Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

September 16, 2014
Algonquin Young Readers

Abigail Rook was fresh off the ship from Europe and in need of employment. After several failed attempts at finding any finally she found one ad that had promise.

On p.18:
"I carefully freed the advertisement, which read as follows:

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES

ASSISTANT WANTED

$2 PER WEEK

MUST BE LITERATE AND POSSESS A

KEEN INTELLECT AND OPEN MIND

STRONG STOMACH PREFERRED

INQUIRE AT 926 AUGUR LANE

DO NOT STARE AT THE FROG

Thus she meets Jackaby for the second time since her boat made landfall. She finds him to be an interesting character. I have to agree with the blurb that he is a bit like Doctor Who and Sherlock rolled into one person.

Jackaby's purpose seems to be to help the police solve unusual or unsolvable crimes. He hires Abigail on a provisional basis since their abilities compliment each other. He notices the unusual but important details, such as fairies, non-human involvement, and the like; and she notices what might be considered commonplace but important details. They are quickly drawn into a case in which Jackaby maintains there is a non-human culprit, but the chief of police is skeptical.The story is told "as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre." (from the blurb)

I find this book to be very enjoyable. There is a rather bloody fight scene, so I would keep it on the YA to adult side of things. The humor and adventure is fun to read. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy paranormal stories with humor and a Holmes/Watson sort of relationship between the characters. I would definitely buy it as a gift for someone. Jackaby is due out September 16, 2014 from Algonquin Young Readers. I give it 4 stars.

All quotes unless otherwise noted come from an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.