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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Yeah, I will continue to zip thru this series and recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, light jaunt.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5/5
Another funny mystery with Jackaby and Abigail Rook. I love the characters in these books. I was so not able to predict what this story would be about and it was so much fun and surprising. While it wasn't the perfection of the first book, I still loved it so much. There are only two books left. What am I going to do once this is over!!
Another funny mystery with Jackaby and Abigail Rook. I love the characters in these books. I was so not able to predict what this story would be about and it was so much fun and surprising. While it wasn't the perfection of the first book, I still loved it so much. There are only two books left. What am I going to do once this is over!!
I was lucky enough to be granted an advanced audiobook of Beastly Bones from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program. Thank you to LT and the publisher, and I apologize for the lateness of the review.
Beastly Bones is the second book in the Jackaby series, written by William Ritter. The narrative takes place just a few short weeks after the events of the first book, Jackaby. As in the usual Jackaby style, several random and mysterious happenings are revealed to be not only interlinked, but also reveal something more sinister in the quiet hamlet of Gad’s Valley.
Abigail Rook, paleontology enthusiast and assistant to Jackaby, follows her employer to Gad’s Valley – a three-hour journey from her new home in New Fiddleham. Here, murders abound and mysterious bones are discovered, which lead our odd private detective to believe that they could belong to a dragon. But Jackaby says that things are not quite right. With unusual auras, cryptic paw prints, dead goats, and a litter of “fish-kittens”, it seems that Jackaby and Abigail have their work cut out for them on this case.
As always, this book does not disappoint on humor. Jackaby misses social cues from time to time, and Rook is always there to try and correct the misguided detective. Yet, Rook and Jackaby complement each other very well; their platonic relationship works supremely well and benefits both characters. Jackaby learns more about human emotions, while Abigail gets exactly what she needs to hear from him - the truth. I especially like the scene where Jackaby tells her that he hired her for her mind and that if she doesn’t make her own decisions, she will be promptly terminated. It makes her realize that only she can decide what’s right for her; she can get advice from everyone but ultimately she knows what will work best and should trust herself more.
I think it’s great that a few chapters are devoted to Abigail’s decision regarding her future as a subplot. She loves paleontology and (I think) wants to pursue a career eventually in the field. But when she meets Nellie from the newspaper, she questions whether it’s a good fit for her. She sees Nellie as independent and confident, but at the same time a prisoner of sorts to her career. Abigail, like all young adults, needs to sort out what she wants out of life and go after it – and she does, after personal reflection.
Nicola Barber, the narrator for this audiobook (and the first one as well), has a great voice for storytelling. Her tone, accent, and ability to enhance her words (dependent on the scene) in the narrative are superb. Nicola’s voice not only makes Ritter’s story blossom, but compliments Ritter’s writing style.
I can’t recommend this series enough; its fantastical elements, humor, characters, and empathy are just some of the reasons why adults at any age would enjoy it. Ritter has a deep compassion for misunderstood characters and the path for finding oneself, which yields these beautiful and rich stories full of mystery and zeal. I cannot wait for the next installment!
Beastly Bones is the second book in the Jackaby series, written by William Ritter. The narrative takes place just a few short weeks after the events of the first book, Jackaby. As in the usual Jackaby style, several random and mysterious happenings are revealed to be not only interlinked, but also reveal something more sinister in the quiet hamlet of Gad’s Valley.
Abigail Rook, paleontology enthusiast and assistant to Jackaby, follows her employer to Gad’s Valley – a three-hour journey from her new home in New Fiddleham. Here, murders abound and mysterious bones are discovered, which lead our odd private detective to believe that they could belong to a dragon. But Jackaby says that things are not quite right. With unusual auras, cryptic paw prints, dead goats, and a litter of “fish-kittens”, it seems that Jackaby and Abigail have their work cut out for them on this case.
As always, this book does not disappoint on humor. Jackaby misses social cues from time to time, and Rook is always there to try and correct the misguided detective. Yet, Rook and Jackaby complement each other very well; their platonic relationship works supremely well and benefits both characters. Jackaby learns more about human emotions, while Abigail gets exactly what she needs to hear from him - the truth. I especially like the scene where Jackaby tells her that he hired her for her mind and that if she doesn’t make her own decisions, she will be promptly terminated. It makes her realize that only she can decide what’s right for her; she can get advice from everyone but ultimately she knows what will work best and should trust herself more.
I think it’s great that a few chapters are devoted to Abigail’s decision regarding her future as a subplot. She loves paleontology and (I think) wants to pursue a career eventually in the field. But when she meets Nellie from the newspaper, she questions whether it’s a good fit for her. She sees Nellie as independent and confident, but at the same time a prisoner of sorts to her career. Abigail, like all young adults, needs to sort out what she wants out of life and go after it – and she does, after personal reflection.
Nicola Barber, the narrator for this audiobook (and the first one as well), has a great voice for storytelling. Her tone, accent, and ability to enhance her words (dependent on the scene) in the narrative are superb. Nicola’s voice not only makes Ritter’s story blossom, but compliments Ritter’s writing style.
I can’t recommend this series enough; its fantastical elements, humor, characters, and empathy are just some of the reasons why adults at any age would enjoy it. Ritter has a deep compassion for misunderstood characters and the path for finding oneself, which yields these beautiful and rich stories full of mystery and zeal. I cannot wait for the next installment!
I enjoy the characters and the wonderful mix of mystery and fantasy.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well I blazed through this book really fast. I really enjoyed the writing style, the characters were funny, sassy and sarcastic. A paranormal Sherlock type adventure and I can't wait to start the next book in the series.
2.5 stars.
+Jackaby and Abigail are still fun characters.
+Some very witty lines.
-The plot of this story/investigation was a bit meh.
+Jackaby and Abigail are still fun characters.
+Some very witty lines.
-The plot of this story/investigation was a bit meh.
Book 2 in the Jackaby series delivers a great ride for anyone who enjoyed the 1st book. Abigail Rook provides an excellent lens for following the eccentric paranormal investigations of R.F. Jackaby. If Jackaby is a paranormal Sherlock Holmes, this book offers our first glimpse at his Moriarty. Book 3, Ghostly Echoes, promises to bring the villain forward & tie up many threads. Already have the third book in my nook and seriously thinking of diving straight into it.