William Ritter pens books that are a fun mix of mystery and fantasy, often with a dash of humor thrown in. His *Jackaby* series is a great example. It follows a quirky investigator of the supernatural in a historical setting.
If you are on the lookout for authors who create stories with a similar vibe, here is a list you might find interesting.
Books by Jonathan Stroud offer imaginative fantasy worlds filled with sharp dialog and intriguing characters.
Stroud’s “The Screaming Staircase,” the first of his “Lockwood & Co.” series, introduces Lucy Carlyle as she joins Anthony Lockwood’s small ghost-hunting agency based in a mysterious version of London plagued by ghostly activities.
The story combines supernatural suspense, clever wit, and an engaging team of young investigators, reminiscent of William Ritter’s entertaining mysteries. Readers interested in thrilling plots, humor, and quirky characters will find plenty to enjoy in Stroud’s storytelling.
Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s blend of mystery, fantasy, and humor will find Eoin Colfer’s books equally delightful. Colfer is best known for his series “Artemis Fowl,” a tale about Artemis, a twelve-year-old criminal mastermind.
Artemis stumbles upon a hidden fairy world and decides to exploit it for personal gain. His kidnapping of Captain Holly Short, a tough and resourceful elf officer, sets off an exciting adventure full of clever schemes, advanced technology, and sharp humor.
The interaction between humans and fairies creates plenty of witty dialogue, unexpected alliances, and thrilling twists. Fans of Ritter’s supernatural elements and playful storytelling will appreciate Colfer’s imaginative plots and charismatic characters.
Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s lively blend of fantasy, historical settings, and quirky mysteries should try Gail Carriger’s witty steampunk adventures. Carriger skillfully combines Victorian society, supernatural creatures, and clever humor in her novel “Soulless.”
In this spirited story, Alexia Tarabotti, a practical woman born without a soul, must navigate social conventions while facing vampires, werewolves, and secret societies.
Alexia relies on her sharp intelligence, trusty parasol, and quick wit to solve mysteries and handle supernatural mishaps in London’s shadows. Fans of Ritter’s playful storytelling and charismatic characters will appreciate Carriger’s engaging take on historical fantasy.
V.E. Schwab crafts imaginative novels filled with supernatural mysteries and dark adventure, appealing to fans of William Ritter’s style. Her novel “City of Ghosts” follows Cassidy Blake, a young girl who can see and interact with spirits after a near-death experience.
When her ghost-hunting parents take her to Edinburgh—a city well-known for its haunted past—Cassidy finds herself exploring realms between the living and dead.
As she discovers lingering secrets beneath the city’s ancient streets, Cassidy encounters both sinister and friendly spirits, blurring the lines between her world and theirs. Schwab creates a thrilling tale brimming with eerie encounters and spirited adventure.
Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s blend of folklore, fantasy, and intriguing mysteries may find Katherine Arden’s work equally captivating. Arden’s novel “The Bear and the Nightingale” is the first installment in the Winternight Trilogy.
It tells the tale of Vasilisa, a young girl living in medieval Russia who sees creatures from traditional folklore hidden to others. As the villagers begin rejecting old beliefs, danger and darkness threaten her community.
Vasilisa must embrace her unusual abilities to protect her family and preserve the fading magic of her people’s past.
Arden brilliantly captures the stark beauty and harsh realities of Russian wilderness and folklore, creating a vibrant tale of courage, tradition, and enchantment.
If you enjoy William Ritter’s blend of mystery, magic, and the supernatural in the “Jackaby” series, Leigh Bardugo might become your next favorite author. Bardugo’s “Ninth House” explores dark secrets and a hidden magical underworld within Yale University’s exclusive societies.
The story follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, who receives a surprise scholarship to Yale, tasked with monitoring occult practices among Yale’s powerful secret societies. Bardugo expertly weaves murder, dark rituals, and complex characters into an atmospheric page-turner.
The blend of mysticism and suspense in “Ninth House” creates an enticing read, perfect for fans of Ritter’s mysterious adventures.
Victoria Schwab writes imaginative fantasy novels with strong characters and intriguing mysteries. Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s “Jackaby” series may appreciate Schwab’s story, “City of Ghosts.”
In this supernatural adventure, Cassidy Blake is a girl who has a near-death experience and can now communicate with ghosts. When her parents go to Scotland to film a paranormal documentary, Cassidy goes along with them. Her best friend happens to be Jacob, a ghost himself.
Together, they explore Edinburgh’s haunted places and unravel spooky secrets. Fans of exciting paranormal adventures with humor, mystery, and friendship might happily get lost in this story.
Diana Wynne Jones creates imaginative worlds filled with magic, charm, and peculiar characters who captivate readers from the first page.
Her novel “Howl’s Moving Castle” introduces Sophie, a practical young woman who finds herself transformed into an old lady through an unfortunate curse.
Determined and resourceful, she seeks help from the charismatic yet exasperating Wizard Howl, whose magical castle wanders the landscape unpredictably. Jones builds a whimsical setting, humorous dialogue, and surprising adventures into a narrative that is quirky and enchanting.
Fans of William Ritter’s adventurous plots layered with magic and mystery will appreciate Jones’s clever storytelling and memorable characters.
Readers who enjoyed William Ritter’s atmospheric mysteries could discover a new favorite in Carlos Ruiz Zafón. His novel “The Shadow of the Wind” captures readers in post-war Barcelona.
It tells the tale of young Daniel, who visits the Cemetery of Forgotten Books and chooses a rare novel by an obscure author named Julián Carax. As Daniel becomes fascinated by Carax, he unravels personal secrets, forgotten rivalries, and even a tragic love story.
Boundaries between truth and fiction blur, leading Daniel down dark alleys and eccentric bookshops in search of answers. Zafón writes with mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural, qualities readers of William Ritter will immediately recognize.
Readers who enjoy William Ritter might find Philip Pullman equally engaging. Pullman is known for his imaginative, character-focused storytelling and sharp narrative style.
In his novel “The Golden Compass,” readers meet Lyra Belacqua, a brave, clever girl raised at Oxford College. Her world feels familiar but contains remarkable differences, such as humans bonded to their soul companions, animal-shaped daemons.
Lyra’s adventures begin when children mysteriously disappear, pushing her into a thrilling journey toward the cold North, armored bears, and troubling discoveries about an organization keen on hiding the truth.
Pullman’s talent for creating vibrant worlds and intriguing mysteries could resonate with fans of Ritter’s exciting, supernatural mysteries.
Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s blend of historical mystery and supernatural twists might also appreciate author Libba Bray. Bray offers a similar mixture of suspense, dark humor, and vibrant historical settings.
Her novel “The Diviners” tells the story of Evie O’Neill, a spirited teenage girl sent to live in bustling 1920s New York City. Evie soon finds herself in the center of a chilling mystery involving occult murders and eerie paranormal forces.
Bray skillfully captures the atmosphere and glamour of Jazz Age America while weaving a chilling supernatural mystery filled with rich, memorable characters.
Fans of Ritter’s detective Jackaby will find plenty to enjoy in Evie’s witty dialogue, bold personality, and spooky adventures.
Susanna Clarke writes imaginative fantasy stories set in magical worlds that feel real and rich with history. Readers who enjoy William Ritter’s mysterious and whimsical atmosphere might also appreciate Clarke’s novel, “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell”.
The story is set in nineteenth-century England, during the Napoleonic wars. It follows two magicians, Jonathan Strange and Gilbert Norrell, who revive English magic after centuries of neglect.
Their partnership soon turns into rivalry, as their personalities and visions begin to clash. Alongside magic and mystery, the novel explores alternate history and folklore elements, creating a vivid setting readers can immerse themselves in.
Maggie Stiefvater writes stories filled with mystery, supernatural themes, and memorable characters, so readers who enjoy William Ritter might find a great new favorite in her work.
In her book “The Raven Boys,” four private school boys are on a quest to find a legendary sleeping Welsh king who, when awakened, will grant a wish. Blue, the daughter of a psychic who herself has no powers, becomes pulled into their quest.
The story expertly blends friendship, myths, and eerie atmosphere, keeping readers intrigued until the very end.
If you enjoy William Ritter’s blend of fantasy, mystery, and strong characters, you might also appreciate Holly Black’s captivating stories. Holly Black is known for dark, imaginative fantasy worlds filled with clever twists and vivid characters.
In her novel “The Cruel Prince,” Jude is a mortal girl raised in the dangerous realm of Faerie. Determined to find her place among ruthless faeries, she navigates dangerous alliances, political intrigue, and tricky rivalries at every turn.
With sharp politics, surprising betrayals, and faerie glamour threaded throughout, Holly Black offers readers an exciting journey into a captivating magical kingdom full of danger and unexpected turns.
Ransom Riggs is an author whose imaginative storytelling and fascinating characters often appeal to fans of William Ritter.
His book “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” introduces readers to sixteen-year-old Jacob Portman, who discovers an abandoned orphanage linked to his grandfather’s mysterious past.
The orphanage held children with special and unusual talents, guarded by Miss Peregrine herself. Through eerie photographs and suspenseful chapters, readers are drawn into an adventure filled with secrets, time loops, and strange but endearing characters.
Riggs crafts a unique blend of fantasy, historical settings, and adventure that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.