Unlike many others, I went into Rook without any previous knowledge of the previous books. That being said, I enjoyed this as a standalone and it did intrigue me to go and read the other books. The story line was very interesting and I found the characters to be very compelling. A very enjoyable book!

Things pick up from where they left off in the last book, which was quite a few years ago. Abigail Rook now has the sight and it's up to her to help with the paranormal. Trying to learn how to manage her new skill is stressful enough, but now her parents are in town. Not to mention, her finance's sister has been charged with murder, and there's all kind of mayhem going on with missing jewels, strange deaths, and general discord around New Fiddleham.

Ms. Rook is up for the challenge though and will meet a new ally, a new enemy, and learn how to navigate the world of the paranormal with Jackaby's help.

Looking forward to the next, if there is one.

Big thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy!

Even though The Dire King left us with a satisfying conclusion to the Jackaby series, I’m absolutely thrilled that Ritter’s little grey cells got to work so that we could spend more time in New Fiddleham.

This truly is one of the greatest series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Rook picks up pretty much where we left off in The Dire King and it feels like we never left.

Readers are immediately welcomed home by Ritter’s prose and flair for creating jaw dropping mysteries.

Even though this too has a great conclusion, I know I would immediately snatch up another story if we ever get blessed by more books in this series.

Book Report for Rook by William Ritter

Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Platinum
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Will’s Wit
Bonus Factors: Independence, Anti-TEABS
Anti-Bonus Factor: Secret Government Goons
Relationship Status: Risen From the Dead

Red alert! Rook is a new, standalone, book set in the Jackaby universe. While it’s not a direct sequel, it does directly mention events that happened in the series and so is minorly spoilery for the series on the whole. If you have not read the original series, man your battle stations turn away now, as there might be spoilers in this review. If you’re caught up, however, feel free to continue below.

Cover Story: Montell Jordan
I gasped when I first saw this cover, and my feelings of awe remain constant. It’s a truly stunning work of art—and a nice addition to the Jackaby ‘verse.

Side note: I first thought this standalone book had a standalone cover, but then gasped yet again when I opened it and found the original four books with new covers showcased on the inner flap. I already have multiple copies of the Jackaby books, but I obviously need the new covers, too, to match with Rook.

The Deal:
Life in New Fiddleham has returned to normal—or as normal as a place can be now that the supernatural is no longer a loosely kept secret—but Abigal Rook continues to struggle with her new powers. She never wanted to be a Seer, but the universe works in mysterious ways. For six months, she’s hidden herself away, trying to learn how to function when she can see the auras, the truths and feelings, of everyone and everything around her.

When she decides to dip her toes back into the world of supernatural detecting, she tries to take it easy, starting with a simple jewelry heist. But nothing is ever simple in New Fiddleham, and investigating the “simple” jewelry heist ends up with Abigail floating in the deep end.

BFF Charm: Platinum
Although it’s been six years since Abigail and I hung out, my feelings for her haven’t tarnished one bit. She’s a bit more fragile than I’ve come to expect, but being inundated with a vast amount of sensory input would make anyone a bit gun-shy. Under a new layer of self-preservatory armor, she’s still the same headstrong, dedicated, intelligent young woman I became Best Friends Forever with over the course of the original four Jackaby books.

Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Abigail and Charlie are still engaged, and still very much in love, but this book is more about Abigail regaining her footing after a massive life change, rather than spending time with her sweet beau. (I do hope that we get a short story, at the very least, about their wedding, though. I can only imagine the winding path Ritter would take them on the way to the altar.)

Talky Talk: Will’s Wit
I haven’t read anything by Ritter since closing The Dire King back in 2017, but his delightful writing has only improved since last we met. There’s an innocence to his writing that belies the sometimes grisly nature of the stories, but it never fails to make me laugh multiple times throughout his books. Rook was no exception.

“Did Marlowe happen to mention if there was any dismemberment involved? Bodily mutilation? No details? That’s fine—the surprise is part of the fun.”

“Fun? Mr. Jackaby—the woman is dead!”

“Obviously.” He lifted his head up from the bottom drawer of a cabinet. “I was, however, under the impression she was also awful. Awful first and then dead?”

“Yes. Sure, fine,” I said. “But awful or not, her death makes things complicated.”

*I did recently pick up his Bloody Fool For Love, though, and I’m looking forward to making time for it! #TeamSpike #YesIKnowHe’sSuperProblematic

Bonus Factor: Independence
Abigail came to New Fiddleham in search of a life she could call her own, out from under the thumb of her parents and their expectations that she “fit in” with their societal status. Was she running away? Sure. But Abigail’s never been one to go with the crowd. In Rook, she’s thrown for a loop when her parents arrive, looking to take her home. I was so proud when she stood up for herself and the life she’s made, regardless of how strange (or “improper”) it might seem. (And kudos to her parents for actually making efforts to meet her where she is.)

Bonus Factor: Anti-TEABS
I never expected to be able to revisit the Jackaby ‘verse, but am very glad it lives on. (My hopes are now up for even more, Ritter. Don’t let me down!)

Anti-Bonus Factor: Secret Government Goons
Abigail and Jackaby have long had their disagreements with members of the New Fiddleham police department, but they always found a respectful peace, especially when working together helped solve a crime. The arrival of Agents Garabrand and Kit from the Bureau of Curiosities puts a new wrinkle in their investigations.

Relationship Status: Risen From the Dead
I confessed my undying love to your predecessors, Book, and had long since come to terms with the fact that although our time together had been fleeting, our love would endure. Consider me shocked to have been able to spend more time with you. Our relationship feels a bit different now since we’ve both grown and changed, but I can see it getting back to the beautiful thing it was in no time.

I'm honestly bummed because I really enjoyed the original 4 Jackaby books and loved Abigail's character. So it makes sense that I would have loved this, but it fell a bit flat for me. Flip-flopping Abigail and Jackaby's dynamic honestly made their relationship less interesting. I also didn't mind Abigail being more vulnerable with her new powers, but she was insecure throughout the whole book. I also didn't enjoy the introduction to her parents, I felt like they were just added in to throw Abigail off even more. When all I really wanted was to see more Charlie, the ghost Jenny and other old characters. I would have also liked to have gotten to know the new young girl character "Grim" as well, but instead we were given scene after scene of Abigail being incompetent. There also wasn't a twist to this storyline, the characters who felt shady were... surprise! shady. This wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Not sure if I would read anymore books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!~

Set in the aftermath of the tragic ending of The Dire King, Rook follows Jackaby’s assistant, Miss Rook, as she learns how to use her newly acquired ability. Paranormal crime has been on an uptick while Miss Rook has been learning how she can replace Mr. Jackaby. While both he and Jenny have been as patient as they can, it’s unavoidable that Rook notices an uneasiness in Jackaby’s aura. She decides that while she does not have a full grasp on her new powers, she would rather attempt to learn while knocking down some of these mysteries. Noticing more unease between the humans and the supernatural, she finds that there appears to be a lot of unexplainable murders and disappearances happening in New Fiddleham. Will she be able to find her stride and figure out where everyone keeps disappearing to?

Characters - 9/10
I very much enjoy Mr. Jackaby and Miss Rook!! They are a fantastic duo, and they are very good at handling each other’s idiosyncrasies. Instead of being upset about having lost his sight, Mr. Jackaby is very happy and excited to give Miss Rook the reigns. You can see how much he cares about her well-being and making sure she sees that they are equals. Miss Rook has a bit of self-doubt about her abilities, but she is a fantastic detective and really cares about the people around her (and the town of New Fiddleham). I also enjoy the mix of species with all of the major side characters, it really adds some depth to everyone’s interactions and dynamics.

Atmosphere - 9/10
Honestly, I was very confused when I first started this, but Ritter was able to pull me into this universe and stop me from feeling the need to ask questions. I felt like I was walking alongside our two MCs, also digging around in the rubbish bin looking for clues.
Writing - 8/10
I love when I’m reading a book and I forget that I’m reading and not also there. William Ritter did just that for me!

Plot - 8/10
A standard mystery plot, but unique in its own ways. Looking back, I’m not sure how I didn’t predict who the ‘bad guy’ was, but I think it made the reveal all that more fun! My favorite part of this was the mystery of why people kept losing time (going to start blaming my dissociative spells on the same thing lol).

Intrigue - 9/10

Logic - 9/10
All the magic introduced made sense! It wasn’t a super complicated magic system and I honestly think that was a nice change of pace compared to what we’ve been getting in more recent fantasy books.

Enjoyment – 10/10
I really don’t think I need to say more, I clearly had a good time!

Overall, I would give this a 8.86/10 or 4.5/5 stars!

2.5 stars rounded up.

I really liked the first and second books in this series. The late 1800s paranormal detectives in New England vibes were absolute perfection. It was funny and quirky, and the characters were all wonderful. I was excited to read this arc when I saw it on NetGalley.

But I gotta say, this installment wasn't as interesting as I thought it'd be. The third and fourth books weren't my favorites, so I had slightly high hopes for this one because the previous one was published six years ago. Maybe the author got his groove back and we'd get our quirky characters again.

Instead, this felt like any old detective book with the addition of paranormal stuff. Nothing really stood out for me at all. Jackaby feels like a side character in this one. And while I love Abigail, she was pretty much depressed the entire time because her paranormal sight overwhelmed her a lot.

I won't lie, I glossed over most of the second half, so I can't even tell you what happened. It wasn't a bad novel. It was just really boring most of the time. A lot of the plot felt like filler for the author to reach his word count.

I think this would've worked so much better as a shorter length Enola Holmes style novel/novella. I'd still recommend the first two novels in this series for a unique and absolutely fun adventure through supernatural late 1800s New England.

With that, I doubt I'll pick up the next book in the series.

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.

When I discovered @Willothewords had a new book, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Sometimes to return to a world after a series completes is risking great disappointment. I loved that Rook picked up on the vibe of the series and held true to everything I’ve grown to love about Ritter’s writing: found family, likable characters with flaws fully on display who continue to reach in for humanity, responsibility, and community. One of the things Ritter does extraordinarily well is tuck social commentary, an exploration of humanity, and nudges to be our greater selves in every book. Read this because it is a fantastic supernatural mystery full of memorable characters, unexpected twists and great adventure. For all of that, Ritter's books have a cozy feel in that I always feel better about life while reading them. Rook “stands alone” in plot. But, start at the beginning with Jackaby. You will love the entire ride. I can’t recommend Rook and the entire Jackaby series enough. A great selection for both middle grade and high school libraries.
Thanks to #netgalley and @algonquinyr the opportunity to read this ARC.

Rook by William Ritter, 368 pages. Algonquin Young Readers, 2023. $19.
Language: PG13 (24 swears, 0 “f” + British swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Suddenly thrust from the position of assistant to paranormal detective with an uncontrollable paranormal sight ability, Abigail is overwhelmed by the world and the responsibility presented to her. While struggling to accept this new lead role, Abigail is also asked to keep a new project from her fiancé, unofficially investigate a murder, and somehow deal with her very human parents who have no idea of the paranormal work Abigail has been doing. Piece of cake.
Presented as a standalone in the world of Ritter’s Jackaby series, I was able to read and enjoy this book without the context of the other books. However, if the other four books are as good as this one, I would have loved to have all the backstory instead of only the necessary pieces explained here. Ritter can seamlessly go from profound to laugh-out-loud funny in a single page, and the whirlwind of a mystery demands attention the whole time.
Abigail and her family are English, and everyone else is implied American—or comes from a fantastical race like elves, trolls, et cetera. The mature content rating is for discussions of illegal activity and for kidnapping. The violence rating is for discussions of murder, blood and gore, corpses, assault, gun use, and fantasy violence.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

This book is actually my introduction to the Jackaby series, but despite unknowingly jumping in 5 ½ books in, I was intrigued by the series, and didn’t feel like I was in the deep end.

The book starts quickly, without a lot of world-building, with the characters and settings being explained and fitting naturally into the story. The idea of a main character inheriting aura-reading sight and trying to figure out how to use/work with her powers in the midst of a city on the brink of chaos is well-told, while still keeping consistent with the struggle of the women prior to modern time-period.

The love story and connection with the main character and her fiancé bubbles underneath the surface, enough to keep you interested, without distracting from the mystery and trek through the city. I appreciated the hints of the magical underworld woven throughout the story, as well as some of the characters being written in a complex enough way that you’re not sure where loyalties lie.

All in all, a solid story that can stand alone, and enough to put the rest of the series on my TBR.

I was sent an E-ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Rook is the first book in this new spin off series by William Ritter and I absolutely loved it! As a fan of Jackaby, the original series, I loved seeing these familiar and quirky characters take on new roles in their friendship and also in New Fiddleham. I loved Abigail as Jackaby’s sidekick but she is amazing as the new seer and I love the growth she makes and confidence she gains in this book and look forward to this progressing with hopefully more books! I also loved the introduction of her parents, even though I would have liked to see more of their interactions and feel like this plotline was not developed as well as it could have been. It sometimes felt like there was too much going on in the story to truly dive deep into each piece. It also felt like it took some time for the story to get going and find a good pace and rhythm but once it did I couldn’t put it down! I will definitely be picking up a physical copy of this one to add to the rest of the series I have and I can’t wait to see where this series goes with Abigail taking the reins! Thank you so much for gifting me this ARC!

Fun YA mystery. Even though it is considered a standalone. ( emphasis on I haven’t read the Jackaby series) It did mention a few things that happened in the previous books. Which made things a bit confusing at times. The pacing felt a bit slow toward beginning and end. I loved the detective supernatural dynamic. Wide range of supernatural characters and personalities, it was a fun read!

Overall, definitely recommend reading the Jackaby series first before this.

REVIEW: ROOK BY WILLIAM RITTER
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for these ARCs. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of these books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
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This book was filled with my two of my favorite tropes; Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery. I was so excited when I got approved and it was a good book.
🕵🏼‍♀️🕵🏼‍♀️
This book was slow at first, but I liked it because it explained all that happened in the previous book in the series which I didn't read, but i'd still have preferred a glossary. I give kudos to the author for portraying a paranormal society like New Fiddleham, it was a wonderful setting!
🕵🏼‍♀️🕵🏼‍♀️
I love all of the characters in this book, our FMC; Abigail Rook, Charlie, Jackaby, Alina, Inspector Dupin and the rest. They were amazing and made the book worth reading.
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I loved the mystery and crime solving too. It was like following breadcrumbs in the forest, it was like I was solving the crime alongside her.
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This book was very good and I enjoyed it!

I enjoyed this story immensely. Great characters and a captivating storyline. It made me want to go and read the other books, but is a perfect standalone story. Well done

I love love love the Jackaby series by William Ritter. So I was thrilled when I saw that ROOK would be a stand-alone novel set in this world. Being reunited with these beloved, quirky, smart characters is one of the best feelings that is indescribable. I was also so happy this is a standalone because I was able to fully appreciate this scary adventure that Abigail and Jackaby embark on. Though I wouldn't say not to more standalones.....

This book was just perfectly crafted with danger and the BEST twists and turns and such an imaginative and immersive story. The paranormal elements are so unique, but also well described so that I could picture everything without being bogged down with details or left feeling lost and confused. I highly recommend it for other cozy fantasy lovers. I was on the edge of my seat and always looking forward to the few moments that I could read each day, but didn't feel the gut wrenching stress of a longer series. However I again feel bereft after being reunited with these fabulous characters.

I would like to preface this review with I have never read any other book in this series, or from this author. I realized after I started that maybe this book was apart of another series and I was missing something. I was right. That being said this book is a standalone book, and for being a stand alone book it does a fantastic job. You can pick up this book without really reading any of the other books and just enjoy it for what it is. I really like Abigal as a character and I loved her interactions with Jackaby. Honestly Jackaby’s dry humor were some of my favorite parts in this book. Then again I love dry humor. Overall, this book is quite fun. It made me want to go back and read some of the other books in the series. I am excited to recommend it.
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

A very fun new adventure that essentially acts as a truly stunning full length epilogue to the original series, and takes us back to the roots of what I found made Jackaby and Abigail so lovable

Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Rook is available now.

Rook is a standalone novel that takes place in the world of the delightful Jackaby series, and you really should read those books before this one. While you could parse out what has happened before from inferences in this book, don't deprive yourself of the enjoyment of the Jackaby series.

I really could have written- or at least, started- my review before even reading Rook. I knew I would love it. The surprise is just how much I adored this latest installment. It's a wonderful mystery /adventure with the most fantastic cast of quirky characters that anyone could ever hope for. From Jenny the kindly ghost and Douglas the once-human duck, to Rock-Jaw the troll; the book teems with magic. It also overflows with heart.

Abigail Rook was originally the non-magic assistant to R.J. Jackaby, an eccentric detective in the vein of BBC's Sherlock or Doctor Who (of the scarf-wearing variety). However, she now finds herself with the new ability to see auras. In the city of New Fiddleham, with its mishmash of magical and non-magical inhabitants, this gives her a way to solve crimes that non-supernatural detectives don't have.

Her first real case is a doozy. The mystery itself is fun but not jaw-droppingly complex. The best part of the book are the characters and their development. Set against a magical and entertaining backdrop, the true magic is what author William Ritter is able to do with his characters. Yes, Abigail is navigating a magical mystery. She is also navigating the trickiness of insecurity, doubt, hope, love, and self-acceptance. Side by side with Jackaby (whom I love!), she wades into the fray of what it means to be human.

Abigail and Jackaby are easy to root for. Their odd way of doing things is a blast to read. The mystery never veers far enough into grisly territory to kill the fun vibes, although stakes are high. This is the sort of story that exudes hope even during the most hopeless-seeming moments.

Everything about Rook is quirky and fantastic. I finished the last page with a big, goofy smile on my face. I know it won't be long before I go back and re-read it, as well as the entire Jackaby series. Rook is perfect for fans of eccentric characters, slightly offbeat goings on, and excellent character building. If that is you- and why on earth wouldn't it be- you really should buy this book now.

This book was very entertaining! I will be honest, I had no idea it was a spin-off of a longer series, and I do think I would have liked this book a lot more had I read the series. however, I loved the world this was set in and the magic system that was used. The idea of auras around not only people but objects as well was so interesting. I also absolutely loved the character of Jackaby, and that alone is going to influence me to read the original series.

Rook picks up right where the Jackaby series left off; in New Fiddleham after magical entities have been exposed and a cataclysmic event stopped. Not to mention Abigail Rook now has the seer gift and is still learning how to use it.

I loved being back in New Fiddleham and it felt like I never left. If you loved the Jackaby series, this one will not disappoint. Though there is less banter between Rook and Jackaby what was there but just right for me. It was a perfect mix of fun and real for a book that is also exploring a character’s growth as well as solving a mystery.

Rook’s journey in the previous books was a lesson in discovering what she could accomplish away from societal expectations, and in many instances, in spite of those expectations. In Rook, she needs to find her own strength and an ability to trust herself. She also needs to solve the mystery of disappearing magic folk while dealing with the two irritating agents from the Bureau of Curiosities. Oh, and her parents have shown up unexpectedly and know nothing about her new detective job. Or her werehound fiancé.

In this book you’ll find:
Historical fantasy (1900’s)
Magic
Mystery
Plot twists
Magical creatures of all kind
Secrets
Self-discovery
Sherlock meets Supernatural