I really enjoyed returning to this world! Beastly Bones by William Ritter is the second book in Jackaby, a historical paranormal mystery series, that follows Abigail Rook and her quirky employer Jackaby. Each book in this series is set around a different case that Jackaby and Miss Rook are trying to solve. In this particular book, we are introduced to a cat with…scales? Yes, scales. As the mystery surrounding this creature unfolds, Abigail and Jackaby find themselves at an archaeological dig site where things aren’t quite adding up.

I love Abigail. The entire story is told from her perspective, even breaking the wall and talking to us as if writing in a journal. Abigail is excited about this case as her field of study is archaeology and she feels she can contribute. I love her enthusiasm, and despite being completely new to the paranormal world, she accepts it in stride, learning on the fly. Her eagerness bleeds into the reader here.

Jackaby reminds me of a paranormal Sherlock Holmes. He’s quirky, sees and picks up on clues that most would miss, and also the worst at social manners. If it doesn’t pertain to the case or something paranormal, Jackaby will most likely miss it which tends to add a bit of tension between him and those he’s helping, including Abigail at times.

This particular case is interesting, exciting, and one that once I started I didn’t sit down. I finished this in one sitting. It’s fast-paced, lots of twists and surprises, though I’ll admit I had figured out some of the ending before it got there, and there are some characters who come back from book one.

Overall, I really enjoyed Beastly Bones. I cannot wait to read book three which will involve Jenny’s case (FINALLY). If you enjoy paranormal mysteries, quirky detectives, and exciting twists, I highly recommend it.