When Will There Be Good News?: A Novel

I want more Reggie Chase!!! Kate Atkinson is a witty genius when creating characters that amuse, touch and STICK WITH YOU. I was already hooked on Jackson Brodie and now we have young beleaguered Reggie Chase to know and love and worry about. I hope Kate will bring her back in future novels (hint! hint!)

Third of a series of "sort-of" mystery novels set in Scotland and England, "When Will There Be Good News?" is the best and the wryest. It's not so much plot driven, and if you just can't suspend your disbelieve for some unbelievable coincidences, well, maybe this isn't the series for you, but if you CAN, you will be richly rewarded with a panoply of well drawn characters and, despite some of the horrible happenings, humor at every turn.

I'll be pre-ordering Kate Atkinson's next novel...I hope to re-meet Reggie there, but even if I don't, I know I will meet someone else to love.

Kate Atkinson is such a great writer that her characters not only live in her book but jumped out and walked around my house while I was reading this book. Although it takes a while to set up the story once it starts unfolding, it's like a roller coaster ride. You literally can not put the book down because you just NEED to see what's going to happen next. I think it's her best book yet.

This is the 3rd book in the Jackson Brodie - retired policeman series - but it is much more than that.
I would recommend these to be read in order - this is similar to Tony Hillerman's in that there is a continuing development of the main character and certain other persons and that adds to the enjoyment. I would say that Brodie and the associated characters play an even bigger roll in the stories than do Hillerman's - but with both, it seems as if we have a continuing relationship with these people who seem very real and worthy of involvement with.
These books are not for everyone - for one thing, a continuing theme is that of the violent deaths of family members and the difficulties of the survivors - from Jackson's own - to just about every "case" that he deals with. The title gives you an idea that there isn't often "good news" in these stories, but to me they are very compelling and some of the people are so believable that you really care how they get on with their lives.
Atkinson continues to write in the very same manner as in the first two - she tells multiple stories - going from one to the next with no explanation of the connections between the different streams. You only learn them much later. Some may not like this but I think the wondering and guessing adds to my enjoyment.
Most of the unanswered questions get resolved - although some are quite surprising and unexpected - and there are sufficient unresolved issues with Brodie so that there is plenty of room for the next story to begin.
I really don't like to tell details in these books - I prefer to find out what happens as it happens and that it be a surprise - so I just say - If you like the first one - Case History - you will like this one too.
I wouldn't mind if the next stories weren't quite so grim - but I will look forward to anything Atkinson writes.

Coincidence as defined by Webster "the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection." Kate Atkinson is a perfectionist when it comes to coincidence. Her mystery thrillers are made of such. Into each one she weaves a story that grabs us and soon we are ensconced in the telling of the tale.

How to describe the beginning? A full cut madness that results in a family torn apart, one little girl, Joanna survives. She becomes a physician, a caring person with a husband and a baby son. Her Nanny is a young girl named Reggie. Reggie without family except for an outlaw brother, and the family she wants is with Joanna. Jackson Brodie, a private investigator embarking on a train trip to London, after traveling to Edinburgh to ascertain if he has a son. The train runs off its track and after almost bleeding to death he is saved by Reggie. The investigating office is Louise, an old friend to Brody. Louise has also brought news to Joanna. Coincidence? You decide.

One of the most interesting aspects of reading a Kate Atkinson novel is her mission to bring us the reason for living. How and why do we go on after trauma and grief. What do we do when we find the person we are married to may be the wrong one. When our loved ones die how do we go on? How do we know we have found what we need in life?

This is the third novel with Louise and Jackson Brodie as main characters. We know do we not that they are meant for each other? But Kate Atkinson seems to knock off the men in these women's lives. Why is that? Will Jackson Brodie and Louise find true happiness? I think not and that is not just a coincidence!

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-08-08

One Good Turn: A Novel

Behind the Scenes at the Museum: A Novel

A MUST read!! I have read all of her Jackson Brodie series (this is # 3), and this did not disappoint! I think it was even better than her 1st 2 ("Case Histories" and "One Good Turn") This is a page-turner with lovable, memorable characters!
Atkinson does it again with her ability to make you really care about her characters and TIES THEM ALL TOGETHER neatly and suspensefully. Loved seeing more of Chief Inspector Louise! Reggie, Dr. Hunter, Jackson...they all made me smile. Despite a horrific 1st chapter, dark, sad, tragic; the rest of the book was delightful!!
I also highly recommend "Behind the Scenes at the Museum", and I plan on reading "Human Croquet" and "Emotionally Weird" next!!
Can't wait for the next Jackson Brodie installment!! BRAVO!!!!!!!!