Jackson Brodie’s last outing came after a gap of nine long years so I was delighted when Death at the Sign of the Rook popped up on Netgalley a mere three years after Big Sky was published. For those who’ve yet to read Atkinson’s crime series or watch Jason Isacc’s brilliant portrayal of Jackson 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 whose provenance seems cloudy to say the least.
Lady Milton had never been a fan of Downton Abbey. It was such a painful reminder of one’s family’s glory days.
Jackson’s accepted an assignment from a brother and sister whose mother has recently died, more from a need for cash than out of interest. Ian and Hazel seem a dull pair – Hazel teacherishly bossy, Ian far too keen on traffic route detail – but Jackon’s suspicions are aroused: why are they so interested in this painting, probably taken by their mother’s last carer, but seemingly unmoved by their mother’s death? Meanwhile, at Bruton Makepeace Lady Milton is suffering the preparations for her son’s latest bid to save the ancestral home – a murder mystery weekend housed in the hotel he’s opened in one of the mansion’s wings. Piers had hoped selling a Turner might help rescue the family’s fortunes but it disappeared some time ago along with the housekeeper who had seemed so fond of Lady Milton, a crime investigated by Reggie, Jackson’s reluctant detective inspector ally. As the skies darken and snow begins to fall, Reggie and Jackson head to Bruton Makepeace, convinced that the two crimes are linked, joining the handful of Murder Mystery guests who’ve made it through the blizzard. It’s a dark and stormy night so naturally there’s a killer on the loose, recently escaped from prison, armed and extremely dangerous.
Did Alice herself have a job? She gave the appearance of being a lady of leisure. A pop-up Court of Women assembled themselves on the back seat of the Defender and gave a collective sigh.
Atkinson clearly 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: 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 all present and correct. The plot plays out nicely with nods to Agatha Christie but although I enjoyed it very much, I found this one less satisfying than previous Brodie novels; I can’t quite put my finger on why. That said, it would make an excellent Christmas TV adaptation.
Doubleday London 9780857526571 336 pages Hardback (read via NetGalley)
Kate Atkinson seems to be enjoying having a bit of fun with her plotting lately. Even if it’s not up there with the all-time greats, this sounds like a good end-of-summer read.
Without a doubt! I’d love to see Jeremy Isaacs in this one.
I enjoyed maybe the first 2/3rds of this but felt the narrative ran away with Atkinson in the end. As happened to J.K. Rowling in the last few Harry Potters, she ended up writing page after page of what felt more like stage instructions for the director of the t.v. show than a novel.
You might have something there. Perhaps she’d become so used to the adaptations she was already writing the script.
Your reservations echo those I’ve seen expressed by other reviewers.
Interesting – were they specific? I wondered if locked-room mystery fans might be happier with it than I was.
I think generally there was a feeling that there wan’t much to the novel and they felt Brodie wasn’t visible enough
She does usually have more points to make about social justice. I wonder if she got a bit too carried away with the locked room device.
Jackson Brodie never clicked for me—though maybe that’s because the only one I’ve read is Big Sky, which dropped me in the middle of a clearly multi-faceted series. Are there better ones to start with?
I’d recommend going back to the beginning with Case Histories. There is a fair amount of back referencing as the series progresses although each case is separate. I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try.
This sounds so much fun! I really like the Jackson Brodie novels so even if this one is not quite as sparkling I’m sure I’ll find plenty to enjoy. I wish the BBC had continued with the Jason Isaacs adaptations, I thought he worked really well in the role.
He was born to play Jackson! Sadly, the adaptations seem to have ground to a halt.
I read a couple of these years ago and loved them, you’ve reminded me that I must pick them up again and I didn’t even know there was a tv series (and Jason Isaacs to boot!)
I might check iPlayer to see if they’re available. They’d make great winter viewing!
Mr Litlove read the last one of these, Big Sky and didn’t like it, so I hesitate a little. But it does sound jolly and a lot of fun and I am a sucker for that kind of thing!
Might be better starting with Case Histories although this one is more standalone than the others in the series. Big Sky is a jump into the deep end!
I do like the sound of this one, but I’m guessing I should first start with an earlier book. I hadn’t come across this series though I see it is likely to appeal.
I’d recommend going back to the first instalment, Case Histories, if the series appeals, Mallika. The Jackson Brodie character continues to develop through each novel although not so much in this one.
Will do that, thanks 🙂
Despite not being a huge Kate Atkinson fan, I have read and enjoyed the Jackson Brodie novels. Although I can’t remember if I have read all those that come before this new one. That might not matter all that much however.
I don’t think it would as you’re already acquainted with Jackson’s character and background. Not my favourite, but I did enjoy it.
I’ve read Case Histories three times, the first time when it was new, the next two times in order to resume with the series (I’ve read three, I think). It’s held up in each of those readings, which did surprise me a little, but I really hope that the next time I read it, I keep my original intent in mind and carry on with the series. Such fun, so smart.
They are, aren’t they. Even though this one didn’t quite work for me, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.