Things in Jars by Jess Kidd is a Victorian supernatural mystery following Bridie Devine, a flame-haired detective in London, as she investigates the kidnapping of a strange and supernatural child. With the help of her unusual entourage including a seven-foot housekeeper and the ghost of a tattooed boxer, Bridie navigates through a dark and atmospheric world filled with folklore, oddities, and mysteries from the past.
The narrative of Things in Jars shifts between two timelines, exploring Bridie's investigations into the missing child as well as her complex relationships with her companions. Set in a magical realism version of Victorian England, the book weaves together elements of myth, anatomy, and specimen collecting, creating a richly atmospheric tale that delves into the supernatural while maintaining a compelling mystery at its core.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains high triggers/content warnings, including child abuse, murder, and references to body horror.
Has Romance?
The book contains a medium level of romance, primarily centered on the relationship between the protagonist and the ghost.
From The Publisher:
In this "miraculous and thrilling" (Diane Setterfield, #1 New York Times bestselling author) mystery for fans of The Essex Serpent and The Book of Speculation, Victorian London comes to life as an intrepid female sleuth wades through a murky world of collectors and criminals to recover a remarkable child.
Bridie Devine-flame-haired, pipe-smoking detective extraordinaire-is confronted with the most baffling puzzle yet: the kidnapping of Christabel Berwick, secret daughter of Sir Edmund Athelstan Berwick, and a peculiar child whose reputed supernatural powers have captured the unwanted attention of collectors in this age of discovery.
Winding her way through the sooty streets of Victorian London, Bridie won't rest until she finds the young girl, even if it means unearthing secrets about her past that she'd rather keep buried. Luckily, her search is aided by an enchanting cast of characters, including a seven-foot-tall housemaid; a melancholic, tattoo-covered ghost; and an avuncular apothecary. But secrets abound in this foggy underworld where nothing is quite what it seems.
Blending darkness and light, Things in Jars is a stunning, "richly woven tapestry of fantasy, folklore, and history" (Booklist, starred review) that explores what it means to be human in inhumane times.
Ratings (13)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (9) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (32):
Read It (14) | |
Want To Read (14) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (3) |
2 comment(s)
I was ridiculously excited to find this on my book app and I was so sure I was going to love it as the blurb sounded like something I would enjoy. I think I liked the idea of the story more than I actually enjoyed the audiobook. Maybe someday I'll pick up the physical book to see if my feelings have change but for now it was rather disappointing. Not bad per say but not really my kind of story
***4.5***
Set in Victorian Era, we meet an unusual detective Birdie, who is trailed by a Ghost and a House Keeper. The ghost Ruby, is an ex-boxer, with moving tattoos on the body, with a top hat and baggy underdrawers. House Keeper Cora, who was rescued by Birdie from a freak show is devoted to Birdie.
Sir Edmund Berwick hires Birdie to find his kidnapped 6 year old daughter, Christobel. But on her path to find the missing child, Birdie finds herself in a web of magical folklore, crime, violence and things in jars.
Kidd has written a wonderful book mixed with Irish folklore and strange dark Victorian world.
Immaculate writing and rich, layered, perfectly developed characterization. It is wonderfully weird!
Loved every single line of it.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of a Honest Review.
Happy Reading!!!
What can you read after
Things in Jars?
About the Author:
Jess Kidd is the award-winning author of Himself, Mr. Flood's Last Resort, and Things in Jars. Learn more at JessKidd.com.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
