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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
Jackson is not a man suited to retirement (and being in his 40’s he is way to young to do nothing) so he is secretly thrilled when he runs into trouble at the Edinburgh Festival.
Like the matryoshka dolls found in one of the character’s homes, this series consist of layers within layers, adventures in adventures, secrets inside more secrets. All the characters in this story are linked in some way and as the tale progresses you see the threads connecting.
Kate Atkinson shines with this type of writing.
The story is also at times quite funny but not in a slap stick way. More in a British apologetically accidental way.
The only thing I think the story could have done with a little less was Martin’s obsessive and elaborate daydreams about a fictitious perfect wife, kids, and little house in the countryside. But that did not kill my enjoyment of the overall story.
Full of gangsters with big dogs, dodgy housing estates, Russians, jilted wives, thespians and of course murder.
Recommended for anyone wanting to read a smart, well written and interesting crime series.
Jackson is not a man suited to retirement (and being in his 40’s he is way to young to do nothing) so he is secretly thrilled when he runs into trouble at the Edinburgh Festival.
Like the matryoshka dolls found in one of the character’s homes, this series consist of layers within layers, adventures in adventures, secrets inside more secrets. All the characters in this story are linked in some way and as the tale progresses you see the threads connecting.
Kate Atkinson shines with this type of writing.
The story is also at times quite funny but not in a slap stick way. More in a British apologetically accidental way.
The only thing I think the story could have done with a little less was Martin’s obsessive and elaborate daydreams about a fictitious perfect wife, kids, and little house in the countryside. But that did not kill my enjoyment of the overall story.
Full of gangsters with big dogs, dodgy housing estates, Russians, jilted wives, thespians and of course murder.
Recommended for anyone wanting to read a smart, well written and interesting crime series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read Case Histories a thought it was pretty ok, so I picked up the next one and wasn't feeling it. Something in Kate's writing that makes me want to say "just get to I already!" I know the set up is key to get to that point, but it just seems to drag. Maybe I'll give it a chance again sometime down the road.
it took about 100 pages or so for this book to really pick up and be enjoyable
before then the characters are all isolated and honestly, a bit boring
the descriptions are long and drawn out
then as the characters start to interact and the plot's "mysteries" unravels the pace picks up and the book is more enjoyable
it's still pretty predictable - you'll know who did what long before the 'surprise' ending
but not a bad read
before then the characters are all isolated and honestly, a bit boring
the descriptions are long and drawn out
then as the characters start to interact and the plot's "mysteries" unravels the pace picks up and the book is more enjoyable
it's still pretty predictable - you'll know who did what long before the 'surprise' ending
but not a bad read
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The second of Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie detective series. I Quite liked this, Brodie is a great character and Atkinson knows how to populate a novel with fascinating characters. Some good fun detective work in Brodie stories.
medium-paced
Really more a 3.5. I think if I hadn’t listened to it and read it, I would have been better able to keep all the intertwining threads straight. It was a good story but a little confusing to listen to.
Wow. Every book I read of hers is better than the last...