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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow, this MASSIVELY picked up and even included a trip to the underworld in the second half. I cannot wait to see what it all amounts to in the end.
Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
Ghostly Echoes is the third historical mystery featuring Abigail Rook and Mr. Jackaby, a private investigator with an unusual specialty of the unexplained.
Abigail is a transplant from England who fell into employment with the eccentric Jackaby and with this third book it's clear that Abigail has embraced her investigations into the paranormal and has no intention of going back:
It seemed like only yesterday I had been back home in England, packing for my first term at university. Had someone told me that I would throw it all away and run off to America to commune with ghost and answer to ducks and help mad detectives solve impossible murders, I would have said they were either lying or insane. I would have sorted them on the same shelf in my mental library as those who believe in Ouija boards or sea serpents or honest politicians. That sort of foolishness was not for me. I adhered to facts and science; the impossible was for other people.
A lot can change in a few short months (p. 20).
Indeed they can.
In Ghostly Echoes Abigail is comfortable with the supernatural. She's works with a duck, has a flirtation with a werewolf, and is friends with a ghost. In fact, it is Jenny the ghost that drives the plot of Ghostly Echoes. For fans of the series, it will come as no surprise that Jenny, the ghost that lives in Jackaby's house, was murdered. In this latest installment, Jenny has decided that she's ready for Jackaby and Abigail to investigate her murder. The strange thing is that Jenny's murder seems to be linked to Jackaby and Abigail's first two cases together, which readers were treated to in Jackaby and Beastly Bones.
Like the previous two books in the series, Ghostly Echoes offers readers great characters, and engaging mystery and subtle nods to important issues like diversity and personal identity. While I do appreciate the content and craft of the novel, it's the characters that keep me interested in the series. I love Abigail as a character; her perspectives on Jackaby and his investigation are always well done. That said, I felt that Jackaby stole the show a bit in Ghostly Echoes. Readers finally learn more about Jackaby and his mysterious past and the author sets the stage for more to come in the next book. And while Jackaby's past is of immense interest, I continue to appreciate the fact that Jackaby continues to be his blunt self:
"Hello, detectives. My name is Cordelia Hoole," she said. "I got your message."
"Hello, Mrs. Hoole. My name is Jackaby," said Jackaby. "I've got the unconscious body of an unpleasant stranger. Would you mind holding the door?" (p. 141)
With lines like that, who wouldn't love Jackaby? Comedic relief aside, I really liked how Jackaby's care for his partner and those under his care (i.e. Jenny the ghost, the duck etc.) really shines in Ghostly Echoes. Jackaby's a fairly enigmatic character, but in Ghostly Echoes I felt that readers get to see a different side of him through Abigail's eyes. Character development, you are my friend.
Ghostly Echoes is another great installment in the Jackaby series; however, it does leave readers wanting more. There's not much in the way of a conclusion in Ghostly Echoes; rather, the majority of the book reads more like the setting of the stage for what I presume is the final book in the series. I didn't mind the stage being set, but I did find that it made for a more challenging read than the previous two books in the series. And finally, I think what we needed was more Charlie. Who's with me?
Ghostly Echoes is the third historical mystery featuring Abigail Rook and Mr. Jackaby, a private investigator with an unusual specialty of the unexplained.
Abigail is a transplant from England who fell into employment with the eccentric Jackaby and with this third book it's clear that Abigail has embraced her investigations into the paranormal and has no intention of going back:
It seemed like only yesterday I had been back home in England, packing for my first term at university. Had someone told me that I would throw it all away and run off to America to commune with ghost and answer to ducks and help mad detectives solve impossible murders, I would have said they were either lying or insane. I would have sorted them on the same shelf in my mental library as those who believe in Ouija boards or sea serpents or honest politicians. That sort of foolishness was not for me. I adhered to facts and science; the impossible was for other people.
A lot can change in a few short months (p. 20).
Indeed they can.
In Ghostly Echoes Abigail is comfortable with the supernatural. She's works with a duck, has a flirtation with a werewolf, and is friends with a ghost. In fact, it is Jenny the ghost that drives the plot of Ghostly Echoes. For fans of the series, it will come as no surprise that Jenny, the ghost that lives in Jackaby's house, was murdered. In this latest installment, Jenny has decided that she's ready for Jackaby and Abigail to investigate her murder. The strange thing is that Jenny's murder seems to be linked to Jackaby and Abigail's first two cases together, which readers were treated to in Jackaby and Beastly Bones.
Like the previous two books in the series, Ghostly Echoes offers readers great characters, and engaging mystery and subtle nods to important issues like diversity and personal identity. While I do appreciate the content and craft of the novel, it's the characters that keep me interested in the series. I love Abigail as a character; her perspectives on Jackaby and his investigation are always well done. That said, I felt that Jackaby stole the show a bit in Ghostly Echoes. Readers finally learn more about Jackaby and his mysterious past and the author sets the stage for more to come in the next book. And while Jackaby's past is of immense interest, I continue to appreciate the fact that Jackaby continues to be his blunt self:
"Hello, detectives. My name is Cordelia Hoole," she said. "I got your message."
"Hello, Mrs. Hoole. My name is Jackaby," said Jackaby. "I've got the unconscious body of an unpleasant stranger. Would you mind holding the door?" (p. 141)
With lines like that, who wouldn't love Jackaby? Comedic relief aside, I really liked how Jackaby's care for his partner and those under his care (i.e. Jenny the ghost, the duck etc.) really shines in Ghostly Echoes. Jackaby's a fairly enigmatic character, but in Ghostly Echoes I felt that readers get to see a different side of him through Abigail's eyes. Character development, you are my friend.
Ghostly Echoes is another great installment in the Jackaby series; however, it does leave readers wanting more. There's not much in the way of a conclusion in Ghostly Echoes; rather, the majority of the book reads more like the setting of the stage for what I presume is the final book in the series. I didn't mind the stage being set, but I did find that it made for a more challenging read than the previous two books in the series. And finally, I think what we needed was more Charlie. Who's with me?
I love this series, for 12 yr & up!!! One part Harry Potter, one part Sherlock Holmes - throw in some Spiderwick Chronicles, stir in some amazing characters that you can't help but love and root for and there you have it - a fabulous read!
This one was a bit more slow moving but I loved Jenny’s involvement. Jenny is definitely one of my favourites and the way she overcomes her sorrow in this book is inspiring.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence
Sci-fi, steampunk, ghosts, a little real history, monsters, long hallways and bumps in the night.
What else could you want?
What else could you want?
Another excellent entry in the Jackaby series.
For those who are fans of Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, Supernatural, and historical fiction. Yes, it has something for all of them & for you.
For those who are fans of Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, Supernatural, and historical fiction. Yes, it has something for all of them & for you.