I was very excited to read the new Atkinson novel, and in it, Jackson Brody returns in this Agatha Christie-esque over of stolen paintings. I say 'Agatha Christie-esque' but there's more to it than that: super-sharp wit and often laugh-out-loud observations about characters, and yet it's still a literary novel. How could it not be, what with it having been written by Atkinson?

Though the plot is about stolen paintings, Atkinson uses her narrative to lean against the idea of the bizarreness of the aristocracy and Jackson Brodie's wry observations are filtered through this excellent, and compelling narrative.

Highly recommended, and my thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the arc.

Death at the sign of the rook is book six in the Jackson Brodie series and is well worth the wait. The story begins with Jackson taking on a new case where a painting has been stolen from a recently deceased woman, and her children suspect their mother’s missing care worker to be the main suspect. We are then introduced to a variety of characters alongside Jackson’s investigation. These include Lady Milton of Burton Makepeace, a stately home that has seen better days, a Vicar, a retired army captain as well as other characters from previous books.
As the novel progresses the characters meet in an unlikely scenario before the situation escalates, resulting in a murder.
This is yet another fantastic book from Kate Atkinson who creates drama, mystery and humour in all her characters and narratives leaving the reader bereft when the final page has been read. Highly recommended.

Hurrah! Jackson Brodie is back – always a cause for celebration. ‘Death at the Sign of the Rook’ is the sixth in this series and Kate Atkinson gives us another comedic puzzle to solve as Jackson is employed to track down a rare painting The Woman with a Weasel, helped somewhat unwillingly by his friend DC Reggie Chase.
Atkinson clearly revels in taking time-worn Golden Age detective tropes – the crumbling stately home, the stock characters of vicar, wealthy American, haughty dowager, butler etc - and using them to depict a murder mystery entertainment weekend co-existing alongside the real thing! It’s great fun whilst also allowing the reader the satisfaction of trying to work out what has really been going on.
It's also fascinating to learn something of art theft, insurance and fraud. Jackson comes to understand that ‘…art is kidnapped and held to ransom. Sometimes the owners, but usually the insurance companies, quietly paid up in the form of a reward or a finder’s fee via shadowy middlemen…’. Is this what’s happening here?
By the end of the novel, all the loose ends have been tied up satisfactorily without any suggestion that Jackson’s days as a private investigator have come to an end. Great relief! Let’s hope he’s back soon with Reggie nearby. We’re enjoying the current spring in her step!
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Always good to re-acquaint with previously loved characters and nice to see Jackson Brodie hasn't mellowed with age although definitely getting some Victor Meldrew tendencies now.

Written with often understated wit and humour this is an engaging read and even if you've never read any of the previous stories, there's no need to enjoy this on it's own merits.

Another 5 star book from Kate.

It's always a delight to see a new Jackson Brodie book. While this doesn't hit the heights of his younger, more bad-ass incarnations ('When Will There Be Good News' is my favourite for the balance of philosophy, comedy and action and also the plot I remember most clearly after many years) there's a reason for that - after all, Jackson is now a grandad, even if he does have a macho jeep with, all right, heated seats...

Even though he's escaped babysitting duty, Jackson can't resist the urge to come to the aid of damsels in distress. The women who may need him, albeit briefly, are Reggie Chase, who some might remember from the earlier novels, and Alice Smithson, the daughter of one of Jackson's clients, who is trapped in an abusive marriage and may have something to do with the theft of the painting at the heart of the plot, Woman with a Weasel. (Or a pine marten, no one's sure).

The stakes get higher with the introduction of Simon Cate, a vicar whose feelings of guilt and hypocrisy have rendered him mute, and Ben Jennings, who was carried out of Helmand without one leg and is struggling to see the point of life in the country with his sweet lesbian sister Fran, her wife George and a selection of moth-eaten animals.

When a troupe of amateur actors (including their 'cancelled by the woke brigade' director) rock up at the local hall, madness ensues as the snow comes down and there's an actual escaped criminal on the loose. Vintage Jackson, though as usual he doesn't have that much to do with the plot - chaos (and women from his past - the ending shouldn't surprise anyone who's been waiting for it) always seem to find him.

Death at the Sign of The Rook is the sixth outing for Jackson Brodie and what a joy it is.
The first chapter could be straight out of a crime novel from the ‘golden age’ of detective fiction until I realized the author was gently poking fun at the genre, (which she continues to do throughout the book). In particular the portrayal of the eccentric family and retainers at Burton Makepiece House, headed by Lady Milton.
We then get to know the backgrounds of other main characters interspersed with the actions of our kind hearted but cynical private investigator Jackson Brodie, who has been thrust headlong into the murky world of stolen art, reluctantly assisted by his old friend DC Reggie Chase.
I like the way Kate Atkinson portrays her characters unspoken thoughts, so funny, particularly the ‘Pop up Court of Women’ who sigh at Jackson’s misogynistic tendencies.
Just when you think you can see where the plot’s going it goes whizzing off in another direction in this case aided by a severe snowstorm that cuts off Burton Makepiece.
As usual with Kate Atkinson’s writing there are sections, particularly for me when the Murder Mystery event got going, where I was doubled up with laughter, and that’s another thing, underneath her sardonic clever humour there are always undertones of sadness from unresolved events from Jackson Brodie’s past.
Like previous books in this series come along for the ride, you’ll love it!

Many thanks to Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an ARC

Thoroughly enjoyable plot with several strands, which all culminate in a country house murder mystery weekend. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys good mysteries, especially as well-written as this. Jackson Brodie is hired to find a missing painting with a suspect provenance that disappeared along with a carer. This leads to other similar cases of vanishing masterpieces. Is there a connection? You must read it!

With thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Digital for an ARC.

Kate Atkinson is the master (mistress?) of the inner dialogue and writes with a quiet wit which sings from every page. I love Jackson Brodie ( what’s not to love?) and this romp through the minefields of art theft, upper-class entitlement and comfy crime novels is a joy from start to finish. A book you can’t stop reading but never want to finish! A masterpiece,

I’ve not read any of this series of Jackson Brodie books by Kate Atkinson before, but I’m a big fan of her other writing.so requested it when I saw it was on NetGalley uk

The death from the title when it comes is quite as shock totally unexpected , rather incongruous with the general theme is the book, which feels rather like a Agatha Christie flippant and fun
The way that the fictitious murder mystery intertwines with the real stories is amusing and the ending is suitably mad cap
Kate Atkinson is a fabulous author, and you know when you really want her books that you’re in for a fun read this book was exactly that.

I regally copy on Natalie , UK. The book is published in the UK on. 29th of August 2024 by random house, UK Transworld publishers.
This review will appear on NetGalley, UK, Goodreads and my book, blog, bionicsarahs books.wordpress.com after publication it will also appear on Amazon, UK

It is such a joy to back in Jackson Brodie’s world, teaming up again with Reggie Chase, and not just in their world of crime-solving but in their heads. Their inner thoughts and comments on the people they meet, and particularly on each other, are so much fun. Reggie has a constant nagging voice in her head, that of ‘know-it-all’ Brodie, and Brodie has his ‘Court of Women, Judge Julia, his ex, presiding’ commenting on his every word and deed. The author’s sly wit and observation shine throughout.

The author has fun, too, with faded aristocracy, bickering families and high jinks in the art world. The ‘Makepeace Players’ are a hoot - a theatrical outfit trying to put on a murder mystery event with an ever-decreasing cast, so absorbed in their own company that they are largely oblivious to the real murders and mayhem going on around them.

I don’t think it would be necessary to have read the previous Jackson Brodie novels to enjoy this one, but newcomers would be sure to want to get their hands on the earlier ones as soon as they finished it. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Doubleday via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

When will there be good news? Well, here's some to start with: Kate Atkinson has long been one of our wittiest and most readable novelists and she's back on winning form in this, her latest book which is out this summer. By my reckoning this is Atkinson's thirteenth novel overall (since 1995's excellent Behind The Scenes At The Museum) and her sixth book to feature her hero, detective favourite, Jackson Brodie (yes, he's back too !) On this evidence, Atkinson's storytelling skills which here incorporate a missing painting storyline, a host of entertaining and interesting characters and a clever send-up of traditional Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries are as sharp as ever..
In short, purchase, read and enjoy.

A new Kate Atkinson book is always an event- the last two years we've had the Shrines of Gaiety ( Period 1920s Drama) and Normal Rule Don't Apply ( Short Stories) - both superb.

Now is the return of Jackson Brodie- the sixth in the private investigator/crime series - Death at the Sign of the Rook- always a delight!
From start to finish, this is a wonderfully fast paced, comedic, thought-provoking, eclectic crime read.

Jackson Brodie- "a mess, a tsunami that would have defeated Marie Kondo" - returns in his own inimitable style - his world weary cynicism as sharp as a knife and humour that is so, so wry. This is crime fiction but not in the traditional sense- this is a literary novel that just happens to feature a crime/s within the plot. Jackson is reunited with DC Reggie Chase - the counterplay between them is wonderful but done with a hidden respect.

Kate Atkinson's fantastical imagination is second to none and the descriptions of the minutiae within people's lives is what makes her books pure joy. Every foible or eccentricity is laid bare ( from prayer groups, to the world of white sofas,, undertakers, confused vicars, a truly quirky Lady of the manor and drama groups- nothing is safe from her exacting eye for details) The inner thoughts of characters- major and minor- are exposed with such vividness that it's impossible not to laugh outlaid on occasions.

The plot evolves around the theft of two stolen works of art and the inhabitants and locals of the Burton make peace estate. the dying aristocracy is lampooned beautifully. There is also a clear nod to the cosy crime world of fiction and this also comes under the microscope/dissection of Kate Atkinson with a clear sense of irony.

A cast of unforgettable characters and the actions/interactions of Brodie and Chase make for Death at he Sign of the Rook an unforgettable read.
A triumph from start to finish-once started I couldn't put it down - thank you Kate Atkinson- an absolute winner .

A new Jackson Brodie novel is always a cause for joy and celebration and this is no exception. Kate Atkinson's wonderful trademark combination of internal voice and external conversation is there, Jackson Brodie is his usual wonderful self (complete with his internal Court of Women), familiar characters make a return. The plot is fun, a sort of semi-pastiche of Downton/ closed house murder tropes and - as usual - you won't put it down but be disappointed when it ends. A joy from start to finish.

I am a Jackson Brodie fan for life and this book hit all my pleasure centers. Kate Atkinson is so good at the literary mystery, and it was a delight to be reunited with Jackson, Reggie, and some other cameos, as well as to meet some new characters (Lady Milton was my favorite). It is accessible for new readers but fans of the series will also be well served, I think.

For those who’ve yet to read Atkinson’s crime series or watch Jason Isacc’s brilliant portrayal of Jackson Brodie in the BBC’s adaptations, he’s an ex-policeman turned private investigator with a fondness for dogs, a deep suspicion of the middle classes and a sense of justice which doesn’t balk at the summary kind. This latest episode sees him investigating the theft of a painting with a distinctly cloudy provenance, caught up in a country house murder mystery weekend in the middle of a blizzard and teaming up again with Reggie, his reluctant chief inspector ally.

Atkinson seems to have had a lot of fun writing this one. The aristocracy are satisfyingly skewered although there’s a wee bit of sympathy elicited for Lady Milton, dim, fonder of her Labradors than her children - and with reason – but good in a crisis. There are fewer of the usual Jackson tropes this time around: dogs are present, but Jackson doesn’t find himself in charge of one, he’s still troubled by his sister’s unsolved murder but there are fewer references to it and not so many women need rescuing. There’s lots of farcical humour to enjoy, and the bracketed wry asides in characters’ inner monologues are as amusing as ever. The plot plays out nicely with nods to Agatha Christie but although I enjoyed it very much, I found this one less satisfying that previous Brodie novels; I can’t quite put my finger on why.

Another wonderful Jackson Brodie book, I am almost sad I have finished it already. Kate Atkinson is marvelous depicting the quirky yet very human characters with all their flaws, irritabilities, and other people's voices inside their heads commenting on what is going on.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.