Things in Jars: A Novel
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.
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.
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Community Reviews
A figure larger than life, Bridie Devine, who is a female detective is trying to solve the kidnapping case of Christabel, a secret daughter who "might" be a mermaid. She's been stolen by the nanny, to be sold to the highest bidder. Bridie lost a child in the past when she didn't find him in time, and now she's determined to save Christabel before it's too late. She is helped along the way by a seven-foot tall housemaid (who has a beard), and an ex-boxer ghost that she picks up at the graveyard. This is a dark but at-times humorous mystery. I don't typically bestow 5 stars but the writing in this tale is just wonderful, and I enjoyed every minute of reading it, and didn't want it to end.
3.5 stars rounded up. Things in Jars is very well-written. Maybe too well-written for me. I found myself often lost in the language. Although I did highlight many beautiful lines. I read this novel-that demands the reader's full attention-at a time when I should have been reading something lighter. I also had a hard time keeping the myriad of characters straight, especially with the two timelines. I did enjoy the characters of Bridie, Ruby, and Cora. But I wanted more of them.
Things in Jars is about the mysterious disappearance of a little girl named Christabel and Bridie's search for her. Bridie definitely brings to mind a female Sherlock Holmes, especially with the setting of Victorian London, but the bits of romance were my favorite parts. I found myself not so interested in the mystery of Christabel, only continuing to read for the resolution to Bridie's love life.
Most reviewers are loving this one, so I know I'm in the minority. I'm thrilled it's getting such well-deserved reviews. I expected to love this one, and I'm disappointed that I didn't.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me an advance copy through Netgalley.
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #17)
Things in Jars is about the mysterious disappearance of a little girl named Christabel and Bridie's search for her. Bridie definitely brings to mind a female Sherlock Holmes, especially with the setting of Victorian London, but the bits of romance were my favorite parts. I found myself not so interested in the mystery of Christabel, only continuing to read for the resolution to Bridie's love life.
Most reviewers are loving this one, so I know I'm in the minority. I'm thrilled it's getting such well-deserved reviews. I expected to love this one, and I'm disappointed that I didn't.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me an advance copy through Netgalley.
#popsugarreadingchallenge2020 (prompt #17)
For this is their parting: as sudden and slow, surprising and foreseen as any parting. Between together and apart: an eyeblink and all of eternity.
I enjoyed the colorful female characters and the unexpected romance between Bridie and Ruby.
Such a refreshing take on Victorian crime!!
I enjoyed the colorful female characters and the unexpected romance between Bridie and Ruby.
Such a refreshing take on Victorian crime!!
Everything you want it to be. A mystery Victorian steampunk penny bloody fantasy crime sleuth. Left me feeling like I had a post-modern empty jar at the end though. It slowed about 3/4 of the way through like it lost all that steam and then just never turned around for me. Sorry Jess. Wanted to like it.
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