Jackaby (Jackaby, #1)

by William Ritter

This thrilling novel from the author of the New York Times bestselling paranormal mystery Jackaby series pits R.F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplainable and his new assistant, Abigail Rook, against a supernatural serial killer.

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby's assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. 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.

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. But is Charlie's offer a sincere desire to be of service, or is some darker motive at work?

• ISBN10: 1523523980
• ISBN13: 9781523523986
• Publish Date: 24 August 2023 (first published 1 September 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Algonquin Young Readers
• Format: Paperback (UK Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Berls]

Although I enjoyed this well enough, it's not something I probably would have picked up on my own and I doubt I'll continue the series. I like all the characters and elements well enough, but I think it's just a bit silly/ridiculous for me. And I solved the mystery pretty much instantly. As soon as the character that did it and the chief clue had been presented, for sure.

I think that thing I liked most about the book was the main character - Abigail Rook. She's a young girl who's fled a "proper" life in England, searching for something more - excitement, adventure, a life that a young man could have in the 1890s but not a woman. So I liked that rebellious, not wiling to settle, side of her. And I liked her openness to the world and possibilities that Jackaby presents.

Jackaby is an okay character. On one hand, I really like him. He's a genuine person and kind. But he's also where the ridiculousness that makes me not love this book settles. It's not the fantasy elements and the fact that he alone can see them - it's the WAY he talks about them, the way he describes things, etc. It's meant to be humorous and I think that for many people, it probably has that exact effect. It makes me roll my eyes. But I do like him as a person. He's a good guy, despite his ridiculousness.

While this isn't a steampunk novel - it set in that time range and, despite the very few references to gears and such, I think that I'm coming to realize I just don't love books set in that time frame and the manner of talk that seems to go with it. Fantasy elements, which I normally enjoy and could have been so great here, just didn't work for me - and I think it was that tone.

I listened to this book on Scribd and Nicola Barber was a very good narrator. All the voices cam across well and with varied personalities, that fit the characters well. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book narrated by her in the future.

[moraa]

That the battles are usually in her head does not lessen the bravery of it. The hardest ones always are.

3.5 stars

It wasn't as Holmesian as I expected and that made me glad.
The characters in this book stood tall in their own right though I did take issue with Abigail's voice in the audiobook - she sounded far too whingy for my liking.

Other than that, it was wonderfully entertaining and a short, quick read to boot.

[paperbackjedi]

3.5

[maggiefan]

I don't have much to say about this book. It was really fun at times, but at the same time there were very boring moments.

[nitzan_schwarz]

What I liked:

* Abigail is NOT the Watson to Jackaby's Sherlock. If anything, she is far more like the legendary detective in her observation skills, and it really comes across in all the detail she sees even as she narrates. On the other hand, we have Jackaby, who's quite the detective too, but his feels less inquisitive and instinctive in nature and far more nurtured by knowledge and Sight. Those two approaches blend nicely together and I'm excited to see Abigail became to formidable force I know she can be when she grows to know more about the supernatural world.

* The world is quite intriguing, and I'm curious to see more of it.

* The writing! The dialogues were great and Ritter describes things beautifully and quite poignant at times. I found myself stopping many times to highlight parts I liked;

"...held in unity, like the house itself, by some stronger force than aesthetic logic."

"It was a quiet little corner in which I had lived when I was younger. It was a corner in which anything was possible, where magic was not an improbable daydream, but an obvious fact—if still only just out of reach."

“Hatun sees a different world than you or I, a far more frightening one, full of far more terrible dangers, and still she chooses to be the hero whom that world needs. She has saved this town and its people from countless monsters countless times. That the battles are usually in her head does not lessen the bravery of it. The hardest battles always are.”

“Monsters are easy, Miss Rook. They’re monsters. But a monster in a suit? That’s basically just a wicked man, and a wicked man is a more dangerous thing by far.”

"...Pockets! I was thrilled. I have never understood the aversion to pockets in ladies’ fashion—as though it has become some great shame to appear as if one might actually need to possess anything."

"I had heard of offices feeling like prisons, but in this case our prison felt, rather anticlimactically, like an office."

“Ignorance is bliss, is that it?”
“That’s insipid. Happiness is bliss—but ignorance is anesthetic, and in the face of what’s to come, that may be the best we can hope for our ill-fated acquaintances.”

“The truth can be so detrimental to one’s credibility.”

What I Didn't Quite Like

* The mystery. It was absolutely obvious and so it kind of grated that BOTH Abigail and Jackaby missed it entirely. Also, it was very predictable--I saw all the major beats of the story coming from a mile away.

* There wasn't enough of the supernatural world??? Like, the glimpses we saw were fascinating, but this book was definitely more about Abigail being exposed to Jackaby's wacky behavior than anything else.

* Why is a book with a female heroine and narrator title itself after the eccentric main male character? This happens a lot and I don't get it? Why not call it "Rook" or something??

[bookperson]

If you liked this you'll love Lockwood and Co series. For me it was enjoyable but nothing more unfortunately. I can't understand characters dynamics yet and overall book was rushed imo. Still will read book 2😅

[jeannamichel]

Loads of fun! Review to come.

[Beth C.]

I have been meaning to read this book for a while - I saw some of the other books in the series, but figured I should start with number one. I finally found a copy at the local library, and I'm glad I picked it up - it was a fun, easy read - with main characters that encompass the strange (Jackaby himself), the ghostly (literally), and the comparably mundane (Abigail Rook, whose viewpoint the book is from). The story was interesting, and I do look forward to reading the next book in the series :)

[Liz (Bent Bookworm)]

This book reminded me of why I read. Why, as a child, I could immerse myself in the world my book created and not come out for hours (sadly, as an adult, that feeling is more and more elusive and I’m rarely left alone by the other humans in my life long enough to read for hours). But. This book. I love it. Unequivocally. And I am practically dancing in place waiting for the second one to arrive to me (damn you slow, unfunded library!), and then hopefully followed in short order by the third, which releases on August 23rd.

Jackaby is William Ritter’s debut novel. Everywhere that I can see online, it’s listed as a “teen” book but I would have put in more in middle grades. The subject matter is pretty tame, barely even a flirtation – but maybe the descriptions of demons and demon-slaying push it over the edge to the older label? Regardless, Jackaby has a sense of ageless appeal – the ages of the main characters are never expressly stated, and while the narrator Rook seems the younger she is still independent. Anywho, on to the details!

The end result was astounding. I had managed to completely transform myself into…a silly, obvious girl wearing boy’ clothing.

Meet Abigail Rook – fresh off a boat to America in 1892, she has abandoned her finishing school for more exciting prospects. Her voice is energetic and wry. I wanted to step through the pages of the book and introduce myself. She starts off looking for work, and in her search stumbles upon a certain R.F. Jackaby, whose misplaced soliloquies on the background of whoever he happens to be addressing invoked a certain other finder of facts. (Sherlock, is that you?) This “investigative services” entrepreneur however, specializes in clues that the average human can’t see even when they try – he has the ability to see the supernatural beings that inhabit the world. As such he is quite the anomaly, since the general populace would still like to believe that the supernatural is firmly corralled to their imaginations.

“I have ceased concerning myself with how things look to others, Abigail Rook…in my experience, others are generally wrong.”

Ritter’s supernaturalized New England is entertaining and Rook’s view of the world fresh. So often when I read fantasy or paranormal books I find myself stopping for a groan or eyeroll every few pages, the result being that I’m not able to sink myself completely into the story. Jackaby has none of the jarring halts to my suspension of disbelief. The only thing I stopped for was to scribble note on a quote – and after awhile I was in such a hurry to move along I stopped doing even that. Suffice to say that Rook kept me entertained all the way through.

“I find most men are already more than happy to believe a young woman is a frail little thing. so, technically the deception was already there, I just employed it in a convenient way.”

The girl has balls, pardon the expression.

My words petered out and slipped into the shadows, embarrassed to be seen with me.

Why can I not be this witty in real life? Why?? Ahem. Moving on. Then there is the supporting cast of characters, who are somehow just as intriguing as the main characters. I sincerely hope that the stories of Jenny, Douglas, and Charlie are further expanded on in the subsequent books. I’m a complete sucker for werewolves, and while the appearance they make in this book is minor I reeeeeeeally hope Ritter extends it in the sequel(s). Besides the werewolf appearance, there are also banshees, demons, and faeries…be still my little mythology loving heart!

5/5 stars for me. I love the historical setting, the addition of the supernatural, the repartee between Rook and Jackaby, the enigmatic Jenny. Somehow Ritter has managed to write a story that, I think, will appeal to readers of many ages. Is it the most in-depth story you’ll ever read? No. Is it sexy? No. Is it intriguing? Yes. Is the writing entertaining? YES. And that is what, in my opinion, really makes the book. The writing is practically flawless, and it sufficiently entertained my intellectual side while appealing to my love of the other-worldly.

I found it difficult to be frightened by the announcement. I had crested that emotional hill already, and the view was becoming familiar.

Run, don’t walk, to your bookstore (or library) and get a copy. You won’t regret it!

[cornerfolds]

**Review to come in December 2016**