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Things in Jars
- Narrated by: Jacqueline Milne
- Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
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Summary
Things in Jars is an enchanting Victorian detective novel that explores what it is to be human in inhumane times, from Costa Award winner and twice BBC Radio 2 Book Club author Jess Kidd.
London, 1863. Bridie Devine, the finest female detective of her age, is taking on her toughest case yet. Reeling from her last job and with her reputation in tatters, a remarkable puzzle has come her way. Christabel Berwick has been kidnapped. But Christabel is no ordinary child. She is not supposed to exist.
As Bridie fights to recover the stolen child she enters a world of fanatical anatomists, crooked surgeons and mercenary showmen. Anomalies are in fashion, curiosities are the thing and fortunes are won and lost in the name of entertainment. The public love a spectacle, and Christabel may well prove the most remarkable spectacle London has ever seen.
Critic reviews
“Things in Jars is exquisite. Perfect storytelling.” (Joanna Cannon)
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What listeners say about Things in Jars
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Michelle Callaghan
- 15-05-19
A wonderful delight of a book
I simply loved this book , I have read Jess Kidds previous books and enjoyed her quirky supernatural elements. In Things in Jars , Kidd delves into historical fiction with great results - the writing is rich and fluid , the characters are wonderful , a deeply engaging story and I have to say I was very impressed with the narrator who truly brought the story to life.
32 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-05-19
A Victorian detective novel with a difference
This book is filled with weird and wonderful characters and a sprinkling of magic and myth. It is a Victorian detective novel but not as you would know it and as such charms you with its originality. A great read, very much enjoyed.
27 people found this helpful
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- Sarah
- 14-10-19
Breathtaking!
I’ve always been an avid reader and have been an audible member for a few years now, getting through 3 or 4 books a week while I work. This has to be one of my favourite books of all time and I can’t recommend it highly enough! I’ve read and enjoyed both of Jess Kidd’s previous novels but this is in another league - well done to the author, and to the narrator who gives a performance as captivating as the story. I didn’t want it to end - please, please can this be the first in a series!
25 people found this helpful
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- Alicja
- 26-10-19
Disappointing performance
I love Jess Kidd’s books. This one has a different narrator from the other two I already listened to, and I’m not a fan. The book seems fun with a good plot, quite dark and with a great main character. Because of a monotonous voice of the reader I cannot remember half of the book. I feel like I didn’t engage and my brain just treated it like a background noise. Every time I was putting it on I couldn’t remember what the plot was so far. I think the book is well worth reading. Just not listening to this version.
20 people found this helpful
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- jonquil chambers
- 06-05-19
fantastical and fantastic!
beautiful writing makes this book a joy to read. The story is unique and wonderfully spiced with all things Victorian: filth, intrigue, mystery and darkness but it is the quality of the descriptions that pull the reader into the story as is you are there standing in the rain watching it all happen. The relationship between Ruby and Bridie is both beautiful and heartbreaking. really hoping for a sequel.
13 people found this helpful
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- barbara
- 29-09-19
Brilliant
Loved it .. can’t wait for the next one .I’m an avid audio book listener
of crime thrillers with
the occasional off road author , Ruth Hogan Jess Kidd being just 2 . Great narration too.
8 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-09-19
fabulous storytelling
loved the story and really enjoyed the motley crew of characters. The narrator brought the world of Bridie and Ruby to vibrant life. is there to be a sequel? I hope so.
6 people found this helpful
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- spencear
- 01-05-19
Lovely language
The language flows well like the water that features so strongly throughout this tale, poetically linking words and ideas to weave a story full of fantasy. The genre tag on this title is historical, which I was in the mood for, so the appearance of the ghost of a dead boxer to our main character took me by surprise, but it didn't deter me from following where the narrative lead. There is meany a flashback here, some not well signposted, which as a listener I would find if my attention was taken away from the story for a moment at the wrong time, I'd be lost in another time and have to scramble to regain my hold on the plot. Jacqueline Milne has a pleasing voice and performed well.
13 people found this helpful
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- Mr
- 03-03-20
Spoiled by narration
Interesting story, beautiful language, great characters. Narrator has lovely Irish accent for Bridie but her attempt at different voices is excruciating. Better to read this one.
5 people found this helpful
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- Squirrel Nutkins
- 04-09-19
Loved it
I really enjoyed this, one of the best books Ive listened too. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
5 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-04-20
Great!
I love Jess Kidd's books - so thrilled to have discovered them! Things in Jars doesn't disappoint.
1 person found this helpful