Where Is The Setting Of 'Jackaby' Located?

The novel 'Jackaby' is set in a fictional version of New England during the late 19th century, specifically in a quirky town called New Fiddleham. This place feels like a mix of Sherlock Holmes' London and a supernatural carnival, with its cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and a constant fog that hides all sorts of weird creatures. The town's architecture is Victorian, but the vibe is anything but ordinary—shops sell magical artifacts, and the local police station has a special department for paranormal cases. It's the kind of place where you might bump into a werewolf at the bakery or see a ghost hailing a cab. The setting perfectly balances historical realism with fantastical elements, making it feel both familiar and utterly bizarre.

New Fiddleham, the primary setting of 'Jackaby', is a brilliantly crafted fictional town that captures the essence of 1892 New England with a supernatural twist. Imagine Boston if it were populated by eccentric detectives, talking ducks, and monsters lurking in every shadow. The town's layout mirrors typical industrial-era cities, with a bustling harbor, narrow alleys, and grand townhouses, but it's the details that set it apart. The streets are lined with shops selling cursed antiques, and the local newspaper runs headlines about vampire sightings.

The harbor district is particularly intriguing, serving as a hub for both human and supernatural trade. Ships arrive carrying not just goods but also mythical creatures stowaways. The town's central square features a clock tower that allegedly chimes thirteen times at midnight when something otherworldly is about to happen. The author, William Ritter, cleverly uses New Fiddleham's setting to explore themes of hidden worlds and societal divides, with the supernatural community existing just beneath the surface of 'normal' life.

What makes the setting stand out is how it evolves throughout the series. In later books, we explore surrounding areas like the eerie Gad's Valley, a forest teeming with folkloric creatures, and the mysterious Catacombs beneath the city where older, darker things reside. The geography isn't just backdrop—it actively shapes the story's mysteries and character interactions.

Reading 'Jackaby' feels like stepping into a Gothic postcard of 1890s America, but one where the ink bleeds magic. New Fiddleham isn't just a location; it's a character. Ritter paints it as this fog-drenched, slightly off-kilter version of reality where the mundane and magical collide daily. The detective's office at 926 Augur Lane is ground zero for weirdness—its walls are lined with jars of pickled fairies and maps of ley lines. Across the street sits a perfectly normal tea shop run by a woman who may or may not be a centuries-old witch.

The town's history is layered with secrets. Founding families had ties to occult societies, and certain buildings shift dimensions when no one's looking. Even the weather plays along—storms arrive suspiciously often when supernatural events escalate. Unlike typical period pieces that romanticize the past, New Fiddleham feels authentically grimy and lived-in. The cobblestones are cracked from troll attacks, and the sewer system doubles as a highway for goblin traders. This setting doesn't just accommodate the supernatural; it thrives on it, creating a world where every shadow could hide a new mystery.