Death at the Sign of the Rook is Kate Atkinson’s sixth book in the Jackson Brodie series. Have you read any of the others, and if so, how does this one compare? What do you like most about the series?
I have read to books by Atkinson. Behind the Scenes of a Museum was a favorite. Life after Life had great character, but it was a little confusing, I bought the book
not know it was what it was. I did not like it until a couple months later. It was discussed in a friend book group. The incites of the member helped me apricate it.
This being said, I read to relax. I dont want to have to think to hard as I read. I really like the h use of humor in the book. I also like the way Atkinson uses words. I am glad I have now been exposed to this series. I will read more
I read Life After Life which I enjoyed. This was my first Jackson Brodie book, and judging by my reaction to it, I don’t think I will read any more in the series.
This was my first Kate Atkinson book … although I did not much care for it, I will try her first Brodie book as that seems to have gotten much better reviews.
I read Case Histories and was hooked. I love the way Atkinson takes readers down rabbit holes of each character, I appreciate the different POVs, too.
Heck, many of us break the law every time we get behind the wheel! There aren’t many out there who actually drive the speed limit.
That said, I think when a real crime is involved, people need to be very careful about how they obtain evidence since going about it wrong could allow a guilty person to go free. (I obviously watch way too much CSI.)
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Atkinson is a favorite author. And I’ve read most of the Brodie series, but long ago. This book makes me want to reread in order. Brodie was such an interested detective, and I loved the scottish settings, especially around Edinburgh, but he always had such harsh luck with relationships, that got frustrating. And in hindsight, I realize Atkinson writes more about character than the topic in hand. I have her short story collection and plan to read that next.
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It is my first Jackson Brodie book. I was a bit confused at first, since there was no introduction, however brief, to Jackson when he first appeared, which would have been quite useful to me. As it is, after finishing the book, I still don’t feel that I have full background on him.
Also, there is something about the writing style that I’ve never seen before in a book, and I don’t care for. It seems as if most of the characters can read minds. I’m referring to how a character will be thinking about something, and other characters will respond to the thoughts, as though they are spoken. This happens mostly with Jackson, but not exclusively. This happened so many times in the book that I ceased to be surprised by it, but I found it to be quite annoying. I don’t think character’s thoughts and spoken words are at all equivalent.
I’m a first time Kate Atkinson reader. I wasn’t all that pleased with this selection, but I liked Jackson Brodie so I’ll pick up another (probably the first of the series) to try again. He did not make a large appearance and got somewhat lost in the cast of characters but it was nice to see a more mature perspective thread running through the confusing mixture of character and storyline. Before I read this thread, I hadn’t thought of reading another, so consider me influenced by my fellow book browsers, ready to give it another go.
I liked the way Atkinson really gets into each character. Though I have to admit that I felt that there were too many characters. Though her writing style is interesting, I found it difficult to to hop around as she did. I probably won’t be reading more of Kate Atkinson’s books
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I’ve read all the Jackson Brodie books. This one is a little different format, as it is meant to be a tribute to classic whodunits, like Agatha Christies’. It still has Atkinson’s brilliant writing, and witty, often acerbic observations
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I hope some of you in this discussion will rethink your desire to read more of Kate Atkinson. Start with some of her earlier books with Jackson Brodie where he really is the main character and stories rotate around him more. I have trouble believing that he is now over 60 and probably not as fun as he was in earlier books, but try out at least one of the first ones. Ms Atkinson always has fun with words and characters.
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I’ve read other Kate Atkinson books, but this is my first Jackson Brodie book. Now I can’t wait to read the rest!
I read her Transcription and really enjoyed her main character and the plot line. I read the first in the Jackson Brodie series but not enough to come back to it. I honestly am reading this one because of the cover!
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Hi there! I read Case Histories when it first came out and loved it. I could hardly believe Rook was by the same author. I lost patience but kept paying attention to the background stories of the “main” characters. But. I was really annoyed when the actors showed up. I got lost somewhere along the way. And probably still remain so.
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I agree with your point about the author’s use of words. Some delicious tidbits.