On Aug. 2, Algonquin Young Readers released the second book of William Ritter’s Jackaby series in paperback. The book, Beastly Bones, is a joyous romp through the countryside of 1892 England, full of seemingly-cannibalistic shape-shifting kittens, dinosaur digs and dog-shifter policemen.

This book starts up where Jackaby left off. Jackaby himself and our heroine, Abigail, are investigating a cat that’s mysteriously turned into a fish and its murdered owner. Things heat up when a dinosaur bone is stolen from a dig in another town. Animals and people are being mangled by an unknown beast. How are they related? Can Abigail and Jackaby stop a thief, a monster and a murderer, or will they be the next bodies on the pile?

Beastly Bones is an entirely enjoyable novel. It’s full of wit and charm, humor and horror. The story is funny from start to finish. Sad parts don’t linger and it never gets unbearably scary. Abigail is a capable woman striving for greatness in a time period where it’s not always appreciated. Jackaby is an incredibly smart character that also serves as comic relief. Together they make for a fun and intriguing investigation.

The book combines the intelligence of Sherlock Holmes with paranormal hilarity. I would recommend it to those who love mysteries, Victorian England and comic fantasy.