Reviews

One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson

merrynhughes's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mushypeasonearth's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

celtic67's review against another edition

4.0

This was a improbable tale. Could it happen? of course not. But sometimes that is what you want in a book. Something to suspend your disbelief; and give you a good time. We'll done Kate I enjoyed the time spent with you and your characters. I will read more.

darcys01's review against another edition

5.0

Enjoy getting back to this series. Jackson Brody is an interesting character and KA spins an intriguing plot. Can't wait to start the next book in the series.

katiebhastings's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

mrsooey's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

thealmightyrat's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rjenks's review against another edition

mysterious

4.0

danib11's review against another edition

3.0

This is a good follow up to Case Histories...I like the writing style and storytelling. I think I probably would've enjoyed it more had I read instead of listened to this one while driving. But, good none the less.

katykelly's review against another edition

4.0

You could read this without knowledge of its predecessor (Case Histories), though it does help to know the backstory to Jackson and Julia a little.

Second in the series, I really liked the first (which I read after seeing the Jason Isaacs TV series), how the plot strand gradually showed connections. Atkinson manages the same trick again and makes each strand interesting.

Starting with a road rage incident there's a shy author, an abrasive comic, a coma-ridden (bent) property mogul, and his wife learning of his indiscretions. As well as some Russian cleaners (potential prostitiutes) and one or two murders.

All are connected by Jackson Brodie, the hugely likeable former detective and army man who seems to be everywhere the police are investigating.

It's very entertaining and concentration is required towards the end as it all hots up and where even Nina Riley, fictional heroine of the shy author's old-fashioned novels narrates briefly.

I listened to this on audiobook and found that format manageable for this type of tale and well narrated. Jackson is a fantastic hero figure, his own life as interesting as the plots around him. I enjoyed Martin (the author's) strand the most of them all, and really like the snippets from the Nina Riley books - spot on pastiche.

My favourite Kate Atkinson is still Life after Life, but I'll look out for the others in this series.