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Things in Jars

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Things in Jars

By: Jess Kidd
Narrated by: Jacqueline Milne
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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.

“Things in Jars is exquisite. Perfect storytelling.” JOANNA CANNON©2019 Jess Kidd (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Supernatural Thriller & Suspense Paranormal Fiction Feel-Good Mystery Scary Detective England
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There was something about the narration that made it hard to concentrate. The chopped up time frames also made it hard to follow the plot. I finished the whole thing, but I suspect I missed a lot and it didn’t really matter. Only an average listen.

Sort of washed over me

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bear with it -it’s worth it in the end! A great tale, some wonderful characters.

A very different mystery story

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Really creative characters and story to go with them. Very enjoyable and a unique concept. Bizarre but brilliant.

Different and clever

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Beautifully written. Wonderfully descriptive prose. Funny and dark. Bridie is a formidable character. Strong and vulnerable in equal measure. Five worthy stars.

Enchanting

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A bit of historical fiction I really enjoyed. Loved the character of Bridie and wonder if there's a sequel or a series. Overall performance felt a bit stilted to begin with but definitely got better towards the end. I will certainly look out for more from Jess Kidd.

Brilliant plot. Great characters!

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