Join Kate Atkinson to talk about STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, our June Book of the Month, on Weds 22 June, 8-9pm

[TillyBookClub]

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 [email protected], 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.

I was so cross at the end of Started Early that it wasn't all resolved, can't bear to leave them in limbo, when is the next book? Don't know about Kate being in love with Jackson, I certainly am. Also loved the dog.

The theme of lost girl children recurs and grows in each book. I wonder where we are going? Can you tell us?

Never done this before. Do we just hang about on this thread and wait for Kate to be here?
So excited!

Have failed to put children to bed yet.

But have to say how much I love Kate Atkinson's books and really enjoyed the talk at York library recently

Evening everyone

I'm thrilled to introduce our immensely talented June Author of the Month, Kate Atkinson. Ever since Bookclub first started, three years ago, armies of Mumsnetters have clamoured for a webchat with Kate, as well as recommending and raving about her consistently excellent novels.

So without further ado (and with much, much pleasure)...

Kate, firstly, thank you very much indeed to taking the time to join us. And congratulations on another bestseller, and on such a gripping, addictive series of books. Perhaps we could kick off with the advance questions from further up the thread? And then we'll aim to get through as many as possible over the next hour.

I'd also like to add two questions:

Which childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give anyone attempting to write fiction?

Just got a message from Kate's publicist to say they are in a hotel room and finding it difficult to get a connection - hopefully we'll have Kate here very soon but there might be a bit of a delay...

He'll, Kate Atkinson here, sorry for the delay - technology!

@Clary

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

Hi Clary
I have no idea! I like him best when he's on his own and slightly miserable

hi kate (hopefully you make it on). i've just recently discovered you as an author - i make the mistake of watching the tv adaptions of the books - i got a bit annoyed when they weren't exactly true to the story. do you have much input to the televised versions? though i do like places i know/travel to every day being used in TV programmes - the back road at bo'ness (where Brodie's car broke down) and all the edinburgh sights.

Hello, just wanted to say Behind the Scenes at the Museum is one of the nest books I have ever read - I am always recommending it to people. Particularly resonant for parents, I think.

Love the Jackson Brodie books although I have not read them all yet. Am very intrigued by Tracy Waterhouse - will we see her again?

best, sorry!

@SixtyFootDoll

Behind the scenes was such a massive success. How did you cope with the pressure of following it up? I love all of your books btw.

Hi there
I'd already half-finished the second book so it wasn't too bad. You just have to get on and do it really

@Sherbert37

I would like to ask if Kate has a border terrier? Her descriptions of the dog are spot on. My lovely girl is JUST like the first description we have of The Ambassador in the park. Border terriers are so clever and funny - they rock!

Hello, no I don't and I really wish I did! You are so lucky...

Have you met Jason Isaacs, Kate - and is he a dish or, as I suspect, maybe a bit too fond of himself?

@Moulesfrites

I absolutely adore Kate Atkinson's books, have read them all except Human Croquet which is on my wish list.

I would like to know, as the plots of her crime novels are generally so complex, to what extent she plans and plots them in advance or to what extent they evolve naturally.

Cathfin, I thought the point about the child was that lots of children in the novel disappear and no one really cares? That was my interpretation.

I do very little advance plotting, although I often wish I did, as I quoits often get half way through and have to go back and unpick everything

@bahookie

hi kate (hopefully you make it on). i've just recently discovered you as an author - i make the mistake of watching the tv adaptions of the books - i got a bit annoyed when they weren't exactly true to the story. do you have much input to the televised versions? though i do like places i know/travel to every day being used in TV programmes - the back road at bo'ness (where Brodie's car broke down) and all the edinburgh sights.

I think with tv you have to remember that it is a very different animal to the books
And make your peace with that. I thought they made a good attempt and Edinburgh looks lovely - and so does Jason

Hello Kate (and publicist). Were you happy with Case Histories on TV? Were you consulted about the casting?

Thanks

@downbutnotout

Hello, just wanted to say Behind the Scenes at the Museum is one of the nest books I have ever read - I am always recommending it to people. Particularly resonant for parents, I think.

Love the Jackson Brodie books although I have not read them all yet. Am very intrigued by Tracy Waterhouse - will we see her again?

Glad you liked Tracy she is one of my favourite characters, but I think her future must remain mysterious

Can I also ask why you switched to writing crime (do you consider yourself a crime writer)? Which other crime writers do you enjoy reading?

@lateforpickup

Hello Kate (and publicist). Were you happy with Case Histories on TV? Were you consulted about the casting? Thanks

@lateforpickup

Hello Kate (and publicist). Were you happy with Case Histories on TV? Were you consulted about the casting? Thanks

Hello! I would say I was 80% happy. On the whole yes I was happy with the casting. I still have doubts about one or two but it would be very wrong of me to say who!

@lateforpickup

Can I also ask why you switched to writing crime (do you consider yourself a crime writer)? Which other crime writers do you enjoy reading?

I just think of myself as a writer, but I do enjoy crime. I likePeterTemple,Megan Abbott, Harlan Coben amongst others

Hi Kate, are we going to read more about Tracy Waterhouse? in the future.? She's such a strong female character I became more interested in her story than in Jackson and I've been a big fan of his since the first book.

Just flagging up the questions from threadworm8, peggoty, BelleEnd, Thatlldopig and CJ Cregg further up thread (starting 20 June) - apologies if you're already onto them...

@concertvirgin

Have you met Jason Isaacs, Kate - and is he a dish or, as I suspect, maybe a bit too fond of himself?

No, he's not full of himself, but he is definitely charismatic.

Sorry Kate, just read previous posts and realised you had answered that one!
Please would you tell us how you discipline yourself to write? I keep reading that many writers have set hours in the day when they knuckle down to work but it must be difficult to be creative to order?

@Threadworm8

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.

Yes it is fountains, I love Fountains Abbey. I visit often although Rievaulx and Jervaux come close joint second for me - beautiful