Fourth book in a favorite series...

Title & Author:  The Dire King by William Ritter
First lines:  To say that the house at 926 Augur Lane was not yet back to normal would be to grossly misrepresent the nature of the house at 926 Augur Lane. At its best, the peculiar property was an abode of the abnormal and a sanctuary for the strange.

My thoughts:  This latest book in the Jackaby series picks up where Ghostly Echoes leaves off. Jackaby and Abigail Rook are once again facing off against the forces of evil in order to prevent an all-out war between the fae and mankind; as always, Jenny the Ghost and Charlie Cane, police detective and shapeshifter extraordinaire are there fighting alongside them. They are ALL such great characters; I really love them. And this book? The Dire King is another fun supernatural adventure full of magical creatures of every kind--I especially liked the one known as the twain. And there's a twist at the end I wasn't expecting! Just be sure to read the other books in this series first, or nothing is going to make sense. And the others are definitely worth reading!

The other books in the series:
     #1 - Jackaby
     #2 - Beastly Bones
     #3 - Ghostly Echoes

So check them out!

And....happy reading!

Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter

Detective extraordinaire R. F. Jackaby and his intrepid assistant, Abigail Rook, are back with another supernatural mystery to solve. This one involves Jenny Cavanagh, the ghost who shares Jackaby's house, and her decade-old murder. Jenny is finally ready to know the truth about her death. But there's more to this mystery than who killded Jenny. And the why of it leads Abigail and Jackaby on another strange adventure that includes a mad scientist, a vampire, a shadowy organization, a magical plot, a short trip to the afterlife, and a machine that will change the world. It also left me on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting the next book in this fabulous series.

I love Abigail Rook and her quirky, psychic employer. They are a great combination. And it was fun to have the ghostly Jenny take a more active role in this story.  And Charlie Cane is in it, too! (He's in the first two books and a favorite character of mine.) Strange things are afoot in New Fiddleham in Ghostly Echoes, and I enjoyed every moment of this fun supernatural adventure. Now if only William Ritter would hurry up and write the next book!

Happy Reading!

Be sure to read these first:

    Jackaby

    Beastly Bones

When Supernatural meets Sherlock Holmes...

Title: Beastly Bones
Author: William Ritter
First Lines: "Follow my lead, Miss Rook," Jackaby said, rapping on the ornately trimmed door to 1206 Campbell Street. Were my employer a standard private investigator, those might have been simple instructions, but in the time I've been his assistant, I've found very little about Jackaby to be standard. Following his lead tends to call for a somewhat flexible relationship with reality.

My thoughts: This is Ritter's second novel and Abigail Rook and her paranormally-sensitive employer, R.F. Jackaby, are off on another supernatural investigation: dinosaur bones have been stolen and two women have been murdered in a mysterious way that suggests vampires, but could be something else. In Gad's Valley, they team up with Charlie Cane to sleuth out the who and what behind these crimes. And it's a really fun read. I like the mystery behind the missing bones, the action and adventure, the very strange creatures they encounter, and the shy romance that's developing between Abigail and Charlie. And I really like Jackaby, who reminds me of Sherlock Holmes but with a supernatural flair. This novel is every bit as good as Ritter's first, Jackaby; I just hope he's going to write a third...and a fourth...and a fifth...

Happy Reading!

Two Too Good To Miss...

Title: Jackaby by William Ritter
Setting: 1892, New Fiddleham, New England
The Advertisement that starts it all:

Investigative Services

Assistant Wanted

$8 Week

Must be Literate and Possess A

Keen Intellect and Open Mind.

Strong Stomach Preferred.

Summary & Thoughts: Intrepid and feisty Abigail Rook answers this ad on her second day in New Fiddleham and becomes Mr. R.F. Jackaby's latest assistant. Her new boss has an extraordinary investigative gift--think Sherlock Holmes with a supernatural twist. Their case is not a simple murder. (Nothing with Jackaby ever is.) Abigail is about to encounter more of the unexplained and strange than she ever knew existed. She's a great character, and so is Jackaby. In fact, I loved everything about this book:  the unexpected mystery, the humor, the rich writing, Jackaby's ghostly roommate, even Charlie Cane, the young police officer who's not what he seems. I can't wait for Jackaby's and Abigail's next case!

Title: The Supernatural Enhancements by Edgar Cantero

Setting: Axton House, Point Bless, Virginia, 1995

Thoughts: Axton House is eerie and full of secrets. The last owner leapt to his death out of a third-story window; the new owner is having strange dreams and seeing ghostly shadows in the bathroom. Is it because of the ritual performed every December 21st by members of a secret society, or something else? Reading this book is like piecing together a puzzle without knowing the final picture. I love how it's narrated through a series of letters, journal entries, newspaper clippings, notes, and cryptic ciphers. There's a slow building of suspense in this gothic mystery, like deciphering a code without the key. The ending, by comparison, is quick, unexpected, and felt a little too abrupt. But I still liked this book.

Happy Reading!