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Case Histories

Jackson Brodie

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Case Histories

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Susan Jameson
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The first Jackson Brodie novel: literary crime from the prizewinning, number-one bestselling author of Big Sky and Transcription.

Cambridge is sweltering, during an unusually hot summer. To Jackson Brodie, former police inspector turned private investigator, the world consists of one accounting sheet - Lost on the left, Found on the right - and the two never seem to balance.

Surrounded by death, intrigue and misfortune, his own life haunted by a family tragedy, Jackson attempts to unravel three disparate case histories and begins to realise that in spite of apparent diversity, everything is connected...

'An astonishingly complex and moving literary detective story that made me sob but also snort with laughter. It's the sort of novel you have to start rereading the minute you've finished it' Guardian

©2004 Kate Atkinson (P)2014 AudioGo Ltd. Published by Random House Audiobooks Cosy Mystery Police Procedurals Private Investigators
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I’ve read this book previously but decided to listen to the audio book. The narrator is just fabulous and really brings what is an extraordinary book to life. Thank you!

Top rate narrator

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I loved this book & I'm very happy with the performance. The story is well layered and captivating

brilliant book & great performance

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I was super sad when I finished this really clever novel.
Awesome plots and marvellous characters.
Brilliantly narrated.
Can’t wait to read something else by this author.

Everything about it was terrific!

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I found my way to Kate Atkinson based on other recommendations with similar genre. This is her second book I have tried (Shrines of Gaiety) and have come to the conclusion they are just not for me. I acknowledged I had read out of order (due to availability) and that reviews of Shrines appeared to suggest it was not one of Atkinson’s best and so decided I needed to start from the beginning with Case Histories.

As per other reviews, the book begins quite promisingly setting up the case histories with strong descriptions particularly regarding the relationships in each case. However, from there it was a slog to even finish the book and I found myself quite bored and put off by the ongoing vulgar descriptions.

I found all the characters completely unlikeable and it was hard to enjoy being in any of their chapters. For a series setting up its main character in Brody I wondered what would pull me to continue reading content he is in, he appears quite dull indeed. I understand Atkinson may be sending a message against the usually righteous main character or altruistic nature of humanity but it results in a rather depressing and unrewarding view of human nature that I do not enjoy in immersive reading.

In conclusion, I think the structure of interwoven stories was original and different and others may find this book very enjoyable but I won’t be continuing into the Jackson Brody universe.

Not for me

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Story bounced from character to character, and across time. It was very confusing to follow. Constant referring to other characters- so. many. names. So between the protagonists and the characters being talked about I found it’ll the story lines very hard to follow.

A shame, as the narration was perfect, and mysteries were interesting enough so I persevered, despite being irritated at many points.

Disorienting, though beautifully read

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My suggestion is to grab a pen and paper and start writing down the characters and how they relate to each other from the very beginning. The story was very convoluted and jumped from one case to another all the time. At the conclusion, I was still unsure about a couple of things.

Still a bit confused

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Read this first Jackson Brodie by Kate Atkinson some years ago and loved revisiting it in the audio fornat.

Case Histories - murder mystery with a difference

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I was really captured by this story and highly recommend it. Fabulous narrating and wonderfully engaging characters. The storylines worked around one another seamlessly and the twists were well thought through.

An Engaging Page Turner

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Loved this book and will definitely be reading/ listening to
More by Kate Atkinson
The fascinating characters and timelines kept me interested right to the end

First Kate Atkinson but certainly not my last

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Drawn and and awfully narrated. I like it was never going to end!
Far too many inconsequential tidbits.

Long winded

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