Case Histories
(Jackson Brodie)
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Transworld Publishers Ltd
Published:1st Jun '05
Currently unavailable, our supplier has indicated it should be available around 30th January 2025
In this literary crime novel, former police inspector Jackson Brodie navigates a sweltering summer in Cambridge, unraveling three interconnected cases while grappling with personal tragedy and the complexities of life.
Case Histories marks the beginning of the Jackson Brodie series, crafted by the acclaimed, bestselling author of Life After Life. This literary crime novel intertwines complex narratives that are both poignant and humorous, establishing a unique tone that resonates with readers. The story unfolds in the sweltering heat of a Cambridge summer, where former police inspector turned private investigator, Jackson Brodie, grapples with the weight of his past and the mysteries that surround him.
Brodie approaches his work with a stark perspective: he views the world as an accounting sheet, where the categories of 'Lost' and 'Found' never seem to align. As he navigates through three seemingly unrelated case histories, he finds himself surrounded by themes of death, intrigue, and personal misfortune. Each case presents its own challenges, yet as Brodie delves deeper, he begins to uncover the connections that bind them, revealing the intricate web of human experience.
Throughout the novel, the author masterfully blends moments of sorrow with humor, creating a narrative that is both moving and engaging. Readers are drawn into Brodie's world, where he confronts his own family tragedies while seeking resolution for others. Case Histories is not just a detective story; it's a reflection on loss, connection, and the complexities of life, making it a compelling read that invites contemplation long after the final page is turned.
Her best book yet, an astonishingly complex and moving literary detective story that made me sob but also snort with laughter. It's the sort of novel you have to start rereading the minute you've finished it * Guardian *
Sharp humour, together with a number of unexpected twists makes this a typically pacey and intelligent read * Daily Mail *
A greedy feast of a story by a masterful author...A profound, exciting and lingering read * Daily Express *
Triumphant...Her best book yet...A tragi-comedy for our times * Sunday Telegraph *
To read it is to enter a hall of mirrors...Part complex family drama, part mystery, it winds up having more depth and vividness than ordinary thrillers and more thrills than ordinary fiction...A wonderfully tricky book * New York Times *
As satisfying as anything dreamed up by Raymond Chandler, but the beauty of the novel lies in its spot-on characterizations, pitch perfect observations of contemporary culture and a sharp, wisecracking narrative voice * Time Out *
Shot through with sharp, black humour, and introducing a loveable hero in Brodie, this is storytelling that satisfies at every level * Marie Claire (Book of the Month) *
Atkinson is very good indeed... more satisfying than many detective novels. Everyone who picks it up will feel compelled to follow it through to the last page * Guardian *
Brilliantly playful, witty and original... massive and consistent talent for comedy * The Scotsman *
Intriguing and affecting... she has also created a compelling central chracter in world-weary private investigator Jackson Brodie, who is determined to bring justice to all the lives that lie fractured around him * Red (Book of the Month) *
ISBN: 9780552772433
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 26mm
Weight: 303g
432 pages