Kate Atkinson continues her Jackson Brodie detective series with another excellent novel, Death at the Sign of the Rook.
With compelling characters and a complex plot this weaves a great story.

Another thoroughly enjoyable story from
Kate Atkinson. A Jackson Brodie story with some of our old favourites. Set in Yorkshire, this is the story of a stolen painting or two (maybe) and a mysterious,
disappearing woman,.

I really loved this story. It was fascinating to learn about lost art but the atmosphere and characterisation are also fabulous - a chapter about people stuck in the snow really shouldn’t have been as entertaining as it was.

It’s five stars from me and I really hope we don’t have to wait too long to read about Jackson, Reggie and (no spoilers) one of the other key characters in this story again.

In the past I have really enjoyed Kate Atkinson's books and I was delighted to receive an ARC of this latest one.

Unfortunately, while I recognise the usual quality of the writing, I was disappointed by this one. I suppose it's because my expectations were high, but I felt the story was a bit disjointed, the plotting somewhat haphazard and the characters flat. And far too much slapstick in the action. I was loosely held rather than gripped by it.

My thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing an ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.

Best of ingredients for a mystery novel: country house, cast of colourful characters, slightly grumpy and often eccentric detective, and some clever twists. Tick to all of those - and this is an enjoyable and fun read.

I always enjoy shadowing the detective Jackson Brodie...!

Having enjoyed all the Jackson Brodie books in the past, I was thrilled to see this, his latest investigation, released last month. And when I had a copy of the book, the sense of anticipation meant that I waited for the perfect moment to settle down with it and start reading the first page. But, for me, it took a while to get into the story proper.

We're introduced to a setting which is very much of the world of the golden age of crime and Agatha Christie. A group of people are looking forward to a murder mystery party in a grand country house, which is now a hotel.

All the characters are described in great detail and it takes a little while to work out what is going on in their lives, and how it will involve Jackson Brodie. Interwoven with their stories is an update on the employment of the great detective.

He is in Yorkshire and his latest job is investigating the disappearance of a painting. One theft leads to another and he eventually finds himself in Burton Makepeace, and the location of the murder mystery party.

It's an intricately plotted book with dense characterisation, but I have to confess that the storyline where Jackson and his fellow detectives appear is what most interested and entertained me. So sometimes I felt he didn't have as big a part to play as I would have liked. But it's good to read a Kate Atkinson again!

Death At The Sign Of The Rook is the sixth installment in Kate Atkinson's acclaimed Jackson Brodie series. When Dorothy Padgett passes away, her twins, Hazel and Ian, enlist Jackson to locate a missing Renaissance-era portrait from her bedroom. Although they claim the painting holds sentimental value, Jackson suspects there’s more to their story, especially regarding the suspicious behavior of Dorothy's carer, Melanie Hope.

As Jackson investigates, he uncovers a series of questionable activities surrounding Melanie, including her use of a burner phone and a fake address. His inquiries into art theft lead him to believe that someone is posing in inconspicuous roles to pilfer valuable artwork. One such theft involves Burton Makepeace House, previously investigated by DC Reggie Chase without success. Jackson’s return to her life is unwelcome; he represents chaos in a world where order is preferred.

Atkinson's plot weaves a modern tapestry of intrigue, including a Murder Mystery Weekend where not everything is as it seems. A snowstorm and a dangerous prison escapee add further layers of tension, reminding Reggie of Jackson's distinction between justice and the law.

What truly shines in Atkinson's work is her character development. The inner monologues are infused with dry British humor, showcasing the complexities of Jackson's narrative and Reggie's struggles with his comments. Characters like Honoria Milton captivate, while Ben and Simon evoke deep emotion. The dialogue is sharp and filled with humor, with moments that provoke genuine laughter.

Atkinson's mastery of language is evident, with vividly descriptive passages that draw the reader in. While prior knowledge of the series enhances the experience, new readers will still find plenty to enjoy. Overall, this novel is a delightful blend of wit, suspense, and character depth.

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My first book by this author and I wasn’t disappointed… time to go back and read all her others. Clever and perfectly paced, readers will be invested until the end!

This is an exhilarating, witty, funny, whodunit. A village full of pensioners, the lady of the manner, a quirky vicar, ungrateful children, entitled grandchildren, a lesbian vet, a war hero, a beekeeper, a crumbling manor house, a mysterious young woman, an art thief, a murder mystery weekend, a couple of murders, a private detective, and a blizzard!...Read it! (And laugh your socks off)

A clever and witty whodunnit from Kate Atkinson, featuring maverick private detective Jackson Brodie. The inter-linked plots feature missing paintings, a country house that has seen better days and a cast of eccentrics that would not be out of place in an Agatha Christie plot. Cleverly structured and highly engaging.

LOVED THIS!
I haven't read Kate's works before and now I am gonna get into her other works. It was fast-paced and had great funny moments and I found it a bit refreshing as I was in a bit of a reading slump.

How Atkinson takes a tired theme and turns it into something else entirely.
I read the blurb for this and if it hadn’t been a Kate Atkinson novel I wouldn’t have bothered. I mean, loads of totally random characters marooned in an old country house by a snowstorm? With a murder mystery performance going on at the same time? Really? How many thousands of times has this been done since Agatha Christie happened?
Well, who’d have thought it – Kate Atkinson can take any hackneyed old thing and turn it into gold.
The grumpy and reluctant Jackson Brodie is, as always a series of surprises (He’s become a grandfather!). His reluctant, and grumpy, friend, Reggie is as delightful as she was when Atkinson first created her. The plot may be farcical but it works and add a couple of stolen paintings and a huge dose of crazy characters and you get a romp that somehow can’t be put down. Almost, you can believe it might happen. And the Brodie character continues to develop in unexpected ways.
I loved it. Do read it 😊 You might have fun.

Jackson Brodie is back and business isn’t booming. He’s pulled into investigating a missing painting and bumps into Reggie Chase along the way. And despite her best efforts gets caught up in his investigations. Jackson. Rosie is still my favourite detective. I really enjoyed the way the stories intertwine to come to an explosive head

Absolutely brilliant book!! For anyone who hasn't read the Jackson Brodie books, he's a former police officer turned private detective and each book has been better than the last. Full of twists and turns and a fair share of Jackson's own drama, it's both easy to read and gripping at the same time. Best enjoyed as part of the ongoing story rather than stand alone in my opinion. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Kate Atkinson, Transworld and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the various characters and thought they were beautifully brought to life on the pages. The plot was entertaining and full of humour. I did enjoy reading this book even though I found it a touch confusing at times with the different scenarios but that greatly improved once it all started to become entwined.

I have loved all of Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie books, but was a bit disappointed by this one. It definitely took me a good while to get into it, and I feel like there wasn't enough character development. They all felt a bit one dimensional, including Jackson. I am sure it will still go on to sell masses, but wasn't the one for me. Thanks to Transworld and Netgalley for the ARC.

In a span of approximately two years, two paintings have mysteriously vanished from separate locations. One was an artwork of unknown origin, and the circumstances surrounding its disappearance, as well as the subsequent actions of the family involved, raise concerns. The other painting was a highly valuable Turner. Notably, these disappearances share a common thread: a woman who vanished simultaneously with the paintings. Information about her identity remains elusive, and her references have proven to be false.

Then there is a murder mystery weekend that features an eclectic cast of characters. A horrendous snowstorm and
Soon people start dropping dead (literally!)

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some parts were quite humorous and farcical, but overall it felt somewhat disjointed to me. I know I'm in the minority here, but unfortunately, this one didn't do it for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I know Kate Atkinson is brilliant so I’m going to have to take the blame for not liking this book. Maybe I just didn’t try hard enough to keep all the many characters in my head or perhaps the time shift was just a step too far for me. Whatever the reason I was totally lost somewhere around the half way mark.

Another cleverly plotted novel from Kate Atkinson, this time involving fine art theft, a crumbling stately home and a murder mystery party. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, one of whom goes by several names, so the reader does need to concentrate a bit (Don't read it when you're tired!!). That being said, it is another triumph and has made me want to go back and re-read all of the Jackson Brodie books. As always, highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this novel, even though there were a lot of characters and scenarios involved, so you have to concentrate at times . I found the middle of the book slowed down a bit, but the writing was both whimsical and also comedic at times - another great book from Kate Atkinson. Thoroughly recommended.

It's been a while since I read a Jackson Brodie story so it was lovely to catch up with him. This is absolutely delightful, silly in places, a gentle humour running all the way through and a great cast of characters.