New Kate Atkinson- Started early,took my dog

[Deaddei]

Really enjoying it. She has a wicked sense of humour.

I downloaded the Kindle version this week (was cheaper than paperback)and am looking forward to reading it as I enjoyed the previous 3 Jackson Brodie books.

It didn't do it for me, sadly - I found it quite tedious tbh. A shame because the title was good and the cover was v pretty! :)

saw this in bookshop last week - noticed the title

deaddei tell me a little bit about it please - who's she like?

I am a Kate Atkinson fan but I thought it was weaker than her previous Jackson Brodie books. The writing style was a bit strange at times. Some parts (forced jokes, slightly cheesy phrases) very much reminded me of a novel I wrote myself when I was 16, so not really the best literary writing! Still, it did keep me gripped and wanting to know what would happen and how everything fitted together. I found the ending a bit frustrating as we didn't find out what actually happened to Kelly Cross or what was with the Africa birthmark.

I've just finished it, thought it was OK, some good bits but it felt like everything was resolved really quickly in the end. Agree that the other Jackson Brodie books were better.

One thing that I think I've missed the point of completely - was Courteney Kelly Cross's child or not?

Absolutely loved it. I didnt mind the unfinished threads (I dont think we have any definate answer on the littel girl's parentage) as Kate Atkinson does tend tocarry over threads to the next Jackson Brodie.

Looking forward to the TV series, I think theyve made an excellent choice casting Jason Isaacs as Jackson.

Jason Isaacs? Noooooo it should be Rufus Sewell looking a bit unkempt!

Is there really going to be a tv series? will they do all the books?
I like the idea of Jason Isaacs as well.
I love Kate Atkinson, I hope a tv series will do her justice.

whats Jason Issacs been in? oh, I dont know I always thought of him as a young Al Pacino!!

I was a bit confused by the ending as well. If you aren't meant to know, then that is ok, thought I had missed something.

What are the previous Jackson Bodie books and in what order? I have this book but did not realise it was part of a series. Thanks.

Case Histories
One Good Turn
When Will There Be Good News
I think Case Histories was the first, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Did anyone think the bit where she gives the kid a gregge sausage roll indicated a mumsnetter?

I enjoyed reading this, but was a leetle bit disappointed - not as strong as the other JB books.

I absolutely loved 'When will there be good news?' - although harrowing - the characters were just brilliant. I didn't think this book stood up that well in comparison.

The flashbacks to the 70s with the bent coppers all shagging the prostitutes etc were just depressing.

Didn't like the Tilly character at all. Pointless.

I liked the bits with Jackson and the dog because I have a border terrier

I am a bit that there's going to be a tv adaptation because I will be compelled to watch it and then it will probably all be spoiled. The characters never look or act "right".

I wasn't bowled over by it. However, quite enjoyed all the leeds references - I was brought up there in 70s and 80s, but not in quite the same part of town!

Another border terrier owner here. Could just imagine the little dog and all his antics. Found the rest a bit heavy going in places but that might have been because I could only read a few pages before falling asleep at night. Will re read on holiday in the summer.

I went to see her speak a while back and apparently this will be the last JB novel - so those loose ends will stay loose!

I just thought it was too long. I agree the Tilly episodes were indulgent and had nothing to do with the plot. KA obviously just liked her and wanted to chart her dementia.

By the time we got to Whitby and the guest house I was getting disappointed and that part didn't really add to the story. KA obviously wanted to get round more of Yorkshire. Tracy was an interesting character, but Courtney was very strange and far too compliant with all the action - waving her wand and looking enigmatic!

No, don't tell me this is the last JB novel! I really liked it and then went back and read the whole series. On second reading I quite liked the Tilly episodes, thought they were well written.

Isn't Jason Isaacs Lucius Malfoy?

I luuuurve Jackson Brodie but I'm having a hard time getting into this one so far. Usually this series grabs me almost instantly.

I'm in the middle of this at the moment. I loved the others but this seems to be a bit waffly and plotfee. I am still hoping it all comes together.....

I enjoyed it, but I like Border Terriers and I live in Yorkshire so that may have contributed.

Disappointed to hear she doesn't plan to write any more Jackson novels, I was unsure at first, having enjoyed her early stuff, but came to really love these.

Jason Isaacs is too posh. Rufus Sewell is WAY too posh! It needs to be someone from Barnsley, Sheffield or the Five Towns area...Jackson is so from Mexborough or Featherstone or somewhere.

Have to chip in here and say I loved it - far stronger, I thought, than 'When Will There be Good News?', which was just rammed with impossible coincidences. I can quite see that it might have been her farewell to Jackson Brodie, though, as it's so elegiac. The whole theme of regrets and changing things in your life (or not being able to) was perfect. It was incredibly sad but as ever she does humour (and, specifically, deadpan Northern humour) quite wonderfully.

Ooh, I thought the same as BellaBear about the Greggs sausage roll. I enjoyed the book, not sure it's my favourite. I like Jason Isaacs so happy with that.

Loved "Case Histories" and "One Good Turn". Found the next two in the series weren't as absorbing.

Anyone know when the TV series starts?