The JACKABY series
“Sherlock Holmes crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” —Chicago Tribune
The NYT bestselling Jackaby series begins when Abigail Rook, new to the bustling coastal town of New Fiddleham in 1892, accepts a job working for R. F. Jackaby. Jackaby is an eccentric investigator of unexplained phenomena with the unique ability to see supernatural beings. Together, they uncover paranormal plots, unravel ancient mysteries, and try their very best to save New Fiddleham from dangers the average citizens don’t even know exist.
“Science and magic, beauty and bedlam, things that ought to be at odds—they just don’t follow the same rules when Jackaby’s involved.”
JACKABY: Algonguin Young Readers—2014
AMAZON B&N POWELL’S INDIEBOUND
BEASTLY BONES: Algonquin Young Readers—2015
AMAZON B&N POWELL’S INDIEBOUND
GHOSTLY ECHOES: Algonquin Young Readers—2016
AMAZON B&N POWELL’S INDIEBOUND
THE DIRE KING: Algonquin Young Readers—2017
AMAZON B&N POWELL’S INDIEBOUND
ROOK: Algonquin Young Readers—2023
AMAZON B&N POWELL’S INDIEBOUND
THE MAP (FREE JACKABY SHORT STORY)—2015
(This JACKABY short story is no longer available from most standard
retailers, but my publishers have approved my posting a free PDF here.)
The ODDMIRE series
“Set in a magical world filled with incredible creatures from folklore, this fast-paced fantasy will keep readers turning the pages . . . A captivating series opener.” —Booklist, starred review
Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. When they are thirteen years old, a mysterious message arrives, calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic. The boys must leave their sleepy town and risk their lives in the Wild Wood, journeying through the Deep Dark to reach the goblin horde and uncover who they truly are.
“The unique, inspiring characters are full of heart, and combined with the enchanting magic surrounding them have the makings of a fantastical classic. Perfect for fans of titles such as Harry Potter, Gregor the Overlander, and for lovers of fantasy titles.” —BOOKLIST (starred review)
CHANGELING: Algonquin Young Readers—2019
AMAZON B&N BOOKS-A-MILLION INDIEBOUND
THE UNREADY QUEEN: Algonquin Young Readers—2020
AMAZON B&N BOOKS-A-MILLION INDIEBOUND
DEEPEST, DARKEST: Algonquin Young Readers—2021
(COMING SOON!)
Other Works/Collections
BLOODY FOOL FOR LOVE, A Buffy the Vampire Slayer prequel: Disney/Hyperion—August, 2022
The year is 1901 and the infamous vampire, Spike, has just returned to London after killing a slayer in Beijing. Having been abandoned by Angel, Spike is more eager than ever to hang on to his darling Drusilla. His efforts to secure her affection lead him into a reckless caper that quickly spirals out of control and pits him against the most powerful demon syndicate in London town. Forced to form his own ragtag group of mercenaries, Spike plans an epic heist in a misadventure rife with with paranormal plots, royal black ops, and tea (they may be abominations, but they’re British abominations, thank you very much). This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.
AMAZON, BN, BOOKS-A-MILLION, INDIEBOUND
WELCOME HOME, an anthology on love and adoption: Flux—2017
A collection of short stories from over two dozen authors, centering on stories of foster homes and adoption, spanning fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary tales. Featuring shorts from NYT bestsellers Nic Stone, C.J. Redwine, William Ritter, and more. All royalties from this book go towards helping youth centers that work with foster teens and adoptees stock their libraries. (Contact editor Eric Smith for more info.)
AMAZON, BN, BOOKS-A-MILLION, INDIEBOUND
WRIT 
This premise sounds brilliant! When does the book release?
Thank you! It’s out on September 16th.
Do you offer autographed pre orders? I’d love to get my hands on one!
I’d love to—I’ll chat with my publishers about that.
I absolutely love this book! I am hoping you become more active on goodreads so I can see when the next one is coming out! I’m in the process of writing my blog review of it despite my blog being new.
Fabulous book! I blogged about it today. http://mlreads.com/2014/10/05/a-young-adult-novel-jackaby-by-william-ritter/ Please tell me there are more books about Jackaby and his assistant, Abigail Rook in progress.
Lovely post—thanks so much! There are more books in progress, most definitely. I am very happy that Algonquin Young Readers will be publishing the sequel in the not-too-distant future.
Happy to hear it!
when’s the next installment coming out? i’m disappointed a bit that the female lead didn’t get too to more than i expected … but i’m holding out hope for the sequel. it’s just part of a bigger story, right?
2015. Abigail Rook is just beginning her adventures.
So excited there will be a sequel! I LOVED this story, just finished it! I hope there’s many more adventures still to come!
What an absolute treasure this book is! It is always wonderful to find a talented writer! Thanks so much!
Thank you very much for the support!
When is the next book coming out I’m really looking forward to it.
BEASTLY BONES is scheduled for September 22nd, 2015.
Hey really enjoyed your book. I think just about everyone loves the twist with the banshee. I had to stay up and finish the book when I got to that part. I think i finally fell asleep at 1:30ish. Nice work on how the beginning scene is the opposite of the end scene, I admit I didn’t notice it until later. Darn, I have to wait until Sep. for Lockwood and now Jackaby too!
Absolotely loved the series! Just finished Beastly Bones earlier today. When does the next one come out? I need to know what happens!
You’re a very talented writer, and I love the concept. Jackaby reminded me so much of Doctor Who during seasons 2-4, and I cannot wait to see what other adventures him and Abigail get into.
Thanks so much! I do like Ten’s run on Doctor Who—I’ll take that comparison any day. Book 3 is set for an August release. 🙂
I enjoyed both of your books very much! Is there any chance that you can hint about the next one, if there is to be one? (Although you obviously left it open for a third…) Can you give us a hint as to when it might come out?
I’m afraid I missed your question earlier! GHOSTLY ECHOES will release this summer, August 23. Thanks for reading!
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I love reading Jackaby and I’m on my third time reading it, but I guess I’m not that bright. I can’t catch the Allusions others have talked about such as the police officer Allan being named after Edger Allan Poe. What others examples is a simpleton like me missing?
You’re not simple! The allusions are barely there—really just me dipping into the existing genre whenever I needed a name. Most are little more than a passing mention of a fairly common name.
Here are a few to keep your eyes out for: Arthur and O’Doyle are both used to reference Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author of Sherlock Holmes). Allan is for EA Poe, as you said, and Officer Dupin is named for Poe’s detective character C. Auguste Dupin. There is mention of a nymph called Agatha and of a priest called Father Grafton for authors Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton, and the larger character Charlie Cane is a nod toward Charlie Chan. Mayor Spade and Inspector Marlowe are for pulp detectives Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe. Their respective authors were referenced as well; Chandler’s Market, and its proprietor “Ray” are for Raymond Chandler, and the ill-tempered Hammett is a reference to Dashiell Hammett.
Place names borrowed less from the detective genre and more from occult history with nods to Gad the Seer, Aleister Crowley, the Brahan Seer, Joseph Glanvill, etc.
Thanks for reading!
I just read JACKABY in one sitting (took me about 5 hours), and I have to say that I figured out both the “surprise” twists well before they were revealed. I got the “whodunit” right off, though it took longer to figure out the WHAT done it. Possibly, as an older reader (mid-thirties), I have more practice at it than your target audience. But my point here is that I STILL READ IT! All in one go. And I enjoyed every page. It made me laugh several times, in fact. So I have to conclude that if the mystery wasn’t holding me there, it was the characters themselves who were so fascinating. For which reason I have to say, Well done, sir. Very well done indeed.
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I literally just finished your latest book Ghostly Echoes, and I decided I wanted to come check out your website to see what more you’ve done. The first thing I saw was your blog on the struggle to have a diverse literary field. I greatly appreciate the distinction between earned and deserved. I love your writing and your compassion, which is clearly shown in your Jackaby series, and I look forward to reading new stuff from you in the future!
What’s your copywrite date?
JACKABY—Sept of 2014,
BEASTLY BONES—Sept of 2015,
GHOSTLY ECHOES—Aug of 2016,
and the 4th is slated for Summer of 2017.
On the website I mean.
General information on my site is (c) 2013-2016. All of my blog posts have a specific post date for a more accurate copyright dates for any particular post. (I don’t bother to add a (c) tag to every post because this is a fairly informal blog, and because the Berne Convention of 1989 made legal copyright automatic.)
I saw in a recent reply that there will be a fourth book in the Jackaby series. Will that be the last book or do you plan on writing more?
The fourth Jackaby title is set to be the last in the series. I do love these characters, and I may return to them some day, but the final installment brings closure to the grand story arc.
I just want to tell you how much I love these books! I laugh so hard and I am so intrigued with the plots. I am so very excited about the fourth book but I have to say I am sad that it is supposed to be the last in the series! Jackaby and Abigail Rook have quickly become some of my all time favorite book characters. Thank you!
Thanks so much, Caroline! I have come to love these characters over the course of writing this series—and it warms my heart to hear that they’ve found a receptive reader. 🙂
I have been following these books since Jackaby first came out. I remember I got it for Christmas and stayed up so late it. I FINALLY got my hands on Ghostly Echos and we so happy with the story. These books never fail to keep me on the edge of my seat. Sad to hear that the fourth book will be the last but I’m excited to see what you do next
Thanks for reading!
i have been reading all of your book and i LOVE THEM. And I was wondering when the fourth book will be coming out. I can not wait.
Thanks! August 2017.
I have to ask, is there a date, summary, or cover picture coming out soon? I can’t wait!
August, 2017! The final cover for THE DIRE KING is still in progress, but you can read the overview now on the BN website: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/w/the-dire-king-william-ritter/1125369913?ean=9781616206703
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Hello! I was wondering if your books are expected to be translate in french someday… They seem pretty cool and I’ve read really postive reviews, I’d love to read them!
Have a nice day 🙂
Je suis désolé. J’aimerais une édition française – j’ai étudié le français à l’université – mais je ne sais pas. Je vais parler à mon éditeur. Merci pour votre intérêt!
To Mr. Ritter,
Your series was absolutely stunning. There are very few words that can describe how wonderfully your world was created, how detail oriented and how absolutely fantastic your stories were, and even these words now are paltry compared to how I feel. I could not put your books down at all and finished the four books and your novella The Map within five days.
Your end to the series was beautiful and while I crave so much more of this series, I can accept this as an ending to the series as well.
I only pray to see your name once again on another series in the times to come. As an avid reader and a woefully inept and scatterbrained author, (someday maybe, if I ever manage to focus and create a proper story line), I simply adore your style. You created so many vibrant characters, made inclusions to severe minority groups that I have never seen before, expressed concepts that could truly affect the younger generation and guide them to a peaceable and kinder potential lifestyle in the future, and made all of it so enjoyable and fantastical, so inviting, that one is compelled to read non stop and then begin all over again.
Again, all I hope for is simply to hear one day that a new William Ritter book is about to be published. Keep that chin up and your sight open, good sir. I’ll bet you have a chipper and cheery aura all about you that manifests that wonderful writing style you have. A true gift.
With the utmost respect and kindest of regards,
Donnie
How exceedingly kind of you! I am delighted to hear that my stories found such an enthusiastic and receptive reader. Thank you so much for writing!
I can only hope that my next project remotely lives up to this encouragement & praise.
I am absolutely certain it will, sir. I eagerly await the day for your next book. The praise is justly deserved and you should feel exceptionally proud of yourself.
Kind regards,
Donnie
Your Jackaby series is absolutely stunning. These books are definitely one of the better book series I have read in a very long time, and I certainly read my share. I am a little bit sad to see the Jackaby series end with The Dire King. It was a spectacular conclusion that had us, the reader, on the edge of our seats till the very end. Leaving me heartbroken, and wanting more, but the last page certainly makes up for the heartrending death…(that I won’t spoil for any other readers reading my comment).
I know that the series has come to an end, but know that Abigail is a Seer, is there any chance that we may see these characters in another story? I can’t imagine that the weird and fantastical life that is in New Fiddleham has just stopped. There must be other adventures for Abigail, Jackaby and the rest of the group. I know that if you continue writing I will no doubt keep reading about the magical world your characters inhabit.
Thank you for creating such a beautiful universe,
Ali
Thanks so much! You’re very kind. I will absolutely miss writing about these characters. No closed doors… I may return to them someday, or perhaps visit some of the other inhabitants of New Fiddleham, but I am currently at work on another story with a whole new cast from not too far away. I do hope a few Jackaby fans might be willing to venture into the Deep Dark with me when that one’s done.
I know that I will venture forth with this new project of yours once it is completed. I can’t wait to see what you do next, and I’m sure it will be just as wonderful as Jackaby was. If you keep writing you will have at the very least this faithful reader.
In the book the dire king, in the end when [SPOILER] does jackaby turns into [SPOILER] or [SPOILER]?
Answer: Jackaby is flesh & blood.
I just finished reading the series. I do have a pressing question. What was Jackaby real name? I’m keen to know.
Thank for being a wonderful writer,
Abdol
Hi Abdol. Jackaby is a real nickname. (It is the pet name I have called my youngest son since he was just a baby.)
Thanks for reading!
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I truly loved this series! But as a fan I must say we need a Rook series now! It can not be the end of these! It’s so so important! Keep writing these are great!
Maybe someday!
The Jackaby series was actually one of my most favorite series’ I have ever read. I would love it soooooooo much if you would write another book
(Or 2 or 3) about Abigail!!
Thanks so much for reading! I’m delighted you found such joy in the series. I might return to writing about Ms. Rook and her associates someday—I do miss them—but for now, that arc is complete. In the meantime, I have been getting to know and love a whole new cast of characters for my upcoming MG series, THE ODDMIRE. (It takes place in the JACKABY universe, so readers of both might catch a few familiar names.)
The Jackaby series touched my heart in a way in hasn’t been touched by a book in a long time. I read the first of the series a few years back, and though I wanted to continue, I forgot. I got them for Christmas about a year or so ago and the recent virus has given me time to read. I must start with just saying: WOW. I have never been a series person, but I genuinely think I need more. I need more of the beautifully written characters. I need to know if the end of the series was the happy ending I really hope it to be.
Before reading all of these books, I had no clue what I was missing. It is such a fun world, and New Fiddleham is a city I am so happy to have felt like I was part of, if that makes sense. I was completely unprepared for the last book entirely. I really almost didn’t read it because I didn’t want it to end. Once starting on the series, I couldn’t stop though. I really really hope you pick up Abigail Rook’s story, but understand if you do it’ll all have to be in the right time. I have not had the chance to read The Map or The Oddmire series. I plan to as soon as I can. I just know I am genuinely not ready to give up reading Abigail Rook and her associates’ 😉 adventures. I will probably try to reread them soon just to enjoy to experience again. That’s what I’ll miss- the experiences, the chemistry (both friendship’s, like Abigail and Jackaby, and romantic relationship’s, like Charlie and Abigail or Jackaby and Jenny), and the adventure. I apologize for being all over the place, but I must say thank you. Thank you for dedicating your time to write these characters and the beautiful adventure (adventures?) they shared. I really hope to go on an adventure with them in the future, and can guarantee I am a fan to stay and will continue reading and enjoying your work.
Thank you so much for this beautiful message. I’m so happy that you found your way to New Fiddleham. I have been thoroughly immersed in writing about the nearby world of the Oddmire lately, but I miss Jackaby and Rook, and it makes me so happy to know they are still receiving enthusiastic visitors.
I have one really big question that has caused me to think a lot, why is the 13th chapter of each book omitted? I was curious as to if it had anything to do with Friday the 13th or something?
There just happen to have been a few very sensitive pieces of information contained in those chapters that Mr. Jackaby did not feel were appropriate for public dissemination at this time. The number thirteen is purely coincidental, I’m sure.
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I hope writing is going well for the next Oddmire book! I’d live to be a beta reader of you need any additional ones! I’ll still be buying the audiobook when it comes out. Makes it easier to listen to while I’m working. Will there be any shorts or anything additional to the Jackaby books? I’d love to know how they are doing and see them interact with the Oddmire characters! Love the little mentions you’ve had so far.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks! And I do enjoy a good audiobook, too.
I have a project underway that is not a part of this universe, but then I’m headed back to my New Fiddleham/Endsborough world for more adventures. These characters are not finished—but I’ll leave it there for now. (Spoilers!)
I am a HUGE fan of the Oddmire series and I just wanted to ask what the Burtons named their son, before they had two? If you haven’t thought of the answer, might I suggest Colton. Cause like Cole-Tinn, Colton (hilarious, I know). The Oddmire series is one of the best I’ve read in years, keep up the good work 🙂
Hi Duke! Thanks so much. I’m so happy you’re enjoying it, and I like the way you think! Colton would’ve been a good choice, but alas, I have already written that the baby was originally named Thomas. Book 3 will include an explanation of how they came to be called Tinn and Cole. (Thomas, incidentally, remains their middle name. Annie didn’t want to take it away from either of them, so they share it). I hope you continue to enjoy the series!
The thing about them both having Thomas as a middle name is soo sweet. And don’t worry I will continue to read and enjoy this series for as long as it runs (and, lets be honest way after, I’ll probably make my future kids read it) keep up the good work! 🙂
My daughter and I really love the Oddmire series! We just finished Deepest, Darkest, and we hope there is a fourth book in progress. The characters are so alive to us. We can’t wait to see them grow, including the Thing. Thank you!!!
Thanks so much for reading! I’m delighted that you made them a part of your time together.
There will be a bit of a pause before I return to the Oddmire—other projects beckon—but I love this world and these characters, and I will certainly be coming back to check in on them.
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I just got turned onto your series and finished “Jackaby” but don’t really want to start “Beastly Bones” until I have read “The Map” but am having trouble locating it. I have looked at the sites you have provided at the top of the page but states they are unavailable. Please help me so I can continue reading your series.
Thanks so much for your inquiry! So sorry for the delay in responding, but I’ve tracked down the answer, and the long and short of it is: THE MAP is now available for free right here on the blog. Enjoy!
(For the record, this story is just a bit of fun intended as a free gift to readers, not integral to the overall plot of the series—so continuing directly to Beastly Bones would not have been a wrong choice.)