My Five Word TL:DR Review: Fantastic Characters meet Murder Mystery

Kate Atkinson is an author that I really like, I haven’t actually read all her Brodie books but did read the first few pre blogging and enjoyed them and so couldn’t resist the description for this one.

This story brings to us a range of quirky and eccentric characters, a murder that takes place in a manor house whilst the lord of the manor is actually holding a murder mystery party.

There is some set up for this before we get to the murdering and sleuthing that takes place in and around the grounds of Burton Makepeace.  The story brings to us Jackson Brodie, an ex-cop turned private detective.  He’s taken a case about a stolen painting.  At the same time another case comes to his attention which seems to share very similar traits.  Could this be the same person.  Basically, Brodie enlists the help of a former colleague – who you could call his sidekick as he is usually one step ahead and the two start searching for clues.

Now, firstly, picking this up I thought we would fairly soon be ensconced at the cumbling manor house with a storm keeping the residents and guests hostage.  However, this isn’t quite the case, there is some detective work that takes place before hand and also an introduction to a number of the more standout characters  This is in no way a criticism as Atkinson is an absolute wonder at drawing her characters and giving you some fantastic favourites to plump for.  And, any patience you exercise beforehand will be well rewarded as the scenes at Burton Makepeace are so good.  There’s an almost comedic element to certain scenes and that coupled with the ever so quintessential British eccentricity of some of the characters makes this a really engaging read.

To be honest I don’t really want to say too much because of spoilers and the desire not to ruin the read for others.

What I will say is the writing is wonderful.  The pacing takes a little time to pick up but I think it’s worth the wait and the characters are really good.

I have to give a little shout out to the Dowager who absolutely stole the show for me.  Brodie and DC Reggie Chase make a fantastic team and you know that you’re enjoying a book when you seriously start to worry about any harm coming to the main characters.  Fortunately this is quite a cosy read although it wouldn’t be a murder mystery without any bodies now would it?

I had such a good time with this.  A murder mystery.  A positively Christie style guest list, the vicar, the Dowager, the Army Major, a pack of invited guests expecting a thrilling evening of murder mystery shenanigans, little expecting that a real murder has actually taken place, and a detective and his sidekick arriving to the party just in the nick of time.  Did I mention that there’s an escaped criminal on the loose and an intense storm that gives the proceedings a locked room feel?  Well, there you go then.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars