| Case Histories | 
 enlarge | Author: Kate Atkinson
Publisher: Black Swan
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.28
You Save: £7.71 (96%)
New (28) Used (47) Collectible (5) from £0.28
Avg. Customer Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 1045
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 399
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0552772437
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9780552772433
ASIN: 0552772437
Publication Date: August 2, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
|
| Customer Reviews:
A crime novel with multiple strands February 26, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The book opens with three diverse and seemingly unconnected crimes (the "case histories" that give the book its title) that take place several years apart. By coincidence, they are all brought to Jackson Brodie, a former police inspector turned private investigator. While this is a mystery/crime novel, it's also about family relationships - both Jackson's and those of his clients. (Jackson's personal life is about as complicated as those of the clients whose mysteries he is trying to solve.)
The book has a huge cast of characters which gets a bit confusing. I spent a lot of time flicking back through pages to check who people were. This is probably just a reflection on me and my faulty memory, but I recommend reading it with a notebook so you can make notes on who's who - e.g. Sharon is his dentist, while Shirley is Caroline's sister.
I also have mixed feelings about the way that the plot jumped backwards and forwards. Kate Atkinson likes to introduce a plot development but then double back to give you the background to it, or another character's perspective on what went before. Sometimes this works really well but other times it's irritating and you wish she's just get on with the story. The three mysteries are all explained, although I would have preferred there to be a little more resolution to them (in most cases, the individuals involved don't find out what happened).
Despite these flaws, I really enjoyed "Case Histories". It's well written and kept me engrossed throughout. While some of the secondary characters are fairly sketchy, Jackson is a great character and I'm pleased to see that he reappears in "One Good Turn".
If you enjoyed this book, I recommend "The Broken Shore" by Peter Temple.
The result is truly compelling. November 29, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Shot through with wry humour, this is a highly original, literary but accessible take on the modern detective story, noteworthy both for the quality of the writing and for the innovative structure. I would agree with those other reviewers who feel that the loose ends are all tied up a little too neatly, however. That is the only reason why I have not awarded it the full five stars.
Kate Atkinson's strength lies in her eye for detail, as she describes the banalities of lives distorted by extraordinary events. She is particularly good on grief and the never-ending sense of loss, revealing the various darknesses hidden beneath the veneer of apparent normality!!! Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it.
phew October 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Jackson is an ex cop and soldier turned private investigator. After a spate of nondescript boring assignments he finds himself in the midst of three separate investigations all seemingly unrelated but equally terrible.
At the same time, he is trying to deal with several personal problems, a family tragedy that is dragging its heels, oh, and the fact that someone is trying really hard to kill him.
- Case Histories has many interesting and unique characters, an unconventional narrative and twisting sub plots, constantly changing points of view and flips backwards and forwards through time. The speed and energy of this novel will leave you gasping for breath.
 Loved It! August 29, 2007
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Not into detective/crime novels usually, but really enjoyed every minute of this. The writing was real and sharp and warm and funny, with some very insightful moments of human poignancy.
Have not read this author before, but have just started on 'One Good Turn' and it promises to be just as good.
People are strange! August 19, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I can't believe some of the reviews below.
It just goes to show that we are all individuals who have wildly diverse opinions!!!
I loved this book. The writing style is brilliant. Easy to read and empathise with. For me it was a page turner. I couldn't wait to find out what happened to the characters and to see how it would all tie up.
For me there were no loose ends. The outcome of several of the cases was very painful for the characters involved and Atkinson treated them with sensitivity.
I look forward to reading her next Brodie novel.
|
|
|
