Things In Jars by Jess Kidd
What happens when you mix Victorian London with a female super sleuth and more hidden secrets than you care to unearth? You end up with Things in Jars by Jess Kidd! This is not your father's Sherlock Holmes.
Rag Rat-turned—medically smart sleuth Bridget (Bridie) Devine wanders the streets of London trying to solve her first case after failing to solve her last case where a young kidnapped boy died before she could save him. Christabel Berwick has been kidnapped and it's Bridie's job to find her. Rumored to have special talents and/or traits six-year-old Christabel Bridie fears is in danger.
Accompanied by an unusual suitor - the ghost of famous London boxer Ruby Doyle, Bridie encounters many bewildering happenings while searching for Christabel. Things in Jars is told from the modern search of Christabel and the backstory of Bridie's childhood. I really liked this format. Ms. Kidd weaves the two time periods in a way that flows like the Thames — dark, dirty, and wild through the whole breadth of the book.
Things in Jars is filled with Irish Tales, murder, and strange, surreal things in jars. The book is one that you can't help but keep racing through its pages to find out what happens next.
You go on to steal this child, under the nose of a bleeding lord—” “A baronet.” Bill narrows his tiny eyes. “And transport the poor wretch about the country in a coffin.” “A casket, for her own good.” “You truly are a nasty old bitch,” Bill replies. He picks up a knife from the table. “Release her. Return her to her friends,” he orders, heroically.”
Character's such as Bill's wife are what nightmares are made of. The macabre theme of this book is weirdly a delight. I know that sounds ironic but it is true. I found this book written in such a way that it was just a joy to read. I am not sure you have ever read anything that you could have nightmares over and yet still enjoy the book. Things in Jars is just that kind of book
The let down in this book for me was the quick story of Ruby Doyle at the end. It felt like an afterthought. It was like Ms. Kidd got through the story and went, "oh, I forgot that Bridie is supposed to figure out where she knows Ruby Doyle from." The companionship of Ruby is one that you feel you need the answer to in his relationship with Bridie. I have to be honest, he brought the real emotion to this book, so getting his origin at the end just felt disrespectful to his character. It just left me feeling empty.
Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books, and Author Jess Kidd for the opportunity to read Things in Jars in lieu of my honest review.
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