Similarly, aside form a basic setup of her personality and her backstory of running away from her parents and the ‘boring’ life expected of her in favour of searching for adventure in the great wide somewhere, we don’t really get to know Abigail in any great detail, something surprising considering we literally see the story from her point of view in her role as the chronicler of Jackaby’s cases. It would be nice to learn about his background more in the next books. I have to admit though: I did find it somewhat frustrating that neither Abigail nor the reader was allowed any kind of insight into the character’s motivations or, indeed, personality past the stereotypical keen observational skills and monomania once hot on the heels of an interesting case that he possessed, often to the detriment of social niceties. His glib and often unintentionally funny remarks really did remind me of Sherlock Holmes and his many reincarnations in television and film over the years.
Unlike Holmes, however, Jackaby is unique not just because he thinks in a different way than the town’s police force but because he can see supernatural traces left in the ordinary world. It’s not only the publicity material of this book which points to Sherlock Holmes as a point of comparison – it’s quite evident from the very first meeting readers (and Abigail) have with the novel’s hero that he is cast from the same mould as Conan Doyle’s astute but socially atypical consulting detective. Considered mad and intrusive by most of the official police force for his unconventional methods, Jackaby is revealed to be the only Seer in existence, a person who can see supernatural and paranormal beings that other normal people cannot – when New Fiddleham is beset by a serial killer who may or may not be paranormally inclined, Jackaby’s particular talent has him, and assistant/fledgling detective Abigail, hot on the heels of a chilling criminal. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain the foul deeds are the work of the kind of creature whose very existence the local authorities–with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane–seem adamant to deny.” ( Synopsis from publisher)ĭescribed as Sherlock Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, William Ritter’s Jackaby tells the story of one young Abigail Rook who ends up in New England and, in need of a job and money, answers the strange job advertisement of an eccentric detective, the eponymous Jackaby. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary–including the ability to see supernatural beings. “Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R.
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