A good read. Very well written with very likeable characters. One of the author's better books by my reckoning.

Jackson Brodie series, Book 4

Not my favourite of the series. I've really enjoyed Jackson Brodie, but I was a little disappointed with his story line in this book. It seemed more about other characters than him, and I wanted to read more about Jackson and his life.

Loved this book. It was actually a mystery where it wasn't clear who the guilty were, and even what the issues were -- which is how I imagine looking into a mystery would actually be in real life. It was well written, and kept me engrossed when I should have been doing other things. I'm really pleased to have discovered this author.

Set in Leeds, England this is the fourth book in what has become a series of literary crime novels featuring, Jackson Brodie a “semi-retired” private detective. His current client is an adoptee, Hope McMaster, who hires him to search for her roots, as it seems she has sprung from nowhere. Crimes and murders committed in the 1970’s flip to the present where Tracy Waterhouse who like Brodie is a former police officer finds herself entangled in the web of intrigue that ensues. Tracy makes a snap decision that in one rash moment places her on the other side of the law and consequently on the run. Brodie likewise makes a snap decision that is quite out of character when a small dog crosses his path. Atkinson knits together the plots and subplots with extraordinary style, and her sense of humour lurks around the darkness of her themes. Her characters will chill you and thrill you. As a former winner of the Whitbread Award for Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Atkinson has triumphed yet again. You really must read this book.

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Atkinson's characters are interesting, her plot pretty decent, and her sense of humour wonderful. Normally I hate reading a series of books out of order, but I only realized that it was one of a series after it had me hooked. The first two books of this series are definitely going on my "to read" list.

If you haven't discovered Kate Atkinson and you enjoy literary mysteries with engaging characters you're in for a real treat. Start with her first one, Case Histories.

Fans of British author Kate Atkinson will be pleased to know that her latest offering involving the hapless former police detective Jackson Brodie furthers the opinion of this reader that she is an expert at weaving a complex plot involving many flashbacks, a cast of well-developed characters, and twists and turns of fortune. There are outlandish conincidences made landish (if that's a word) with skillful handling, and a pleasing set of recurring characters from earlier Jackson Brodie novels who lend a homey continuity to the story of a nice guy (Brodie, of course) trying to get on with his life despite many disappointments in love, a few near death experiences, as well as the requisite back alley beatings expected when a chap makes a habit of investigating those who wish not to be investigated. Jackson has a knack for stumbling on sleazy doings wherever he ventures. This time it's stolen children past and present, rescued dogs, missing adoption records, a serial murderer, and a corrupt gang of high level police officers. Adding to the mix is someone else named Jackson who seems to be dogging (sorry) our Jackson's steps as he follows the trail for his client, an adoptee searching for her biological parents. As always Atkinson maintains a sympathetic tone tempered with the sardonic: when Jackson's inner dialogue produces his former wife's voice as a running commentary on many of the boneheaded decisions he's made, and the "conversations" the befuddled detective holds with his new dog, one just has to chuckle despite the dire situation. The action is fast paced, the resolutions to all the threads of this tale are satisfactory, and the dog is really, really cute. -Madame Librarian

I enjoyed this book. It is a bit gritty - a mystery set in Yorkshire - one of the Jackson Brodie series. He is a very good character who gets into your head. I have enjoyed all of this series.

Worth reading carefully - after a slow start, the strands intertwine, and it's very easy to miss coincidences and chance. Yes, somewhat Dickensian - Bleak House, perhaps.