Name: Joanna Tweedale's review of Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
Item: Big Sky
Rating: 5
Author: Joanna Tweedale

Kate Atkinson

'The stand-out read of the summer. It's a masterclass in brilliant writing and whether you've read the earlier books in the series or not, you'll enjoy it.' Independent 'Like all good detectives, he is a hero for men and women alike.' The Times 'Laced with Atkinson's sharp, dry humour, and one of the joys of the Brodie novels has always been that they are so funny.' Observer Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village in North Yorkshire, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son Nathan and ageing Labrador Dido, both at the discretion of his former partner Julia. It's a picturesque setting, but there's something darker lurking behind the scenes. Jackson's current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, seems straightforward, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network-and back into the path of someone from his past. Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking new literary crime novel, both sharply funny and achingly sad, by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today. _________ What readers are saying: ***** 'A glorious tapestry of storytelling.' ***** 'An intelligently written, gripping book with characters you fall in love with.' ***** 'Sheer genius, with the characteristic thread of humour.'

The number 1 Sunday Times bestseller (Jackson Brodie 5)

Big Sky

Joanna Tweedale

A really good read. Lots of great characters linked in some way to Jackson

Pierke Bosschieter

What a wonderful read. I love the humour. It's time to re-read all the previous Jackson Brody's in audiobook format, as earlier I only read the paperbacks. A pity though, that they aren't narrated by Jason Isaacs, for he's doing a great job on this one.

Ipek

This felt like a misstep for Atkinson, sort of like her previous novel, Transcription. To begin with, it was such an un-mysterious mystery, as these things go. In the beginning there's a sex-trafficking ring, in the end they turn out to be exactly who they appeared to be at the outset. It's not even foreshadowing, there are no other sets of people to provide a red herring. It doesn't feel as if there are any stakes to anything that's happening. Kate Atkinson is usually such a great stylist, and so I perhaps wouldn't have minded the absence of a compelling plot - but the wry/sardonic/parenthetical/associative sort of free indirect speech, which worked like magic in her earlier novels with the strange girl protagonists (Emotionally Weird, Human Croquet) doesn't work so great here. Especially not associated with the palpably older and grumpier Jackson Brodie. I love Kate Atkinson, I would count her among my favorite novelists ever, so it saddens me to say all this, and yet I must. 
Anyway, looking forward to The Line of Sight!

Joanna Rosenwink 

4.5 stars

Gripping and hard to put down, the latest instalment in the Jackson Brodie series does not disappoint. With themes of historical child sex abuse and people trafficking, Kate Atkinson addresses subjects which are both dark and extremely upsetting to many in a sensitive manner. Despite the subject matter, there are still moments in the story which made me laugh (mainly Brodie’s interactions with his teenage son), which brought some much needed lightness to the book. 

Ultimately I found this a very satisfying read and one which I continued to think about on the rare occasions I had to put it down. Although having read previous Jackson Brodie books would be beneficial, it is by no means essential to be able to enjoy this book.

Laura Dobie

Gripping and well-paced, with great use of time and coincidence, as ever.

Emma Cragg

James Muspratt

Sarah Erle

Iconoclastic detective Jackson Brodie returns in a triumphant new novel about secrets, sex, and lies Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son and an aging Labrador, both at the discretion of his ex-partner Julia. It's picturesque, but there's something darker lurking behind the scenes. Jackson's current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, is fairly standard-issue, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network-and back across the path of his old friend Reggie. Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking novel by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today. "Thank goodness the long Jackson Brodie hiatus is over." --Janet Maslin, New York Times

Joanna Tweedale &
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson

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Joanna Tweedale &Big Sky by Kate Atkinson

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Joanna Tweedale &
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson