Case Histories

so-so

… Hmm. I wanted to like this one and move on to her other books and the rest of the Jackson Brodie series, but I just didn‘t connect. I found her writing style fairly exhausting, and each story was so grim and unsatisfying. Oh well, not for me! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Leftcoastzen Awww 😻 3mo

BarbaraJean I felt the same about this one and have subsequently avoided the rest of her Jackson Brodie books! I did love Life After Life, though. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Life After Life: A Novel

3mo

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 3mo

Aims42 I like her standalone books (Life After Life, A God in Ruins, Transcription, and Shrines of Gaiety), but I do admit you have to be in the right mindset (okay with having no idea what is happening for the first 50 pages 🤪) 3mo

Ruthiella If you didn‘t like this then definitely don‘t continue with the Jackson Brodie books because they are more of the same. But maybe like @BarbaraJean do try one of her stand alone novels. 🤔 (edited) 3mo

69 likes5 comments

rwmg

Case Histories | Kate Atkinson

pick

PI Jackson Brodie is looking into 3 cold cases: an abducted 8 year-old, the unsolved murder of a teen, a girl who was adopted as a baby.

Enjoyable mystery though the author's habit of building up to a revelation which is then delayed by a 20-page switch as we follow another character got annoying. There were some very funny scenes but some of the humour was rather cruel. I will carry on with the series but not just yet.

28 likes

rwmg

Case Histories | Kate Atkinson

Children enjoying our Roman-themed play area

Ruthiella 😂😂😂 5mo

21 likes1 comment

rwmg

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#coffeeandabook

Ruthiella I love the Jackson Brodie books. ❤️ 5mo

CarolynM Me too @Ruthiella Can‘t wait for the new one! 5mo

rwmg @Ruthiella @CarolynM It's the first Jackson Brodie I've read and I'm enjoying it so far - 120 pages in. I didn't much like the only other one of Kate Atkinson's I've read, it just seemed kind of pointless but maybe I'll give it another go later.

Behind The Scenes At The Museum

(edited) 5mo

25 likes3 comments

MamaGina

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

“The plot thickens,” he said, and wished he hadn‘t said that because it sounded like something from a bad detective novel. “I think we have a suspect.” That didn‘t sound much better. “My house has just exploded, by the way.” At least that was novel.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruthiella Love this book (and series!)❤️ 10mo

JanuarieTimewalker13 I love Jackson Brody…I hope I have that right! 10mo

20 likes1 stack add2 comments

CarolynM

Case Histories | Kate Atkinson

I can‘t let these detectives go unmentioned

Jackson Brodie
Inspector Montalbano
Dalziel and Pascoe

#tlt #ThreeListThursday

dabbe

LeahBergen I must read the last Jackson Brodie that came out! (edited) 10mo

Ruthiella Nice call with Jackson Brodie! 👍 10mo

TrishB @LeahBergen there‘s another coming in August! 10mo

See All 8 Comments

cariashley Jackson Brodie!! 🙌 10mo

LeahBergen @TrishB Oh, good to hear! 👍 10mo

dabbe All 3 are new to me and now on the TBR. Thanks for playing! ❤️💜🩷 10mo

erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve not heard of Dalziel and Pascoe, will look them up. 10mo

CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm They‘re in a series of books by Reginald Hill. He also wrote a short series about another detective and some standalone which are pretty good too. The first D & P is

A Clubbable Woman

10mo

46 likes8 comments

Julsmarshall

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

I loved this! Now I need to read the rest of the series! Great on #audio #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 14mo

Tamra I‘m listening to this one too - I like the story telling! 14mo

Aims42 I‘ve only read a handful of Kate Atkinson‘s books, but the few I‘ve read I have loved! Just requested this from my library to check out 👍 14mo

52 likes1 stack add3 comments

Larkken

Case Histories | Kate Atkinson

Here are some series that have been on my tbr for a while - looking forward to #serieslove2023 to try them next year!

There are also a bunch of series where I‘ve read all but one or two books that would be good to finish up… we‘ll see how far I get 📚

Andrew65, TheSpineView

Andrew65 Some great series here, I especially loved the Jackson Brodie Series, good luck. 😁 2y

TheSpineView Loved The Throne of Glass series! Good luck! 2y

Ruthiella I also love the Jackson Brodie books! 😀 2y

See All 9 Comments

Bookzombie I love your graphic! 2y

Larkken @Andrew65 @Ruthiella oh, good! I have the first spin up on my kindle for January and am looking forward to it 😍 2y

Larkken @TheSpineView I liked ACOTAR and co, so I figured it was time to tackle this series 🤩 2y

Larkken @Bookzombie thank you! I love the excuse of Litsy to use Canva (sometimes too much) 🤓 2y

TheSpineView @Larkken No time like the present as they say! 2y

CarolynM I‘m a Jackson Brodie fan too🙂 Enjoy! 2y

29 likes9 comments

Kitta

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Does anyone else have a #littenkitten who prevents them from reading? Nala likes to sleep on my book sometimes.

8 likes1 stack add

BkClubCare

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

#Detective #Scarathlon #photochallenge
Kate Atkinson is one of my favorite authors. Have enjoyed all her Brody Private Detective stories.

MrsMalaprop Mine too. 👏🏼👏🏼 3y

AvidReader25 I LOVE this one! Such a good series. 3y

CarolynM I'm also a fan❤ 3y

28 likes3 stack adds3 comments

AliceFaustus

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

"Duty killed you in the end."

7 likes

AliceFaustus

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Fall readings...

8 likes1 stack add

MeganLindell

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

so-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ • Wildly uneven, but I guess I didn‘t hate it.

12 likes

Cakki

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

so-so

This was slower than I expected, I had been looking for a page turner. That being said I do enjoy a mystery that takes place in Europe.

6 likes

LeslieO

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

I don‘t re-read a lot (except for Dorothy Dunnett) but here are three I‘ve recently re-read. #3books

OriginalCyn620, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y

36 likes1 comment

Bookbroad

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

This was really up my alley as an easy read. Mysterious interweaving stories and all loose ends tied up with a bow by the end. Looking forward to the next instalment of Jackson Brodie

6 likes

Ruthiella

Case Histories | Kate Atkinson

#20Series20Days

DAY TWO

I love Kate Atkinson‘s Jackson Brodie series...if pressed, I would say they fall in the mystery/crime genre, but I love them for the intricate plotting she does, there‘s always a pattern but the reader can‘t see it till the end. ❤️

Andrew65

TrishB A great series 👍🏻 4y

Andrew65 I‘m enjoying this series at the moment. 4y

Ruthiella @TrishB Agreed!❤️ 4y

See All 10 Comments

Ruthiella @Andrew65 Excellent! 😀 4y

Heideschrampf Still need to catch up on big sky! 4y

Ruthiella @Heideschrampf You‘re only one behind! That‘s not bad! 😀 4y

merelybookish She is the kind of writer who makes me appreciate plot! She is so clever. 4y

Ruthiella @merelybookish Absolutely!😍 4y

CarolynM Wow! Apart from Big Sky I've never seen those covers. I'm likely to include this series so I'll show you my covers then🙂 (edited) 4y

Ruthiella @CarolynM Yes! Please do. I want to see them. 😀 Mine are the US first editions. For whatever reason, Case Histories is a smaller size...maybe it wasn‘t to be a series at that point? (edited) 4y

36 likes10 comments

TheEllieMo

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

so-so

Not sure if my expectations of this book were misguided, but I felt very unsatisfied with it, it all seemed rather scrappy to me; for a book billed as the first in the Jackson Brodie series, Brodie doesn‘t actually seem to do much in the way of mystery-solving.

SamAnne Yeah it was so so for me too. 4y

CarolynM I think the Brodie books are more about the characters than the "mysteries" - she's using the private detective format to explore the long term impacts of violence and abuse. 4y

37 likes2 comments

Susanita

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

This book pulled me in at the beginning, went all over the place in the middle, and mostly tied things together at the end. Pick. One book done for #joysofjune readathon.

Andrew65

Andrew65 I‘m enjoying this series. Well done. 👏👏👏 5y

47 likes1 comment

Susanita

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Top row is what I “should” finish in May. Tagged book has another patron in the queue when I‘m done, and it‘s probably someone else from book club!
#weeklyforecast
#doublespin
#bookstorechallenge
#authoramonth
#nonfictionnerds
#June #bookclub
#readalong
Plus any wild cards that become available on Libby earlier than predicted.

Cinfhen

Cinfhen I like that...wild cards 😂🎉👌🏾 5y

36 likes1 comment

AppuNthebooks

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

This was a good one. An interesting break from my non-fiction binge. But it was also a hard read. It‘s a #murdermystery infused with relatable, recognisable human experience and insight that makes it both unnerving and engaging. It made me want to pause and mull over the cascading effect of words, instances and the why, what and who of it. But also kept pushing me to turn the page. #Whodunit #StephenKingRecommends #LifeLoveAndLoss #pageturner

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻I really liked it too 5y

AppuNthebooks Thanks @Cathythoughts Have you read any of her other works? Also, any recommends from the same genre? I think I‘m in the mood for more. 5y

Cathythoughts Yes I also read One Good Turn , & Big Sky ..... both very good. Although Big Sky is the latest one in the Jackson Brodie series ( it didn‘t matter to me that I wasn‘t in the right order ) so I‘m pretty sure all that series is pretty good. It‘s kind of genre defying though , so is it more crime your after ? I need to get to the 3d one in this series yet ..... she‘s such a good writer ❤️👍🏻 5y

Cathythoughts I‘m reading a good thriller at the moment

The Kind Worth Killing: A Novel

AppuNthebooks @Cathythoughts Yeah, she is. I especially liked it because it is genre defying as you mentioned. Jackson Brodie is a pretty intriguing character. I quite like him 😊I think I will pick up the other two. Thanks for the recommend! Will take a look at ‘The Kind Worth Killing‘ too 👍🏽 5y

22 likes5 comments

Kalalalatja

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

1. The tagged book, which I read in Danish.

2. I primarily read books in English, because reading Danish translations just ruin the experience (also, books are more expensive in Danish!), but I realised doing this, that most of the English books I read aren‘t books in translation, which I want to improve!

Thanks for the tag @Cinfhen ❤️

TheSpineView

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 👍🤩 5y

Cinfhen The last two books you reviewed were in Danish though, right??? 5y

Kalalalatja @Cinfhen they were, but written by a Danish/Kurdish author, so they were written in Danish originally. Normally, I‘m not really into Danish books, but my mom kept pushing these on me, so I had to give them a try 😅 5y

47 likes3 comments

Lizpixie

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

My tentative #StayAtHome24in48 #stack I tend to not stick to stacks I make for any #readathon but hopefully I get to at least 2 of these! What‘s on your stack for this weekend? 5 are also for my #MarchUnshelfing #challenge

24in48, Clwojick

Clwojick I NEVER stick to a stack 😂🤣 5y

GoldenGirl I just bought The Lost City of the Monkey God....it's still sitting on my nightstand unopened 😢 5y

59 likes2 comments

DrJAdMerricksson

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

Loved it! Read my full review here- https://wp.me/p6C2DX-2NN

catsuit_mango Loving that image :the title in French is The blue mouse 4y

DrJAdMerricksson @catsuit_mango Ty 💕. And that's pretty neat. 4y

18 likes1 stack add2 comments

BookNAround

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

A literary mystery composed of three disparate case histories that is deep look at the impact of violence on the people left behind, this is the first in the Jackson Brodie series and gives a good insight into Jackson. It is a novel about the taken, the missing girls and women who disappear, who seldom, if ever, get justice. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2020/01/review-case-histories-by-kate-atkinson....

mcctrish I love the Jackson Brodie series 5y

64 likes1 comment

Mdargusch

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

January #bookreport - all read for book club or challenges
#newyearwhodis
#readwithmrbook
#classicschallenge2020
#authoramonth2020
#memoirsandmysteries
#belowzer00s

Cinfhen, Soubhiville, BarbaraTheBibliophage, Reviewsbylola, MrBook, monalyisha, BarbaraBB

Cinfhen Woohoo 🙌🏻 great month of reading titles!!!! 5y

Mitch What a great month! 😻 5y

Suet624 Fantastic selection! 5y

See All 7 Comments

BarbaraTheBibliophage Awesome!! 5y

Reviewsbylola Fantastic month! 👏🏻👏🏻 5y

Nute What a nice surprise to see Pollyanna!🙂 5y

MrBook #NiceStack!!! 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y

77 likes7 comments

Librarybelle

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

I know this received mixed reviews from my fellow #BelowZer00s , but I like this one. In my second reading of this - 1st time was a few years ago - I really picked up on the study of grief and the effects of trauma. REM‘s Everybody Hurts went through my mind as Atkinson unveiled layer upon layer of each story. Jackson Brodie is such a flawed character, yet I‘d want him to be on my side. The mystery wasn‘t fully there, but it still a good read. ⬇️

Librarybelle I‘m a little late to the the party, but thanks to @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB for hosting! 5y

Librarybelle I‘m using this for my Letter C for #LitsyAtoZ @BookishMarginalia 5y

mcctrish I love Jackson Brodie 5y

See All 7 Comments

Cinfhen Great review and wonderful song choice 🎶you can check out the discussion threads/ they appear on @BarbaraBB page ❤️ 5y

BarbaraBB Fab review! I must say I liked the book a lot more after our discussion! 5y

Librarybelle @mcctrish ❤️❤️❤️ 5y

Librarybelle Thanks, @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB ! 5y

92 likes7 comments

LitsyHappenings

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Repost for @BarbaraBB :
Thanks to all of you for participating in our #BelowZer00s party 💜

We hope you‘re in for another buddy read! From May 15-17 we will host #MAYbeNow, a throwback to the past decade & of course in our signature party style 🎶💃🕺

Was there a book you meant to read published between 2010-19 that somehow slipped away?Well, here‘s your chance to nominate it. After Thursday Jan 16‬ we‘ll be back to inform you about the voting!

35 likes

HeathHof

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

so-so

This just wasn't for me. I couldn't connect with the characters and found myself wanting to know more about the cases and resolutions VS. The characters which, I found super cringy. There were bits of humor that I appreciated but this one mostly just made me sad or annoyed or both. I was happy that the author gave us the outcome to the cases.

50 likes1 stack add

AnneCecilie

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

Finished this last Sunday and I‘m late with reviewing this. For me this is not a book about crime but a book about the consequences for the next of kins that experience crime. Jackson Brodie get involved in 3 cold cases where the newest is 10yrs old.

I will definitely want to read more about Jackson Brodie and will continue reading this series.

#BelowZ00rs
#ReadingEurope UK

@BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @Librarybelle

Librarybelle I‘m enjoying my reread of this! 5y

Cinfhen Happy you enjoyed this one☝🏾 Hope you‘ll join us for #MAYbeNow 5y

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I probably will. I‘ve read 3 of the books before so won‘t do any rereads, but I‘ve plenty to say about them too. Looking forward to see the book to read for that. 5y

See All 7 Comments

Cinfhen I‘ve read 3 of them too! But right now it seems that this one has the most votes

Tell the Wolves I'm Home: A Novel

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I hope it wins, it‘s one I haven‘t read and it sounded interesting. 5y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Cinfhen so good!!!! 5y

CarolynM I completely agree with you. I think in many ways the Brodie character is an ongoing study of the ripple effects of the murder of a family member. 5y

68 likes1 stack add7 comments

thereadingowlvina

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

so-so

I don't know how I feel about this book honestly but you can read about it at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3142709172?type=review#...

Rating: 3⭐ (I think it's fair!)

Thank you @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB for hosting this fun #BelowZer00s #buddyread!

BarbaraBB I know what you mean and I love your edition and picture! Hope you‘ll be there again for #MAYbeNow! Did you vote already? 🤍 5y

thereadingowlvina @BarbaraBB Aw thanks! Oh no, don't think I was tagged! I did not there's another one coming up. I go check now! 😬 5y

BarbaraBB I am sorry if we forgot to tag you but we‘d love to have you join again. Just click on the hashtag 💝 5y

See All 7 Comments

thereadingowlvina @BarbaraBB Ah no worries! Yup, I'll click on the hashtag and see our selection for May! This is exciting!!! 😊💖 5y

Cinfhen I think I did tag you but it‘s possible I missed you by accident/ sorry 😐 5y

thereadingowlvina @Cinfhen No worries!!! 😁 5y

Cinfhen Thanks 😊 hope you‘ll join in the vote 💓💓💓 5y

31 likes7 comments

DebinHawaii

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

#BelowZer00s #buddyread
I‘m between so-so & pick but rounding up because even feeling crappy & stuffy🤧I wanted to finish & find out what happened—even if it took all weekend. (I‘ll be answering the discussion ??? tomorrow) I liked the pops of dark humor, liked Brodie & that there were some good twists. Didn‘t like keeping track of so many characters & that it slogged a bit. Max🐱says that he enjoyed the parts with cats but the not missing cats.🙀

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

batsy Hope you're feeling well soon! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Feel better soon! 5y

BarbaraBB Feel better soon! The discussion is to be found on my thread and certainly worth a peek! ❤️ 5y

See All 9 Comments

mabell Great photo! Even under the weather, you‘re so creative! Feel better soon! 5y

CaroPi Recover... Here is virus season and I am also sick lying in bed 5y

Crazeedi Max is a great reviewer! I agree with him!💗🐱 5y

Cinfhen Yes!!!! Max is quite right!!!! Hope that cold is on its way out 🤞🏼🤞🏼 5y

AmyG Feel better! Max is a handsome nurse. ❤️ 5y

rubyslippersreads Cold viruses must travel through the Internet, because I have one too. 🤒 Max looks very regal. 😻👑 5y

92 likes1 stack add9 comments

jenniferw88

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#belowzer00s a few hours late but here's my thoughts on the book! Thanks for hosting Cindy & Barbara! @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB

Cinfhen The three cases are not originally connected BUT when Theo has his asthma attack it‘s the homeless girl who saves him. The homeless girl turns out to be the now grown baby daughter of Michelle, the mom who was accused of killing her husband with an ax. 5y

Cinfhen Do you want the next book?? I bought it but I‘m not interested in continuing on with the series! 5y

jenniferw88 @Cinfhen ah ok, thanks (re first comment). I'm currently running very low on physical space for books, so thanks but no thanks to the second book - I'll either wait to see if it becomes a #Kindledeal or get rid of some of my other books first! 😂❤😘 5y

Cinfhen I understand completely 5y

75 likes4 comments

BarbaraBB

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread, question 5/5

Cinfhen

vivastory 😂😂 Probably a bulldog 5y

Hooked_on_books Ha! Funny that you‘d ask this. I think I‘d be a mastiff. A bit lazy, generally healthy, affectionate with my family but a bit aloof around others. 5y

JaclynW Fun question! I would be a king charles cavalier or cocker spaniel. According to Google, their temperament is: Fearless, Affectionate, Sweet Disposition, Sociable, Patient, Adaptable, Playful, and Intelligent. They can also suffer from separation anxiety and they best enjoy being in a household environment around people. This sums me up pretty good. (Although I'm not especially fearless, nor do I like hunting. So except for those 2 things...) 😊 5y

See All 33 Comments

Billypar Chihuahua? Small, persistent, cold all the time in the winter.. 😅 5y

readordierachel This question is awesome 😆 but I have no idea. Love your thoughtful answer @JaclynW ! 5y

Mdargusch My best friend growing up always said I reminded her of my schnauzer- I do have quite a beard. 🤣🤣🤣 5y

Bklover I‘d be a Maltese. I have two of them and they are the laziest dogs I‘ve ever seen. I also googled lazy dog breeds and there they were. They also like to eat and have their back scratched. Yep. 5y

JaclynW @vivastory @Hooked_on_books @Billypar @readordierachel @Mdargusch @Bklover I'm loving everyone's answers! I feel like I need to go poll my family now.😄 5y

readordierachel @Bklover 🤣🤣 I like the way you think 5y

JennyM Probably a Labrador - loyal, family friendly but tends to eats too much 🤣 5y

BookwormAHN I'd be Lhasa Apso. I've had so many of them that I think they've entered my DNA. 5y

peaKnit I‘m a Chow, I think. Fiercely loyal but content just standing by on the ready. And once I don‘t like someone, it‘s over. Takes a long time for me to get frustrated but once I am done I am done like a Chow, they can be a grumpy breed if they don‘t like you 😊 And fluffy, way too much hair, my short hair doesn‘t grow longer, it grows bigger😂 5y

Andrew65 Not well enough up on my breeds of dog! Pretty one off character, so possibly a mix of the features of different dogs. Does that make me a mongrel. 🙄😔 5y

Kalalalatja I‘m not sure about the breed, but something small, protective, a bit of a pleaser and with a temperament 🐶😄 5y

AnneCecilie I have no idea, I‘m not that into different breeds. Something lazy who want to stay inside 5y

Cinfhen Great answers everyone!!! Thanks for cozying up with us @AnneCecilie @Kalalalatja @Andrew65 @peaknit @BookwormAHN @JennyM @readordierachel @JaclynW @vivastory @Hooked_on_books @Billypar @Bklover @Mdargusch Hope you‘ll join us for #MAYbeNow #buddyread coming May 2020 featuring a book from the last decade (2010-2019) 🤓 5y

Bklover @AnneCecilie you can be a Maltese like me. Laziest dogs ever! 5y

SamAnne Border collie! A middle-aged border collie.... 5y

CarolynM I'm a cat 5y

Billypar You raise a good point @CarolynM - I think many of us on this site are closer to the cat spectrum 😸 5y

Billypar Thanks @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB for organizing this fun weekend! Loved the book discussion and trip back in time 👏👏👏 5y

Cinfhen You‘re hilarious @CarolynM 😹😹😹😹😹 (edited) 5y

Cinfhen So glad you were able to join us @Billypar ❤️ 5y

JaclynW @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB Thanks for a fun 3 days and a new book introduction! 5y

HeathHof My daughter's are telling me that I would be a poodle🐩🤣 5y

CarolynM @Billypar

All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome

Crazeedi Labrador retriever!! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Haha! What a fun question and love all the answers! 😁 I don‘t know enough of breeds of dogs, but I guess something loyal and strong willed is close. Thanks for hosting a fun party and great discussion questions @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen (edited) 5y

batsy Fun question that I'm not sure how to answer! I guess I'll be a mixed breed... Confused, not knowing from whence I came or where I'm heading, but with a lot of love and loyalty for all the good people in my life 😁 5y

bookandbedandtea Is there a breed of dog which prefers to be solitary? I can't think of one. I think I'd be a cat, which is weird for me to think as I much prefer to interact with dogs than cats. 🤷‍♀️ 5y

Simona Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Easy going, naturally quiet and pretty lazy. 5y

DebinHawaii I think I lean to the cat side too personality wise but I do love dogs. I guess I would say a Basset Hound lazy, easygoing, people-oriented but would just as soon take a nap most of the time & also a bit stubborn.😉🐶 Big thanks to @Cinfhen & @BarbaraBB for hosting this fun #buddyread 😘 5y

bookandcat Uhhhh I don't really do dogs! I'll ask my husband. Okay just asked and he says I'm a corgi. Idk why. 5y

47 likes33 comments

BarbaraBB

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread, question 4/5

Cinfhen

JaclynW By the end of this book, yes, I felt invested. I am curious to get to know him more. I'm not always good though at finishing a series. I honestly didn't even know this book was a series until I was about halfway through it and I saw someone post something about not wanting to continue with the series. Also police life seems so foreign to me. Which can be a draw AND a turn off. 5y

Hooked_on_books I really liked the book and the humor so I definitely plan to continue. I actually own book 3, so I just downloaded the audio of book 2 from the library. I find Jackson an interesting character, but I don‘t think he‘s fully fleshed out yet. I‘m guessing that a purposeful way to save some of his character development for later books. 5y

vivastory I loved Jackson! I will definitely be reading future entries. Although she published it before Galbraith, I was reminded of Cormoran Strike. 5y

See All 37 Comments

TrishB Already up to date in the series. I‘ve loved Jackson since this book and have read the books as they‘ve come out! 5y

vivastory Again agree with @Hooked_on_books I think he'll be more fully realized in future books, but he definitely had enough presence in this one to really intrigue me 5y

MicheleinPhilly For sure. I‘ve already read book 2 many moons ago and own 3 and 4. I‘m looking forward to them. 5y

Billypar I thought Jackson was a little 'meh'. I liked his observations, but they didn't seem to coalesce into a fully fledged character as much as Amelia's did. I felt the same way about Caroline. 5y

readordierachel #unpopularopinion but I didn't really like Jackson. He was quite bland and I could have done without his sexual assessments of all the female characters. Everyone was talking about what a good guy he is, but I didn't see that. Maybe Atkinson withheld a lot of depth to his character to get you to read on? Don't know if I will. I did like his interactions with his daughter though. 5y

Mdargusch Yes! I would definitely read the next book in this series! 5y

Bklover I‘ll be interested to learn more about him in the next book. He was interesting but certainly not the most interesting character in the book. 5y

BarbaraBB @readordierachel I‘m with you and @Billypar. He seems to me quite realistic but I don‘t think I‘d much like him in real life. 5y

JennyM Definitely! He‘s is a great character. 5y

BookwormAHN I liked Jackson but not enough to continue. 5y

Andrew65 Most definitely! I‘m waiting for a hold to come in on book 2. Feel like we just skimmed the surface with him so far. 5y

Kalalalatja I‘m not planning on reading any of the other books, but I‘m not surprised by that. This just isn‘t my genre, and Jackson annoyed me to much to convince me otherwise 😅 5y

AnneCecilie Yes, especially the tiny glimpses we got of his past. I will continue with the series in the hope of learning more about him. 5y

jenniferw88 Definitely continuing! 5y

Cinfhen I‘m with @Kalalalatja @BookwormAHN @ReadOrDie @Billypar @BarbaraBB I wasn‘t drawn to Jackson and I‘m not interested in continuing on with this series. This book just wasn‘t for me, but I‘m glad I got to read it with all of you. I happen to own book 2 and I‘m happy to send it to any of you @AnneCecilie @jenniferw88 @JennyM @Bklover @Mdargusch @vivastory @MicheleinPhilly @JaclynW First come first serve 🥳 5y

Bklover I‘ll take it!!! 5y

Bklover Hope the second one has the humor. I thought that the humor carried the book. Otherwise it would have been sort of blah. 5y

SamAnne I will read the next in the series, but not immediately. I enjoyed the story and the characters but not so that I'm going to run out and get the next one. 5y

CarolynM Absolutely! I think he's wonderful. Book 3 is my favourite @Hooked_on_books 🙂 5y

JaclynW @readordierachel I'm in agreement with you about the sexual assessments. I found this in another book with the lead character being a male police officer. I was wondering...is this typical male? Typical police mentality? I still don't have the answer. 5y

HeathHof I found myself more interested in the cases and looking forward to the resolutions more so than the present day characters. I found both Amelia and Julia cringy and Jackson was meh 5y

thereadingowlvina So far, he's an okay character. I would continue this series just to find out how his character develops. Plus, I really like the author's writing 😁 5y

Crazeedi I wasn't necessarily drawn to him, but I would read a sequel 5y

erzascarletbookgasm I did not LOVE Jackson but like him enough to find out how his character develops in the series. I also happen to own book 2 and 3, so will continue. 5y

BookNAround I liked Jackson well enough but I‘m not sure if I‘ll continue the series or not. So many books so little time! 5y

batsy Short answer: No. Like @readordierachel he rubbed me the wrong way and for those reasons. If he is fleshed out and made more interesting in the later books, and less of a typical entitled straight man, I might consider reading more. 5y

batsy @JaclynW @readordierachel Another male investigator character who annoyed me greatly in the same vein is Harry Hole from the Jo Nesbø books... Well I only read this one but it was enough

The Snowman: A Harry Hole Novel (7)

bookandbedandtea I liked Jackson quite a lot but I don't feel a pull to read more in this series. This book felt like a one- off to me and I think I'm happy to leave it that way. 5y

BarbaraBB @Mynameisacolour I‘m with you on all characters! 5y

Simona I am not interested at all. He was depicted so stereotypically, in very boring way.
@batsy Are you familiar with Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers from Inspektor Lynley series by Elizabeth Georg. I only read the first book, but the characterization is a little more complex and interesting. 5y

Bklover I love the Lynley series (most of them) @Simona ! 5y

DebinHawaii I liked Jackson & believe he has some hidden depths to uncover. I wouldn‘t be opposed to more of the series but I have a lot of books I would rather get to first. That being said, if they were ever really cheap Kindle deals, I‘d load ‘em up. 😉 5y

bookandcat I'd try another book since I liked him well enough but this was a 3 star read for me. I am more attached to and invested in Murder Squad characters (see Tana French) but he was fine. 5y

Simona @Bklover I've saved them for reading slump times 😊 5y

42 likes37 comments

BarbaraBB

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread, question 3/5

Cinfhen

JaclynW I think it helped to lighten the traumatic events of the book 5y

Hooked_on_books I don‘t think she necessarily intended suspense here. And I think the humor as well as the focus on character development shows that. Plus there are awful, dark things happening to people here, so the humor helps lift you away from those feelings. I think that‘s why she made the humor so off-color, to balance the violent components. I loved the humor! 5y

JaclynW Oops. I hit send too soon. If it had been one traumatic thing after another, she may have lost readers because it may have gotten too heavy. 5y

See All 48 Comments

JaclynW @Hooked_on_books I liked the humourous bits too. 5y

TrishB It‘s very real to me to see humour in very dark situations. Whether it‘s a Brit thing I don‘t know 🤷‍♀️ but this felt very everyday. 5y

vivastory I loved the humor. I felt it alleviated some of the grief, which would have been overwhelming at times, & added extra depth to the characters. It felt very true to life. 5y

Billypar The humor was ultimately what sold me in the end. I agree that it acted as a counterweight to the more depressing parts. It also helped me enjoy the relative slowness in the investigations. Usually with mysteries I'm more ravenous when it comes to having new developments or twists, but I didn't mind the pace as much since she had me cracking up the whole way. 5y

MicheleinPhilly @TrishB I agree. I‘ve always viewed it as something of a Scorpio defense mechanism. ☺️ 5y

TrishB @MicheleinPhilly that‘s definitely it! The amount of times I‘ve made inappropriate comments and got the look from family members!! 5y

TrishB @Billypar I think the mysteries in these is always secondary to the characters and the personalities and the humour. 5y

readordierachel Agree with you @JaclynW and @Hooked_on_books that the humor balances out the violence and trauma. The humor was what I appreciated most. 5y

Bklover I found the humor more prominent than the mysteries. Almost as if the mysteries were there to promote the humor. If that makes any sense. 5y

MicheleinPhilly @TrishB YEP! #SisterFromAnotherMister 5y

Mdargusch The humor made the book more than a whodunit since it added another layer. I laughed out loud so many times during the chapters on Caroline! 5y

JaclynW @Billypar Very true. 5y

JaclynW @Mdargusch Yes! Layered is the perfect way to describe it. 5y

BarbaraBB It can be a Scorpio thing indeed, I know I use it too 😉 @TrishB and @MicheleinPhilly. It didn‘t do so much for me in this novel though. I admit to laughing about the cat called ‘nigger‘ 🤭 but Julia and Amelia became a bit too grotesque for me and therefore a bit unrealistic. 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB I now can‘t admit to having any of these characters in my extended family can I!! I think Julia and Amelia are maybe a bit out dated now, but definitely existed.... 5y

TrishB @MicheleinPhilly 😘😘 always being told to watch what people might be thinking 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ whatever that means!! 5y

BarbaraBB @TrishB Haha, it‘s probably fun to have them in your extended family 😀 5y

BookwormAHN I think the humor was definitely needed to lighten up the mood but the cat called "nigger" was too much ??‍♀️ 5y

Andrew65 @BarbaraBB Another Scorpio here who uses it too! ♏️ Amazing How humour can get you through difficult situations and times! Also balances out nicely the dark points of the book. 5y

Kalalalatja #TeamScorpio here, too! @BarbaraBB @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly @Andrew65 I use humor quite a lot in my therapy sessions with clients, as it helps to get through some of the tougher subjects, so it makes sense to me there is so much of it in the book 5y

BarbaraBB @Kalalalatja That is very plausible explanation, thanks 🙏 5y

TrishB @BookwormAHN to me this was highlighting racism in older people very well in the U.K. (sadly). I could well have imagined my Nan doing that ☹️ 5y

BarbaraBB @TrishB Oh really? To me it was so absurd that I found it funny 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB maybe it‘s a U.K. thing? A lot of my friends (and me!) have horror stories about racist grandparents? 5y

BarbaraBB @TrishB I don‘t know, maybe everyone‘s grandparents here are racist too except mine because they were Indonesian 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 5y

MicheleinPhilly @TrishB @BarbaraBB Sadly not limited to the UK. I could see some of my ancient neighbors doing that sort of thing TODAY. 😒 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB 😂😂 a good reason! My Nan was Irish but still profoundly racist against people coming into the country! 5y

TrishB @MicheleinPhilly ☹️🤷‍♀️ we can only fight back! 5y

Cinfhen I agree the “humor” was meant to lighten the otherwise dark stories but to me the humor seemed more slapstick and unnatural. It just didn‘t work for me @Hooked_on_books @JaclynW @TrishB @vivastory @Billypar @readordierachel @Bklover @Mdargusch @BarbaraBB @BookwormAHN @Kalalalatja I thought the humor sort of out dated the story / 5y

Cinfhen There is no way naming a cat “nigger” in ANY book now (2020) would ever get published!!!!! I‘m still in shock over that 😱 5y

TrishB @Cinfhen very true, thankfully, but sadly wouldn‘t stop it happening ☹️ 5y

CarolynM I agree with @Hooked_on_books I don't think suspense was intended. I think she was using the "detective" format to write about a bunch of traumatised people. I think one of the things she does very well is to show violence and trauma are part of everyday life for some people and humour is also part of everyday life - from observation of the contradictions and absurdities. 5y

BarbaraBB @CarolynM I wonder why she used the format, as a writer she has proven she doesn‘t need it and the murder cases were a bit predictable and for me detracting (is that the correct word?) from the overall story. 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB interesting question! Don‘t know the answer though. 5y

CarolynM @TrishB I thought Binky (and to a lesser extent Caroline's husband and family) was hilarious but I am hugely amused by that stereotype of early 20th century British superiority (the novels of Dornford Yates and PC Wren for example). I think a lot of racism in the past came from a lack of understanding that other cultures were just as valid as (in yours and mine case) Anglo - Irish culture.👇 5y

CarolynM 🖕My grandparents felt so sorry for their Italian and Greek neighbours for their ignorance and backwardness when all they were doing were things that were normal where they had come from. 5y

CarolynM @BarbaraBB I don't know the answer either. Maybe because it provides a reason for her hero to encounter so many people who have been profoundly affected by violence? 5y

TrishB @CarolynM such a good summary! Sadly I think now we‘ve reverted backwards to still thinking that‘s the superior culture (in the U.K. anyway and certainly stirred up by Brexit). 5y

Crazeedi People use humor when uncomfortable with situations, so maybe that's why 5y

erzascarletbookgasm For me, there‘s no suspense, and I went in thinking it‘s a traditional mystery story but found out soon enough the whodunnits are not the main things. I really liked the humour, like what @CarolynM said earlier, not lol but more of ‘smile moments‘. Agree with what others said about the humour as a balance to the dark parts. 5y

batsy I love bleak, dark humour. The Russians especially used it to great effect in their literature. (shoutout to my man, Dostoyevsky! 😆) Sorry to be the party pooper again, but I didn't quite get on with Atkinson's brand of humour. I guess it's a subjective thing and maybe that's why I didn't quite enjoy the book. 5y

BarbaraBB @batsy I‘d prefer Dostojevski any time. Or Nathan Englander, who I just finished a book by! 5y

Simona Well @batsy I have to tag you again, I totally agree with you 😄 Bizarre, dark humor is my kind of humor, but it is ineffective in this story ... as @BarbaraBB said - with the exception of the black cat. 5y

DebinHawaii I liked the humor & for me it is a natural place too go in uncomfortable situations too. (Am I a closet Scorpio? 🤔) i didn‘t think it too much to take away from the story & I liked how the dark sarcasm was a balm to some of the pain. Regarding the cat, sadly I have older relations long gone now that would have viewed it as normal. 🥺I think that was a bit for shock factor though but I did enjoy Jackson & then Howell‘s reaction to it. 5y

bookandcat The humor was fine. I didn't find this book as suspenseful and taut as I would like (I am more of a Tana French fan). This felt more literary strolling through a PI's life for me. The resolutions of most of the cases did not feel too surprising for me. 5y

36 likes48 comments

BarbaraBB

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread, question 2/5

Cinfhen

Hooked_on_books I had noticed this and wondered. I‘m guessing it was a way to unify what could have been disparate plots by giving them a common theme. 5y

JaclynW @Hooked_on_books Good thoughts. I also thought it may be because many readers are parents and can relate to the fear of losing a child. 5y

TrishB Good point, that fear of going something as a parent that put your child in danger is an easy topic to focus on I guess. Agree with @Hooked_on_books it was the thread holding the stories together. 5y

See All 24 Comments

vivastory I agree with @Hooked_on_books I think that the sense of parents leaving something behind when they're gone was a unique way for Atkinson to tackle the cold cases 5y

Mdargusch I hadn‘t thought about it but I like your idea @Hooked__on__books 5y

Bklover I thought it illustrates how differently we can love our children. That “parental love” is not generic and can those differences can have profound effects. 5y

BarbaraBB I agree with you too @Hooked_on_books but I also thought it was because that way we got to know Jackson better, since he was personally dealing with some major parenthood issues. The cases gave us insight in his way of thinking. (edited) 5y

BookwormAHN Coming from someone without kids, it seems to me it was also about how directly our parent's crap affect who we are. 5y

Andrew65 @TrishB @Hooked_on_books I agree too, felt like it was the thread holding the three different cases together, and provided a link into Jackson too. 5y

Kalalalatja I like both your views @Hooked_on_books and @BarbaraBB - Atkinson needed a theme to tie the stories together, and tie them to Jackson‘s life and situation 5y

Hooked_on_books That‘s definitely a good thought about giving us more access to Jackson. It definitely ties him in, too, along with his ex and her boyfriend. 5y

AnneCecilie I hadn‘t really thought about that but agree with @Hooked__on__books @Bklover and @BookwormAHN 5y

Cinfhen I definitely agree with all of you @Hooked_on_books @Bklover @BookwormAHN @JaclynW @BarbaraBB the theme of parenthood is universal enough and strong enough to bind these stories. And when it comes to fatherhood in particular we got very different perspectives the overprotective father ( Theo) the abusive father ( Victor) and the overworked/ single dad/ trying to figure it all out dad ( Jackson) 5y

CarolynM For me it's not parenthood so much as family that is the theme. The sibling relationships, and the degree of responsibility they feel for one another, were just as central to the book as the parent - child relationships. 5y

Hooked_on_books @Cinfhen Excellent point. Also the loving but not terribly involved dad in Kevin, for his brief presence. 5y

BarbaraBB @CarolynM You are right about that! 5y

Cinfhen Yes!!!!!! @CarolynM definitely about family relationships 5y

erzascarletbookgasm What @Hooked_on_books and @BarbaraBB said. I think the parenthood theme primarily tie the cases to Jackson. 5y

Crazeedi Maybe because Jackson had issues to resolve with his daughter as in being divorced and not in her life etc 5y

BookNAround And more than just parenthood but the issue of missing girls/disappeared daughters. The case highlight Jackson‘s fears for his daughter, the child who was a surprise in his marriage but the best surprise he could have found. 5y

batsy I agree with the thoughtful answers above. It was a unifying theme and also a way to show the various forms of parenting, the good, the bad, the evil and the harmful, and the long-lasting ramifications it has on the psyche of the children. The scars we carry with us or the stuff that makes or breaks us, I think... 5y

jhod Just to say Jackson's back story and how effected he was by his siblings makes me agree that its family relationships that's the unifying theme. (also caroline and shirley, amelia and julia) 5y

DebinHawaii I agree that the parenting & the family relationships were the tie & as @BookNAround & @Crazeedi mention the emphasis on the dangers in the world for women/daughters/sisters as they related to Jackson‘s own worries for his daughter. 5y

Crazeedi @DebinHawaii yes!! 5y

42 likes24 comments

Billypar

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

The mysteries were a little thin, as were some of the characters (Brodie included). The heteronormative and racial humor (i.e. the whole cat thing) was cringey. Some of the end resolutions were implausible to the point of absurdity. So why did I like this? I think the dark humor that did land was very funny but also blended with the sadder moments surprisingly well. It was also very self-referential, which I always enjoy 👇

Billypar And unlike most 'literary mysteries' this seemed to fall squarely in between the two genres, which makes it hard to pin down and rate, but fun to watch as it subverts either genre's expectations. Looking forward to the discussion! @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB 5y

Billypar #BelowZer00s 5y

BarbaraBB You are just in time! Another great review! 5y

See All 14 Comments

readordierachel Yes, that cat part was awful! 5y

Billypar @BarbaraBB Thanks! I'm glad I finished in time: great discussion! 5y

Billypar @readordierachel Yeah, I know what she was going for, but I can't go along. There are plenty of other good jokes to enjoy! 5y

Cinfhen Great review!!! But all your “negative” points only reenforces why this book didn‘t work for me 😉😂 5y

Billypar @Cinfhen Lol - it's tough one to review 😁 A pick with reservations, which isn't far from the 'so so' you want to like more. 5y

batsy What @Cinfhen said 😂 The cat part legit made me want to throw my book (with the hideous cover) out the window 🙃 @readordierachel 5y

readordierachel @batsy I was listening to the audiobook and thought I must have misheard! Then she just kept going back to that well for a cheap laugh 🙄 5y

Billypar @batsy @readordierachel You'd think it would have raised eyebrows somewhere in the editorial process. Ali Smith was mentioned twice in the acknowledgements - I wonder if she raised any concerns? Maybe there's an awkward email exchange between the two authors about it...🤔 5y

readordierachel @Billypar @batsy I would pay good money to read that exchange. I read that Atkinson almost never reads her negative reviews and thinks that authors reviewing their colleagues work is "a callous art," so perhaps criticism is unwelcome. 5y

Billypar @readordierachel Interesting - I've heard that perspective before: maybe if you've got Ali Smith and a few trusted editors, that's enough. I haven't heard of her trafficking in ill-advised racial humor elsewhere, so hopefully this was a weird one-off thing. 5y

readordierachel Yes, hopefully. I certainly don't remember anything like that in Life After Life 5y

41 likes14 comments

BarbaraBB

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread is starting right now. This is question 1 of 5!

I have tagged some people who were interested in the book, but of course all are welcome to participate.

Simona, KarenUK, DebinHawaii, Megabooks, JennyM, Hooked_on_books, Cinfhen, peaKnit, Jerdencon, HeathHof, Blaire, Kalalalatja, Crazeedi, Kimberlone, erzascarletbookgasm, CarolynM, Reviewsbylola, Mdargusch, BookNAround, AnneCecilie, MicheleinPhilly, bookandcat, readordierachel, Bklover, thereadingowlvina, TrishB, jenniferw88, nomadreader, Librarybelle, batsy, vivastory, bookandbedandtea, Andrew65, Billypar, alisiakae, JaclynW, squirrelbrain, Rissreads, BookwormAHN, gradcat, SamAnne, Marina_h

jenniferw88 The Lands, and Jackson's back story. I kind of guessed what happened with Olivia, but liked the bit with Binti. (I probably identified most with her as well - I'll probably be a crazy cat lady when I'm older). And I like detectives with a past! 5y

Hooked_on_books I was most interested to find out what happened to Laura, since she died in such an awful way, but I loved the sisters Amelia and Julia. They were just a riot! The contrast between them and their interactions were wildly entertaining to me. 5y

JaclynW I was drawn to Amelia. I felt so sorry for her. I think she was so traumatized by her sister's disappearance. Julia was interesting. Theo was a sad case too. Michelle scared me. Maybe because I could identify with her in some ways. Jackson sometimes got of my nerves, sometimes I liked him. Binti was a quirky, old lady that I can to feel for. 5y

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JaclynW @Hooked_on_books Agreed! 5y

TrishB It‘s all about Jackson for me and his interactions with people, not really about the mysteries, though you‘re curious to see what happens obviously. 5y

SamAnne A toss up between the Lands and Jackson's backstory, leaning to Jackson as well. I really liked the depth of the character development and stories, and plan to read the rest of the series. 5y

vivastory From a purely "whodunnit" standpoint, I was most intrigued by Laura's case. It was the case with the most eyewitnesses & it seemed unimaginable that the perpetrator hadn't been caught. I was also initially a bit confused by the inclusion of Michelle's case, although it was cleared up. 5y

Billypar I liked the Land and Wyre mysteries the best. @Hooked_on_books I agree about the banter between Amelia and Olivia- I looked forward to their scenes the most. And I liked how we saw Amelia's constant internal questions spiraling in between their back and forths. I also thought the portrayal of the grief Theo was going through was well-done. 5y

readordierachel In terms of mysteries, I was most interested in finding out what happened to Olivia Land. I was also confused by Michelle's storyline @vivastory I suppose it was cleared up but I was left wondering why she included it in the first placeTheo's grief stood out to me too @Billypar He was the most sympathetic character imo. 5y

Mdargusch Olivia‘s story tugged at my heartstrings and I was glad to read answers to her mystery. 5y

Andrew65 Jackson, and his interactions with the cases. Although in terms of the mysteries, what happened to Olivia. Ultimate nightmare for a parent. (edited) 5y

BarbaraBB I had soon figured out what happened to Olivia so that storyline didn‘t do much for me. I agree with @Vivastory that Laura‘s case was the most interesting from a whodunnit point of view. And about Michelle, just like @JaclynW I can relate a bit to her and that‘s scary. I can see how the book is a completely different read when you‘re primarily focussed on Jackson, like @TrishB, @Andrew65 and @SamAnne ! (edited) 5y

Bklover I was probably most interested in the Olivia Land mystery. I also loved Theo‘s version of his daughter- I think a lot of parents see their children that way. 5y

Bklover @JaclynW @BarbaraBB I‘m definitely relieved that I‘m not the only one who related to Michelle. 😳 5y

JaclynW @Bklover You aren't alone. I honestly think any human could get to that point. It's just a matter of what "ingredients" in that particular "recipe" would it take...know what I mean?? When the full story of what happened to Michelle was finally revealed, I have to admit I was stunned. Michelle was courageous in her reaction. I did wonder if she would have actually gone through with it had she been allowed to continue. What do you think? 5y

JaclynW @Andrew65 Ultimate nightmare indeed. 5y

JennyM I was most curious about Laura. But I‘m with @trishb @Andrew65 @SamAnne - it‘s more about Jackson for me. I really enjoyed it, especially the snarky humour! 😊 5y

Bklover @JaclynW Well, I think Michelle definitely would have gone through with it. Or at least tried to. 5y

BookwormAHN I was quite drawn to Amelia. I think her and her sister were really entertaining. I also thought Jackson was great. I did wonder about Lilly Rose and who she really was. 5y

MicheleinPhilly I vaguely recall feeling like the Michelle/Caroline story stuck out like a sore thumb the first time but this time I couldn‘t stop picturing Fleabag and Hot Priest. 😂 5y

Andrew65 @JennyM This was the second time I read the book (previously six years ago I think). The first tine I read the book I thought it was quite strange how it was written! In fact very surprised it was a series because it felt like a one off. This time I knew what to expect - even if I couldn‘t remember the resolution to the mysteries! Therefore o focused more on Jackson. Some great interactions during the book and humorous moments. @BarbaraBB @JaclynW (edited) 5y

Kalalalatja I‘m definitely team Theo. Somehow the other characters felt a bit like caricatures, while Theo and his grief seemed like the most “real” thing in the book. 5y

thereadingowlvina To be honest, I'm only halfway into this book! But I know that I like Theo. He seems to be the more sincere character among all. And I really like how this book is written. I love Atkinson's wtiting style ❤😁 5y

CarolynM It's not the "mysteries" that were interesting to me, but the people and the ways they were affected by what had happened in their families. Because I'd already read the later books I was especially interested in Julia (she is an on-going character) and also the details of Jackson's back story. I found Theo's grief really moving and Shirley - wow, what a piece of work! 5y

Cinfhen I totally agree @Kalalalatja It wasn‘t Laura‘s case as much as it was Theo‘s pain, guilt, trauma that resonated most with me. I guessed very early on what had happened to Olivia and I figured out who the homeless girl was the minute Shirley mentioned Tanya. So I was drawn to Theo and wanted to know how his story would be resolved. Was not happy with Lilly-Rose moving in with him- that became too sappy for me. (edited) 5y

AnneCecilie I was most interested in Jackson and his interactions with the people in the cases. I felt that the ending was a little rushed and weird, one minute Jackson doesn‘t want to spend time with the Land sisters, and then suddenly he invites them to join him on his holiday. 5y

Blaire @CarolynM I want to read more of this series. Interesting to learn that Julia continues to have a presence. I felt the most empathy toward Theo. His reaction and the way he continued on his life. I loved the way Julia and Amelia interacted. Lots of funny lines. 5y

HeathHof I was most interested In the Case of Olivia Land. I held out hope that she would be found 5y

gradcat Really, for me Jackson embodies a sort of “Everyman” for our age: divorcing, kid custody issues, money issues, feeling like a man out of time, and having saddlebags of guilt & pain to carry around on his shoulders owing to issues with his family. I admit I read this many years ago, and to say much more would get into future books, but Jackson is really the main draw for me. Purely existential crises erupting almost constantly—what‘s not to love?♥️ 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Of the three cases, I liked the Land case. The Wyre case is intriguing as I had absolutely no clue ‘whodunnit‘. But what draws me in is mostly Jackson, who is the heart of the story, and the portrayal of grief/loss by the surviving family in each case. I also enjoyed the teasings between the two Land sisters. 5y

Crazeedi I wondered about Michelle/ Caroline daughter, and I was most surprised that her sister was the one who killed her husband, and that she agreed to take the fall 5y

CarolynM @gradcat Exactly❤️ 5y

CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm I agree with what you say. Most detective stories are about untangling the events and psychology that led to the crime, I think Kate Atkinson is much more interested in exploring the aftermath of crime than the cause of it. 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @Crazeedi I was surprised it was the sister too! 😄 5y

BookNAround I was most interested in Jackson and his relationships with the people around him, family and clients. The mysteries were interesting and had different twists to them but like others have said, it was more about the impact on those left behind than the actual crime. I liked it a lot more than I expected to. 5y

batsy I liked the sisters the most, Julia & Amelia. And Amelia was my favourite until I felt like Atkinson disappointed me with her characterisation. Like she just became the cardboard sad, desperate spinster figure without any redeeming inner qualities. 5y

bookandbedandtea @erzascarletbookgasm @CarolynM I agree with both of you that the most interesting aspects were the ways in which the survivors of all these crimes were impacted. 5y

bookandbedandtea I could have done with more of the Michelle/Caroline/Shirley story. Was truly surprised to find out what really happened that day! And, Jackson, of course. I feel that's inevitable as he ties everything together but I just truly *liked* him. 5y

BarbaraBB @gradcat You are so right about the Everyman. I didn‘t think of that. But it might be the reason why I didn‘t like him much. Too much Everymen in fiction - or at least what I‘ve read lately. 5y

BarbaraBB @batsy Exactly. Amelia (and Julia too) became grotesque, which I couldn‘t appreciate at all. 5y

gradcat @BarbaraBB I can understand your opinion. I must like them, because I read so much Updike and Roth and Bellow, and Joyce, for that matter. See—why, they‘re all male! At least Atkinson is a woman. But the Everyman archetype is certainly overused, I suppose, especially when you consider other art forms, like movies.... And I guess novelists are not even bothering to name their Everyman narrators—several contemporary writers do that, I find...♥️♥️ 5y

BarbaraBB @gradcat I was thinking of Roth and Updike too 😀. What contemporary writers are you thinking of? 5y

Crazeedi @bookandbedandtea agree 5y

bookandcat Am still finishing the book (whoops) so will plan to come back to the questions when I'm done! 5y

BarbaraBB @bookandcat No hurry! I hope you‘re liking it! 5y

DebinHawaii Late to the discussion but for characters I am on Team Jackson—I liked his reactions to everyone around him & his dark sarcasm. Story/case wise it was Laura & Theo that story kept me turning the pages to know what really happened & pulled at my heart. I actually kind of liked Lily-Rose moving in with Theo @Cinfhen to give him purpose but I lean to the sappy side sometimes.😉😆 5y

bookandcat Definitely drawn to Jackson most. And also Theo. His chocolate of the month club broke my heart a bit. 5y

gradcat @BarbaraBB Off the top of my head, maybe Paul Auster, Ben Metcalf, Cormac McCarthy—maybe these aren‘t considered contemporary? But they‘re not modern like the others we spoke about. And of course, a lot of dystopian and/or post-apocalyptic novels lend themselves to this sort of trope. I remember reading an article in “The New Yorker” about just this subject several years ago. It was really interesting, so I remember it fairly well. ♥️ 5y

42 likes48 comments

MicheleinPhilly

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

This is less #StartASeries than #RevisitASeries. I first read this and One Good Turn maybe a dozen years ago. Thankfully I remembered virtually nothing so it didn‘t feel repetitive at all. I think those going into this series expecting excitement and/or suspense are rightfully disappointed but I really enjoy Atkinson‘s characterizations and look forward to continuing the series. #BelowZer00s

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

SamAnne I enjoyed it but I like character driven/focused stories. 5y

BarbaraBB You‘re right in time for our discussion that stars in 45 minutes 😉 5y

TrishB Definitely don‘t read for the crime or suspense, but the characters and their stories 👍🏻 5y

Cinfhen Glad the reread didn‘t disappoint \ it just wasn‘t the right book for me 😬🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Great advice 👍 5y

65 likes5 comments

LitsyHappenings

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Still time to join!

Are you ready for #BelowZer00s #BuddyRead this weekend? @Cinfhen and @BarbaraBB are excited to relive the 00s and discuss the tagged book.
We‘ll kick-off the party ‪on Friday Jan 10‬ by sharing memories of the 00s: food, clothing, movies, books, fads, home photos it‘s up to you!
On Saturday it‘s all about music: share you favorite 00s playlist!
Sunday discussion ‪starts 1pm EST‬ or ‪7pm CET‬
Open to all
Join us ??

BarbaraBB Thanks for sharing 😘 5y

40 likes1 comment

AnneCecilie

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#WeeklyForcast

Continue listening to The Starless Sea
Finish Case Histories and read the first Kepler crime

Cinfhen

58 likes

Cinfhen

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Friendly reminder!!!! Discussion TODAY, Jan 12 1pm EST 7pm CET 🎉🤓‼️Questions will be posted by the wonderful @BarbaraBB ( I have a meeting I couldn‘t postpone so I will be joining later on~ sorry ) Can‘t wait to hear what ya‘ll think ❤️#BelowZer00s #BuddyRead #CaseHistories

TrishB I think that‘s 5pm here 😁 5y

BarbaraBB @TrishB I thought so too but when I google it says 7 pm... 🧐 5y

BarbaraBB Have a good meeting Cindy! 😘 5y

See All 18 Comments

jenniferw88 I'll probably be joining tomorrow - we've got a party starting at 7! 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB very confused now! I‘ll join in at some point then! 5y

Cinfhen I googled too / odd!! @TrishB @BarbaraBB unless it picked up my time zone???? But 1pm in NYC is 8pm for me 🤪🤪 5y

BarbaraBB @TrishB How late is it now in the UK? 5y

BarbaraBB @jenniferw88 Have Fun! 5y

jenniferw88 @BarbaraBB 2:47pm 5y

BarbaraBB Thanks. In Holland it is 3.47 5y

BarbaraBB So that explains an hour ☺️, UK is probably CET minus 1... (edited) 5y

Cinfhen Well according to IPhone it‘s a 5 hour time difference between NYC and U.K. @BarbaraBB @TrishB so 1pm in NYC would be 6pm in U.K. !!! 5y

BarbaraBB ... And 7 pm CET. We‘ve figured it out 👏👏 @TrishB @jenniferw88 @Cinfhen 5y

ljuliel I didn‘t sign up or read the book. Just dropping in to wish you success and a nice turnout. 📖 5y

Cinfhen Thanks so much @ljuliel 😊we‘re planning on hosting another read in May in case you‘re interested/ I can tag you if you‘d like 5y

TrishB @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @jenniferw88 see you at 6ish! 5y

ljuliel Yea, give me a holler. Thank you. 💕 @Cinfhen 5y

batsy I'm off to bed over here 😴😴 but hope to catch up tomorrow 🙂 5y

60 likes18 comments

AnneCecilie

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

Lindy 😁 5y

Buechersuechtling Sorry, not sorry, #UnpopularOpinion, but I perfectly see Jackson‘s point. 😊 5y

47 likes2 comments

SamAnne

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

Enjoyed the read and the listen. Got me through a white knuckle drive through snow and ice and jack-knifed trucks. Great character development. Looking forward to the Litsy book discussion tomorrow! #CaseHistories

42 likes1 stack add

SamAnne

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

pick

Crazeedi Oh no! Stay safe, my daughter is stranded in Seattle, her flight home was canceled, through Chicago to PA, it's a mess! 5y

SamAnne @Crazeedi I was driving from Portland OR to Spokane WA on Friday. Last half of the trip was a bit harrowing at times. And more snow is coming! 5y

49 likes2 comments

DebinHawaii

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BelowZer00s #buddyread
Max🐱says that he thinks it‘s a long shot that his mom will be finished & ready to discuss the book tomorrow. His mom is a stuffy, snorty mess🤧 & can‘t even be counted on to wait on him hand & foot as usual since she won‘t get off the couch & keeps falling asleep. (His mom says he is lucky she even fed him dinner & may consider giving him a snack later if he stops nagging & staring at her!)
#catsoflitsy 😽❤️

Cinfhen, BarbaraBB

Cinfhen Hahahaha 😂😂😂not about you not feeling well but baby Max and his comments are priceless. Don‘t worry about finishing the book. You can always check back in at the discussion questions at a later time. 5y

kspenmoll 😂😂 That stare! 😾 Hope you are on the mend soon. Keep sleeping!!! 5y

CarolynM Hope you feel better soon💐 5y

See All 9 Comments

TheBookAddict 😂 😂 he is not a happy camper. How dare you be sick and not treat him like the king he is!?! 😾 👑 oh Max 🤦🏽‍♀️ #catmomproblems. I hope you feel better soon! 5y

LeahBergen I need more Baby Max. 😂😂 5y

Crazeedi With that look, how can you ignore him? Get well soon! Sorry to hear you're under the weather!😘 5y

Reggie Max!!!!! 5y

ValerieAndBooks Hope you‘re feeling better soon! We all still can‘t help but love Max in spite of his grumpiness 💖 !! 5y

rubyslippersreads Kids hate it when you show off their baby pics. 😹 5y

59 likes9 comments

AnneCecilie

Case Histories: A Novel | Kate Atkinson

#BookReport

I finished my audio, The Beautiful Ones by Prince, and started listening to The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.
I finished reading The Ice Princess and have started on Case Histories. I keep seeing negative reviews about that one, and I wonder if I‘ll change my mind as I continue reading. So far I‘m enjoying Case Histories.

Cinfhen

Cinfhen Case Histories has been pretty evenly mixed on the reviews so you might end up liking it! Hope you do 🤞🏼 5y

50 likes1 comment

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