Review: "Jackaby," by William Ritter

Described as a cross between Doctor Who and Sherlock, there was not a chance I could pass over this book by first time author William Ritter. Indeed, the character of Jackaby is best described as a Sherlock Holmes specializing in cases related to the supernatural and occult (personally I found the Sherlock vibe to be much stronger than any relation to Doctor Who).

At the opening of "Jackaby", Abigail Rook is newly arrived in America and looking for an adventure. She soon ends up by the side of Jackaby, a self- proclaimed detective, aiding him as he investigates a bizarre series of murders. Abigail proves herself an asset to Jackaby for her ability to notice the ordinary details that would be overlooked by others. She also gets the adventure she has been searching for as she is confronted with the existence of magic, banshees, ghosts, trolls and a whole host of other supernatural creatures; some of them friendly, some dangerous. I liked the character of Abigail and the fact that Ritter decided to follow the recent trend of allowing a female to fill the traditional Watson role.

Admittedly, the mystery at the heart of "Jackaby" is somewhat predictable, but the characters are what make this book so enjoyable. Abigail is independent, resourceful and adaptable. She is quick to piece together clues, and shows real strength when confronted by a world of the supernatural that she did not even know existed. Jackaby is somewhat of a mystery himself, but any fan of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy his rapid deductions and eccentric manner. I look forward to more of his past being revealed in the book’s planned sequel. Recommended for fans of mysteries and the supernatural.

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