Jackaby Review!! | Sherlock and Doctor Who Merged???

Hi friends! I’m back with *yet another* review because I DID read on my hiatus (even if it was only…two non-school books but still.) We are here today to talk about a book three of my IRL friends made me read and one of them isn’t even a total bookworm. So clearly, I had no choice but to read it unless I wanted to be have bricks thrown at my head by said friends. So let’s do this!

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 Charlie Cane.

First of all, why don’t we have more historical fantasy mystery books because I WANT MOREEEE*. I loved how natural the setting felt! The dialogue felt true to the times without being stiff, and was actually hilariously sassy. And witty. Abigail was such a strong female character, despite being constantly oppressed by everyone else because ya know, half the Victorian population was idiotic. She brings insight to the table that not even Jackaby (A.K.A. obliviously brilliant Sherlock) notices.

*imagine that in Ariel’s singing voice and not my whiny voice and we’ll be good

I LOVED how the mystery was constantly interwoven with supernatural twists! It made everything so unpredictable and added a layer of disbelief. Although this clearly deals with a murder mystery, and violent supernatural creatures, it feels rather light-hearted. There’s constant banter going on, and there are just as many sweet surprises as…not so sweet ones.

I was kinda surprised by the ending but not totally. Not completely. It felt a little bit anti-climatic, even, but that could be just me. The “romance” also felt entirely unnecessary except as a plot point. Even just a little bit insta-lovey*. I also didn’t find this super stand-out if that makes sense??? It was entertaining, and I will most likely continue on with the series, but it wasn’t GONNA SHOUT TO THE ROOFTOPS HOW GOOD IT WAS.

*shudders

this was also the perfect mix of Doctor Who and Sherlock. i’m not even kidding.

So that’s it! I hope you enjoyed haha. Tell me: have you read this? Do you want to?