The Jackson Brodie series follows the life and investigations of a former police inspector turned private investigator, Jackson Brodie. Each novel delves into intricate mysteries, exploring Brodie’s complex character as he navigates through cases that intertwine with his personal life.
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Case one: A little girl goes missing in the night.
Case two: A beautiful young office worker falls victim to a maniac’s apparently random attack.
Case three: A new mother finds herself trapped in a hell of her own making – with a very needy baby and a very demanding husband – until a fit of rage creates a grisly, bloody escape.
Thirty years after the first incident, as private investigator Jackson Brodie begins investigating all three cases, startling connections and discoveries emerge . . .
Case Histories Book Review: My Opinion
I really enjoyed this book. Jackson Brodie, the central character, was immediately likeable – rough around the edges but ultimately a good person. His protective instinct and unfailing sympathy toward others reminded me a bit of Aaron Falk from Jane Harper’s novels.
Jackson’s world-weary nature and his dry sense of humour added some much-needed levity to the darker themes in the book. Atkinson doesn’t just give us a typical detective, she delves into Jackson’s personal struggles, making him feel fully human and relatable.
The other characters were all well-defined, and I loved how the seemingly unrelated cases slowly became intertwined. These flawed but interesting characters kept me hooked, and I had a particular soft spot for grieving father, Theo.
I did find myself particularly invested in the cases involving Amelia (the murdered young woman) and poor little Olivia (the missing toddler). I really wanted to know what had happened to them and empathised with the family members left behind. However, I was less emotionally invested in the story involving the new mother who murdered her husband.
The pacing can feel a bit meandering at times as Kate Atkinson takes the time to explore each character’s backstory in depth. I personally enjoyed the slower pace as I’d take a character-driven novel over a fast-paced thriller any day.
What I really enjoyed about this book is that it’s more than just a mystery. It’s an insightful look at grief, loss, and how past traumas shape our present.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
What to read next
I’d definitely recommend continuing with the rest of the Jackson Brodie series. The next book in the series is titled One Good Turn.
