Jackaby

In 1892 New Fiddleham, America, newly arrived young Englishwoman Abigail Rook crosses paths with the remarkable Mr. R. F. Jackaby. Jackaby is a detective, but his perceptive observations are of the paranormal variety, and Abigail jumps at the chance to work for him. Ritter's debut is a riveting mash-up of mystery and folklore, with vivid details and striking turns of phrase.

Abandoning university for an archaeological dig in the Carpathian Mountains -- which then fails -- Abigail Rook finds herself aboard a ship bound for America. Landing in the town of New Fiddleham in 1892, the young Englishwoman immediately crosses paths with the remarkable Mr. R. F. Jackaby, who, with a glance, discerns where she's traveled from. "Let me guess, you smelled salt water on my coat, and I've got some peculiar shade of clay caked on my dress…?" Abigail asks, assuming he's a Sherlock Holmes wannabe. Jackaby is, in fact, a detective, but his perceptive observations are of the paranormal variety: he notices her clothing is home to a Ukrainian domovyk (a house spirit) and a German Klabautermann (a sprite that aids sailors). Since Jackaby's former assistant is unavailable (he's currently a duck), Abigail jumps at the chance to work for him. Right away, they're hot on the heels of a murderer -- in the process encountering a banshee, a shape-shifter, and a redcap goblin. Ritter's debut is a riveting mash-up of mystery and folklore, with vivid details and striking turns of phrase. And Jackaby is an irresistible character. As his (ghost) housemate says, "That's Jackaby in a nutshell. Science and magic, beauty and bedlam, things that ought to be at odds -- they just don't follow the same rules when Jackaby's involved." tanya d. auger