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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #227320 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 356 pages

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.

Customer Reviews

A wonderfully written first book.
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!

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. I don't believe it should be solely categorised as a crime novel - I feel it's more a deeper exploration of childhood friendship and the hardness of life in the period. Those who are instantly put off by the genre of crime will miss out on a beautiful read.

While Iffy is the main heroine, Fatty becomes the star of the show - a 1960s Just William. Billy may have fewer scenes, but his background and story are heartbreaking. Bessie, as a snob who ultimately turns vulgar, is a refreshing fly in the ointment. Childhood friendship groups are often written as perfect, unspoiled and loyal. Here, Horton reflects the reality rather than the ideal!

The main characters are beautifully crafted and drawn; the minor ones come to life in their own small scenes so that the reader has a real image of the town where the story is set and can imagine walking down the street dodging Dai Full Pelt or buying sweets at Morrison's.

There is a dark undercurrent to the story which adds to its depth: the disappearance of one of the friends (which leaves the reader quaking in fear that their favourite might be the dead child), the "house for bad girls", the misery of the "lunatics", and the unhappy family lives of the characters.

One word of warning: read each page very carefully. Horton has cunningly slipped hints and clues into innocuous conversations and scenes which may help you to piece things together.

I can't wait for Horton's next novel ...

An excellent read -moving and very funny.
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.