Jackaby, Book 1

A serial murderer's on the loose, and blood is mentioned frequently. The gruesome aftermath of the murders is described without much detail or gore, but the smell and color of blood are mentioned, as are spatters, smears, and pools of blood. Abigail's in peril a couple of times from supernatural sources that might scare younger readers. There's a violent fight in which blows and kicks are described, Abigail and another character are seriously injured, and gunshots are fired, knocking the target out; the pain and consequences of the violence is described. A fairy creature has to keep an article of clothing wet with human blood in order to live. A scary monster's sharp, bloodstained teeth are described in some detail. A character getting impaled with a sword-like weapon is described in some detail.

A nude statue and a naked man are mentioned, but neither is described. Other people imply or ask if Abigail and Jackaby's relationship is romantic, which it isn't. Abigail's attracted to a young policeman, but they only exchange looks and blush.

"Damned," "hell," and "ass" are each used once.

Abigail is served "a pint" in a bar, slowly sips it, and describes it as "bitter ale." "Drunken degenerates" in a bar are mentioned. A "dirty joke" about rowdy drunkards is mentioned but not told. A peaceful drunk in a holding cell is mentioned. A minor character has a cigarette in his ear, and people in the background are mentioned as smoking and putting out cigarettes.

Parents need to know that Jackaby is a fantasy detective story about solving a serial murder case. There's some light horror, and some scary, supernatural events and creatures endanger the heroine, Abigail. The murder victims are only briefly described, but blood's mentioned a lot and it's clear they met gruesome ends. There's also a violent fight with gunshots, impaling on a sword, and violent blows, with the pain and suffering of injuries fully conveyed. Otherwise there's very little of concern, only a few mild swear words with "ass" being the strongest and one instance of Abigail slowly sipping ale.