In this "miraculous and thrilling" (Diane Setterfield, #1 New York Times bestselling author) gothic 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 Victorian 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. Jess Kidd is the award-winning author of Himself, Mr. Flood's Last Resort, Things in Jars, The Night Ship, and the Nora Breen Investigates series. She has a PhD in creative writing from St. Mary's University in London. She grew up in London as part of a large family from Ireland's County Mayo and now lives in North Yorkshire. Jess is currently developing her own original TV projects with leading UK and international TV producers. Learn more at JessKidd.com. "Jacqueline Milne's supple, suggestive voice sets a gothic mood as she delivers this dark exploration of the weird in Victorian London. Bridie Divine works for the police as an unofficial medical examiner. When Christabel Berwick goes missing, her father insists that his daughter, no ordinary child, must be found. Bridie reluctantly accepts the case, even though she is currently being haunted by Ruby Dolan, a genial ghost. Milne treats listeners to chilling descriptions of the muck and slime of the London streets and raises goosebumps as she recounts Christabel's freakish abilities. She also excels at detailing the depth of evil found within the human villains-listeners won't soon forget the nightmarish Mrs. Bibby. This strangely compelling audiobook is a must-listen."
