I really enjoyed this book. I also forgot I read it almost the moment that I finished it. I track my reading in both a spreadsheet and Goodreads and I forgot to list this book in either place until several weeks later when I heard it mentioned on a podcast and I suddenly remembered that I had read it. That probably sounds harsh, but I genuinely did enjoy the book and would recommend it to people.
The book takes place in the late 19th century when Abigail Rook runs away from her life in Europe to come to America. Things look dire at first when she tries to find a job that will sustain her. Luckily, she runs into strange man named Jackaby, who happens to be a talented detective and can also see supernatural beings. The blurb describes it as Sherlock meets Doctor Who and that’s pretty on point. Goodreads describes it as Sherlock meets Buffy and that’s also pretty on point. Jackaby is very much like Sherlock, if Sherlock were able to see outside the realm of normal. Abigail Rook ends up being the perfect Watson to Jackaby’s Holmes because she notices ordinary but important details.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator was pretty good so if you like audiobooks, this might be a good one to try. Otherwise, if you love detective stories, young adult lit, or anything with a supernatural bent, Jackaby is totally worth picking up. Not sure if I’ll continue on with the series, but I could see myself picking it up when I need a palate cleanser.