The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson is one of our Group reads for May / Jun 2013. I hope you enjoy.

I'll be listening to the other books in this series soon. I tend to like characters who are a bit bonkers, so I was mostly thrilled with this one! (laughing) Can a series of plots be somewhat interrelated as well as disjointed? The non-linear time sequences, the coincidences involved which cause the three plot lines to be, at least, peripherally, connected, the eccentricities and/or marginal insanity of most of the characters, mated with the protagonist's own personal life struggles and the head injuries he receives during several altercations and situations give this entire story a sort of bizarre dreamlike quality. It's like watching some of Christopher Nolan's work! I enjoyed it. Thanks for the suggestion!

I've read Case Histories previously. It's the first in the Jackson Brodie books by Kate Atkinson. I was introduced to the books when I watched the BBC mystery series, which starred Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie, and which I enjoyed tremendously. There are some very basic differences between the book and the TV series, but, I didn't actually mind the. I enjoyed both so much. I'll be interested to see what other folks have to say when they start reading/ commenting on the book.

Bill wrote: "I was introduced to the books when I watched the BBC mystery series, which starred Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie, and which I enjoyed tremendously."

I've downloaded the first season from Amazon. I can't figure out how to make it work on my laptop, though. (laughing) Don't know what the problem is, but I'll try again on the desktop or on one of the mobile devices. I like Jason Issacs, so I figure I will like this television show. I was introduced to Val McDermid's "Tony Hill" books from the television show "Wire in the Blood", so when the tv show is done well, it can make new fans of the books!

I read this book over the last few days on vacation. I enjoyed the strong writing and the characters, especially Brodie. I did find that it took longer to "hook" me because of the time and story jumps. Looking forward to watching the series.

I read Case Histories before, but I could use reread to remind myself. Looking forward to discussion!

As a matter of interest, the 2nd season of Case Histories started on BBC today. Based on Kate Atkinson's Started Early, Took the Dog, it was quite excellent and well worth the wait for a 2nd season.

Bill wrote: "I've read Case Histories previously. It's the first in the Jackson Brodie books by Kate Atkinson. I was introduced to the books when I watched the BBC mystery series, which starred Jason Isaacs as ..."

I seen the TV series as well and was impressed. Need to get the books.

I finished this book in one sitting - wouldn't mind reading it again! I enjoyed the whole series.

Normally I hate people jumping on a bandwagon, and I do sympathise with people who read the book years before it ever became a film/movie/tv show, but if coming late to the party boosts sales for the author, that can only be a good thing in my view.

I just finished the last book in the series Started Early, Took My Dog for the second time around (I've listened to all the Jackson Brodie books twice over the past week to make sure I caught all the elements and nuances of the author's work) and I'm just blown away. I think Kate Atkinson has to be one of the most skillful writers I've ever had the pleasure of "listening to". I thought that only Case Histories would have the "three mysteries within a mystery", but I was wrong! When I began listening to One Good Turn I started laughing out loud. My son asked me what I was giggling about and all I could say was "she's doing it again!" Metafictional elements just all over the place! WOW! Just, wow! (laughing) I've watched the first part of the first season of the television show, but there's just no way that two hours of television can convey how amazing this book, and the following three books of the series, are. I'm tempted to go back and give this one and the following books in the series five stars. The stories only get stronger! Can anyone tell me if her stand alones are as strong as this series of books? (smile)

R.M.F wrote: "Normally I hate people jumping on a bandwagon, and I do sympathise with people who read the book years before it ever became a film/movie/tv show, but if coming late to the party boosts sales for t..."

All I can say, as most people say in this situation, is that the books are so much better! (laughing) Although, I think they did as well with "Case Histories" (the only episodes I've watched so far) as anyone could with just two hours at hand. My husband really enjoyed the television show and has decided, at my urging, to listen to them or read them as well.

Jeanie wrote: "R.M.F wrote: "Normally I hate people jumping on a bandwagon, and I do sympathise with people who read the book years before it ever became a film/movie/tv show, but if coming late to the party boos..."

I was introduced to the books by the series and found it so well-done and interesting that I had to read Case Histories. The book was even better, so many stories within stories. Kate Atkinson is such a great writer.

This is the first book I have read by Atkinson. Does she use this type of sly humor in all of her books?

Good points from people, but do the books contain Jason Isaacs? Do they? As much as I like the tv shows/books, I've got this image of Mel Gibson popping up in the TV shows to fight Isaacs!!

Kalena wrote: "This is the first book I have read by Atkinson. Does she use this type of sly humor in all of her books?"

I think "Case Histories" is the funniest of the Brodie books. They all, however, have quirky, interesting characters with Jackson becoming more and more quirky, himself, with every book. I won't elaborate any more than that. Don't want to spoil anything for those who plan to read more of this series. I will say, though, that Ms. Atkinson's ability to reveal the little absurdities and ironies of life even in its darkest moments is simply divine. I think that's an exclusively British thing. lol. Even if I had no idea that this book was written by a British author and all of the plots took place in another country, I'd still know it was written by a native of Great Britain. Americans just don't write humor like this.

Jeanie wrote: "Kalena wrote: "This is the first book I have read by Atkinson. Does she use this type of sly humor in all of her books?"

I think "Case Histories" is the funniest of the Brodie books. They all, ho..."

Thank you--what a great way to sum that up! I am impressed by both Ms. Atkinson's writing and your endorsement.

Jeanie wrote: "Kalena wrote: "This is the first book I have read by Atkinson. Does she use this type of sly humor in all of her books?"

I think "Case Histories" is the funniest of the Brodie books. They all, ho..."

Good post.

I agree that the intertwining plot lines in Case Histories is well done and that the humor in the book is great. Love it that the dowdy sister gets a crush on Brodie!

I like the TV series also. I often don't agree with the casting of "book" detectives for TV or movies but Jason Isaacs fit my image of the character pretty well. He looked so much different than when he played Mr. Malfoy in Harry Potter (though I liked hin with the long white blonde hair) :)

This is my first Kate Atkinson novel. I loved the writing, but nearly gave it up when I reached page 100 and the stories had yet to converge. And then they did. I went from skepticism to pure enjoyment. Jackson Brodie is a very appealing detective/protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading "When Will There Be Good News" next.

Lily wrote: "This is my first Kate Atkinson novel. I loved the writing, but nearly gave it up when I reached page 100 and the stories had yet to converge. And then they did. I went from skepticism to pure enjoy..."

Lily, One Good Turn is the next book in the series. It's my favourite of the four.

Lorraine wrote: "Lily wrote: "This is my first Kate Atkinson novel. I loved the writing, but nearly gave it up when I reached page 100 and the stories had yet to converge. And then they did. I went from skepticism ..."

Thanks Lorraine, I'll check it out.

Based on the comments above, it appears some people read the books first and then saw the tv series, while others encountered the tv series first and the books second. My experience was a mixture of the two. I read Case Histories and at least initially had mixed feelings about the various story lines and how they came together. Seeing it on screen helped put the stories and their connections in perspective. I went on to read the next book in the series and very much enjoyed it. I haven't yet read the next two books in the series but am looking forward to them.

I was recommended this book a while back and it has been sitting on my shelf since then.
This group read encouraged me to pull off the shelf and I so glad I did.
The 'case histories' themselves seemed a little too literary for me and I nearly put it down but as soon as we were introduced to Jackson Brodie I was hooked. I loved her writing style and Jackson's wry comments on life made me laugh out loud.

I' m watching the TV serie and enjoying it, and I' m eager to get the books.
The serie has a wonderful soundtrack, so I wondered: is the author talking about music in the books too?

The problem with TV series for any book (good as they can be) is that you'll always have the screen star in mind whenever you're reading the book. Jackson Brodie will forever be Jason Isaacs, and Jack Reacher will always be Tom Cruise! :)

Which is why I'll never read another Lee Child book. Reacher is ruined for me!

Barbara wrote: "Which is why I'll never read another Lee Child book. Reacher is ruined for me!"

I think you mean that Cruise was an inspired choice! :)

LOL, R.M.F. - that is one way of looking at it!

Just finished this book - my first Kate Atkinson book and I LOVED it!.. I didn't know she was british, but once I started reading it, I could tell by the language and humor .. I was reading some other reviews and people were downright annoyed by her writing (one person saying something to the effect of 'if I wrote like her in my creative writing class, my teacher would send me home" - rolls eyes) ... I thought Brodie's "internal rants" were hilarious and I enjoyed all the characters (especially Amelia and Julia, they were a HOOT) - great group pick!

fivesunflowers wrote: "Just finished this book - my first Kate Atkinson book and I LOVED it!.. I didn't know she was british, but once I started reading it, I could tell by the language and humor .. I was reading some ot..."

My thoughts as well.

fivesunflowers wrote: "... I thought Brodie's "internal rants" were hilarious ..."

Brodie is infinitely quotable. I drove my hubby nuts by bursting into spontaneous laughter and then quoting Brodie at him.

Esther wrote: "fivesunflowers wrote: "... I thought Brodie's "internal rants" were hilarious ..."

Brodie is infinitely quotable. I drove my hubby nuts by bursting into spontaneous laughter and then quoting Brodi..."

LOL! You are right ... I updated my progress throughout the book with quotes in the book .. I really enjoyed this book

My first Kate Atkinson and loved it as well! Thanks for adding this to this to the reading list.

My Amazon review says it all:
I only read as far as the fifth case history because all the run-on sentences drove me nuts which is a bit surprising because my wife, who is normally very punctilious about grammar, loves Kate Atkinson, but if you've read this far and are experiencing this little bit of parody I am purveying, you get the idea of what I found so irritating, although I also found that none of the characters in the book were very appealing, most of whom consisted of mothers who hated their children, so I gave up early and perhaps did not give her a fair reading, especially since the main character Jackson something (Brodie?) had only appeared a few pages earlier but even so he wasn't very appealing either with his chain smoking after years of being a non-smoker though that is only a minor thing. Whew! You get the idea.
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