William Ritter is an American author best known for young adult fantasy and mystery, especially the Jackaby series, which blends historical fiction with wit, eerie atmosphere, and supernatural intrigue.
If you enjoy William Ritter’s mix of clever mysteries, memorable characters, and otherworldly touches, the following authors are well worth exploring:
Mackenzi Lee writes energetic historical adventures full of humor, heart, and sharply drawn characters. Her stories balance emotional depth with fast-moving plots and plenty of surprises.
If Ritter’s clever tone and adventurous spirit appeal to you, try Lee’s The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, a witty romp across 18th-century Europe following Monty and his companions through scandal, danger, and self-discovery.
Maureen Johnson is known for atmospheric mysteries, strong teen voices, and settings that practically pulse with secrets. Her novels often weave suspense, humor, and emotion into a compelling whole.
Readers who enjoy Ritter’s mix of mystery and offbeat charm should pick up Johnson’s Truly Devious, a boarding-school detective story layered with cold cases, hidden motives, and long-buried secrets.
Kerri Maniscalco writes dark historical mysteries with immersive settings, determined heroines, and a strong sense of tension. Her books pair grisly intrigue with romance and brisk, engaging dialogue.
If you liked Ritter’s eerie mysteries and supernatural flavor, Maniscalco’s Stalking Jack the Ripper is a strong next read, following a brilliant young woman who sets out to uncover a notorious killer.
Gail Carriger blends Victorian manners, fantasy, romance, and comedy with a wonderfully playful touch. Her books are packed with witty banter, eccentric characters, and a delightfully supernatural edge.
If Ritter’s combination of history and fantasy drew you in, Carriger’s Soulless is an excellent choice, featuring a sharp-tongued heroine navigating social rules, vampires, and werewolves with equal determination.
Jonathan Stroud excels at writing imaginative, funny, and genuinely suspenseful fantasy. His stories feature memorable narrators, spooky supernatural elements, and richly realized settings.
Fans of Ritter’s humor and paranormal mystery should try Stroud’s The Screaming Staircase, the opening book in the Lockwood & Co. series, where young ghost hunters take on haunted London.
Libba Bray is a terrific pick for readers who want mystery, history, and the supernatural in one vivid package. Her writing is stylish, inventive, and full of personality.
A great place to start is The Diviners, which follows Evie O'Neill through 1920s New York as she becomes entangled with sinister supernatural forces. Bray brings the era to life while delivering an engrossing mystery and a memorable cast.
Deanna Raybourn is a strong match if you enjoy historical mysteries with smart, lively protagonists and sparkling dialogue. Her books balance intrigue, adventure, and character chemistry especially well.
Her Veronica Speedwell series begins with A Curious Beginning, introducing a bold and inquisitive heroine investigating danger in Victorian England. Raybourn combines historical detail, romance, and mystery in a way many Ritter fans will appreciate.
Cassandra Clare may appeal to you if you enjoy supernatural stories built around expansive worlds and dramatic relationships. She has a knack for creating immersive fantasy settings and characters readers quickly invest in.
Her bestselling novel City of Bones launches The Mortal Instruments series, introducing shadowhunters who protect humanity from demons in a contemporary New York City filled with hidden magic.
Stephanie Garber is ideal for readers who love dreamlike fantasy, mystery, and romance wrapped in lush, magical settings. Her books lean into wonder, danger, and constant uncertainty about what is real.
Try Caraval, a spellbinding novel in which sisters Scarlett and Tella enter a mysterious carnival where illusion and reality intertwine in unexpected and dangerous ways.
Liesl Shurtliff writes inventive fairy-tale retellings with warmth, humor, and an easy charm. Her stories feel familiar and fresh at the same time, with lovable characters and clever twists.
Start with Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, a heartfelt and entertaining reimagining of the classic tale that offers adventure, humor, and a new perspective on a well-known story.
Scott Westerfeld writes fast-paced speculative fiction with inventive concepts and strong world-building. His work often blends history with fantasy or science fiction in ways that feel both imaginative and accessible.
If you enjoyed the mix of adventure, humor, and unusual historical elements in Ritter’s books, Westerfeld’s Leviathan is an excellent choice. It reimagines World War I through an action-packed alternate history infused with steampunk flair.
Adrienne Kress writes lively, witty fiction filled with humor, capable heroines, and briskly unfolding mysteries. Her style has a playful energy that makes her stories especially fun to read.
Her novel The Friday Society offers the kind of clever plotting and spirited adventure that often appeals to Ritter fans, following three talented female assistants who join forces to solve a mystery in Victorian London.
Theodora Goss combines gothic atmosphere, historical fantasy, and feminist themes in fiction that feels both literary and entertaining. Her work is known for smart dialogue, unusual premises, and memorable ensembles.
Her novel The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter follows the daughters of famous fictional scientists such as Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Moreau. Readers who enjoy Ritter’s wit, mystery, and love of the strange should find plenty to admire here.
Jordan L. Hawk specializes in historical supernatural mysteries with strong atmosphere, suspense, and touches of romance. His stories often feature occult investigations and richly imagined period settings.
Widdershins, the first book in the "Whyborne & Griffin" series, offers paranormal investigations, compelling leads, and a strong historical backdrop that should resonate with fans of William Ritter’s Jackaby books.
Stefan Bachmann draws readers in with vivid world-building, gothic atmosphere, and imaginative fantasy rooted in historical settings. His novels have a darkly enchanting quality that makes them easy to sink into.
If you’re looking for something that captures Ritter’s blend of mystery, adventure, and the uncanny, Bachmann’s The Peculiar is well worth a look. Set in an alternate Victorian England where humans and fairies uneasily coexist, it delivers both atmosphere and intrigue.
