time in getting involved. It's this talent that leads her to become employed by the strange and slightly insane R.F Jackaby.

Abigail Rook has a knack for seeing the ordinary details in the most un-ordinary situations. Want a little alternate history with a paranormal Sherlock Holmes? Something unique and quirky? Received from Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an completely unbiased review. But is Charlie's offer a sincere desire to be of service, or is some darker motive at work. While Abigail finds herself drawn to Jackaby's keen intelligence and his sensitivity to phenomena others barely perceive, her feelings are confused by the presence of Charlie, a handsome young policeman willing to help Jackaby and Abigail on the case. The police are convinced it's an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain the foul deeds are the work of the kind of creature whose very existence the local police seem adamant to deny. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby's assistant. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary-including the ability to see supernatural beings. Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1890, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R.

Jackaby by William Ritter