Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
by Jenners • 09/25/2010 • 4.5 Stars, A Authors, C Titles, Fiction, Mystery/Thriller • 42 Comments
- Setting: London, England, present day
- Jackson Brodie is an ex-cop turned private detective. He’s bitter about his recent divorce and his downgrade to part-time dad for his little girl Marlee. Yet despite the anger at his ex-wife and her new husband, Brodie is a softie. (He’s working pro bono trying to find a black cat with a most unfortunate name for an eccentric old widow.) He’s also quite attractive to the ladies―evidenced by the fact that several of his female clients are as interested in him romantically as they are in his services. But lately, Brodie has a bit of a problem―someone keeps trying to kill him.
- Brodie’s clients are a diverse bunch. We have the quarreling, eccentric pair of sisters, Amelia and Julia, who are seeking Brodie’s help in locating their beloved baby sister who disappeared mysteriously when she was only 3 years old. We also meet Theo―an overweight sad sack of a man who cannot move past the murder of his beloved daughter more than 10 years earlier by a killer who was never found. Finally, we meet a woman who wants to locate her long-lost sister―a woman with a past she wants to keep hidden at all costs.
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- I liked how Atkinson structured the book. At the beginning, we’re presented with three case histories that tell us about crimes that were committed in 1970 (A Family Plot), 1994 (Just A Normal Day) and 1979 (Everything from Duty, Nothing from Love). Each case history is about 10 or so pages and plunges you directly into a story about a time when things went terribly, horribly wrong. Yet in just those few pages, Atkinson creates an amazingly detailed sketch of the dynamics and personalities involved. I was amazed how quickly I was drawn into these case histories―I wanted to know more! But then Atkinson introduces Jackson Brodie, and we begin to get involved with his life. At first, I was a little confused about what was happening, but once it started coming together, I fell in love with this approach. Along with Jackson, we keep finding out a bit more about each case history―with Atkinson writing each chapter from a different character’s point of view.
- Atkinson has a wonderful sense of humor that permeates the entire book. Despite stories dealing with sad and awful things, I found myself frequently laughing out loud. (In a way, the tone of the book reminded me of Catherine O’Flynn’s novels, What Was Lost and The News Where You Are.) I particularly got a kick out of the relationship between Julia and Amelia. The dynamics between those two were endlessly amusing. I love how Atkinson managed to write both a gripping mystery book while also taking the time to develop her characters and giving them personalities and lives. It makes a much more interesting read than just working your way through a heavily plotted mystery.
- I loved how Atkinson ended the book―particularly since it leaves the door wide open for a sequel (which, lucky for me, was already published as One Good Turn. And yes, I already have it!) I got quite attached to Jackson and some of the other characters so I was excited to learn that this wasn’t the end of line for them. Plus, Atkinson tosses Brodie a rather large bone that just opens up the possibilities for the second book.
- Although I like the realism of having a detective working multiple cases at once (just like it would be in real life), naturally some of the cases/story lines worked better for me than others. Of the three case histories, I thought the one dealing with Caroline was the least effective and compelling―most likely because it was the most isolated of the three stories and felt almost unresolved at the end. Yet it is minor complaint, and it shouldn’t really stop you from reading this book.
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 4.5 stars. I just loved this book to pieces. It isn’t often that you find a novel that skillfully weaves together several mysteries, presents a diverse array of interesting and flawed characters, and has just the right combination of humor and wit to make it a pleasure to read. This was an immensely satisfying read, and I’d highly recommend it to just about anyone! Kate Atkinson … come on down! You’ve just earned a place on my favorite author list!
The Whys and Wheres: I’d gotten this book from Paperback Swap a while back based on someone’s recommendation (I’m not sure who .. but whoever you are, thank you!) Then it kind of languished on my bookshelves and I forgot about it. Then my pal Michael5000 (AKA Mr. Debbie Downer) mentioned how much he enjoyed Kate Atkinson so I picked it up and read it. I’m so glad I did so thanks for the kick in the behind on this one, M5K! I owe you!
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Great review. I absolutely love Atkinson’s writing. Her sense of irony in even the most cruel situations makes her intense plotting actually readable, without needing a complete lobotomy after finishing the book. Her characters are also incredibly real; I felt like I knew each one after only a few paragraphs of their section of the narrative. All in all, my favorite of the Jackson Brodie series (so far) is “When Will There Be Good News?”, the 3rd in the series.
- Alyssa of Redhead Heroines
Book Review of “Case Histories” by Kate Atkinson
I’m excited to move on with the series. Finding Atkinson was like hitting a little goldmine … her sense of humor and wit made them a cut above the rest of the books in this genre. Can’t wait to read your review … and get to Book 3!
This one is sitting on a shelf on loan from my mother. Exactly when am I going to find the time to read all of these books when the baby comes? When he or she goes to school? Will it be that long?!
It might be that long! Actually, you can probably read the first year when they are immobile. It is when they start moving that it gets tricky! : )
I just love the new blog! AND…I finally added it to by blogroll. Seems I’m lazy about updating that. You’re there now where you belong.
OK … I guess I don’t have to send you fine then. Whew!
I just ordered this from paperbackswap! Thanks for the recommend!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I’ve read this! It’s the only book by this author I’ve ever read and I just wasn’t too impressed. I think it was because I just wasn’t in the mood for it at the time or something because everyone else seems to really love it.
Or maybe it just wasn’t for you. I always feel like I’m missing something if I don’t really care for a book that everyone else likes … but hey, not every book is for every person!
Okay, I am a sucker for a good mystery and if there’s some humor thrown in, I’m there! Kate Atkinson is a new author for me to discover. Thanks Jenners!
I think you’ll really enjoy her. She was a great discovery for me too!
Be still my heart, a detective who chases after lost kitties for elderly widows…I knew I wanted to read this book.
I’m excited that this book has some LOL passages which is rather a raity in mystery/suspense books. I like the idea of a few different cases, too because its more realistic and if you don’t particularly care for one case you have others to try.
Great review, Jenners. I’ve got to get this book!
~ Amy
Be sure to enter my October giveaway … it will be in there!
I freaking LOVE Kate Atkinson and the Jackson Brodie books. I’m delighted that
you got this one rightwe share this enthusiasm!Since I totally owe you for turning me on to Kate Atkinson, I will overlook your strikethrough insult!
Sounds like a good read! I’m starting a list of good books for when my piles of grading diminish, so I’ll keep this one in mind. Thanks!
Here’s to a grading pile that disappears rapidly!
I am glad you liked this one so much. I have wanted to read it for awhile, but I feel like the reviews have been kind of mixed so far.
Well, consider this an unreserved recommendation!
I am a sucker for a great sense of humor. Sounds like a winner.
I think you’d love this one (but it lacks lighthouses so it isn’t perfect.)
no lighthouses? forget it!
I loved this book too. I read it when it first came out but haven’t read its sequel yet. Maybe I’ll just have to do something about that.
I think you ought to do something about it too! : )
This does sound good – I’m not familiar with Kate Atkinson but will check out the library.
I hadn’t heard of her either … but I think she deserves a wider readership. Hope you can find the book.
Well you’ve convinced me. I love mysteries, and this sounds really good! I think it will have to go on my TBR list.
It is really really good … I think you’ll love it. Be sure to check out my October giveaway (hint hint).
This sounds very interesting. You are right in that most mysteries don’t have a lot of character development, at least not the ones I have read. Adding this to the tbr. Thanks Jenners.
As much as I love a good mystery, it is tons better when the characters have real lives and personalities.
High praise indeed. It sounds like this was expertly woven, as you say something that is quite rare especially when homour is added to the mix.
It really was neat how she managed to weave in three different cases and make them come together in unexpected ways … all while making you laugh.
I must get round to reading some of Atkinson’s books.
Yes … you must! : )
I’ve only read one of her books, and loved it to pieces too. I too like Brodie, I cast him as Tom Selleck, but you could cast his as Robert Pattison (from Twilight). I’ll be watching for this one. Thanks.
I know … wasn’t it so good! I’m definitely going to read everything she’s written. I just love when you find a new author that you love!
I loved this book to pieces as well. I read it years and years ago, and what is funny is that I don’t remember the humor! It was the ending, and how things dovetailed together, and the sobriety of it all, that stuck with me. I really need to read more from this lady.
I knew you would love this book too! We seem to like similar things. I can’t wait to read the follow-up.
This is one of those books that I picked up second-hand, not knowing what it was about but thinking it looked promising, then filed it on a shelf and promptly forgot about. Yes, it’s still sitting there. And I’m reading your description of it and thinking, “Hey, that sounds really great!”…and had I picked it up off my shelf, I would have known that. ha.
Pick it up now … and read it!