Case Histories by Kate Atkinson – Book review

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson is the first in the Jackson Brodie series. I would call it a detective series but it doesn’t feel like any others I’ve read. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that while Jackson Brodie is the thread between the stories featured in Case Histories, the plot is not focused on him. And this is a really refreshing take, which caught my attention.

Case histories

Jackson Brodie is now a private investigator but is ex-police and ex-army so has an excellent skillset when it comes to out-of-the-box thinking and solving crimes. In Case Histories, he takes on cold cases that are so emotionally written you’re drawn in and invested in all of them.

It’s the story of sisters Amelia and Julia that Jackson get most involved in. Their younger sister, Olivia, disappeared as a child and they’re desperate to know what happened to her. They’ve had an unusual life, and sometimes have a slightly more eccentricities approach to things, but that makes them endearing.

I really like the way Kate Atkinson sets scenes and ramps up the emotion. Plus her element of surprise is strong.

Time did not heal—it merely rubbed at the wound, slowly and relentlessly.

The puzzle of Jackson Brodie

Jackson Brodie certainly has traits that you come to expect from lead detective characters – tragic family background, unwillingness to play by the rules and a tendency to not like other people very much. He is a lone wolf but he is also highly enigmatic. It’s this intriguing blend that makes him so readable. I’m just not 100% sure, at this point, that I like him?

Usually, to invest in a series hooked around one character, I need to like the said lead character. I’m not saying I dislike Jackson Brodie, but there are elements to him that definitely grate on me. His old-fashioned sexist views for one thing. My indecision towards him at the moment means I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series, One Good Turn to see how his character develops.

Overall though, Case Histories was a great book and as this is my first read from Kate Atkinson, I enjoyed discovering her tone and writing style. She sets scenes so well and establishes an emotional connection, with even minor characters, very quickly – no mean feat!

Let me know if you’ve read the Jackson Brodie series books – would love to know your thoughts!

• Get your copy of Case Histories here;
• Published by Black Swan 2005. First published 2004;
• 428 pages;
• My rating: