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teresaalice's review against another edition
4.0
Ahhh, Jackson Brodie, my old boyfriend of years past. The years haven’t been as kind, or maybe my memory is skewed, because he seems to suddenly love country music and abhor fat people. So, my crush is dead, but the story was still great.
aelwood's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best Jackson Brodie book!! I would recommend reading them in order; but this one definitely ticked all of the boxes: mystery/suspense/history of the character. I got the sense that the author was saying goodbye to the main character and the series, and if that’s the case, I was quite satisfied.
twelfthfox's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
smellslikecake's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
books_inthewild's review against another edition
3.0
My first of this series, book five continues to follow private investigator (ex-military police) Jackson Brodie has he somewhat inadvertently stumbles head first into a terrible crime ring.
The first 1/2 of the book had me so confused, trying to keep up with & connect a lot of different characters. Like a complicated puzzle, a new set of characters are introduced every chapter and you really can’t figure out how they are connected or whether they’re important to the plot.
I found the writing was good, but I just really felt lost and wondered where this story was going. Once the connections started to be made, I skimmed and flipped pages to find out what would happen. I also found the crimes were so horrible that I would flip past many scenes as they were just too upsetting to read.
So although I can appreciate the writing, the depth & uniqueness of the characters, and the great finale of the ending- the rest of the book left me skimming to just finish it.
I think this style of mystery/detective novel just isn’t for me.
The first 1/2 of the book had me so confused, trying to keep up with & connect a lot of different characters. Like a complicated puzzle, a new set of characters are introduced every chapter and you really can’t figure out how they are connected or whether they’re important to the plot.
I found the writing was good, but I just really felt lost and wondered where this story was going. Once the connections started to be made, I skimmed and flipped pages to find out what would happen. I also found the crimes were so horrible that I would flip past many scenes as they were just too upsetting to read.
So although I can appreciate the writing, the depth & uniqueness of the characters, and the great finale of the ending- the rest of the book left me skimming to just finish it.
I think this style of mystery/detective novel just isn’t for me.
mcearl12's review against another edition
4.0
I love Kate Atkinson...and Jackson Brodie. Another well-told story, though it was a bit confusing at first.
samstillreading's review against another edition
5.0
Kate Atkinson is one of the best writers around. Her detail to plot, characterisation and style make all of her books a joy. I’m ashamed I haven’t read all of the Jackson Brodie novels, but I don’t think it makes a difference when it comes to reading Big Sky. It’s a big story with a lot of characters that is easy to follow and enjoy. Fans of the series will rejoice in seeing some familiar faces and new readers will be drawn to the master storytelling.
Big Sky finds Jackson on the English coast sometimes with her son and sometimes babysitting his ex’s dog. He’s still doing private investigator work (mainly cheating partners) and taking a cynical look at life peppered with wisdom from country music. But around Jackson, there is a lot going on. Two young detectives are investigating a historical sexual abuse ring. A chance meeting with a man on a cliff has Jackson involved in a human trafficking ring that also involves one of his new clients, Crystal. At the start, each chapter brings in new characters, situations and history. Each of these threads is very detailed, with Atkinson making sure that the reader knows their Vince from Tommy and Harry from Nathan. She has an uncanny ability to make sure no character, no matter how minor, is forgotten by the reader. There are some particularly memorable characters in this novel. I though Crystal Waters, wife of one of the local big guns, was fantastic. Initially coming across as a plastic trophy wife with all the trimmings, Crystal is revealed to be a shrewd woman determined to protect her daughter and stepson via any means. Stepson Harry also provides a teenager’s view on the seedier side of the pier including a washed up comedian, a drag queen and the dullest theme park in all of Britain. The characters are more of an ensemble cast, with nobody getting unnecessary page time, even Jackson Brodie. This isn’t something I minded, but devotees might lament the lack of Jackson on every page.
As more and more threads are woven into the plot, you can’t help but wonder if and how they will link up. But they all do in a masterful way – and without leaping to any crazy coincidences. It’s the sign of a skilled plotter, it all just works without excess filler or padding. All the plot threads are dutifully tied off, from Jackson down to the most minor of characters. The reader won’t be left wondering what if to any of the plot lines. It also doesn’t sound superfluous which can be difficult to do.
The writing is detailed and enjoyable. If I read a sentence twice, it was to get the full meaning and weight of it, not that I didn’t understand it. Kate Atkinson writes so well that I felt that I needed to read this with care and without distraction as a form of respect. Big Sky is a book worthy of your full attention.
Thank you to Penguin for the ARC. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Big Sky finds Jackson on the English coast sometimes with her son and sometimes babysitting his ex’s dog. He’s still doing private investigator work (mainly cheating partners) and taking a cynical look at life peppered with wisdom from country music. But around Jackson, there is a lot going on. Two young detectives are investigating a historical sexual abuse ring. A chance meeting with a man on a cliff has Jackson involved in a human trafficking ring that also involves one of his new clients, Crystal. At the start, each chapter brings in new characters, situations and history. Each of these threads is very detailed, with Atkinson making sure that the reader knows their Vince from Tommy and Harry from Nathan. She has an uncanny ability to make sure no character, no matter how minor, is forgotten by the reader. There are some particularly memorable characters in this novel. I though Crystal Waters, wife of one of the local big guns, was fantastic. Initially coming across as a plastic trophy wife with all the trimmings, Crystal is revealed to be a shrewd woman determined to protect her daughter and stepson via any means. Stepson Harry also provides a teenager’s view on the seedier side of the pier including a washed up comedian, a drag queen and the dullest theme park in all of Britain. The characters are more of an ensemble cast, with nobody getting unnecessary page time, even Jackson Brodie. This isn’t something I minded, but devotees might lament the lack of Jackson on every page.
As more and more threads are woven into the plot, you can’t help but wonder if and how they will link up. But they all do in a masterful way – and without leaping to any crazy coincidences. It’s the sign of a skilled plotter, it all just works without excess filler or padding. All the plot threads are dutifully tied off, from Jackson down to the most minor of characters. The reader won’t be left wondering what if to any of the plot lines. It also doesn’t sound superfluous which can be difficult to do.
The writing is detailed and enjoyable. If I read a sentence twice, it was to get the full meaning and weight of it, not that I didn’t understand it. Kate Atkinson writes so well that I felt that I needed to read this with care and without distraction as a form of respect. Big Sky is a book worthy of your full attention.
Thank you to Penguin for the ARC. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com