Jackaby #1 - William Ritter
Book Synopsis: “Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”
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 it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny. Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.
My friendly local librarian recommended this book series to me and this being the first one in the series. I thought I'd listen to her and pick it up and review it.
This is the second book that I've read that involves Jack The Ripper.
Yes, this is historical fiction, but more so fantasy, mystery with a splash of paranormal happenings are going on in this book.
What worked for me... the humor, the creatures, the magic of it all.
On the other hand, what didn't work for me was the fact that it didn't seem like historical fiction, even though I so desperately wanted it to be. Oh well, I guess not every good book can have it all.
Funnily enough, going into this book, I didn't believe that I was going to find myself liking it. Usually when I read mystery, I go for more light hearted, not so villainous and evil, but this book wasn't that at all.
Although, I did like the book, I didn't like it enough to ultimately give it a five star rating. If it had stuck more true to the story of Jack The Ripper, then I probably would've rated it differently. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it. Truly, I had such a blast of a time reading it, and even laughing out loud at some parts, prompting the people in my house to ask what's so funny?
Finally, R.F. Jackaby and Abigail Rook are so eccentric and such oddball characters that it just adds so much to the book... I find is missing from so many Jack The Ripper historical fiction. It seems as though there is so much you can do with the era of history.
If I haven't bored you to shreds, I hope you enjoyed reading about this book and maybe even enough to pick it up yourself.
Honestly, I got sort of the Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them vibe off of this book and I'm sure if you read it too you'll be thinking the same.
P.S.: They should make this a movie or a television series, I would sincerely binge watch it on Netflix.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars!