Started Early, Took My Dog
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Review
`Kate Atkinson has created a crime fiction sub-genre of which she is the only member...Poignant, funny, surreal...totally entertaining' --The Times
'Atkinson's finest novel to date. Indeed, it's one of the finest British novels, in any genre, to have emerged for years...far sharper and more observant and satirically understanding than anything else out there at the moment' --Mirror
'An irrepressible exuberance shines throughout... extraordinary combination of wit, plain-speaking, tenderness and control' --Guardian
'Atkinson's detective novels capture the strangeness of modern times... with spiky wit, emotional intelligence and consummate cleverness'
--Independent --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
'Atkinson's finest novel to date. Indeed, it's one of the finest British novels, in any genre, to have emerged for years...far sharper and more observant and satirically understanding than anything else out there at the moment' --Mirror
'An irrepressible exuberance shines throughout... extraordinary combination of wit, plain-speaking, tenderness and control' --Guardian
'Atkinson's detective novels capture the strangeness of modern times... with spiky wit, emotional intelligence and consummate cleverness'
--Independent --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
The fourth novel featuring Jackson Brodie from the bestselling author of When Will There Be Good News?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
165 of 171 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Kate Atkinson returns on top form with her fourth crime novel featuring Jackson Brodie, her slighly world-weary, laconic and oh-so-human private eye. This time he's in Yorkshire, trying to trace the family of Hope McMaster, whose roots don't seem to exist. Also in the mix is Tracy Waterhouse, cop-turned-security-guard, who is haunted by one particular murder from the 1970s; Tilly, an elderly actress who is struggling through befuddlement to play her role in a drama series; and DS Barry Crawford, just two weeks from retirement, a keeper of secrets who is weighed down with grief and anger. There is also a dog called The Ambassador.
While Jackson begins to uncover more about the mysterious Hope, Tracy makes a reckless purchase which throws her career and whole future into jeopardy. As ever, Atkinson controls the action perfectly, slipping from one plot-thread into another and weaving the strands tighter and tighter together until all are connected. Family ties, lost and found children, prostitutes, murders and a coincidence or two, this novel is tautly plotted and full of surprises.
I am a huge fan of Kate Atkinson's books. Her characters are perfectly and wittily described, the writing is punchy, humorous and tight, and the momentum builds and builds throughout to a satisfying ending. The dialogue is always spot-on and realistic, and I think she captures relationships brilliantly - particularly Jackson's relationships with his ex, Julia, his daughter, Marlee, and the eponymous dog in this novel, as well as the dynamic between Tracy and Barry. This is sure to be another massive hit for Atkinson, and well deserved. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
While Jackson begins to uncover more about the mysterious Hope, Tracy makes a reckless purchase which throws her career and whole future into jeopardy. As ever, Atkinson controls the action perfectly, slipping from one plot-thread into another and weaving the strands tighter and tighter together until all are connected. Family ties, lost and found children, prostitutes, murders and a coincidence or two, this novel is tautly plotted and full of surprises.
I am a huge fan of Kate Atkinson's books. Her characters are perfectly and wittily described, the writing is punchy, humorous and tight, and the momentum builds and builds throughout to a satisfying ending. The dialogue is always spot-on and realistic, and I think she captures relationships brilliantly - particularly Jackson's relationships with his ex, Julia, his daughter, Marlee, and the eponymous dog in this novel, as well as the dynamic between Tracy and Barry. This is sure to be another massive hit for Atkinson, and well deserved. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
98 of 106 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book is really three different character pieces woven into one story; the narrative switches between private investigator Jackson Brodie, security manager Tracy, and weathered, partially senile actress Tilly. It also leaps between the 1970's and the present day. This can be a bit confusing initially, but makes the narrative flow between temporal breaks appear seamless once you get used to it.
Each character has their own unique internal voice and dialogue, all compellingly written and well realised. The spoken dialogue is equally well written, clever, well paced, and feels `real', rather than crafted. Tracy and Tilly, in particular, come off as regular, every day people, dealing with (sometimes) extra-ordinary events. Their reactions, actions and motivations seem to gel together well, and there isn't much in these two characters to disbelieve.
Jackson Brodie, who I believe is a recurring character in other novels by the same author, has a slightly less believable back story (musingly admitted by the character himself), but manages to be both sympathetic and amusing to read. The ancillary characters also have their own well-detailed motivations, and made watching the `mains' interact with them aq pleasure.
The central mysteries of the plot centre around a crime committed in the 1970's, which is linked to an investigation in the here-and-now. I won't discuss the details, but will say that it all hangs together very nicely. The pacing kept me turning pages, looking for the next clue to the larger mystery, and the final outcome was both intriguing and satisfying.
A good story, excellent characters, and a clever mystery - a good read.
Each character has their own unique internal voice and dialogue, all compellingly written and well realised. The spoken dialogue is equally well written, clever, well paced, and feels `real', rather than crafted. Tracy and Tilly, in particular, come off as regular, every day people, dealing with (sometimes) extra-ordinary events. Their reactions, actions and motivations seem to gel together well, and there isn't much in these two characters to disbelieve.
Jackson Brodie, who I believe is a recurring character in other novels by the same author, has a slightly less believable back story (musingly admitted by the character himself), but manages to be both sympathetic and amusing to read. The ancillary characters also have their own well-detailed motivations, and made watching the `mains' interact with them aq pleasure.
The central mysteries of the plot centre around a crime committed in the 1970's, which is linked to an investigation in the here-and-now. I won't discuss the details, but will say that it all hangs together very nicely. The pacing kept me turning pages, looking for the next clue to the larger mystery, and the final outcome was both intriguing and satisfying.
A good story, excellent characters, and a clever mystery - a good read.
52 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you like Kate Atkinson then you'll probably like her latest offering, although the plot does stretch credibility even further than she usually does. My main grouse is that it is unfinished. We are left waiting for the next installment as she doesn't bother to resolve one of the main plot lines. That's a cheap ploy Ms Atkinson to try ensure sales of the sequel! The book should stand alone as a good read - it's not a serial. I felt cheated at the end of this one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not her best
I must confess that I'm not a great detective novel fan, so I wasn't expecting to really get on terribly well with this novel. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Self-help junkie
It's a bit flawed but established Brodie fans will enjoy
And so finally, I reach the fourth most recent Jackson Brodie novel 'Started Early, Took My Dog' a novel I wanted to read based on its title anyway, before I realised that it was... Read more
Published 1 month ago by R. A. Davison
Great read
Even my husband enjoyed this one. One of her best to date. Humourous ,lyrical at times, could not put it down.
Published 1 month ago by gailh
What Katie Did Next....
I bought this book as I like Kate Atkinson's other books. Although it is wittily written and the story grabs you in the end, I have to say that it did not come up to the standards... Read more
Published 1 month ago by El Gerardo
maybee
Started Early Took My Dog was our Book Club choice. We were told to expect good things from this well known author and were a little dissapointed at the rather scatterbrain style. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. B. M. Jones
A bit of a trial...
I am a big fan of Kate Atkinson but I really struggled with this book. I bought it on Kindle and stopped reading then revisited it several times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maddy Reading
Confused!
I am hoping I haven't the initial signs of dementia as this book confused me throughout and left me even more confused by the end! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maurice
disappointing!
Sorry, but it was a boring read. Too complicated, too many characters, time frames. Not enough emotions. I loved the previous ones, and was therefore very disappointed.
Published 3 months ago by Corinne
Marvellous story.. I loved it!
I discovered that I was the same age as the main character and thus loved revisiting the 70's and particularly the dysfunctional parental relationships, strange food and ridiculous... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Curly top twin two
disappointed
was disappointed with the rather muddled story lines and felt this was an "unfinished"novel. Definately not up to previous
Brodie novels.
Brodie novels.
Published 4 months ago by marie greenall
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