Case Histories: A Novel (Jackson Brodie Book 1)

I’m giving this book a five star rating. Having stated that, I’ll also tell you that when I finished this book, I went to amazon.com and read all of the one star ratings (the worst) by readers, and I pretty much agreed with all of them. How is such a thing possible? Well, you really can’t explain such a concept or idea, unless you’ve actually read a Kate Atkinson novel.First, Kate Atkinson’s books, while not really necessarily depressing, are certainly filled with depressing people. I’m thoroughly convinced after reading several of her books, that this author had a pretty miserable, warped childhood. When all you know is heartache, depression, and trauma, how can you really be expected to write about anything else? She always injects humorous observations and witty descriptions throughout the pages, which makes you laugh out loud at the same time as you’re reading about the lives of these sad lugs.Next, we must remember that Atkinson’s strength is writing about people and their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. She doesn’t necessarily tell a linear story. This book was labeled as the first of one of her many “Jackson Brodie Novels”. Jackson Brodie is a detective, yet these books are not in the traditional “whodunnit” vein. If you’re looking for a good mystery novel, the Jackson Brodie series probably shouldn’t be your first choice.Yes, this book does have a few crime investigations running through it. We get a missing child, a random murder of a child, and, what could be described as an “ax murder”. What’s unique is that these incidents happen in different times and in different places, and Atkinson’s skilled writing manages to somehow make all of these situations current, which is when we meet Jackson Brodie. Jackson (obviously) is just as miserable as all of the people affected by all of these tragedies. He had a rotten childhood, a rotten marriage, manages to get beat up a lot, and on and on and on.Once we arrive at the book’s conclusion, many were disappointed at the abruptness of the finale, and felt that things were thrown together to conveniently to appear the slightest bit realistic. Those observations are correct. As stated, though, this book is about people and not necessarily events.If you have the stomach for books such as this (and I haven’t even discussed the foul language, the sex, the suicides, etc.), you’ll probably find it enjoyable as I did. I’ll probably have to wait several months before I read the next book by this author. And when I do, I’ll ensure to have some Prozac handy.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy her writing, her characters, and the windy paths she creates. Hated to see this one end!

There is enough to turn the pages and appreciate the prose, but it needs more to get attached to the characters, detective included, and the mixed-up plot. I tried one novel but will probably not continue the series.Marie-Jo Fortis

In Case Histories (2004) private detective Jackson Brodie works concurrently on three cold cases: the 1970 disappearance of a toddler, the 1994 stabbing of a teenage girl in an office, and the 1979 ax-murder of a man by his wife.Jackson himself, the former soldier and erstwhile policeman turned private detective at the heart of the series, is a bit of a one-note character, “built on spare parts from Raymond Chandler novels and Willie Nelson songs” as one reviewer phrased it. With a tragic past, tough-guy facade, and soft underbelly, Jackson is unfailingly sympathetic toward others. It’s this susceptibility that drives much of the action. He’s unable to resist the urge to help–especially to women and children, but really anyone he perceives as vulnerable. Jackson’s defining characteristic is his protective instinct, what Atkinson calls his “sheepdog” tendency. (That, and a love of country crooners, especially Trisha Yearwood.) His compulsion to serve and protect keeps him engaged in other people’s tragedies, even when, later in the series, he leaves private detection behind.Unusually for the hero of a mystery series, Jackson isn’t an especially brilliant detective. He can be dogged. Atkinson gives the impression that he was a good cop. People seem to want to confide in him. Yet more often then not, he blunders into his cases (and their solutions) through a combination of good luck and bad timing.While Jackson himself is something of a foil, the characters who populate the mysteries are original and compelling. In Case Histories, my heart broke for Theo Wynee, each time he appeared. I loved Amelia, with her eccentric stodginess, her wildly transparent misreading of social situations, her prudery and judgmental bitterness. It’s their complicated, imperfect stories that make the series such an engrossing and pleasurable read.Case Histories (the first three books in the series actually) is a perfect page-turner: absorbing, charming, and unpredictable.

Some wonderful sentences and memorial descriptions, but I found it somewhat difficult to keep up with all the characters and their relationships.

Ended up reading all 5 books in the series back to back At first I thought it was a bit over the map. then all of a sudden it started getting pieced together. I quickly got addicted to the style of writting and felt that she did not get stuck too much on one thing, went onto something else, came back and brought it all together.I had originally watched the series on dvd but then purchased the 1st book to see if I'd like it and ended up addicted. The dvd characters were a little dark where as you were able to see them in your own eyes. The dvds were good but liked the books better even though I read them after watching it on dvd.It all depends at times. My sister preferred the book The Help over the movie. We both preferred the English patient movie over the book. I watched The Good Liar before reading the book and preferred the movie By Far over the book, really liking the ending better in the movie,"

This is a great read. I was sorry when it ended. Having said that there was gritty subject matter - but written in such a way so as not to be upsetting. Wonderful characters. Loved Jackson and the Land sisters. Highly recommended.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time (and I read a lot). Sad, moving, but also very very funny at times, this is incredibly well-written, and the characters are excellent. I bought the other 4 books in the Jackson Brodie series before I even finished this one and am now reading the second - also really good so far. One of my new favourite authors!

Tem um ritmo excelente. Quem gostou da série Millenium deve gostar do romance de Atkinson. Agora que eu sei que tem outros com o detetive Brodie, vou querer ler todos.

An unusual book. I found it omplicTed at the beginning but after a few chapters I got into the story and couldn't wait to finish it. Ms Atkinson has an undeniable sense of humour and invents interesting characters. I'm now going to read the second book in the series.