Sam@WLABB
Written on Dec 24, 2015
Alone and newly arrived in New Fiddleham. 1892, Abigail Rook finds work as the assistant to R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with the ability to see supernatural beings. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose in New Fiddleham. 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 - with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane - seem adamant to deny.
- ISBN10 1616204346
- ISBN13 9781616204341
- Publish Date 16 September 2014 (first published 1 September 2014)
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Algonquin Young Readers
- Format eBook
- Pages 250
- Language English
Reviews
limabean74
Written on Oct 18, 2015
My Review:
Someone hit me because I don’t know why I waited so long to read this book. I had a feeling I would like it but I didn’t realize HOW much I would like it. Pretty much the first paragraph I was completely hooked. I was often reminded while reading this book of another book/series that I love, Lockwood & Company. This had that same vibe and I loved it. I plan to read the next one soon.
Abigail Rook is looking for adventure, set in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892 she meets the oddly intriguing R.F. Jackaby. It wasn’t a meeting of chance she saw a sign on a board for an investigator looking for an assistant but Jackaby is a little…different when it comes to investigating and he isn’t sure that Abigail will work. Abigail is able to hold her own and she is given the job and takes a room in his manor that has a few friends. Abigail and Jackaby are in search of a serial killer can they find him before he finds them?
I loved this story, I loved the characters, I just loved everything about it. I don’t think I was expecting the paranormal type twist but I really thought it was done very well. Yes, I am aware of the synopsis stating supernatural but they way it is done in the book, I wasn’t expecting that.
I really liked Abigail and thought she was a great MC for this book. She was strong headed and independent and I enjoyed her interactions with Jackaby. Jackaby was a little strange but I enjoyed his quarks and strange ways of doing things, I suggest not asking him to make you breakfast. This book had lots of twists and a bunch of humor that I really enjoyed.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I really wish I didn’t wait so long to read it but I am totally looking forward to reading the next one. This book is really great for all ages, a wonderful story with really great characters.
Thank you so much for stopping by to check out my review
Hope you have a great day and Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
Sarah Says
Written on Apr 1, 2015
celinenyx
Written on Mar 16, 2015
Abigail Rook doesn't want to live a life of pretty dresses, but one of adventure and excitement. That's how she ends up on a different continent, penniless, looking for a job. She finds employment by the eccentric Jackaby, a young man who solves paranormal mysteries.
It's clear that Mr Ritter is an absolute fan of old detectives. There are countless allusions to the grandfathers of the genre, including to Poe (there is both a character named Allan, as well as one named Dupin). Ritter knows his source material, but that is also his greatest weakness. Jackaby as a character is described as "Sherlock Holmes meets Doctor Who", which is exactly who he is. He is simply a mash-up of the personality of these two pop-culture heroes, and he never breaks from the mould into becoming a character of his own. He struts around like the Doctor, and deduces like Holmes. There isn't more to him than this flat characterisation.
Abigail herself isn't much better - like many detective sidekicks she is simply a foil, a stand-in for the reader so we can enjoy the work of the detective in her place. There is a shallow back story that never fully takes form, and she's hardly an acting character at all. Mr Ritter deserves a cookie, however, for writing a story with a male and female character in close quarters to each other without there being any romantic feelings between them.
On a sentence level Jackaby is fantastically written. I think this is where Ritter's expertise shines most. He has a very convincing 19th century voice, something that isn't easy to accomplish. He also writes entertaining banter and seems to have a great imagination for mythological beasties and paranormal occurrences.
I quite liked this debut, because in the end these archetypical characters are very entertaining. It took a bit to get used to the fact that Jackaby investigates brownies and trolls instead of normal human beings, but when I got into the story, I enjoyed the ride. Jackaby wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but I will read the next book.
Stephanie
Written on Feb 15, 2015
A Darker Shade of Rosie
Written on Jan 29, 2015
- Jackaby gave me Doctor Who vibes, which I loved immensely. He provided a heavy dosage of wit and confidence.
- Abigail Rook is hired by - and becomes involved in the case with - Jackaby, all the while receiving disapproving looks about town. Jackaby is pretty much known to be the quack of the town, as he believes in things others usually do not.
- This novel was a delightful mix of supernatural and mystery that it kept me turning pages to find out who the serial killer was! Seriously, if you like Doctor Who, you’ll love Jackaby.
“For a man who professes to be entirely rational and scientific, he can’t seem to steer clear of the impossible and magical.”
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jnikkir
Written on Sep 2, 2014