by William Ritter
ASIN/ISBN: 9781643752402
Publication: August 22, 2023

**I received a copy of the book through NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.**

Rook is a a paranormal mystery that revolves around the titular character Rook, Jackaby’s former assistant of the Jackaby series. As Rook grapples with new powers, her help is sought in solving a murder and missing individuals.

I did not realize it was part of a series until after I started reading it. By that time, I was already hooked. Rook works well as a standalone. I did not have any trouble trying to understand the world or the events that led to Rook gaining the gift of Sight–she sees auras. It’s obvious there’s a rich background to Rook’s current predicament.

The paranormal elements were the draw for me, and Rook did not disappoint in this aspect. The world is an interesting one with paranormal entities coexisting with humans. Despite the seriousness of the cases Rook is on, it’s a rather light read.

If you’re curious about the series and are not a fan of spoilers, you’ll have to start with book one. I will add that I’m a lot more likely to read the Jackaby series now. Pick up Rook if you’re a fan of the series or if you’re looking for an entertaining paranormal read. It is a combination of Sherlock and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Watson or Willow at the helm. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)