Mumsnet Talk

June's Book of the Month is the latest Number One bestseller from a much-requested Mumsnet favourite, Kate Atkinson. STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG is the fourth novel to feature former private detective Jackson Brodie. The story also introduces security chief Tracy Waterhouse, whose one moment of madness turns her steady world into a nightmare of fear and panic. As the plot dovetails and twists and weaves together, Jackson (who has spent a lifetime looking for missing people) now begins to learn those people don't always wish to be found.

Transworld are offering 50 copies of STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG to Mumsnetters. To bag your copy before they run out, email your name and address to k.green@transworld-publishers.co.uk, and put Mumsnet in the Subject bar.

We're delighted that Kate will be joining us on Wednesday 22 June, 8-9pm, so don't forget to join us to ask Kate about all her books, how she writes, her experiences of motherhood, what inspires her... See you then.

Wow! I was just wishing for Kate Atkinson after the Maggie O'Farrell bookchat and here is Tilly like a fairy godmother. Shall look forward to this. Loads to discuss. Remarkable book.

Is that Fountains Abbey on the cover of "Started Early ..."? It looks like it. That is a beautiful set of ruins, and funnily enough it is a great place to take your dog.

This book was the read for our gossip over a glass of wine bookclub last month. A great read leading to some of us going back to read the earlier Brodie books.

I've read a couple of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books and have quite enjoyed them. Not a patch on her Behind the Scenes at a Museum, though.

They strike me as novels that have completely internalised the structure of police television dramas. Odd for one form to take on the mores of another form so completely. It is a bit like the robotic style of streetdancing -- real humans trying to approximate the non-fluidity of machines that are trying to approximate to the fluidity of real human movement.

That is a very entertaining and clever way of dancing, though, I suppose, and her books are enjoyable. I never like her novel's climaxes, though: they can never live up to their build-up, and they seem deliberately silly. Her characters seem worth more than her stories give us.

I had the same feeling with the later books in JKRowling's Harry Potter series -- that at some point a switch was turned, and she was writing her image of the films, rather than writing books for their own sake. It is bad enough as a reader having the film adaptation in your head: it must be like an intestinal parasite for the writer. Of course Atkinson is a way way better writer than Rowling though, so the similarity ends there.

The loose threads regarding the child do come across as 'wait for the next instalment'.

Thumbs up to Behind the Scenes definitely.

Am a huge Kate Atkinson, love the Bordie Jackson series.agree they do seem a bit obviously 'made for TV'

Read her earlier detective; looking forward to this one.

are you all only saying that because its recently been announced that they are going to be made into a tv series?

I read the first three and loved them but, I was put off opening the last one after what some people on here had said about it. That it wasnt as good as the first three.

Oh I am so excited

Maggie O'Farrell last night and now Kate Atkinson, you are spoiling us Tilly.

Am going to reread Started Early..

I found it just as good as the first 3 kitkatya, and possibly even sadder. I felt the urge to reread it as soon as I'd finished it.

I dont feel at all that the books are written for TV. For me, its not really about the plots in her books, its the characters and the language. And I think if someone was writing a thriller for TV, plot would be their main consideration. I think a lot of the subtleties of her plots and characters will get lost in translation to TV (but there will be enough left to keep them enjoyable to watch).

Kate Atkinson is fantastic with language, and that facet of her books really sets them apart. If anyone really enjoys her style, and the humour she engages in with her word choices and sentence structuring, "Emotionally Wierd" is a very funny read. Its nothing like the Jackson Brodies or Behind The Scenes in any other way though, not plot-driven, just multi-layered humour in the way she writes the story.

Wow what a treat to have Kate Atkinson on here!! I would love to know which writers have inspired/influenced Kate. I've often thought that Angela carter may be an influence, especially in kate's earlier books? Would she agree with this?

Yay! And yay again! Will come up with some questions pronto.

I didn't know they were being made into TV series. Who will play Brodie? Neil morrissey please?

Very much looking forward to webchat but, but ... nooooooooo! Not Neil Morrissey!

<quickly gags SixtyFootDoll and bundles her into a van>
<drives away to release her beyond the sphere of influence>

This book is very special to me as I read it at a real crisis moment in my life - and it touched so many nerves, I felt Kate was looking over my shoulder... One adorable aspect was the rucksack with list of contents - my daughter does exactly the same thing

This book is very special to me as I read it at a real crisis moment in my life - and it touched so many nerves, I felt Kate was looking over my shoulder... One adorable aspect was the rucksack with list of contents - my daughter does exactly the same thing

I am so happy to see Kate Atkinson here <waves>
hours of fun, and making me laugh like an idiot on public transport, thank you

I love the way you write mothers, unflinching and humane and very funny
BTW I am very happy happy with the choice for telly Brodie, he is fantastic

I will read the book and return for chat

Can anyone let me know whether it matters if you haven't read all the previous Brodie books. I've read the first, have the next 2 but not sure I'll be able to get through 3 books of the same ilk by 22 June. Can it be a stand alone book or should I get reading ?

oh, I have loved all the Jackson Brodie books (although Case Histories will always be my favourite, if only for the sisters. Oh, and Theo, whose story always leaves me in tears.

I adore your books Kate, have been hooked since Behind the scenes, which is one of my go-to books in any times of distress

I will re-read Started early, and try to be here for the web chat!

<excited>

Jason Isaacs is playing Brodie, what do you think to that Kate?
In my minds eye Brodie is much rougher round the edges.

I also like the fact that there are lots of strong female roles .

TV series starts next week, Jason Isaacs as JB. Yum!

I luurve Kate Atkinson, vague claim to fame re her is that she at one time lived in Whibty and I was working on the newspaper there when she won th Whitbread with Behind the Scenes...

Anyway, excited re TV series which I had missed. Case Histories in partic is one of her best. I think you need to read them all tho as there are refs to solutions of earlier ones in later ones if that makes sense.

Meant to say I really want to know if Jackson is ever going to find happiness with someone, anyone?