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Name: Big Sky (Jackson Brodie): A Novel (Jackson Brodie) (Jackson Brodie, 5): Atkinson, Kate: 9780316523097: Amazon.com: Books
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Rating: 4.2 (15795 reviews)

Kate Atkinson

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Big Sky (Jackson Brodie): A Novel (Jackson Brodie) (Jackson Brodie, 5) Hardcover – June 25, 2019

by Kate Atkinson (Author)

15,795 ratings

Book 5 of 6: Jackson Brodie

Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

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Iconoclastic detective Jackson Brodie returns in a triumphant new novel about secrets, sex, and lies.

Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son and an aging Labrador, both at the discretion of his ex-partner Julia. It's picturesque, but there's something darker lurking behind the scenes.

Jackson's current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, is fairly standard-issue, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network -- and back across the path of his old friend Reggie. Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking novel by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today.

"Thank goodness the long Jackson Brodie hiatus is over." --Janet Maslin, New York Times

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Editorial Reviews

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One of VanityFair's Best Books of the Year

"Atkinson opens "Big Sky" with one perfect page. It's a bit of a red herring, but it couldn't do a better job of throwing the reader off base and commanding instant interest. It's a short chapter called "Eloping," and if you have a way of looking at it, do. It's a prime example of how Atkinson tells a great story, toys with expectations, deceives by omission, blows smoke and also writes like she's your favorite friend. Thank goodness the long Jackson Brodie hiatus is over."―Janet Maslin, New York Times

"The novel is brimming with the wit and let-justice-triumph tenacity that led the series to print bestsellerdom and a popular BBC-TV series... There isn't a character here - major or minor - who doesn't sashay resplendently off the page. With Atkinson it's Raymond Chandler meets Jane Austen, and amazingly she makes it all work."―The Washington Post's Best Summer Thrillers

"The bestselling British writer returns to Brodie's world for a fifth time in Big Sky, which finds the hero ensconced in a quaint northern English seaside town, making a living as a private investigator. As is often the case in Atkinson's genre-defying fiction, assignments to track lost cats and unfaithful husbands are never quite what they seem."―TIME, 32 Books You Need to Read this Summer

"The plot of Big Sky is something of a ramshackle affair, but it hardly matters. Kate Atkinson is a wayward writer, her books are, in the end, uncategorizable. Her Jackson Brodie novels are both more than crime novels - and less. They are sui generis and they, like this one, are enormously enjoyable."―Katherine A. Powers, Newsday

"The handsome investigator that Kate Atkinson introduced in 2004's Case Histories, played by Jason Isaacs on the BBC series, hasn't appeared in a new book since 2011. If you haven't met him yet, this is a fine place to start... Atkinson is so skilled at getting inside people's heads that when she introduces a new character, it's almost impossible to not feel at least a little sympathy for the person... The gangbuster ending flings a pile of spinning plates in the air. They could be picked up in a swath of new directions, including Jackson or not. But I hope he comes back. He's still the empathetic, flawed, country-music-listening detective we first fell for."―Carolyn Kellogg, The Washington Post

"The great Atkinson has returned to crime fiction and her well-beloved detective, Jackson Brodie...Atkinson masterfully juggles Brodie's consciousness with that of numerous other characters...You flit in and out of their various viewpoints, but Brodie's - warmhearted, weary, haunted by loss - always feels like coming home... I read this book in a delicious late-night rush; I suspect many of you will too."

―Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times

"Atkinson's funny, poignant gem will make you forgive the wait"―People Magazine

"Kate Atkinson is one of those very rare writers who's a master at absolutely every aspect of the novel-character and plot and voice and language and themes and humor and dialogue and on and on. I love everything about BIG SKY, a giant mosaic of people and stories that fit perfectly together in a complex, beautiful pattern, offering tremendous reading pleasure on every single page."―Chris Pavone, bestselling author of The Expats

"As always in a Kate Atkinson book... the pleasures derive from her mastery as a storyteller, her skillful character development and the beauty of her quirky and poetic prose."―Associated Press

"'A coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen' is one of Jackson's maxims; it could also serve as an ironic epigram for Atkinson's approach to the mystery genre. A small cast of characters collides and careens in a manner that straddles Greek tragedy and screwball comedy. The humor is sly rather than slapstick, and Atkinson is keenly interested in inner lives and motivations...The deaths and disappearances that Jackson investigates change with every book, but the human heart remains the central mystery. The welcome return of an existential detective. "―Kirkus, starred review

"We marvel at Atkinson's rare ability to create in a relatively few but stunningly deft brushstrokes at least a half-dozen characters with the depth and complexity to own their own novel. Another dazzler from a writer whose talents know no bounds."

―Booklist, starred review

"Atkinson is one of the best writers working today, and her crime fiction, including novels featuring the now-retired Scottish inspector Jackson Brodie, rank among the finest. What takes Big Sky up a notch is its urgent, relevant subject matter: pedophilia rings and how they damage survivors for the rest of their lives."―Bethanne Patrick, The Washington Post

"I simply did not realize how much I missed Jackson Brodie. Turning the pages of Big Sky felt like spending time with a good friend you haven't seen for a long time."―Chicago Tribune

"Raymond Chandler once wrote that the best mysteries are those you'd read even if the last chapter were torn out - because the writing and the characters are so compelling. Big Sky is one of those."―Tampa Bay Times

"As in the other Brodie novels, several stories are woven into a seamless plot, with the help of credible-seeming twists of fate. And there is just enough unfinished business to leave readers impatient for his next outing."―The Economist

"Big Sky is full of raucous scenes, laugh-out-loud moments and dark humor."―St. Louis Post Dispatch

"Brodie is back, with panache."―Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Kate Atkinson's first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, was named England's Whitbread Book of the Year in 1996. Since then, she has written ten more groundbreaking bestsellers, including Life After Life and Transcription. She lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; First Edition (June 25, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316523097
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316523097
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.48 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.6 x 1.55 x 9.65 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #304,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,336 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)
- #3,588 in Historical Thrillers (Books)
- #20,217 in Suspense Thrillers

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Kate Atkinson

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Kate Atkinson is an international bestselling novelist, as well as playwright and short story writer. She is the author of Life After Life; Transcription; Behind the Scenes at the Museum, a Whitbread Book of the Year winner; the story collection Not the End of the World; and five novels in the Jackson Brodie crime series, which was adapted into the BBC TV show Case Histories.

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Customers find the book a thrilling read with lovely humor and wonderful characters, though some note there are too many unnecessary characters to track. The writing quality and plot complexity receive mixed reviews, with some praising the writing while others find it badly written and the plot hard to follow. Moreover, the readability is confusing for many readers, and the pace receives mixed reactions, with some praising the amazing pace while others note a lack of pace.

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Enjoyment Humor Plot complexity Writing quality Character variety Readability Engrossedness Pace

48 customers mention "Enjoyment"44 positive4 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable, describing it as a thrilling read that does not disappoint, with one customer noting it's a delight to read a Kate Atkinson novel.

"...It's a satisfying addition to the series...." Read more

"...and seemingly exclusive life styles in a way that not only provides an entertaining novel, but exposes the horrors of enslaving young women for sex...." Read more

"...A very enjoyable book." Read more

"...If you like the Jackson Brodie novels—this is a treat. If you love Atkinson, you’ll recognize her trademark humor...." Read more

26 customers mention "Humor"23 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as lovely and witty, with one customer noting how it maintains suspense while being funny.

"...The plot ties together nicely and it has more of the lightness and humor found in the earlier installments of the series...." Read more

"...injecting dashes of humor and suspense in the text which is brimming with witty remarks, advanced vocabulary, and exemplary descriptions of the main..." Read more

"...The story is basically a thriller, with comical aspects and a fair amount of social commentary about today's distracted youth...." Read more

"...All the characters and situations are delivered with clarity and wit, despite maybe a few too many coincidences (but they can be forgiven.)..." Read more

89 customers mention "Plot complexity"54 positive35 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot complexity of the book, with some appreciating how it pulls multiple storylines together and finding it fascinating, while others find it hard to follow.

"...It's a satisfying addition to the series. The plot ties together nicely and it has more of the lightness and humor found in the earlier installments..." Read more

"...Some parts of this story did not jell and didn’t appear to be part of the story which totally was befuddling...." Read more

"...I believe that fans of high-quality literary fiction will much appreciate Atkinson's idiosyncratic way of writing and will find her storytelling to..." Read more

"...Kate Atkinson does a good job of connecting several story threads, and a lot of the characters are well written, but she spent too much time..." Read more

77 customers mention "Writing quality"49 positive28 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some praising the author's style while others find it boring and disappointing.

"...-quality literary fiction will much appreciate Atkinson's idiosyncratic way of writing and will find her storytelling to be equally compelling to..." Read more

"...Simply, this book is somewhat of a challenge to read...." Read more

"...Although this is the fifth book in the Brodie series, it can be read as a standalone." Read more

"...What put Atkinson at the top of my “Favorite Authors” list, is her writing skill...." Read more

75 customers mention "Character variety"49 positive26 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character variety in the book, with some appreciating the wonderful characters while others find there are too many unnecessary ones and too many from previous books to track.

"...surprised that this one takes place in 2019 - the character's ages are all adjusted accordingly (and there is even mentions of Brexit), so this..." Read more

"...with witty remarks, advanced vocabulary, and exemplary descriptions of the main characters, in short the trademark characteristics of the English..." Read more

"...Additionally, the incredibly overuse of parentheses with character comments was off putting...." Read more

"...job of connecting several story threads, and a lot of the characters are well written, but she spent too much time describing the random thoughts of..." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"14 positive16 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with several finding it confusing to follow.

"Big Sky was a difficult book to get into with its myriad characters and the jumping between these characters in each chapter that got thoroughly..." Read more

"...reader's main interest is in Jackson Brodie and his family, the author builds detail and credible dimension for the several ordinary people who turn..." Read more

"...I will warn that it took a while to get to the plot...." Read more

"...All the characters and situations are delivered with clarity and wit, despite maybe a few too many coincidences (but they can be forgiven.)..." Read more

24 customers mention "Engrossedness"12 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's engrossment, with some finding it thoroughly engaging while others report losing interest.

"...and suspense in the text which is brimming with witty remarks, advanced vocabulary, and exemplary descriptions of the main characters, in short the..." Read more

"...It was a depressing subject to read about - the abuse of women. This was the 5th book in this series...." Read more

"...The author tidily provides biographical background for investigator Brodie using information about events in his life from prior books...." Read more

"...like this one just as much as its predecessors but I did not at all like the subject matter and to top it all off, he reunites with Reggie but not..." Read more

18 customers mention "Pace"9 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pace, with some praising its amazing flow while others find it lacking.

"...I practically read it in one sitting. It's fast-paced and I love Atkinson's characters - both the returning series characters and the newly..." Read more

"...if I hate a book, I just keep it to myself, but this book's lack of pace and plot have made me more frustrated than any book I have ever read...." Read more

"...For those new to Kate Atkinson, lucky you. Her books are not confined by time and her characters all jump off the page fully formed...." Read more

"...She ties up old plot lines. She seems in a hurry to finish this book...." Read more

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Yolanda S. Bean
Brodie's Back!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
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I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Jackson Brodie series - and I am even more glad that I re-read all of the preceding volumes, because it's been almost nine years since the last time I read them! After reading them consecutively, though, I would almost say that if you are looking to refresh your memory, you can probably just read When Will There Be Good News (the third book) and then this latest, as this one feels more like a follow-up to that, then a continuation of Started Early, Took My Dog (in fact, that book's unanswered questions are not addressed here). I was surprised that this one takes place in 2019 - the character's ages are all adjusted accordingly (and there is even mentions of Brexit), so this addition to the series feels quite up-to-date! It's a satisfying addition to the series. The plot ties together nicely and it has more of the lightness and humor found in the earlier installments of the series.

I had a very hard time putting this one down! I practically read it in one sitting. It's fast-paced and I love Atkinson's characters - both the returning series characters and the newly introduced ones. The plot isn't as twisty or as shocking here, (and of course there are still a few things left hanging) but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I most sincerely hope, too, that the wait isn't as long for a sixth addition to the series!

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Yolanda S. Bean

Brodie's Back!!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this fifth book in the Jackson Brodie series - and I am even more glad that I re-read all of the preceding volumes, because it's been almost nine years since the last time I read them! After reading them consecutively, though, I would almost say that if you are looking to refresh your memory, you can probably just read When Will There Be Good News (the third book) and then this latest, as this one feels more like a follow-up to that, then a continuation of Started Early, Took My Dog (in fact, that book's unanswered questions are not addressed here). I was surprised that this one takes place in 2019 - the character's ages are all adjusted accordingly (and there is even mentions of Brexit), so this addition to the series feels quite up-to-date! It's a satisfying addition to the series. The plot ties together nicely and it has more of the lightness and humor found in the earlier installments of the series.

I had a very hard time putting this one down! I practically read it in one sitting. It's fast-paced and I love Atkinson's characters - both the returning series characters and the newly introduced ones. The plot isn't as twisty or as shocking here, (and of course there are still a few things left hanging) but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I most sincerely hope, too, that the wait isn't as long for a sixth addition to the series!

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TapTheLine
Jackson Brodie returns after a long absence.
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2022
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In 2019, nine years after the publication of her last Jackson Brodie novel Started Early, Took My Dog, Kate Atkinson decided to make a precious gift to her loyal readership by releasing the fifth installment in the series, Big Sky, rekindling the saga featuring one of the most beloved protagonists in the crime fiction genre. Jackson Brodie is a fairly complex character as his personal history is loaded with tragedies and his thought process, depicted so graphically on page by Atkinson's pen, often feels unnecessarily convoluted and labyrinthine even on subjects that seem to be rather straightforward. His musings on his current predicament, being a father to a sulky teenage son, Nathan, and without any kind of romantic or sexual activity, offer much needed respite from the themes explored in the novels, in this case the trafficking of young women who are lured into the country with the promise of a decent job only to end up working as sex slaves.

Even though the subject matter of the book is horrifying, Atkinson moves past that hurdle by injecting dashes of humor and suspense in the text which is brimming with witty remarks, advanced vocabulary, and exemplary descriptions of the main characters, in short the trademark characteristics of the English author's prose. Atkinson augments the multiple perspective narrative as the story unravels through the eyes of several characters who are all equally important to the plot. There were times, especially in the beginning of the novel, that I felt confused by the sheer number of players in this story and I felt that I had to keep notes in order to keep up with the narrative. Nevertheless, the author's experience shines as the plot moves forward and each character is strategically placed in their respective roles, all putting their little stone in the evolution and climax of the story. Thus, Jackson's point of view occupies as much space as Harry's, Crystal's, Vince's and so on.

The final result is a multifaceted novel that encapsulates several distinct narrative voices and harmonically attune them, creating a sparkling assemblage very much reminiscent of the work by certain Scandinavian crime writers who too often choose to employ the multiple POV in their books. The story picks up pace after the first third of the novel and until then the reader struggles to discern which is the main storyline as there seems to be a lack of centralized narrative feeling like that the tale lacks focus. However, it is right in that point where everything becomes clearer and events that change the course of the story towards a more mysterious and suspenseful road are introduced. There is a murder, a woman who is stalked by a silver car, a group of friends who earn money through the exploitation of naïve young women, and in the middle of it Jackson Brodie, an ex-policeman and current private investigator who becomes entangled in the cases through various means.

The story begins with Jackson being on an outing with his son and we get a first glimpse of the many malfunctions in their relationship. Nathan's mother, Julia, is working as an actress in a popular crime television show and her voice is repeatedly summoned in Jackson's mind as Julia's acerbic observations and critique on his way of life has been deeply embedded in his soul. In the professional front, Jackson leads a mundane existence as the most fascinating cases that he investigates have to do with cheating husbands and suspicious wives who assign the protagonist with the task of documenting the adultery. Things will begin to change after a chance encounter with a man who is about to jump from a cliff to his own death. Jackson will convince the man, whose name is Vince and his role in the story is critical, to change his mind and after that, Jackson will delve into the murky waters of sex trafficking conducted by some of the most prominent members of his community.

As I mentioned above, Brodie is just one cog in the vast machine of the novel's plot. He doesn't investigate in the classic sense of the word, Big Sky bears no resemblance to the typical police procedural where a detective along with his team meticulously collect evidence and use deductive reasoning in order to solve a crime. Jackson just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and this prove to be enough for him to become interested in the cases(s) and the people that he meets. Atkinson's emphasis is put on the people, much more than the plot, and she is interested in portraying her characters in a deeply humane manner that makes them feel all too real and identifiable to the reader. The motives, the impact of the past mistakes, the complex familial relationships that feature prominently in this novel, and the cost of loss are all human orientated aspects and the author uses her unique insight into other people's thinking to draw accurate portraits of each character. For example, Harry and Vince are complete characters ,even if their sub-stories initially seem far away from the center of the plot, because the author devotes many pages to the vivid description of their reality through their own personal perspective.

It is the singular characterization that mainly sets Big Sky apart from other crime novels and renders it a novel not to miss even if you are not big on crime fiction in general. I believe that fans of high-quality literary fiction will much appreciate Atkinson's idiosyncratic way of writing and will find her storytelling to be equally compelling to the biggest names in their favorite genre. By the above, I don't mean that crime fiction aficionados will reject the book, I just want to stress once again the fact that its merits revolve around aspects other than the plot's intricacy or story twists. I have to admit that I've only read one book by Kate Atkinson, the delightful Transcription, a spy thriller set in the decades of 1940s and 1950s. I massively enjoyed this title and from then on I swore always to be on the lookout for new releases by the author. Since I'm not familiar with the previous volumes in the series, I'm not in a position to inform you if it would be better to read the books in order. Big Sky features a self-contained story, but perhaps knowing things about the characters' background would enrichen the experience. Perhaps I will go back and read one of the early novels in the series as I got totally hooked by Jackson Brodie's adventures.

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S. Painter
Harrowing and educational, beautifully written
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2024
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Kate Atkinson doesn't tell a simple tale or write a formula mystery ever. In this novel she weaves together many different and seemingly exclusive life styles in a way that not only provides an entertaining novel, but exposes the horrors of enslaving young women for sex. I learned more about every subject that slipped into the story.

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Sharon Storm
Not enough Jackson Brodie
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2024
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There was not enough Jackson Brodie in this book. I enjoyed him in previous books, but in this one he is a supporting character.

Kate Atkinson does a good job of connecting several story threads, and a lot of the characters are well written, but she spent too much time describing the random thoughts of some characters by putting their thoughts in parentheses. It became distracting and repetitive.

The ending dragged, for no good reason. It would have been fine to end the book at the 90% mark.

This is not a straightforward mystery. There is some suspense, and some dark humor mixed in with uncomfortable subjects. I liked Crystal and Harry.

Although this is the fifth book in the Brodie series, it can be read as a standalone.

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Jjspina
Depressing subject - Abuse and trafficking of women!
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2024
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Big Sky was a difficult book to get into with its myriad characters and the jumping between these characters in each chapter that got thoroughly confusing. Some parts of this story did not jell and didn’t appear to be part of the story which totally was befuddling. I almost stopped reading at this point.

I did enjoy some of the story that involved the main protagonist, Jackson Brodie, who was involved in so many aspects of these myriad characters that it was a little far-fetched. I stayed with the story only because I wanted to know what happened to the women who were trafficked and the perpetrators who were responsible for this heinous crime. It was a depressing subject to read about - the abuse of women.

This was the 5th book in this series. I don’t plan to purchase any more of this series or anything else from this author. It was disappointing to me. I did rate it higher than I should have only because I liked the ending.

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evefig
Very enjoyable book!
Reviewed in France on June 20, 2020
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The rhythm in this book is slow at the beginning as there are different characters and for a while the connection between them isn’t clear. Then it gathers speed as the connections become clear and moves towards the “dénouement” of the plot.

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geowk
First rate!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2025
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Excellent, like all Kate Atkinson novels. Well written, gently amusing, thoroughly enjoyable. Always waiting for the next Jackson Brodie story..

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Anne
I am disappointed!
Reviewed in Germany on August 13, 2019
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A very sad thing happened: I did not like Jackson Brodie as much as I used to. So many of his thoughts and inner dialogues with Julia about life, society, education, young people are oldschool, stubborn, prejudiced. He has developed this attitude of many old men, that the world was better in the past and that they can't understand what is going on around them any more. I feel it is an annoying ignorant and philistine posture. As I lost interest in JB and his lone wolf thing I found the people in his life (Julia, Nathan, Marlee) more and more boring and inexplicable. So, honestly, I could have done without the Jackson Brodie part.
The book was much too long and not focused enough. I think that the author herself often lost her way in her own story: too many characters, places, and actions, too complicated – but also unbelievably simple and coincidental – relations between them.
There is so much, too much, that Atkinson wanted to write about: Terrible crimes against children and women by arrogant male sociopaths. The only good people left being dragqueens, motherless boys, attractive women with a history of abuse and neglect, dumped husbands, petite female POs whom nobody takes seriously. Difficult and different relationsships (marriages) between women and men. Familylife. Political correctness. Drugs and prostitution. Rich and upperclass criminals. Northsea resorts and their downfall. Dogs.
I stayed with the book because I am a loyal person and like Kate Atkinson's writing, her wittyness, her humour, her laconic summaries of events. But I did not really like this book.

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Elisabetta G.
Ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on July 12, 2019
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tutto perfetto

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teressa
A truly satisfying read
Reviewed in Spain on June 16, 2020
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A true delight. Well written complex story interlacing past and present as only Kate atkinson knows how. At times amusing, others poignant and at the same time bringing awareness of the evil in today's society

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Big Sky (Jackson Brodie): A Novel (Jackson Brodie) (Jackson Brodie, 5) Hardcover – June 25, 2019

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Brodie's Back!!!

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Brodie's Back!!!

Brodie's Back!!!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Jackson Brodie returns after a long absence.

5.0 out of 5 stars Harrowing and educational, beautifully written

3.0 out of 5 stars Not enough Jackson Brodie

4.0 out of 5 stars Depressing subject - Abuse and trafficking of women!

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable book!

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate!

3.0 out of 5 stars I am disappointed!

5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly satisfying read

Brodie's Back!!!

Jackson Brodie returns after a long absence.

Harrowing and educational, beautifully written

Not enough Jackson Brodie

Depressing subject - Abuse and trafficking of women!

Very enjoyable book!

First rate!

I am disappointed!

Ottimo

A truly satisfying read