Book Review: Beastly Bones by William Ritter

Title: Beastly Bones

Author: William Ritter
Series/Standalone: Jackaby Series (Book #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Young Adult

Pages: 296

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Year Published: 2015

Format: Hardcover Copy (Library Copy)

First Line: "Follow my lead, Miss Rook,' Jackaby said, rapping on the ornately trimmed door to 1206 Campbell Street."

"I've found very little about private detective R.F Jackaby to be standard in the time I've known him. Working as his assistant tends to call for a somewhat flexible relationship with reality...

In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer, R.F Jackaby, are called upon to investigate the supernatural. First, members of a particularly vicious species of shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens. A day later, their owner is found murdered, with a single mysterious puncture wound to her neck. Then, in nearby Gad's Valley, dinosaur bones from a recent dig go missing and an unidentifiable beast attacks animals and people, leaving their mangled bodies behind. Policeman Charlie Cane, exiled from New Fiddleham to the valley, calls on Abigail for help and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt for a thief, a monster and a murderer."

My Rating: 3/5 

These are pretty unique mystery/thriller ya books. I would say that if you are looking for grand mysteries that keep you on the edge of your seat, this might not be it, but if you're looking for incredibly unique and interesting characters then this is a great read. That's why this is rated the way it is. I loved the characters so much, but I just didn't find the plot line to be as interesting as I hoped. Even though I knew that the mystery might not be too intense, it was underwhelming even with those expectations. At this point, I am not sure if I will be continuing the series due to them not being available through my local library. If you've read the series, do you think it's worth continuing?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Jackaby by William Ritter

Title: Jackaby

Author: William Ritter

Series/Standalone: Jackaby Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Mystery

Pages: 299

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "It was later January, and New England wore a fresh coat of snow as I stepped along the gangplank to the shore."

"Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,' Jackaby said. 'I have a gift that allows me to see the 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 curtains.'

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 Chalie 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 macabre."

My Rating: 4/5

My friend and I started a book club a while back and this is our pick for April and what a fun pick it was. I would say that this book is more about the fantastical elements and the antics of Jackaby, rather than the mystery. I was so intrigued by the characters and finding out more about them, that the mystery wasn't as consuming as it could be. I am looking forward to reading more about the characters in the following books. I will say that there was a moment of uncertainty for me at the end of the novel, but it was resolved quickly (thank goodness for that).

Thanks for reading,

Sidny