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Little Spark
A secret cannot stay locked away forever
Bodkin Bell, orphan, pickpocket and survivor, doesn't know where she came from, but she knows she’s different. Gaslights flare as she walks past. Cutlery spins. Shocks fly from her fingertips.
For years, she was ‘Little Spark’, the star of an electrifying sideshow – until the act went too far and she ended up in a London gaol.
Now she’s been offered a way out. A chance to serve at Point Mote, a vast, desolate house marooned on the misty Kent marshes. There, she will assist a reclusive family of cunning inventors in the creation of automata: miraculous, lifelike machines for which gentlemen collectors will pay handsomely.
But this house of wonders hides mysteries too. As Bodkin starts to question why she is really there, she unearths secrets that have been buried bone-deep for years – and a truth beyond all imagining. One that was never meant to be found.
Bodkin Bell, orphan, pickpocket and survivor, doesn't know where she came from, but she knows she’s different. Gaslights flare as she walks past. Cutlery spins. Shocks fly from her fingertips.
For years, she was ‘Little Spark’, the star of an electrifying sideshow – until the act went too far and she ended up in a London gaol.
Now she’s been offered a way out. A chance to serve at Point Mote, a vast, desolate house marooned on the misty Kent marshes. There, she will assist a reclusive family of cunning inventors in the creation of automata: miraculous, lifelike machines for which gentlemen collectors will pay handsomely.
But this house of wonders hides mysteries too. As Bodkin starts to question why she is really there, she unearths secrets that have been buried bone-deep for years – and a truth beyond all imagining. One that was never meant to be found.
Hardcover
About the author
Jess Kidd
19 books2,687 followersJess Kidd was brought up in London as part of a large family from county Mayo and has been praised for her unique fictional voice. Her debut, Himself, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards in 2016. She won the Costa Short Story Award the same year. Her second novel, The Hoarder, published as Mr. Flood's Last Resort in the U.S. and Canada was shortlisted for the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year 2019. Both books were BBC Radio 2 Book Club Picks. Her latest book, the Victorian detective tale Things in Jars, has been released to critical acclaim. Jess’s work has been described as ‘Gabriel García Márquez meets The Pogues.’
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 18, 2026
Jess Kidd is back to her creepy best with Little Spark.
Bodkin has a strange gift - she can make electricity inside her body and, as such, is a wonderful party act that she and her travelling partner, Cornelius, use to divest rich clients of their money. But Cornelius is much more to Bodkin than her boss - he is her saviour and the man she feels safe with.
But all that changes when she is arrested and Cornelius disappears. Bodkin's life behind bars feels neverending but when a prison visitor takes a special interest she might well wish to be back in prison.
What will life hold for Bodkin at Mote Point and what terrible secrets are the Haseley's hiding from her?
Much as I have enjoyed Ms Kidd's foray into detective novels (and Nora Breen is a new favourite character) I will always love Kidd's mastery of the disturbing novel. Her characters are so lightly drawn they could be anything - good or evil. In Little Spark we meet yet more oddities in Ramshaw, Hesperia, Shuttleworth and a whole house of creepy contractions.
Highly recommended. It made my skin crawl at times.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Canongate Books.
Bodkin has a strange gift - she can make electricity inside her body and, as such, is a wonderful party act that she and her travelling partner, Cornelius, use to divest rich clients of their money. But Cornelius is much more to Bodkin than her boss - he is her saviour and the man she feels safe with.
But all that changes when she is arrested and Cornelius disappears. Bodkin's life behind bars feels neverending but when a prison visitor takes a special interest she might well wish to be back in prison.
What will life hold for Bodkin at Mote Point and what terrible secrets are the Haseley's hiding from her?
Much as I have enjoyed Ms Kidd's foray into detective novels (and Nora Breen is a new favourite character) I will always love Kidd's mastery of the disturbing novel. Her characters are so lightly drawn they could be anything - good or evil. In Little Spark we meet yet more oddities in Ramshaw, Hesperia, Shuttleworth and a whole house of creepy contractions.
Highly recommended. It made my skin crawl at times.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Canongate Books.
August 24, 2026
This is a historical fiction story about an orphan. Bodkin Bell had been found by Cornelius, a sideshow entrepreneur. They were separated when he was arrested, and she was sent to gaol. A visitor from an estate on the Kent Marshes asked to see her and invited her to stay with them.
Once there, Bodkin is aware of rumours, although there is not much she can do now she is there. Isolated, and unaware of why she has been chosen. Leaving would result in her going back to gaol. As she learns more about her new home, we discover more about Bodkin and her life. The author builds more and more mystery as this story goes on, giving it more and more uncertainty.
This is a gothic-style mystery with a definite dark side. Bodkin's past is gradually becoming clear; memories are returning, and while she is at the house, she discovers more and more bizarre items, people and experiences.
I really enjoyed this; there is an air of mystery and suspense, suspicion and ulterior motives. It is not until further into the story that the author begins to piece things together, although there were things I was able to sort of work out myself.
This is one for those who like gothic, mystery, suspense, historical fiction with a fantasy twist. I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it.
Once there, Bodkin is aware of rumours, although there is not much she can do now she is there. Isolated, and unaware of why she has been chosen. Leaving would result in her going back to gaol. As she learns more about her new home, we discover more about Bodkin and her life. The author builds more and more mystery as this story goes on, giving it more and more uncertainty.
This is a gothic-style mystery with a definite dark side. Bodkin's past is gradually becoming clear; memories are returning, and while she is at the house, she discovers more and more bizarre items, people and experiences.
I really enjoyed this; there is an air of mystery and suspense, suspicion and ulterior motives. It is not until further into the story that the author begins to piece things together, although there were things I was able to sort of work out myself.
This is one for those who like gothic, mystery, suspense, historical fiction with a fantasy twist. I really enjoyed this and I would definitely recommend it.
September 7, 2026
It’s a good book, and I liked the pace, but it felt too on the nose. Maybe I expected the book to be written differently, a bit more challenging. This doesn’t mean that Kidd doesn’t have a way with words. She describes the scenery and events gracefully and I did get somewhat sucked into the book, but if I can guess the big reveal not even 20% into the book, it does leave me wonder if it was on purpose or not to make it that obvious.
Read
August 16, 2026A spiritual, if not a literal, sequel to Kidd's 2019
Things in Jars.
Following on from that book's genre commitments, this one takes inspiration from the world of Victorian automata, but opens itself to the possibility of a little more efficacy and verisimilitude from those automata than is possible in our reality. Kidd deploys her Gothic tropes well - the big house with a secret, the disapproving locals, the menacing old retainer, the unlikely ally, the vulnerable young woman - but knows when and where to infuse them with a more modern sensibility. I particularly like the way she handles her narrative voice, a close third-person present tense that avoids sinking into vagueness or overwrought lyricism (both common problems with present tense narratives, especially historical ones). The landscape and atmosphere are effortlessly conjured and believable, and the characters, major and minor, are handled with skill.
Plotwise, I guessed the majority of the twist in chapter three, which may have been intentional but still seems a little bit too soon. I also think it's become rather easy to point to wealthy, single-minded men of science as villains. They are, of course, currently making it extremely easy for us to do so, but for this novel in particular, that strikes me as a less interesting endpoint than, for example, a serious ethical contemplation of the brutality behind the early science that taught us things about mammalian and human anatomy. How worthwhile are those kinds of cruelties and sacrifices? What if there's no way to learn something, with the tools and methods available, without causing pain? Would we give up pacemakers and pregnancy tests if it meant erasing the harm done to dogs, mice and rabbits during the development of those treatments? Where do you draw the line between doing something to advance science and doing something for your own selfish advantage? How can you tell when you've crossed it? Those are bigger questions than Little Spark is really game for, but it invites them by making its villains who they are. If you can put that to one side and just enjoy a solid, diverting piece of neo-Victoriana, though, this one's for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. Little Spark was published in the UK on 13 August 2026.
Plotwise, I guessed the majority of the twist in chapter three, which may have been intentional but still seems a little bit too soon. I also think it's become rather easy to point to wealthy, single-minded men of science as villains. They are, of course, currently making it extremely easy for us to do so, but for this novel in particular, that strikes me as a less interesting endpoint than, for example, a serious ethical contemplation of the brutality behind the early science that taught us things about mammalian and human anatomy. How worthwhile are those kinds of cruelties and sacrifices? What if there's no way to learn something, with the tools and methods available, without causing pain? Would we give up pacemakers and pregnancy tests if it meant erasing the harm done to dogs, mice and rabbits during the development of those treatments? Where do you draw the line between doing something to advance science and doing something for your own selfish advantage? How can you tell when you've crossed it? Those are bigger questions than Little Spark is really game for, but it invites them by making its villains who they are. If you can put that to one side and just enjoy a solid, diverting piece of neo-Victoriana, though, this one's for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. Little Spark was published in the UK on 13 August 2026.
August 28, 2026
This is a deliciously gothic tale of buried secrets and of the queer macabre Victorian world.
The story follows Bodkin Bell, an orphan who is part of a travelling sideshow act as Little Spark. When she finds herself imprisoned for accidentally shocking someone, she takes the chance to serve out her sentence at Point Mote, a remote mansion in the middle of the Kent marshes. Whilst there, mystery on top of mystery are unraveled and slowly she starts to realise that her ‘invitation’ there was not mere chance and that her origins are more complicated and horrifying than she could imagine.
I LOVED Bodkin-what an amazing protagonist! Fierce, brave and deeply loyal, loved her coming of age story.
Jess Kidd has such a knack of creating amazing characters that pop off the page and come alive (rather like the automata in the story!) The setting was hauntingly atmospheric with an isolated house, smugglers, a creepy butler, a village witch, graveyards, villains and fog aplenty. Nothing was as it seemed which was thrilling, especially with all the twists. The pace picked up to a gothic frenzy in the last third with an explosive and horrifying resolution. I felt the automata in the story reflected this period well: industrialisation and men manipulating nature for their own gains and amusement. Also loved the subtle neurodiverse & queer rep.
A darkly compelling story that gave me Fingersmith by Sarah Waters vibes. Officially a Jess Kidd superfan.
The story follows Bodkin Bell, an orphan who is part of a travelling sideshow act as Little Spark. When she finds herself imprisoned for accidentally shocking someone, she takes the chance to serve out her sentence at Point Mote, a remote mansion in the middle of the Kent marshes. Whilst there, mystery on top of mystery are unraveled and slowly she starts to realise that her ‘invitation’ there was not mere chance and that her origins are more complicated and horrifying than she could imagine.
I LOVED Bodkin-what an amazing protagonist! Fierce, brave and deeply loyal, loved her coming of age story.
Jess Kidd has such a knack of creating amazing characters that pop off the page and come alive (rather like the automata in the story!) The setting was hauntingly atmospheric with an isolated house, smugglers, a creepy butler, a village witch, graveyards, villains and fog aplenty. Nothing was as it seemed which was thrilling, especially with all the twists. The pace picked up to a gothic frenzy in the last third with an explosive and horrifying resolution. I felt the automata in the story reflected this period well: industrialisation and men manipulating nature for their own gains and amusement. Also loved the subtle neurodiverse & queer rep.
A darkly compelling story that gave me Fingersmith by Sarah Waters vibes. Officially a Jess Kidd superfan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: August 11th 2026
"Bodkin will not leave empty-handed and while silver and trinkets are tempting enough, she's after something rarer than hen's teeth in this house: the truth."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Canongate Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: be ready to board the unpopular opinion train again!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bodkin Bell is unlike any character I've ever met before. There's something rather remarkable about her. A gift, a talent, or a curse? Whatever it is, she travels the country with Cornelius and performs an electrifying sideshow to earn money. Until one day, a shock ends up with disastrous consequences. Cornelius disappears and Bodkin ends up in gaol.
Bodkin has no idea where she came from. Her whole life has been Cornelius and the waggon they traveled in, but she's pretty sure he's not her father. Being without him in the cells is frightening and claustrophobic. However, Bodkin is nothing if not resourceful, brave, determined, and a true survivor. Surely all she needs to do is to hang on until Cornelius comes up with a plan to rescue her? But then someone offers her another way out. A chance to help an inventor at a desolate house on the marshes. A way to spend the rest of her sentence outside of the four walls of her cell. Surely, a house is easier to escape from than a gaol? Not that Bodkin has a choice.
This house is not what it seems though. Neither are its inhabitants. Grief has settled over this house like a dark cloud. Once an opulent home, it is now falling into disrepair. The inventor Bodkin is supposed to be assisting couldn't care less about her if he tried. The lady of the house is a powerful and cunning woman. She must surely have some kind of plan but what? Secrets abound and Bodkin quickly realises she's been sent here for a reason. When the truth is finally revealed, it is sad but also rather creepy.
I don't think it's hard to figure out what makes Bodkin so special. Yet the reason she came to be who she is is heartbreaking and also infuriating, as it once again shows that people with money and power don't care about what they do or whom they do it to, as long as it suits them and fills their pockets.
I'm relative new to Jess Kidd's books, my only reference point being her 'Nora Breen' series, which is entirely different from this latest offering. I find that there is something about her writing that really works for me. It is quite mesmerising at times, it pulls you into the story from the very beginning and even when it feels there is little happening, the descriptions make the entire page come to life. The setting in 'Little Spark' also works perfectly, with the doom and gloom of the marshes and its seemingly endless mist adding to the overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia.
Set in the Victorian era, 'Little Spark' is a sinister and slightly disturbing tale, full of intriguing characters. I found it utterly engrossing and atmospheric and it has definitely sparked an interest in me to discover more of Jess Kidd's work.
Bodkin has no idea where she came from. Her whole life has been Cornelius and the waggon they traveled in, but she's pretty sure he's not her father. Being without him in the cells is frightening and claustrophobic. However, Bodkin is nothing if not resourceful, brave, determined, and a true survivor. Surely all she needs to do is to hang on until Cornelius comes up with a plan to rescue her? But then someone offers her another way out. A chance to help an inventor at a desolate house on the marshes. A way to spend the rest of her sentence outside of the four walls of her cell. Surely, a house is easier to escape from than a gaol? Not that Bodkin has a choice.
This house is not what it seems though. Neither are its inhabitants. Grief has settled over this house like a dark cloud. Once an opulent home, it is now falling into disrepair. The inventor Bodkin is supposed to be assisting couldn't care less about her if he tried. The lady of the house is a powerful and cunning woman. She must surely have some kind of plan but what? Secrets abound and Bodkin quickly realises she's been sent here for a reason. When the truth is finally revealed, it is sad but also rather creepy.
I don't think it's hard to figure out what makes Bodkin so special. Yet the reason she came to be who she is is heartbreaking and also infuriating, as it once again shows that people with money and power don't care about what they do or whom they do it to, as long as it suits them and fills their pockets.
I'm relative new to Jess Kidd's books, my only reference point being her 'Nora Breen' series, which is entirely different from this latest offering. I find that there is something about her writing that really works for me. It is quite mesmerising at times, it pulls you into the story from the very beginning and even when it feels there is little happening, the descriptions make the entire page come to life. The setting in 'Little Spark' also works perfectly, with the doom and gloom of the marshes and its seemingly endless mist adding to the overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia.
Set in the Victorian era, 'Little Spark' is a sinister and slightly disturbing tale, full of intriguing characters. I found it utterly engrossing and atmospheric and it has definitely sparked an interest in me to discover more of Jess Kidd's work.
August 31, 2026
I am so here for this twisted book and world.
Bodkin doesn't know where she comes from or why she has the power of electricity. All she knows is her 'gaffer' and the wandering life of a traveller. All that ends when she is arrested and thrown in goal for the accidental death of a young man. This sets in motion a series of events that wind up with Bodkin being sent to Point Mote, where nothing is as it seems.
Point Mote is so gothic, it is a masterclass in a creepy old mansion. The marshland that it sits on only adds to this, as do the locals and the rumours of smugglers dotted in the landscape. This is a house where the walls are high and the only exit is locked securely every night. It is isolated, desolate and perfect as a setting for a tale as creepy as this.
This is a slow paced book, the tension builds gradually and there are chapters where it feels as if little happens. It's all needed for the experience of the book, but those looking for a faster paced story would do better elsewhere.
The characters are a mix of delightful and super creepy. Bodkin is a great main character to follow, she's led a very unusual life that has left her both wise and sheltered in odd ways. The injustice of her life, of what has happened to her works because
The servants in the house are an odd bunch, but none are as creepy as the butler, Shuttleworth. There is a malice in his every word and action, which makes sense as you learn more about him, his loyalties and his past.
The main 'twist' of the book, you can see coming. But I can't help but wonder if that's partly because you, the reader, know what world you're in. Bodkin doesn't understand the world, she doesn't know that its fantastical, magical and so the fact it takes her longer to make the leap can be forgiven. The clues are there for any savvy reader to catch, but they aren't so obvious that you will be mad at them for not putting it together.
There is also more layers to the twist as you delve deeper and deeper into the mystery.
I would have liked a little more to the ending, it felt somewhat rushed but at the same time, the ambiguous elements of the ending are just perfect for the tale that was told. And what happens to one character, worse than death (to them), was just perfect and fills my dark little heart with glee.
Perfect for fans of gothic mysteries, especially where romance isn't the forward thrust of the book.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Bodkin doesn't know where she comes from or why she has the power of electricity. All she knows is her 'gaffer' and the wandering life of a traveller. All that ends when she is arrested and thrown in goal for the accidental death of a young man. This sets in motion a series of events that wind up with Bodkin being sent to Point Mote, where nothing is as it seems.
Point Mote is so gothic, it is a masterclass in a creepy old mansion. The marshland that it sits on only adds to this, as do the locals and the rumours of smugglers dotted in the landscape. This is a house where the walls are high and the only exit is locked securely every night. It is isolated, desolate and perfect as a setting for a tale as creepy as this.
This is a slow paced book, the tension builds gradually and there are chapters where it feels as if little happens. It's all needed for the experience of the book, but those looking for a faster paced story would do better elsewhere.
The characters are a mix of delightful and super creepy. Bodkin is a great main character to follow, she's led a very unusual life that has left her both wise and sheltered in odd ways. The injustice of her life, of what has happened to her works because
The servants in the house are an odd bunch, but none are as creepy as the butler, Shuttleworth. There is a malice in his every word and action, which makes sense as you learn more about him, his loyalties and his past.
The main 'twist' of the book, you can see coming. But I can't help but wonder if that's partly because you, the reader, know what world you're in. Bodkin doesn't understand the world, she doesn't know that its fantastical, magical and so the fact it takes her longer to make the leap can be forgiven. The clues are there for any savvy reader to catch, but they aren't so obvious that you will be mad at them for not putting it together.
There is also more layers to the twist as you delve deeper and deeper into the mystery.
I would have liked a little more to the ending, it felt somewhat rushed but at the same time, the ambiguous elements of the ending are just perfect for the tale that was told. And what happens to one character, worse than death (to them), was just perfect and fills my dark little heart with glee.
Perfect for fans of gothic mysteries, especially where romance isn't the forward thrust of the book.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
August 24, 2026
Jess Kidd has a fairly varied output from the speculative gothic mystery Things in Jars to her exploration of the historic, ill-fated Batavia voyage to Australia in The Night Ship to more recently her cosy 1950s murder mystery series featuring ex-nun Nora Breen. With Little Spark, Kidd successfully returns to her more gothic mode with a dark, lightly steampunk fantasy set in Victorian England.
Little Spark opens in 1881 with Bodkin Bell, a young woman who seems to have an extraordinary ability involving static electricity. Being Victorian times, she and her travelling partner (and protector) Cornelius monetise this ability by using it as a parlour trick. It is through this that Bodkin earned the nickname ‘Little Spark’. Eventually, though, an accident with this ability lands Bodkin in jail. But while there she is noticed by a wealthy visitor to the prison – Lady Heperia Halsey – who offers to take her onto her staff for the remainder of her sentence. Lady Hesperia lives in a remote, walled estate called Point Motte, in a marshy area on Kent where the family is famous for the creation of lifelike automata.
The plot revolves around two murders twenty years apart and the secrets that surround Bodkin. So there are mysteries in Little Spark that some readers may well guess the answers to in advance. But the joy here is more in the gothic milieu that Kidd has created. The crumbling estate of Point Motte and the surrounding marshland, a long list of strange characters – including the Halsey family, the remaining servants at Point Motte and the local townsfolk. And then there are the automata themselves – clockwork creations that seem to mimic life.
There was a great fascination with automata in Victorian times, a fascination that easily elides into a steampunk aesthetic. Other authors who have played with this idea include Natasha Pulley, in The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and its sequels, and of course Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret. But Kidd takes a much darker look at this idea than these two authors. And the final act in particular contains some fairly disturbing revelations and characters.
While Little Spark is not a sequel to Things in Jars it certainly shares its approach to dark tales set in Victorian England. It is a register that Kidd excels in as once again she delivers a darkly compelling narrative with an appealing protagonist at its centre.
Little Spark opens in 1881 with Bodkin Bell, a young woman who seems to have an extraordinary ability involving static electricity. Being Victorian times, she and her travelling partner (and protector) Cornelius monetise this ability by using it as a parlour trick. It is through this that Bodkin earned the nickname ‘Little Spark’. Eventually, though, an accident with this ability lands Bodkin in jail. But while there she is noticed by a wealthy visitor to the prison – Lady Heperia Halsey – who offers to take her onto her staff for the remainder of her sentence. Lady Hesperia lives in a remote, walled estate called Point Motte, in a marshy area on Kent where the family is famous for the creation of lifelike automata.
The plot revolves around two murders twenty years apart and the secrets that surround Bodkin. So there are mysteries in Little Spark that some readers may well guess the answers to in advance. But the joy here is more in the gothic milieu that Kidd has created. The crumbling estate of Point Motte and the surrounding marshland, a long list of strange characters – including the Halsey family, the remaining servants at Point Motte and the local townsfolk. And then there are the automata themselves – clockwork creations that seem to mimic life.
There was a great fascination with automata in Victorian times, a fascination that easily elides into a steampunk aesthetic. Other authors who have played with this idea include Natasha Pulley, in The Watchmaker of Filigree Street and its sequels, and of course Brian Selznick’s The Invention of Hugo Cabret. But Kidd takes a much darker look at this idea than these two authors. And the final act in particular contains some fairly disturbing revelations and characters.
While Little Spark is not a sequel to Things in Jars it certainly shares its approach to dark tales set in Victorian England. It is a register that Kidd excels in as once again she delivers a darkly compelling narrative with an appealing protagonist at its centre.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bodkin Bell - AKA Little Spark - is a foundling. She and her gaffer Cornelius travel between the homes of the wealthy and eccentric performing a unique act...Bodkin can generate electricity. One day things take a turn and Bodkin ends up behind bars, separated from Cornelius for the first time in her life. While in prison, Bodkin is noticed by Lady Haseley - who has a reputation for taking in waifs and strays, and sure enough decides to take Bodkin under her wing. But is all as it seems at Point Mote?
This is a great, creepy, twisty story which never quite goes in the direction you're thinking of. The whole premise is set around illusion, whether it's Bodkin's 'Little Spark' act or her unknown childhood, nothing is straightforward and the truth is always half hidden. The cast of characters is perfect for a gothic story, everyone slightly off - often in ways you can't quite pinpoint. Even the friendlier characters seem to be hiding something and it is always just about off kilter enough to feel unsettling.
The house and setting are characters in themselves too; Point Mote feels almost like a castle out at sea - remote, fog shrouded, surrounded by marshes and sitting behind high walls and constantly locked gates. From the very beginning it feels like a place designed to keep the world out, and secrets in. Somehow oppressive and romantic at the same time, it's the perfect location for this story.
There's no small amount of body horror in this, which can be easy to miss because of the slow build of the book - but when you realise the full truth of what's happening it is genuinely a jolt. I really enjoyed that there were a few threads breadcrumbed enough for the reader to unpick themselves while still keeping enough back to surprise. The conclusion of the book does come about a bit quickly but given the slower pacing of the rest of the story, it does make sense that it would feel sudden. A couple of things are a little vague at the very end but again that's very fitting with the rest of the book.
Definitely recommended for any gothic fiction lover, anyone with a bit of a steampunk vibe, or someone looking for an unconventional lead character.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
This is a great, creepy, twisty story which never quite goes in the direction you're thinking of. The whole premise is set around illusion, whether it's Bodkin's 'Little Spark' act or her unknown childhood, nothing is straightforward and the truth is always half hidden. The cast of characters is perfect for a gothic story, everyone slightly off - often in ways you can't quite pinpoint. Even the friendlier characters seem to be hiding something and it is always just about off kilter enough to feel unsettling.
The house and setting are characters in themselves too; Point Mote feels almost like a castle out at sea - remote, fog shrouded, surrounded by marshes and sitting behind high walls and constantly locked gates. From the very beginning it feels like a place designed to keep the world out, and secrets in. Somehow oppressive and romantic at the same time, it's the perfect location for this story.
There's no small amount of body horror in this, which can be easy to miss because of the slow build of the book - but when you realise the full truth of what's happening it is genuinely a jolt. I really enjoyed that there were a few threads breadcrumbed enough for the reader to unpick themselves while still keeping enough back to surprise. The conclusion of the book does come about a bit quickly but given the slower pacing of the rest of the story, it does make sense that it would feel sudden. A couple of things are a little vague at the very end but again that's very fitting with the rest of the book.
Definitely recommended for any gothic fiction lover, anyone with a bit of a steampunk vibe, or someone looking for an unconventional lead character.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Back in 2019, after devouring ‘Things in Jars’, I really hoped that Jess Kidd would give us another Bridie Devine tale. That was not to be but seven years later she has given us Bodkin Bell, a brave, resilient and determined young woman and what a wonderful successor she is!
Operating as Little Spark in the late nineteenth century and introduced in select drawing rooms by her quasi father-figure, the showman Cornelius Bell, she conducts electricity in the most unexpected manner. Unfortunately, this results in prison from which she is plucked to serve out the rest of her sentence by the imperious Lady Hesperia Halsey. The latter lives in desolate Point Mote in the Kent marshes, alongside an unusual group of servants and her nephew Ramshaw.
Ostensibly, Hesperia has chosen Bodkin as a suitable apprentice for Ramshaw, a talented maker of astonishing automata. However, ever hopeful that Cornelius will rescue her from this far from traditional prison, Bodkin begins to understand that her potential as a craftswoman is far removed from Hesperia’s real reason for bringing her to Point Mote. In doing so she acknowledges that, ‘…people often fight most painfully against accepting what they already know.’
As ever, Jess Kidd uses her unique imagination to conjure up a gothic world of bizarre creations and scientific horror, alongside a cast of sometimes malign, sometimes compassionate and brave individuals. The reader is pulled into her extraordinary world through intricate details, subtle observations and downright unpleasant flourishes whilst all the time believing in the emotional core of the novel. A very good read. (Four stars rather than five because the pace suffered around halfway through the narrative.)
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Operating as Little Spark in the late nineteenth century and introduced in select drawing rooms by her quasi father-figure, the showman Cornelius Bell, she conducts electricity in the most unexpected manner. Unfortunately, this results in prison from which she is plucked to serve out the rest of her sentence by the imperious Lady Hesperia Halsey. The latter lives in desolate Point Mote in the Kent marshes, alongside an unusual group of servants and her nephew Ramshaw.
Ostensibly, Hesperia has chosen Bodkin as a suitable apprentice for Ramshaw, a talented maker of astonishing automata. However, ever hopeful that Cornelius will rescue her from this far from traditional prison, Bodkin begins to understand that her potential as a craftswoman is far removed from Hesperia’s real reason for bringing her to Point Mote. In doing so she acknowledges that, ‘…people often fight most painfully against accepting what they already know.’
As ever, Jess Kidd uses her unique imagination to conjure up a gothic world of bizarre creations and scientific horror, alongside a cast of sometimes malign, sometimes compassionate and brave individuals. The reader is pulled into her extraordinary world through intricate details, subtle observations and downright unpleasant flourishes whilst all the time believing in the emotional core of the novel. A very good read. (Four stars rather than five because the pace suffered around halfway through the narrative.)
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Little Spark by Jess Kidd
Having read Things in Jars with the wonderful character Bridie Devine I wondered if the new character In Little Spark would be as memorable and she is. Bodkin Bell is a fascinating character who is fearless, resourceful and has enormous strength of character. Bodkin works with a father figure, Cornelius Bell, who displays her strange skills to gentlemen in Victorian England. Bodkin is able to conduct electricity and it is this talent which finds her incarcerated in prison and separated from Cornelius.
Then a strange woman, Lady Hesperia, visits the prison and her attention alights upon an embroidery upon which Bodkin has been working. It shows Point Mote, Lady Hesperia’s estate in Kent. Lady Hesperia determines to remove Bodkin from prison and to keep her at her estate. This estate is desolate and isolated there are few servants and only Lady Hesperia and her nephew Ramshaw.
Ramshaw and his father before him are the makers of automata and a Bodkin is faced with these monstrous creations as she arrives at the estate to serve out the rest of her sentence. The author creates a Gothic atmosphere of strange beings and malevolent forces which threaten to overwhelm Bodkin.
There are secrets aplenty hidden within the walls of Point Mote and Bodkin will need all her courage and determination to discover the secrets which lie at its heart. This is a gripping novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have other novels by this author. There are some wonderful descriptive passages and I will be recommending this at my various book groups. Many thanks to Jess Kidd, Canongate and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review.
Having read Things in Jars with the wonderful character Bridie Devine I wondered if the new character In Little Spark would be as memorable and she is. Bodkin Bell is a fascinating character who is fearless, resourceful and has enormous strength of character. Bodkin works with a father figure, Cornelius Bell, who displays her strange skills to gentlemen in Victorian England. Bodkin is able to conduct electricity and it is this talent which finds her incarcerated in prison and separated from Cornelius.
Then a strange woman, Lady Hesperia, visits the prison and her attention alights upon an embroidery upon which Bodkin has been working. It shows Point Mote, Lady Hesperia’s estate in Kent. Lady Hesperia determines to remove Bodkin from prison and to keep her at her estate. This estate is desolate and isolated there are few servants and only Lady Hesperia and her nephew Ramshaw.
Ramshaw and his father before him are the makers of automata and a Bodkin is faced with these monstrous creations as she arrives at the estate to serve out the rest of her sentence. The author creates a Gothic atmosphere of strange beings and malevolent forces which threaten to overwhelm Bodkin.
There are secrets aplenty hidden within the walls of Point Mote and Bodkin will need all her courage and determination to discover the secrets which lie at its heart. This is a gripping novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have other novels by this author. There are some wonderful descriptive passages and I will be recommending this at my various book groups. Many thanks to Jess Kidd, Canongate and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Little Spark is a wonderfully strange, immersive tale that feels like stepping into a lantern‑lit dream—one full of crackling magic, mechanical marvels, and secrets buried deeper than the marsh itself. From the moment Bodkin Bell arrives at Point Mote, the story wraps itself around you with a quiet, uncanny pull.
Bodkin is an instantly compelling heroine: sharp, scrappy, and carrying a spark—literal and figurative—that sets her apart. Her past as a travelling spectacle gives her an edge of melancholy, and watching her navigate the eerie halls of Point Mote is both enchanting and unsettling. The house is a character in its own right, full of whirring automata, locked rooms, and a sense that every shadow is hiding something important.
The atmosphere is exquisite. Misty marshes, flickering gaslights, and the strange brilliance of the inventors she serves create a world that feels both gothic and gently whimsical. The tension builds slowly, like a storm gathering over the marsh, until Bodkin begins to uncover truths that were never meant to surface. The mystery is layered, clever, and deeply rooted in the emotional heart of the story.
What makes the book shine is its blend of wonder and unease. It’s a story about identity, survival, and the dangerous power of what we choose to hide. The writing feels lush without being heavy, and the world is so vividly drawn that you can almost smell the marsh air and hear the hum of the machines.
A beautifully atmospheric mystery with a spark all its own—strange, tender, and full of surprises.
With thanks to Jess Kidd, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Bodkin is an instantly compelling heroine: sharp, scrappy, and carrying a spark—literal and figurative—that sets her apart. Her past as a travelling spectacle gives her an edge of melancholy, and watching her navigate the eerie halls of Point Mote is both enchanting and unsettling. The house is a character in its own right, full of whirring automata, locked rooms, and a sense that every shadow is hiding something important.
The atmosphere is exquisite. Misty marshes, flickering gaslights, and the strange brilliance of the inventors she serves create a world that feels both gothic and gently whimsical. The tension builds slowly, like a storm gathering over the marsh, until Bodkin begins to uncover truths that were never meant to surface. The mystery is layered, clever, and deeply rooted in the emotional heart of the story.
What makes the book shine is its blend of wonder and unease. It’s a story about identity, survival, and the dangerous power of what we choose to hide. The writing feels lush without being heavy, and the world is so vividly drawn that you can almost smell the marsh air and hear the hum of the machines.
A beautifully atmospheric mystery with a spark all its own—strange, tender, and full of surprises.
With thanks to Jess Kidd, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Victorian England, trickery is often a form of entertainment. Bodkin Bell and her 'gaffer' Cornelius Bell, travel round the fine houses treating dinner parties to a show of electricity and static that Bodkin, Little Spark, can conjure up.
Some years later that same static is turned on an unwelcome suitor and Bodkin finds herself in jail. Enter Lady Halsey who has Bodkin taken to Point Mote as an act of charity where she will work with Ramshaw - her nephew, for the remainder of her sentence.
Point Mote is a remote and isolated house on the edge of Kent, surrounded by marshlands. Fear of smugglers and bandits keep the inhabitants locked tight inside and Bodkin finds she is as much a prisoner there as she was in jail. It is only as the past catches up with her that Bodkin realises the full horror of the place and the situation she finds herself in.
The settings in this book are wonderfully atmospheric with flickering lights, creepy marshlands, and swirling fog. The house is old and run down, and the automata creepy, and the whole story has a gothic edge, set against a fantastical elements.
The staff at Point Mote are odd and edgy and at odd with everything Bodkin has known, as the gaffer only showed her kindness and courtesy. Bodkin, however, proves herself to be a feisty character and able to take care of herself.
The writing is excellent with wonderful descriptions. But it is the story that wins out with its mix of gothic, mystery and whimsical. I really enjoyed the read and how different the book felt.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Some years later that same static is turned on an unwelcome suitor and Bodkin finds herself in jail. Enter Lady Halsey who has Bodkin taken to Point Mote as an act of charity where she will work with Ramshaw - her nephew, for the remainder of her sentence.
Point Mote is a remote and isolated house on the edge of Kent, surrounded by marshlands. Fear of smugglers and bandits keep the inhabitants locked tight inside and Bodkin finds she is as much a prisoner there as she was in jail. It is only as the past catches up with her that Bodkin realises the full horror of the place and the situation she finds herself in.
The settings in this book are wonderfully atmospheric with flickering lights, creepy marshlands, and swirling fog. The house is old and run down, and the automata creepy, and the whole story has a gothic edge, set against a fantastical elements.
The staff at Point Mote are odd and edgy and at odd with everything Bodkin has known, as the gaffer only showed her kindness and courtesy. Bodkin, however, proves herself to be a feisty character and able to take care of herself.
The writing is excellent with wonderful descriptions. But it is the story that wins out with its mix of gothic, mystery and whimsical. I really enjoyed the read and how different the book felt.
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Canongate Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!***
I’ve never read any of this author’s work before but the premise sounded absolutely fascinating and I was intrigued enough to request it.
Unfortunately, the spark I felt (sorry!!) was very quickly extinguished. After the first chapter or so having me pretty hooked and curious, I began to get a little bored. Then a lot bored.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing was beautiful. Super atmospheric and I was so deep in the marshes when we (finally) got there. But getting there? It was a journey. And not a fun one.
I’m sorry to say I had to DNF at 36%. I try my best to give every book a chance, especially advance copies, but I just couldn’t force myself through it. I think a third of the way through a book should give me enough to want more, or to care about the characters, or at least be invested to some extent in the plot. Sadly, I was none of the above.
This book is slow-paced. Far too slow for me, I fear. I put it on pause the other week while I was on nights but I have no urge to pick it up again. The reviews on this seem to be generally positive, so I think perhaps I am an exception to the rule here, but this wasn’t for me.
I actually doubt it’s a bad book - in fact, I’m sure it is actually very good. But it’s not a good book for me. I think other people, who maybe have a little more patience or maybe a few more brain cells than I currently own, will probably have a good time.
I can’t rate it highly because I genuinely could not progress further, but what I read was good writing and an interesting premise, but just too slow and too little for me to keep going.
2 🌟
I’ve never read any of this author’s work before but the premise sounded absolutely fascinating and I was intrigued enough to request it.
Unfortunately, the spark I felt (sorry!!) was very quickly extinguished. After the first chapter or so having me pretty hooked and curious, I began to get a little bored. Then a lot bored.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing was beautiful. Super atmospheric and I was so deep in the marshes when we (finally) got there. But getting there? It was a journey. And not a fun one.
I’m sorry to say I had to DNF at 36%. I try my best to give every book a chance, especially advance copies, but I just couldn’t force myself through it. I think a third of the way through a book should give me enough to want more, or to care about the characters, or at least be invested to some extent in the plot. Sadly, I was none of the above.
This book is slow-paced. Far too slow for me, I fear. I put it on pause the other week while I was on nights but I have no urge to pick it up again. The reviews on this seem to be generally positive, so I think perhaps I am an exception to the rule here, but this wasn’t for me.
I actually doubt it’s a bad book - in fact, I’m sure it is actually very good. But it’s not a good book for me. I think other people, who maybe have a little more patience or maybe a few more brain cells than I currently own, will probably have a good time.
I can’t rate it highly because I genuinely could not progress further, but what I read was good writing and an interesting premise, but just too slow and too little for me to keep going.
2 🌟
September 18, 2026
I absolutely love Jess Kidd’s writing - lyrical and just beautiful. And I also absolutely love a gothic steampunk-esque type novel. So I wasn’t disappointed.
Bodkin Bell has spent her life travelling around the countryside with Cornelius. She is an orphan and isn’t entirely sure what her relationship to Cornelius is, but he’s a father figure to her. The pair show off Bodkin’s particular talent. Electricity literally flows from her. Amazing but unfortunately it lands her in prison when a sneaky spectator stole a kiss.
As was the done thing in those days, the prison showed round rich people, one of whom decides that Bodkin can spend the rest of her sentence at Point Mote - her crumbling gothic pile in the Kent marshes. It’s a sad atmospheric place, stuck in the past and family tragedies.
The point in Bodkin being there, was to work alongside the young heir Ramshaw in furthering the family automaton business, but being somewhat reclusive, this is difficult. Instead Bodkin has to find her own place within the household. She’s also desperate to be reunited with Cornelius so has half her mind planning to run away.
But slowly Bodkin learns about the history of the place, past traumas and secrets, and begins to feel a connection with the place.
There are certainly twists and turns but I would have loved the pace to have been a little quicker. I thought Bodkin was a great protagonist, and I loved the clearly well researched history of the automatons, and the link at the end providing more info and photos. Really very interesting.
Bodkin Bell has spent her life travelling around the countryside with Cornelius. She is an orphan and isn’t entirely sure what her relationship to Cornelius is, but he’s a father figure to her. The pair show off Bodkin’s particular talent. Electricity literally flows from her. Amazing but unfortunately it lands her in prison when a sneaky spectator stole a kiss.
As was the done thing in those days, the prison showed round rich people, one of whom decides that Bodkin can spend the rest of her sentence at Point Mote - her crumbling gothic pile in the Kent marshes. It’s a sad atmospheric place, stuck in the past and family tragedies.
The point in Bodkin being there, was to work alongside the young heir Ramshaw in furthering the family automaton business, but being somewhat reclusive, this is difficult. Instead Bodkin has to find her own place within the household. She’s also desperate to be reunited with Cornelius so has half her mind planning to run away.
But slowly Bodkin learns about the history of the place, past traumas and secrets, and begins to feel a connection with the place.
There are certainly twists and turns but I would have loved the pace to have been a little quicker. I thought Bodkin was a great protagonist, and I loved the clearly well researched history of the automatons, and the link at the end providing more info and photos. Really very interesting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’re freaked out by the idea of automata so realistic you could mistake them for the real thing or so grotesque you’ll wonder at the mind that conceived them, then prepared to be unnerved by some of the machines created by the former owner of Point Mote and its new heir, Ramshaw. And, as it turns out, that’s not the worst of it because there are even more sinister things going on.
This is the world in which Bodkin finds herself, chosen to serve part of her prison sentence – the result of a momentary loss of control – in a huge but rather dilapidated manor house on the Kent marshes surrounded by high walls to keep interlopers out – or perhaps to keep the inhabitants in.
Bodkin’s unclear exactly why she’s there, presuming it’s pure chance she was selected by the formidable Lady Hesperia Halsey, Ramshaw’s aunt. But even a gloomy old house is better than prison plus she’s confident that Cornelius Bell, the man who has been her mentor since she was a child, will arrive to rescue her. Indeed, she’s convinced her transfer to Point Mote is all part of his plan. But is Cornelius, a proven trickster, gambler and teller of tall tales, someone she can rely on?
I loved Bodkin. She’s determined, resilient and resourceful. However, the unique physical characteristic that made her such a theatrical marvel sets her apart from others, in more ways than one. ‘She lives with a chest which jangles like a fistful of spoons, hums like a hive, ripples like a bucket of eels. A heart that doesn’t beat so much as teeters and skids like a spinning top on a wet floor.’ In the course of the book Bodkin learns things about her early life, things that have up until now existed as mere fragments of memory.
Point Mote is a house of secrets – many of them macabre – and a place of tragic events. Its eerie atmosphere is combined with an element of madness and obsession. This is a time when scientific experimentation overlapped with the desire of the rich for sensation, the more excessive and outlandish the better. If you’ve read the author’s earlier book Things In Jars you’ll know the kind of thing I mean.
If you reckon you’ve got it all figured out be prepared for a few surprises. Little Spark is a brilliantly atmospheric, deliciously creepy mystery with a completely captivating main character.
This is the world in which Bodkin finds herself, chosen to serve part of her prison sentence – the result of a momentary loss of control – in a huge but rather dilapidated manor house on the Kent marshes surrounded by high walls to keep interlopers out – or perhaps to keep the inhabitants in.
Bodkin’s unclear exactly why she’s there, presuming it’s pure chance she was selected by the formidable Lady Hesperia Halsey, Ramshaw’s aunt. But even a gloomy old house is better than prison plus she’s confident that Cornelius Bell, the man who has been her mentor since she was a child, will arrive to rescue her. Indeed, she’s convinced her transfer to Point Mote is all part of his plan. But is Cornelius, a proven trickster, gambler and teller of tall tales, someone she can rely on?
I loved Bodkin. She’s determined, resilient and resourceful. However, the unique physical characteristic that made her such a theatrical marvel sets her apart from others, in more ways than one. ‘She lives with a chest which jangles like a fistful of spoons, hums like a hive, ripples like a bucket of eels. A heart that doesn’t beat so much as teeters and skids like a spinning top on a wet floor.’ In the course of the book Bodkin learns things about her early life, things that have up until now existed as mere fragments of memory.
Point Mote is a house of secrets – many of them macabre – and a place of tragic events. Its eerie atmosphere is combined with an element of madness and obsession. This is a time when scientific experimentation overlapped with the desire of the rich for sensation, the more excessive and outlandish the better. If you’ve read the author’s earlier book Things In Jars you’ll know the kind of thing I mean.
If you reckon you’ve got it all figured out be prepared for a few surprises. Little Spark is a brilliantly atmospheric, deliciously creepy mystery with a completely captivating main character.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Little Spark. 4.5-5 stars.
What a electrifying read! (Yes, pun intended. I have a terrible sense of humour.)
Little Spark is a queer Gothic horror novel set in the Victorian era, featuring automatons, a sinister stately home and dark secrets. It explores the themes of autonomy, family, community and, above all, what it means to be human. There's also a healthy dose of medical horror and an autistic-coded protagonist.
The writing felt modern Dickensian to me, thanks to its atmospheric settings, vivid character descriptions, and focus on working-class and underclass perspectives. The characters themselves were compelling and richly brought to life.
But, the novel also had something of Frankenstein and Doctor Moreau, with its Victorian-esque sci-fi elements. The science doesn't stand up to modern scrutiny, but it is exactly the type of sci-fi that Victorians were reading – and I found it effectively chilling. I really liked the way that this book felt like a love letter to the period as a whole, including the novels of the time.
Some of the novel's twists were predictable, but there was also something delightful in that. It heightened the sense of anticipation and horror. I really enjoyed the slow, atmospheric creep towards reveals that were obviously going to be horrifying.
I will be keeping my eye out for future books by Jess Kidd!
What a electrifying read! (Yes, pun intended. I have a terrible sense of humour.)
Little Spark is a queer Gothic horror novel set in the Victorian era, featuring automatons, a sinister stately home and dark secrets. It explores the themes of autonomy, family, community and, above all, what it means to be human. There's also a healthy dose of medical horror and an autistic-coded protagonist.
The writing felt modern Dickensian to me, thanks to its atmospheric settings, vivid character descriptions, and focus on working-class and underclass perspectives. The characters themselves were compelling and richly brought to life.
But, the novel also had something of Frankenstein and Doctor Moreau, with its Victorian-esque sci-fi elements. The science doesn't stand up to modern scrutiny, but it is exactly the type of sci-fi that Victorians were reading – and I found it effectively chilling. I really liked the way that this book felt like a love letter to the period as a whole, including the novels of the time.
Some of the novel's twists were predictable, but there was also something delightful in that. It heightened the sense of anticipation and horror. I really enjoyed the slow, atmospheric creep towards reveals that were obviously going to be horrifying.
I will be keeping my eye out for future books by Jess Kidd!
August 13, 2026
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This was a wonderful read. The story was compelling, the writing was beautiful, the menace was palpable.
This is a historical novel, with gothic horror elements. It’s not scary per se but the tension, the dread, the injustice are all strongly felt. The atmosphere in this book is incredible. The story involves automa, and it has fantastical elements. But it always seems so utterly grounded in reality. There’s such a cool, scientific approach to some of the content that it felt completely believable.
We follow Bodkin, she’s in prison and a wealthy lady decides she wants to take her into her employ. Her sentence is falsely extended and she’s effectively given to this woman, Hesperia. She’s taken from the prison to an imposing and isolated house. A strange smattering of servants her main company aside from the odd tea with Hesperia and glimpses of the reclusive master.
Bodkin is given portents that something isn’t right, and the longer she stays in the house, the more she realises she might be imperilled and she starts to learn more of people who have suffered tragedies here before.
I was so impressed by the unravelling of the mystery, the seeping dread felt throughout the book, the invocation of the historical period. The writing was excellent.
I was mesmerised by this book, I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
This was a wonderful read. The story was compelling, the writing was beautiful, the menace was palpable.
This is a historical novel, with gothic horror elements. It’s not scary per se but the tension, the dread, the injustice are all strongly felt. The atmosphere in this book is incredible. The story involves automa, and it has fantastical elements. But it always seems so utterly grounded in reality. There’s such a cool, scientific approach to some of the content that it felt completely believable.
We follow Bodkin, she’s in prison and a wealthy lady decides she wants to take her into her employ. Her sentence is falsely extended and she’s effectively given to this woman, Hesperia. She’s taken from the prison to an imposing and isolated house. A strange smattering of servants her main company aside from the odd tea with Hesperia and glimpses of the reclusive master.
Bodkin is given portents that something isn’t right, and the longer she stays in the house, the more she realises she might be imperilled and she starts to learn more of people who have suffered tragedies here before.
I was so impressed by the unravelling of the mystery, the seeping dread felt throughout the book, the invocation of the historical period. The writing was excellent.
I was mesmerised by this book, I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bodkin Bell, orphan, pickpocket and survivor, doesn't know where she came from, but she knows she’s different. Gaslights flare as she walks past. Cutlery spins. Shocks fly from her fingertips.
For years, she was ‘Little Spark’, the star of an electrifying sideshow – until the act went too far and she ended up in a London gaol.
Now she’s been offered a way out. A chance to serve at Point Mote, a vast, desolate house marooned on the misty Kent marshes. There, she will assist a reclusive family of cunning inventors in the creation of automata: miraculous, lifelike machines for which gentlemen collectors will pay handsomely.
But this house of wonders hides mysteries too. As Bodkin starts to question why she is really there, she unearths secrets that have been buried bone-deep for years – and a truth beyond all imagining. One that was never meant to be found.
A highly atmospheric, gothic novel which is beautifully descriptive taking the reader into the depths of poverty and suffering but having its lighthearted moments whenever Cornelius Bell makes an appearance. The writing is enchanting, especially when describing Bodkin's love of nature and the woods but sometimes I found myself just wanting to get on with the plot, probably because it's such an excellent one.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
For years, she was ‘Little Spark’, the star of an electrifying sideshow – until the act went too far and she ended up in a London gaol.
Now she’s been offered a way out. A chance to serve at Point Mote, a vast, desolate house marooned on the misty Kent marshes. There, she will assist a reclusive family of cunning inventors in the creation of automata: miraculous, lifelike machines for which gentlemen collectors will pay handsomely.
But this house of wonders hides mysteries too. As Bodkin starts to question why she is really there, she unearths secrets that have been buried bone-deep for years – and a truth beyond all imagining. One that was never meant to be found.
A highly atmospheric, gothic novel which is beautifully descriptive taking the reader into the depths of poverty and suffering but having its lighthearted moments whenever Cornelius Bell makes an appearance. The writing is enchanting, especially when describing Bodkin's love of nature and the woods but sometimes I found myself just wanting to get on with the plot, probably because it's such an excellent one.
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"It is not lack of bravery that stops her; it takes greater courage to remain in this house of secrets and machines. Bodkin will not leave empty-handed and while silver and trinkets are tempting enough, she's after something rare than hen's teeth in this house: the truth."
1881, the Kentish marshes. Bodkin (AKA Little Spark, for her mysterious electricity) finds her life changed from that of a travelling showperson, to a prisoner, to living at the grand but dilapidated Point Mote estate; there Lady Hesperia has dictated she will work with her nephew and the family's heir, Sir Ramshaw, who had taken in his late father's mantel, creating fascinating automated creatures. Here Bodkin has much to learn but also to fear from the cruel and manipulative Lady Hersperia, the secretive and absent Sir Ramshaw and creepy Shuttleworth, the butler. Befriending the other servants, will Bodkin uncover Point Mote's secrets, but also a strange and horrifying truth about herself. The eerie setting, the use of antiquated language, the well-drawn characters and my investment in determined Bodkin as the main character, made for an engrossing read. Rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors, this is a mesmerising, historial gothic mystery I devoured over two days whilst on holiday.
Thank you to the publisher for access to an advanced copy through NetGalley.
1881, the Kentish marshes. Bodkin (AKA Little Spark, for her mysterious electricity) finds her life changed from that of a travelling showperson, to a prisoner, to living at the grand but dilapidated Point Mote estate; there Lady Hesperia has dictated she will work with her nephew and the family's heir, Sir Ramshaw, who had taken in his late father's mantel, creating fascinating automated creatures. Here Bodkin has much to learn but also to fear from the cruel and manipulative Lady Hersperia, the secretive and absent Sir Ramshaw and creepy Shuttleworth, the butler. Befriending the other servants, will Bodkin uncover Point Mote's secrets, but also a strange and horrifying truth about herself. The eerie setting, the use of antiquated language, the well-drawn characters and my investment in determined Bodkin as the main character, made for an engrossing read. Rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors, this is a mesmerising, historial gothic mystery I devoured over two days whilst on holiday.
Thank you to the publisher for access to an advanced copy through NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3.3/5
"Little Spark" is a wonderfully atmospheric Victorian drama. It tells the story of Bodkin Bell, an orphan, whose ability to create electric shocks enables her to become something of a sideshow curiosity. However, her lifestyle and the company she keeps, results in her being gaoled. Then there is a surprise offer and Bodkin finds herself being sent to serve at Point Mote, a country house located in the Kent marshland. More mysteries await Bodkin at Point Mote and why she should have been invited to serve there is just the beginning.
Bodkin makes for a very engaging central character and the choice of setting provides a backdrop ideally suited for the story to play out. The reason I have rated this as a strong 3-star read rather than giving it 4 stars is that I felt it had pacing issues. The narrative takes a while to get fully into its stride and it isn't until around the two-thirds mark that it hits the sweet spot. Somewhat perversely, having taking such a considered approach to setting the scene earlier in the novel, the final scenes felt rushed. Although I still enjoyed the experienced, I feel that a more balanced approach in this regard would have made the end result even better.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
"Little Spark" is a wonderfully atmospheric Victorian drama. It tells the story of Bodkin Bell, an orphan, whose ability to create electric shocks enables her to become something of a sideshow curiosity. However, her lifestyle and the company she keeps, results in her being gaoled. Then there is a surprise offer and Bodkin finds herself being sent to serve at Point Mote, a country house located in the Kent marshland. More mysteries await Bodkin at Point Mote and why she should have been invited to serve there is just the beginning.
Bodkin makes for a very engaging central character and the choice of setting provides a backdrop ideally suited for the story to play out. The reason I have rated this as a strong 3-star read rather than giving it 4 stars is that I felt it had pacing issues. The narrative takes a while to get fully into its stride and it isn't until around the two-thirds mark that it hits the sweet spot. Somewhat perversely, having taking such a considered approach to setting the scene earlier in the novel, the final scenes felt rushed. Although I still enjoyed the experienced, I feel that a more balanced approach in this regard would have made the end result even better.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bodkin Bell knows little in life; she has no memory of ‘the before’, her only memories are of her present existence on the road. She knows she has a scar that runs the length of her breastbone and she knows that she is capable of building a powerful charge of crackling electricity inside her when she is scared or angry.
Our story opens with a young Bodkin Bell, billed as the titular ‘Little Spark’, performing as the star of an electrifying travelling act. Her roguish benefactor, guardian and would-be father figure, Cornelius, seeks out rich houses in which to perform their incredible show and earn enough coin to sustain them in the coming weeks. But when the act goes wrong there is no sign of Cornelius and Bodkin finds herself incarcerated in a grim institution, a scapegoat for an accidental death.
A glimmer of hope comes in the form of Lady Hesperia Halsey, who plucks Bodkin from the dreary gaol and brings her to join the meagre ranks of servants who live and work at Point Mote, an erstwhile grand house, which has latterly fallen into disrepair.
Point Mote is a place that harbours dark secrets. A cold, isolated and uninviting place with its strange menagerie of inhabitants - both human and automata alike. But for Bodkin there is also a curious, lingering familiarity about the place that she feels a deep-seated need to explore - to do so she will need to muster all of her courage and determination to unravel the truth of this dark and dangerous place.
I genuinely liked the character of Bodkin, she is feisty, resourceful, smart and determined whilst also remaining somewhat naive in trusting the unscrupulous Cornelius. There were a couple of moments in the story where we seemed to make a slight jump from assumption to fact without having any hard evidence to back up these new developments other than a gut feeling, but it’s easy to gloss over these shifts in knowledge and accept the revelations as the story moves on.
I’m not usually a lover of dark or gothic fiction, but Little Spark has really made me reevaluate my stance on this genre. I was gripped from the beginning, hooked by the excellent writing, the beautifully woven suspense and the atmospheric description. Kidd conjures up the perfect setting for this somewhat disturbing novel: an almost alien landscape surrounding Point Mote; the misty, foggy moors, the deadly marshes that are capable of swallowing a man whole without leaving a trace and the threatening cast of characters who protect the mystery at the heart of the story. Whilst some of the plot lines seemed a little predictable at times, interestingly, there was something almost enjoyable in this and it didn’t detract from the story at all or diminish the spectacle of the grand reveals.
Whilst Little Spark is a work of dark, disturbing fiction, it doesn’t suffer from becoming too heavy, there is just enough humour and lighthearted asides to stop the novel from getting bogged down. Instead, Little Spark is a thought-provoking gothic mystery that hits that perfect tone of darkly atmospheric, almost (but not quite) horror and is Victorian steampunk-esque.
I think that this would be an excellent book club novel to introduce readers to a new genre hat many won’t have encountered before and may well help readers to discover a new author with a compelling back-catalogue.
Our story opens with a young Bodkin Bell, billed as the titular ‘Little Spark’, performing as the star of an electrifying travelling act. Her roguish benefactor, guardian and would-be father figure, Cornelius, seeks out rich houses in which to perform their incredible show and earn enough coin to sustain them in the coming weeks. But when the act goes wrong there is no sign of Cornelius and Bodkin finds herself incarcerated in a grim institution, a scapegoat for an accidental death.
A glimmer of hope comes in the form of Lady Hesperia Halsey, who plucks Bodkin from the dreary gaol and brings her to join the meagre ranks of servants who live and work at Point Mote, an erstwhile grand house, which has latterly fallen into disrepair.
Point Mote is a place that harbours dark secrets. A cold, isolated and uninviting place with its strange menagerie of inhabitants - both human and automata alike. But for Bodkin there is also a curious, lingering familiarity about the place that she feels a deep-seated need to explore - to do so she will need to muster all of her courage and determination to unravel the truth of this dark and dangerous place.
I genuinely liked the character of Bodkin, she is feisty, resourceful, smart and determined whilst also remaining somewhat naive in trusting the unscrupulous Cornelius. There were a couple of moments in the story where we seemed to make a slight jump from assumption to fact without having any hard evidence to back up these new developments other than a gut feeling, but it’s easy to gloss over these shifts in knowledge and accept the revelations as the story moves on.
I’m not usually a lover of dark or gothic fiction, but Little Spark has really made me reevaluate my stance on this genre. I was gripped from the beginning, hooked by the excellent writing, the beautifully woven suspense and the atmospheric description. Kidd conjures up the perfect setting for this somewhat disturbing novel: an almost alien landscape surrounding Point Mote; the misty, foggy moors, the deadly marshes that are capable of swallowing a man whole without leaving a trace and the threatening cast of characters who protect the mystery at the heart of the story. Whilst some of the plot lines seemed a little predictable at times, interestingly, there was something almost enjoyable in this and it didn’t detract from the story at all or diminish the spectacle of the grand reveals.
Whilst Little Spark is a work of dark, disturbing fiction, it doesn’t suffer from becoming too heavy, there is just enough humour and lighthearted asides to stop the novel from getting bogged down. Instead, Little Spark is a thought-provoking gothic mystery that hits that perfect tone of darkly atmospheric, almost (but not quite) horror and is Victorian steampunk-esque.
I think that this would be an excellent book club novel to introduce readers to a new genre hat many won’t have encountered before and may well help readers to discover a new author with a compelling back-catalogue.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Little Spark is the story of Bodkin Bell, a young woman with the unusual ability to generate powerful currents of electricity within her body. Bodkin has no idea why she has this particular skill – or curse, as it often seems to be. In fact, she knows very little about herself at all, except that she’s an orphan who has been taken under the wing of Cornelius Bell, a travelling showman. Cornelius has taught Bodkin how to pick pockets and use her wits to survive and together they travel the country with a sideshow act so Bodkin can perform as ‘Little Spark’. One day, however, things go wrong and Bodkin finds herself arrested.
Separated from Cornelius, her only friend, Bodkin begins to serve a prison sentence until she is rescued by Lady Hesperia Haseley who is making a charitable visit to the prison and takes a liking to her. Bodkin is offered a position as a servant at Point Mote, the Haseley estate, but once she arrives at her new home, she begins to wonder whether Lady Hesperia may have had another motive for bringing her there.
Point Mote is a neglected, crumbling mansion situated in the Kent marshlands, an appropriately atmospheric setting for a novel like this one. The former owner, Spendlove Haseley, was an inventor of automata, and his work is being continued after his death by his son, Ramshaw. Almost the first thing Bodkin sees when she enters the house is a disembodied mechanical hand stirring a pot of stew in the kitchen – and there are other machines and devices like this all over the house and its grounds. I was reminded of Anna Mazzola’s The Clockwork Girl, another dark historical novel about a creator of automata, although the settings and plots are quite different. Bodkin’s new job is to assist Ramshaw with his inventions and as she does so, she makes some discoveries about her employer, his family and herself.
Bodkin herself is an engaging heroine and although I’d expected more focus on her strange powers, it was interesting to watch her trying to solve the various mysteries of Point Mote with the help (or hindrance) of its other inhabitants, the usual cast of colourful characters you would expect to find in a Kidd novel. I was particularly intrigued by the two maids, sisters Coralie and Claudine, who have each lost an eye, one on the left and one on the right, although they won’t say exactly how it happened. There’s also Huffkin the dog, who may or may not be real! It’s such a fascinating, imaginative story; my only criticism is that I guessed the twists too easily – one in particular is a twist I’ve come across in several other books. Still, I found this a very enjoyable, entertaining novel, probably my favourite by Jess Kidd since Things in Jars.
Separated from Cornelius, her only friend, Bodkin begins to serve a prison sentence until she is rescued by Lady Hesperia Haseley who is making a charitable visit to the prison and takes a liking to her. Bodkin is offered a position as a servant at Point Mote, the Haseley estate, but once she arrives at her new home, she begins to wonder whether Lady Hesperia may have had another motive for bringing her there.
Point Mote is a neglected, crumbling mansion situated in the Kent marshlands, an appropriately atmospheric setting for a novel like this one. The former owner, Spendlove Haseley, was an inventor of automata, and his work is being continued after his death by his son, Ramshaw. Almost the first thing Bodkin sees when she enters the house is a disembodied mechanical hand stirring a pot of stew in the kitchen – and there are other machines and devices like this all over the house and its grounds. I was reminded of Anna Mazzola’s The Clockwork Girl, another dark historical novel about a creator of automata, although the settings and plots are quite different. Bodkin’s new job is to assist Ramshaw with his inventions and as she does so, she makes some discoveries about her employer, his family and herself.
Bodkin herself is an engaging heroine and although I’d expected more focus on her strange powers, it was interesting to watch her trying to solve the various mysteries of Point Mote with the help (or hindrance) of its other inhabitants, the usual cast of colourful characters you would expect to find in a Kidd novel. I was particularly intrigued by the two maids, sisters Coralie and Claudine, who have each lost an eye, one on the left and one on the right, although they won’t say exactly how it happened. There’s also Huffkin the dog, who may or may not be real! It’s such a fascinating, imaginative story; my only criticism is that I guessed the twists too easily – one in particular is a twist I’ve come across in several other books. Still, I found this a very enjoyable, entertaining novel, probably my favourite by Jess Kidd since Things in Jars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Brilliant Victorian gothic mystery.
Bodkin is a wonderful main character, the setting is suitably creepy, the intrigue lasts until the very final page.
I don't want to say too much as most of this book's charm is in the unknowns.
But I loved the automata, the marshes, the chapel, the tower, basically every corner of Point Mote - I could easily see why its residents both loved and feared it.
Very original but still draws on the themes and imagery of some gothic classics - Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, even Carmilla, etc. (Without leaning too much into the horror side of that genre.)
However I will say, those classics tend to have a deeper meaning that they are getting at. (Probably because they weren't written as particularly historical fiction, for the most part.) I truly loved Bodkin but I didn't really find that deeper meaning here - other than to say Victorian prisons were corrupt, the Victorian elite were manipulative and selfish, etc (not quite new takes). There could've been more to say from the modern perspective about Aphra's situation, for example? That or something similar probably could've pushed it to a 5 star.
I definitely recommended to those who enjoy gothic literature in any case. It's touching, gripping and enjoyable.
4 stars.
Bodkin is a wonderful main character, the setting is suitably creepy, the intrigue lasts until the very final page.
I don't want to say too much as most of this book's charm is in the unknowns.
But I loved the automata, the marshes, the chapel, the tower, basically every corner of Point Mote - I could easily see why its residents both loved and feared it.
Very original but still draws on the themes and imagery of some gothic classics - Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, Great Expectations, even Carmilla, etc. (Without leaning too much into the horror side of that genre.)
However I will say, those classics tend to have a deeper meaning that they are getting at. (Probably because they weren't written as particularly historical fiction, for the most part.) I truly loved Bodkin but I didn't really find that deeper meaning here - other than to say Victorian prisons were corrupt, the Victorian elite were manipulative and selfish, etc (not quite new takes). There could've been more to say from the modern perspective about Aphra's situation, for example? That or something similar probably could've pushed it to a 5 star.
I definitely recommended to those who enjoy gothic literature in any case. It's touching, gripping and enjoyable.
4 stars.
August 13, 2026
This is so different from any other book I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it! It was immersive, atmospheric and hauntingly memorable, with so many elements that I know I’ll be thinking about for a long while.
The steampunk elements were both intriguing and wonderfully strange, adding another layer to this already fascinating Victorian world.
Jess Kidd has an incredible imagination and she transports you straight into it through her storytelling with intricate details and wonderfully inventive ideas. I think she captures the ingenuity and inventiveness of the Victorians so brilliantly.
Bodkin is a wonderful main character. She is brave, fearless and resilient- a true member of the strong girls club & a sparky one at that!
The house was fascinating. It felt like a character in its own right, full of secrets, hidden parts and unexpected discoveries. I loved learning more about it alongside Bodkin and uncovering its history bit by bit.
You may think you’ve got it all figured out but there will definitely be a few surprises along the way. I adored this gothic Victorian tale. It was atmospheric, intriguing and just a little bit haunting- everything I wanted from this gothic story and more!
The steampunk elements were both intriguing and wonderfully strange, adding another layer to this already fascinating Victorian world.
Jess Kidd has an incredible imagination and she transports you straight into it through her storytelling with intricate details and wonderfully inventive ideas. I think she captures the ingenuity and inventiveness of the Victorians so brilliantly.
Bodkin is a wonderful main character. She is brave, fearless and resilient- a true member of the strong girls club & a sparky one at that!
The house was fascinating. It felt like a character in its own right, full of secrets, hidden parts and unexpected discoveries. I loved learning more about it alongside Bodkin and uncovering its history bit by bit.
You may think you’ve got it all figured out but there will definitely be a few surprises along the way. I adored this gothic Victorian tale. It was atmospheric, intriguing and just a little bit haunting- everything I wanted from this gothic story and more!
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August 18, 2026A great mix of family intrigue and gothic tale, in Little Spark, Jess Kidd weaves a story both fantastical and enticing.
Bodkin Bell is a conundrum, she doesn’t know where she’s from and has no memory of her past. All she knows is that she’s different, electricity sparks from her body in a most alarming way, cutlery spins and gaslights flare as she passes. She travels with Cornelius who cares for and protects her and in exchange she is his ‘little spark’. That is, until their drawing room ‘act’ goes awry, someone ends up dead and Bodkin is arrested. In a chance in a thousand Bodkin catches the eye of a wealthy philanthropist, a deal is struck and Bodkin is moved to live in a stately home and work off her sentence there.
Enter the shady world that is Point Mote, a world of automata and fantastical creatures, a world full of mystery and intrigue. A world where nothing is as it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed Little Spark, granted I worked out the twist early on in the piece but that didn’t dim my enjoyment. Jess Kidd’s prose meanders and the tension builds slowly until it reaches its crescendo. Thanks to Netgalley for introducing me to the world of Jess Kidd and providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bodkin Bell is a conundrum, she doesn’t know where she’s from and has no memory of her past. All she knows is that she’s different, electricity sparks from her body in a most alarming way, cutlery spins and gaslights flare as she passes. She travels with Cornelius who cares for and protects her and in exchange she is his ‘little spark’. That is, until their drawing room ‘act’ goes awry, someone ends up dead and Bodkin is arrested. In a chance in a thousand Bodkin catches the eye of a wealthy philanthropist, a deal is struck and Bodkin is moved to live in a stately home and work off her sentence there.
Enter the shady world that is Point Mote, a world of automata and fantastical creatures, a world full of mystery and intrigue. A world where nothing is as it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed Little Spark, granted I worked out the twist early on in the piece but that didn’t dim my enjoyment. Jess Kidd’s prose meanders and the tension builds slowly until it reaches its crescendo. Thanks to Netgalley for introducing me to the world of Jess Kidd and providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2026
Loved Loved Loved!!! Jess Kidd does it again!! Creating characters that soon get under your skin as you're so intrigued by them and just want to know more!!
Set in London in the 1880's, we are introduced to Bodkin 'Little Spark' who is travelling round with her 'mentor/master/boss' Cornelius as a kind of novelty/specialty act as she has a rare talent of being able to conduct electricity. She knows she's different but she doesn't know why or how she got this way. And you're immediately intrigued too!
And one day her act goes wrong and a man ends up dead, Cornelius disappears and she's in jail where she's noticed by Lady Haseley, a woman of wealth, who takes her on at Point Mote - a place where all is not as it seems!
she soon meets the strange staff at this strange home, and there's so much to explore and uncover here that you're always wondering just what will happen next. And what goes on there is so out of leftfield that you're full of many more questions as you read! I loved the setting and the different characters you meet along the way and there's a rather dramatic ending that I really enjoyed too! It's just one of those books that has the characters and setting that keeps you guessing! highly recommended!!
Set in London in the 1880's, we are introduced to Bodkin 'Little Spark' who is travelling round with her 'mentor/master/boss' Cornelius as a kind of novelty/specialty act as she has a rare talent of being able to conduct electricity. She knows she's different but she doesn't know why or how she got this way. And you're immediately intrigued too!
And one day her act goes wrong and a man ends up dead, Cornelius disappears and she's in jail where she's noticed by Lady Haseley, a woman of wealth, who takes her on at Point Mote - a place where all is not as it seems!
she soon meets the strange staff at this strange home, and there's so much to explore and uncover here that you're always wondering just what will happen next. And what goes on there is so out of leftfield that you're full of many more questions as you read! I loved the setting and the different characters you meet along the way and there's a rather dramatic ending that I really enjoyed too! It's just one of those books that has the characters and setting that keeps you guessing! highly recommended!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love a Victorian-era, dark Gothic mystery, then this will tick all the boxes! This sinister fairy tale of a story is a little dark and a little disturbing.
The story starts at a good pace then completely draws you in as it gathers momentum. Early on, you find out that our protagonist, Bodkin, can channel electricity and had major surgery as a child. You just know this is somehow linked to the eccentric De Ville family and their eerie 'Point Mote' estate, where they build lifelike mechanical automata. If you are like me, you will think you have the twist figured out early on, but that is just a part of Bodkins story. The actual revelation later was completely unexpected and had me devouring the last few chapters.
I really enjoyed the lyrical prose and discovering whimsical words that I wasn’t familiar with but fitted the story perfectly. In fact, I enjoyed every aspect of the book. Having read Things in Jars and Himself by the same author, I think this is the best I have read so far and it is worthy of five stars!
Thank you Canongate books and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
The story starts at a good pace then completely draws you in as it gathers momentum. Early on, you find out that our protagonist, Bodkin, can channel electricity and had major surgery as a child. You just know this is somehow linked to the eccentric De Ville family and their eerie 'Point Mote' estate, where they build lifelike mechanical automata. If you are like me, you will think you have the twist figured out early on, but that is just a part of Bodkins story. The actual revelation later was completely unexpected and had me devouring the last few chapters.
I really enjoyed the lyrical prose and discovering whimsical words that I wasn’t familiar with but fitted the story perfectly. In fact, I enjoyed every aspect of the book. Having read Things in Jars and Himself by the same author, I think this is the best I have read so far and it is worthy of five stars!
Thank you Canongate books and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
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