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A Jarful of Angels (Paperback)

by Babs Horton (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 356 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket Books (6 May 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0743449711
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743449717
  • Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 13 x 2.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 225,140 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

An evocative literary thriller set in a remote Welsh village. Thirty years ago, in a remote Welsh village, Iffy, Bessie, Fatty and Billy formed a remarkable friendship and enjoyed an impoverished yet magical childhood. That winter they found a skull with its front teeth missing, that summer they experienced a plague of frogs, crept into a garden full of strange statutes, and discovered just what mad Carty Annie had been collecting so secretly in those jars of hers. But at the end of that long, hot summer of 1963, one of them disappeared...Over thirty years later, retired detective Will Sloane, is compelled to return to that strange Welsh town of secrets and lunatics to try to solve the case of the missing child. But before he can finally discover the truth about what happened, he finds himself involved in a number of interlocking mysteries.


About the Author

Brought up in Wales, Babs Horton now lives in Plymouth where she teaches at a school for children with special needs. A JARFUL OF ANGELS is her first novel.
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully written first book., 14 Jan 2004
As someone brought up in the Welsh valleys during the early 60's, I believe that the author has captured the thoughts, way of life and attitudes of the people of any small village about that time, in a most extra-ordinary manner.
The story centres around the lives of 4 children, one of whom goes missing. Unable to solve the mystery at the time, a police inspector returns from retirement 30 years later to try to find out what happened.
There is mystery, fear, cruelty and even a certain amount of sex and "bad language," but for me it is the children and their behaviour which enthralls. Especially their hilarious but sometimes heartrending comments and thoughts.
The author's description of how the children behave is exactly as I remember "60's" children behaving - including their mis-understanding of "all things adult."
The adults, especially the ex police inspector, are likewise portrayed in a truly beleivable manner, so much so that I could almost identify them with people I knew!
All in all the author has combined story and characters in a first novel which has certainly encouraged me to look out for her next writing!
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read -moving and very funny., 22 Jul 2003
By J. Parker (HORNCHURCH, ESSEX United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
You never know what you're getting with new writers but they don't become familiar ones unless we give them the chance and read them. For her first book Babs has set a high standard for herself to maintain: I'm sure this will be the first of many.
The children in the book were like the children I grew up with in the fifties in the East End of London: naive, cruel, unintentionally funny through ignorance, loyal , cowardly and brave. She catches the essence of childhood without patronizing children in any way. The character definition is strong and the terse, loaded sentences leave vibrant pictures in your mind. Like some of the other previewers, I, too, found myself laughing out loud; and then re-reading the same bits as I enjoyed them so much. Only to find myself laughing all the louder.
She makes you feel the sadness of the detective going home to lay his bones in the Country of his birth.He seems to seek closure in his life before the end takes him and to try to solve an unsolved crime that still weighs him down years later. Moving between the 60's and the present, the book has a good pace; you dont want to put it down. The characters are strange at times and wouldn't be out of place in 'the Leaugue of Gentlemen'. But there are people like that. Well done, Babs, if you read this. You have a good, original style. A very earthy, human, lovely, lovely book which I will read and read again. Thank you.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Flawless First Novel, 24 Feb 2004
By A Customer
The plot revolves around 4 prepubescent children living in a south Wales valley town in the early 1960's and the subsequent disappearance of one of their number.
Will Sloane, a detective originally assigned to the case, returns to Wales many years later in an attempt to solve the mystery which defeated him the first time.
Much more important than the plot however, is the wonderful evocation of time and place and the distillation of the essence of what it was to be a child in the south Wales valleys in the 60's.
Sparkling descriptions of a myriad eccentric characters also add flavour to this marvellous literary feast!
p.s. I was a child in 1963, living in the town mentioned in the book and can vouch for the accuracy of the language and settings.
My advice? If you only read one book this year make sure its this one!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Found this gem in france
On a wet day in France my wife found this little gem.
She laughed and actually made me read the book and I could not put it down. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ROBH

5.0 out of 5 stars a jarful of angels
I was a child of 6 growing up in the small town, (not village, as has been stated!) of Tredegar in 1963. Read more
Published 17 months ago by K. A. E. Morgan

5.0 out of 5 stars A book full of enchantment
This beautiful, richly-woven tale (Horton's first published work) is about four children growing up in a Welsh coal-mining town in the early 1960s where life is hard for most... Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2007 by Aesop

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular
This books is by far one of the best I've ever read. I love the way Babs describes everything in the book, it is so vivid and full of life. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2007 by Jamie

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of childhood fantasy.
I originally picked this book up because I thought it was something to do with Angles, but it had very little to do with Angles and I read it anyway. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2004 by Autumn 78

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderful first novel
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, couldn't put it down until I'd finished, but please will someone tell me what were the angels in Carty Annie's jars
Published on 2 Nov 2003 by gladgriffiths

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is a winner
I first saw this book mentioned in an American review and bought it on the strength of the reviewer's recommendation. Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2003 by Cassie Bee

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging, funny and moving
"A Jarful of Angels" was one of 17 books I took on holiday, and I enjoyed it so much I reread it the minute I finished it. Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2003 by littlepig littlepig

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning debut
I was blown away by this book. I was on pins until the last page. For me, the children were so true to life- engaging, hilarious/sad/infuriating. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2003 by john taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
I loved this book but don't think it should be in crime genre necessarily, it's more than that. It was so haunting and moving. Read more
Published on 12 Jun 2003

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