Loved loved LOVED this creepy, gross, enticing book. Bridie is such an immense detective to follow and the atmosphere is stunning. I was engrossed and morbidly desperate to stay in this world. Weird and wonderful.

Bridie Devine is Victorian England’s finest female detective. That is until her reputation is tarnished after her series of successes comes to an end. Undeterred, Bridie dusts herself down when a new case comes her way. Tasked with finding a kidnapped child, Bridie must battle with obstacles from the present, and also her past, to redeem her reputation.

I was SO looking forward to reading this after Jess Kidd’s previous book 'The Hoarder' was one of my favourite books of last year.

As much as I enjoyed The Hoarder, 'Things in Jars' surpassed it.

The plot is excellent, the pacing superb, and is assisted effectively by the timeline jumping back and forth twenty years. Some reviews have commented that the content may be too dark, but for me it was perfect. The appropriate amount of levity is provided to water down the darkness.

The setting is so vividly brought to life that you can almost taste and touch Victorian London in so much that the author must have gone back in time, wandered around and taken notes.

This book though is all about the characters, and what a wondrously rich cast Jess Kidd has created. She is an absolute master at building and creating a character and this is massively showcased here. The protagonists are interesting, diverse and eccentric and the villains deliciously despicable.

Bridie Devine is the standout, she is clever, feisty and formidable, and could clearly lead a series of further adventures.
Ruby Doyle, a deceased prizefighter is another perfect character. Their relationship is bittersweet and beautiful, a true romance from beyond the grave, that gives the novel another layer that enriches the tale for the better.

Mrs Bibby (stinking leg 'n all!) leads up the exceptional baddies exquisitely supported by the sheer evil of Dr Gideon Eames.

We have giants, ghosts, circus curiosities and, perhaps, creatures of myth and legend. However, despite having so many characters the story is never cluttered. The author’s ability to lend so much depth about a character to one paragraph, ensures they are brought to life and stay with you long after.

This is a dizzying blend of historical fiction, Irish folklore, crime and the supernatural. It combines to work so well.

Things in Jars is a wonderful book. Beautifully written with incredible characters. It’s only January and I already know that this will be one of my favourite books of the year.

Bridie Devine is more than a plucky, quick-witted Victorian chancer. She is a pioneer; a female detective with her work cut out after her last case ended in failure. When she is given the chance to restore her reputation, she is plunged into a fast moving world of deception, intrigue and other-worldly creatures.

Jess Kidd’s third novel is a wonderful thing, setting out a world of charlatans, crooks and evil, whilst evoking real humanity and goodness. Bridie is an utterly engaging lead, but the characterisation is consistent throughout. No character feels undeveloped or needless; the role of Ruby Doyle (whose presence continues a plot device common to Kidd’s writing) does feel slightly incredulous but by no means mars the story.

‘Things in Jars’ reaches a suitably satisfying denouement- no short changing of the reader here. A skilful blend of detective story, black comedy and gruesomeness, it shows Jess Kidd as an author going from strength to strength.

This story is set in London, 1863. This version of Victorian London is dark and grimy and dirty, populated by collectors of scientific curiosities. Into this scene arrives Bridie, a fabulous, unconventional and witty heroine who gets caught up in investigating the kidnapping of a very strange child. She is ably assisted by Ruby, a heavily tattooed ex-boxer (who just happens to be dead) and Cora, a seven foot tall housemaid with an excess of facial hair. So far, so strange...

And it is a truly strange book. It brings together aspects of Irish folklore (the merrow) with the Victorian obsession for collecting, the grotesque attractions of the circus, the supernatural and a huge dose of humour. It is very clever and engaging, plus it's beautifully and vividly written; Kidd creates some brilliant characters and some truly grim scenes.

I did enjoy the novel and hope that Kidd produces more novels with Bridie as the protagonist. However, I did find the book a bit slow in places and just a little grim; the stories in Bridie's background, while important to the story, were just a bit depressing.

Overall, I'd love to read more by this writer, but I'd hope for something a bit less dark. I love books that I race through because I can't wait to find out what happened, but I felt this was more of a slow burner.

I’m already a huge Jess Kidd fan so was really excited to be given the chance to read her new one in advance of publication thanks to @netgally. What a feast of a story this was! Dark, dank, murky, muddy, violent and vicious & very funny indeed. I feel that I didn’t just read this story about the delightful Dickensian detective that is Bridie Devine. I experienced it. The smells, the tastes, the sights, the sounds and ALL of the feels. Jess Kidd has special talent for storytelling that is bordering on magical. More please.

Jess Kidd is one of my favourite literary discoveries of 2018. I devoured her first book, ‘Himself’ followed by ‘The Hoarder’ and fell head-over-heels in love with both her prose and her storytelling.

So imagine my excitement when I was given access to an ARC copy of her latest; ‘Things in Jars.’ If you think this review so far is rather too gushing, you should probably look away now…

Things in Jars is incredible and like nothing else I could compare it to. Macabre? Yes. Dark? Definitely. Hilarious? Absolutely…I laughed so hard all the way through due to the wit of the characters, the punchy dialogue and the very clever wording. This author can set a scene like no other — I experienced Victorian London with every one of my senses and met with the protagonist, Bridie, in person as she felt so real to me. I wish she was real, what an amazing character. Some beautiful moments between her and the unseen…

The plot itself is cleverly woven, with a large cast of characters and some unexpected turns along the way. If you enjoy crying when you should be laughing or laughing when you know you ought to be heaving, then this is the book for you (and it’s not for the faint-hearted!)

After hearing about this author’s debut in ‘The Hoarder’ I knew I had to read this book and I am so glad I did. Set in 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.

I adore just how much this book is beautifully written. The descriptive fluid like writing just works so well in historical fiction and it certainly works here, Kidd’s writing making you feel every moment of the story with her way with words. These words build up incredible characters such as Bridie and leave you hoping for more of this story before you have even finished.

The story is just as good too with a plot that keeps you riveted and leaves you rooting for Bridie as the plot unfolds with excellent pace and a story that keeps you gripped until the end. The setting and the characters, even the villains are so brilliantly developed, it just keeps giving this book and I love it for it - as soon as this book is released you need to read it.

A fantastic read, it’s probably going to be a highlight of 2019.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley for honest review).

I absolutely loved this book from start to end. It's weird and wonderful, horrific and heartwarming.
I cannot recommend this book highly enpugh. It's quite brilliant!

4.25

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

From the minute we had a ghost with moving tattoos ,I knew I was going to like this book.

It was full of ghastly characters,mythical creatures,some humour,ghosts and central to it all,an Irish orphan,tutored by great doctors and now grown up and investigating crimes.

I sped through this,keen to know who and what Christabel was....and interested in what she could do.
The back story was done pretty Well,always at the right time,so the narrative was clear and you're not left wondering about any major plots.
It comes nicely full circle think,back at the house and with the characters....

I'm hoping it's not the last we've seen of this lot.

Central to this story of the hunt for a stolen child is the Victorian fascination with curiosities, particularly anatomical oddities, both as entertainment in circus settings and as subjects for scientific research. Six-year-old Christabel, with her unusual physical characteristics and reputed supernatural powers, would be a prized acquisition for such collectors and it falls to the redoubtable Bridie to rescue her before she falls into their hands. Jess Kidd writes consistently interesting characters (Bridie, in particular), all with their own intriguing histories that we come to understand as the action unfolds.

I take real pleasure from Jess Kidd’s writing, her innovative way with words especially. She evokes Victorian London so well - the roiling, murky Thames and the reeking smog of the city adding to the atmosphere of mystery and menace pervading this story.

A couple of lovely examples:

‘… the low, thick fog that has descended upon the city like an unwashed bedsheet. Oh, the unwholesome colour! Like sinus rot, and dense, like only a London Particular can be. You could scoop it into a tankard and it would mug there.’

‘A clawed knuckle of a man, as one preserved by curses and salt-water, much like an ancient mariner himself. He wears a waxed sou’wester pulled down around his ears and rope to keep his trousers pulled high. He has a pursed corrugated mussel of a mouth and glancy black eyes that would not be unfitting on a crab.’

Perfect for these long winter nights, dark in tone but written with the light, assured touch I’ve come to expect from this author, I’d recommend this highly.

I loved reading Things in Jars. It had all the elements of a perfect Victorian-era detective novel.

We follow a female detective Bridie as she attempts to rescue the kidnapped child of a Lord Berwick. Throughout the journey, we meet some amazingly written characters such as Bridie's housekeeper/friend Cora, the ghost of a boxer who's in love with Bridie, and a villain that would keep you up at night.

I highly recommend reading Things in Jars not only because of its beautiful characters and story but also because of the brilliant author who wrote it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC.

Thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for the Advance Review Copy.

What to say about this book? How does one describe perfection?

“The child looks up. For the first time she can see the stars!

She smiles at them, and the stars look back at her and shiver.

Then they begin to burn brighter, with renewed fever, in the deep dark ocean of the sky.”

This appears in the first few pages. You know when you read writing like this that you are in for a real treat.

Anyhoo, enough gushing. This book follows the wonderful Bridie Devine, an investigator who is tasked with finding a kidnapped child. She is assisted and hindered in her quest by a enigmatic crew of weird and wonderfully described characters. The protaganists are loveable and engaging and the villains are truly rotten and awful.

The story itself is at turns funny, thrilling, touching and mysterious and kept me absolutely enthralled right to the end. Aspects of traditional folklore are woven in to the narrative as well as vivid descriptions of (a version of) Victorian London.

I honestly can’t think of a single criticism to level at it other than being annoyed that Bridie isn’t real and that I can’t quit my job to go and work with her and drink Madeira and smoke some of Prudhoe’s Bronchial Balsam Blend. It’s just perfect really and I’ll be reading the authors other work as a matter of urgency. Do yourself a huge favour and read this book.

I loved this book even more than The Hoarder. Jess Kidd's writing impresses me more and more. She's very talented and her story telling is just perfect.
In this book, our detective Bridie starts to investigate a new case she's taken on. Lord Berwick's strange daughter Christabel has been kidnapped. She was not allowed to leave the house. There's something weird is going on. Nobody has seen her out, nobody knows why and who would kidnap her?
You can imagine this is very gripping. I loved Bridie, she's very charming to read about.

I loved this book a lot. My only criticism is I wish there was a bit less sadness and grittiness :)

Anyway, I can't wait for her next one. Totally recommended!

So many emotions this is an absolutely literary masterpiece lyrical ,magical ,mystical..From the opening scene a child an extraordinary child Christabel kidnapped a unique female detective Birdie .on the case.A book you never want to end this will win many awards many raves and deserve each one.Five stars not enough the writing is like poetry in a novel form. #netgalley. #canongate

I am full of emotions after finishing this book, just as I was after The Hoarder.

Jess Kidd is an extraordinarily talented writer. She takes the everyday objects and re-creates and re-defines them in a magical way. I thought I liked Maude(the protagonist in Hoarder), but I LOVED Bridie. The SADNESS in this book. Oh god. I cannot have enough words in this foreign language, to define how the emotions flow through Kidd's writing, how it pours into my heart! A truly unforgettable novel, blending the sorrow of the mermaids (or any sort of creature?) to the cruelties of the same species. How could the specimen of the same type could be so good and evil, cruel and vulnerable in the same time ?

Anyway.. The witty detective Bridie gets a new client and a new case- Lord Berwick's strange daughter Christabel has been kidnapped. There is an air of mystery around the child. She's not let out of the house, neither servants nor village folks have seen her. She's shut behind the doors, but why? And who kidnapped her?

As Bridie investigates, alongside with the ghost of Ruby the boxer with a very expressive mermaid tattoo, we will also explore and learn about her own past. As always, past is full of hidden truths. surprises, and sadness.

This was an amazing read and I am now sure Kidd is one of my favourite British writers.