Rook

June 1, 2023
Following the (impermanent) death of her eccentric employer, R.F. Jackaby, Abigail Rook, much to her dismay, inherited his ability to see energy and emotional auras. In this stand-alone set in the Jackaby series world, Abigail must now take the lead in their supernatural detective work. Most unusually, the New England city of New Fiddleham includes a rift to the supernatural world. Many paranormals--goblins, trolls, elves, fairies, and their like--have moved in, necessitating a Paranormal Division of police, for which Jackaby and Abigail consult. But while Abigail was cloistered for months, training as the new Seer, supernatural crime and human-paranormal tensions soared. Though feeling decidedly unready, Abigail must use her gift to trace a series of kidnappings and murders. Things grow especially bleak when her prospective sister-in-law, who can shape shift into dog form, is implicated in a murder and Abigail's fiance, Charlie Barker, is kidnapped. Like Jonathan Stroud's Lockwood & Co. series, this book expertly blends witty banter, sympathetic, struggling characters, descriptive worldbuilding, and sometimes-gory supernatural crimes with all-too-believable motives. Quick-moving action and creative supernatural elements will hold readers' attention, though characters' memory-loss incidents might lead to some plot confusion, and the denouement feels rushed. Human-presenting characters read White; Charlie has a "faint Slavic accent." Lively supernatural investigations with humor and heart. (Fantasy. 12-16)

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October 13, 2023

Gr 9 Up-This stand-alone novel is a spin-off of Ritter's well-known "Jackaby" series and follows Abigail Rook. The British Rook is now lead supernatural investigator with Jackaby as her assistant after she receives his sight. The pair have been practicing with Rook's new powers to prepare for solving crimes; for their first case, they are thrown into a complex crime with murder and missing people. The novel is set in the Victorian-era New England town of New Fiddleham where supernatural entities are an open secret after several public displays. Rook's fianc� Charlie is a hound shape-shifter who helps to keep the peace between humans and non-humans. Charlie's sister Alina oversees the veil-gate, an area connecting to a world of magic, something that is not yet fully accepted in New Fiddleham. As Rook attempts to find her footing, her parents turn up to bring her home and marry her off. She tries to keep her two worlds apart while figuring out what she wants from her life, including if she wants her newfound powers. The fantasy world is further fleshed out while the investigators face one of their biggest mysteries and are introduced to the Bureau of Curiosities, a government agency much like their own that investigates the paranormal. Reading the original series would help fill in backstory, but familiarity isn't necessary to follow along. A well-crafted alternative history that will leave readers wanting even more. Main characters cue as white. VERDICT A much-anticipated and worthwhile return to the world of Jackaby.-Rebecca Greer

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 31, 2023
Grades 6-10 In this stand-alone sequel to The Dire King (2018), Abigail Rook, whose ability to identify and interpret auras has been mentored by Mr. Jackaby, now serves as a paranormal consultant to the New Fiddleham Police Department. She accepts a burglary case but is soon investigating a series of murders and several kidnappings (including that of her fianc�e, Charlie Barker). Further complicating her life are the sudden appearance of her parents (who want to take her home to England to be married) and two peculiar detectives who work for the Bureau of Curiosities. Set in 1890s New England, this Sherlockian mystery is cleverly written, features an appealing (if often insecure) protagonist, and is filled with all manner of magical, shape-shifting creatures. The inclusion of numerous plot twists and steadily rising action throughout will please mystery fans as well. While this will be most appreciated by those who have read the earlier Jackaby quartet, Rook will also appeal to fantasy and adventure enthusiasts.

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