About the Book
-
Author:
- William Ritter
- Genres:
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery
- Voices:
- Cis Girl
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Heck Yes
Talky Talk: Gift of Gab
Bonus Factors: Hints of Sherlock, Paranormal Creatures
Relationship Status: Partners in Solving Crime
Cover Story: Montell Jordan
I love this cover. This colors. The mix of matte and gloss on the physical copy. The handwritten title. The fact that there’s a boy on the cover, but he’s not trying to mack on a young lady. The fact that the scene seems like it’s happening in his head. Publishers: More covers like this, please!
The Deal:
There comes a time in every young woman’s life when she feels the need to take off—possibly against her parents’ wishes—and seek adventure. For Abigail Rook, the daughter of a famed paleontologist, adventure was always just out of reach. Looking for dusty bones isn’t the place for a proper young lady, you know. But Abigail wouldn’t be deterred, and so when she spotted a notice about an excursion to the Carpathian Mountains, she took the money her parents had set aside for her college tuition, bought some second-hand trousers, and left a brief note on her way out the door.
Adventure doesn’t alway come easy, however. The dig fell through, and Abigail was forced to make her own way to Germany to seek passage home. There, realizing that she wasn’t yet ready to face the proverbial music, she booked passage on a ship to America, and arrived in New England with nothing but a small suitcase and a few coins. Soon after arriving, she meets Jackaby, an unusual man with a gift for deduction, a ridiculous knit hat and a very strange way of looking at the world.
It seems that sometimes, adventure finds a young woman—rather than the other way around.
BFF Charm: Heck Yes
Abigail is a girl who’s not afraid to take risks, even when she’s going against her parents or the “norms” of the period (the 1890s). In addition, she’s intelligent, street-smart and persuasive, but in a way that makes people like her for real, not because she’s tricked them into it. Additionally, she notices the little things, which makes her an excellent compliment to someone like Jackaby who sees the bigger, weirder picture.
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Jackaby isn’t a swoon-filled novel, and it’s all the better for it. (This can occasionally be true, I promise!) Abigail and Jackaby are both good looking young people, but their relationship is more of the Sherlock-Watson variety—the standard one, not the Johnlock version. There isn’t much chemstry there, and I think, had William Ritter tried to force it into the book, it would have felt super awkward. Abigail does have a romantic interest in the novel, but their relationship is very young and very fitting for the time period.
Talky Talk: Gift of Gab
For a first novel, Jackaby is an impressive feat. It’s apparent that Ritter has a way with words, and an inventive imagination. He’s quite good at descriptions, too, and isn’t afraid to mix in a bit of humor when the situation calls for it.
The man wore an expensive-looking suit, which demanded attention. … On his head sat a velvety red derby with a slightly wide brim and a gaudy feather tucked in the dark sash. He carried a polished metal cane and walked with his chest puffed out and his chin propped up. The overall effect of the man was just a shade subtler than a sandwich board with the words BETTER THAN YOU written out in big block letters.
Jackaby is a historical fiction novel with a bit of paranormal thrown in, and has obviously been influenced by various pop culture detectives, but never did I feel like I was reading something that I’d read numerous other times before.
Bonus Factor: Hints of Sherlock
Jackaby isn’t entirely normal, and he doesn’t exactly care for the feelings of other people. But as a detective, he’s unsurpassed in the city of New Fiddleham, even if not everyone agrees with his unorthodox methods. Plus, he’s got a mop of floppy brown hair. And at least once wears a scarf.
Bonus Factor: Paranormal Creatures
The inclusion of paranormal creatures is what differentiates Jackaby from the typical historical mystery novel. The included ones aren’t your typical vampires or werewolves, either.
Relationship Status: Partners in (Solving) Crime
You are both entertaining and fresh, Book, and I had so much fun on our first date. Sure, the stories you told were a tad gruesome, but someone in your line of work is bound to have less of a filter than the rest of us. I can learn to be OK with the sight of dead bodies, just as long as you keep me laughing … when it’s appropriate, of course.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Algonquin. I received neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Jackaby is available now.
