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cyrille6k's review against another edition
3.0
Things in Jars offers a captivating blend of mystery and fantasy set against the backdrop of Victorian London. Bridie, the protagonist, is a private detective tasked with the unusual case of a missing heiress. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of secrets and encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a ghostly companion, a towering housemaid, and a friendly police inspector.
The mystery at the heart of the story is undeniably compelling. The author's ability to create a sense of intrigue and suspense is evident, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the very end. The fantasy elements, such as the ghostly companion and the unusual circumstances surrounding the missing heiress, add a unique and intriguing dimension to the narrative.
However, the writing style presents a significant challenge. The excessive use of florid language and intricate descriptions can be overwhelming, often distracting from the story itself. While the author clearly has a talent for language, the writing can be dense and difficult to follow, requiring multiple rereads to grasp the meaning. This can be particularly frustrating for readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative style.
Additionally, the book contains graphic content, including detailed descriptions of violence, gore, and bodily fluids. While this may not bother all readers, it could be a deterrent for those who prefer a less visceral reading experience.
Despite these shortcomings, Things in Jars is a thought-provoking and imaginative tale. The mystery, the characters, and the unique setting make it a worthwhile read for those who are willing to navigate the challenging writing style.
liz_mcc's review against another edition
4.0
A modern Victorian detective novel featuring a female protagonist, a tattooed ghost in a top hat, cross-dressing, horrifying oddities, creepy children, and even creepier adults? Obviously I loved this story. I like a story that can feature something like a disturbing pickled baby one minute, and make me laugh out loud the next; this was a great mix of kitsch, Gothic spine-tingles, and heartwarming sweetness.
I don't draw, but this story made me want to illustrate the wonderful, quirky characters Kidd brought to life. Many of them weren't super fleshed out, but I could see them so vividly that I didn't mind them being kind of flat.
My one complaint is that Kidd's playful yet brainy writing was fun to read, but sometimes came at the cost of clarity. Maybe I was too tired when I was reading, but I completely misread a few situations that factored in heavily later, at which point I realized my mistake (Wait, he's WHOSE SON??).
This book confirmed I'm a Jess Kidd fan--looking forward to reading The Hoarder next.
I don't draw, but this story made me want to illustrate the wonderful, quirky characters Kidd brought to life. Many of them weren't super fleshed out, but I could see them so vividly that I didn't mind them being kind of flat.
My one complaint is that Kidd's playful yet brainy writing was fun to read, but sometimes came at the cost of clarity. Maybe I was too tired when I was reading, but I completely misread a few situations that factored in heavily later, at which point I realized my mistake (Wait, he's WHOSE SON??).
This book confirmed I'm a Jess Kidd fan--looking forward to reading The Hoarder next.
kecb12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Immersive and beautiful, heartbreaking and triumphant. I loved this book. In fact, I might just start over and read it again. I loved the Dickensian characters, the mysterious layers, the sad overtones. I’m never quite able to explain exactly what makes a book feel authentically human, but this book has it in spades.
andreacpowers's review against another edition
4.0
Not bad. But the secondary characters were more interesting than the lead - Housemaid Cora, Inspector Rose and Prudhoe could feature in books of their own. And I thought the story itself was not gripping.
alisarae's review against another edition
5.0
RUBY DOYLE GAAAAHH
I went into this book thinking "sherlock holmes but woman" and since this book is on all thebliterary snob lists I adore, all the fantastical elements took me by surprise. The humor caught me off guard too--nearly every side character is humor relief. Also, Bridie is a WAY cooler character than Sherlock. And Ruby Doyle is the steamiest ghost I've ever heard of. Really wonderful characters all around.
I went into this book thinking "sherlock holmes but woman" and since this book is on all thebliterary snob lists I adore, all the fantastical elements took me by surprise. The humor caught me off guard too--nearly every side character is humor relief. Also, Bridie is a WAY cooler character than Sherlock. And Ruby Doyle is the steamiest ghost I've ever heard of. Really wonderful characters all around.
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
5.0
This was an unexpected delight!
A Victorian detective novel. Campy with some magical realism. A little bit of humor and a little bit of horror. All the tropes for Victorian medicine, from experimental surgery to bottled specimens full of the macabre. Circus sideshow acts, and an odd ghostly romance.
What a fun book to read. I enjoyed it immensely, and a little sad for it to be over.
A Victorian detective novel. Campy with some magical realism. A little bit of humor and a little bit of horror. All the tropes for Victorian medicine, from experimental surgery to bottled specimens full of the macabre. Circus sideshow acts, and an odd ghostly romance.
What a fun book to read. I enjoyed it immensely, and a little sad for it to be over.
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
A hidden child whose supposed supernatural powers make her a sought after item for collectors, a female sleuth with a past she'd like to keep buried, and the tattooed ghost haunting her provides entertaining pieces to a grand and Gothic tale in Jess Kidd's Things in Jars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Bridie Devine has a unique, secret past and a keen inquiring mind, putting them to use to help investigate and solve crimes. The latest case that has her attention is one where a young girl, kept a secret from the world at large and is rumored to have peculiar, supernatural abilities, has been kidnapped from her wealthy, widowed father. Accompanied by an unlikely group of people to assist her efforts, which includes her seven-foot tall housemaid, the tattooed ghost of well-known boxer, and a skilled though peculiar apothecary, Bridie is determined to save the life of this young girl - especially when she comes across aspects that link back to her former life - from a disastrous fate in a world of secrets and spectacle.
This imaginative and entertaining story blends together a reality of the bleak and dark with the humorous and light as it crafts a tale drawing upon history and embellishing it with the magic and allure of folklore. The overarching narrative contains a large amount of coincidence and/or requires a hefty dose of suspension of disbelief that events unfold in the manner they do; though certain portions of Bridie's past are connected with current events to an unbelievably intricate degree, there are some connections that aren't explored deeply enough to be entirely satisfying. There were mentions of previous cases that Bridie had, to offer a way to establish the characters and the world, though I found that those references were a bit too specifically detailed while remaining vague and it made me feel as if I was missing something vital from a nonexistent previous book that followed Bridie's investigations.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Bridie Devine has a unique, secret past and a keen inquiring mind, putting them to use to help investigate and solve crimes. The latest case that has her attention is one where a young girl, kept a secret from the world at large and is rumored to have peculiar, supernatural abilities, has been kidnapped from her wealthy, widowed father. Accompanied by an unlikely group of people to assist her efforts, which includes her seven-foot tall housemaid, the tattooed ghost of well-known boxer, and a skilled though peculiar apothecary, Bridie is determined to save the life of this young girl - especially when she comes across aspects that link back to her former life - from a disastrous fate in a world of secrets and spectacle.
This imaginative and entertaining story blends together a reality of the bleak and dark with the humorous and light as it crafts a tale drawing upon history and embellishing it with the magic and allure of folklore. The overarching narrative contains a large amount of coincidence and/or requires a hefty dose of suspension of disbelief that events unfold in the manner they do; though certain portions of Bridie's past are connected with current events to an unbelievably intricate degree, there are some connections that aren't explored deeply enough to be entirely satisfying. There were mentions of previous cases that Bridie had, to offer a way to establish the characters and the world, though I found that those references were a bit too specifically detailed while remaining vague and it made me feel as if I was missing something vital from a nonexistent previous book that followed Bridie's investigations.
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
peytonmae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
romyschnaiberg's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0