For me, the blurb promoting this book is misleading in its characterization as an Agatha Christie type murder mystery. The actual murder mystery theater at a financially failing English manor plays a small role in the overall book. It book ends the beginning and end.

There are three threads to follow. One is the mystery of a stolen painting from the manor. The second is another stolen painting from a family in the village. The last are the mishaps of the theater company, the participants and townspeople during a blizzard.

This is the sixth Jackson Brodie book. He is a complicated, fascinating character. Rough around the edges (former military, former police, now private detective) and tender at the center. In this book, he is on the job to find the missing paintings. It is hard not to love him. Also, Reggie is back on the scene as the detective who is conflicted about her feelings for Jackson.

But most of the book is about the people who live in the village. Their thoughts and stories meander. But this is where Atkinson excels. She is laugh out loud funny in places and depicts these characters fully. There is the vicar who doubts his faith and has lost his voice, the soldier suffering from injuries and PTSD, the lady of the manor, Reggie back story. The way it's written, the longwinded character stories are the main course in service of the ‘mysteries.’

I had a hard time finishing it and felt it dragged on.

Nobody draws more full-bodied characters than Atkinson. She is also very funny. And Jackson Brodie is a great centerpiece. But on the whole, it was hard to keep interested. Two of her other books, Life After Life and God of Ruins are on the top of my favorite books list. I also enjoyed the early Jackson Brodie books but this one didn’t work at all for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday (Penguin) for the opportunity to read this advanced copy and give an honest review.

I really enjoyed this cozy and meandering mystery by Kate Atkinson and I want to thank Net Galley #netgalley and Double Day Books for the advance reader copy. This is book six of the Jackson Brodie mystery series. I believe you can pick up any of the Jackson Brodie books and read them without reading them in order. You will encounter people he has met before, but if you can't roll with it, by all means, start with book one. In this story, Brodie is hired to find a 'stolen painting'. The son and daughter of a recently deceased woman claim a painting that hung in her bedroom was stolen. PI Brodie finds significant details that are amiss in their story, and discovers a similar stolen painting story that may just involved the same thief. In addition, there is a vicar who has lost his faith and his voice, a major who lost his leg and his way, a formerly wealthy family that converts their manor home into a hotel so they don't have to sell it, and a host of other characters that keep this story moving and meandering along. There were laugh out loud funny moments, too. I really enjoyed #DeathAtTheSignOfTheRook by Kate Atkinson.

Private investigator Jackson Brodie is back for the 6th installment of this series and this time he’s searching for an art thief. As he searches for a quiet woman who fades into the background as she steals priceless works of art from families, the story culminates in a run down Downton Abbey-type mansion where a live murder mystery evening meets reality (and goes quite wrong).

I love Kate Atkinson’s writing, it’s clever, funny and a tad quirky (just my taste) and I can read almost anything she writes, add an art heist to the story and you have me hooked (I love an art heist!). While this is part of a series, I have to confess I didn’t read the fifth book (I meant to, I thought I had, and I will now) and I read the others so long ago that this was in many ways like reading a standalone novel for me. In this novel Atkinson pays homage to the mystery genre in her own slightly satirical and unique manner while giving the reader a great mystery herself.

If you have never read a Kate Atkinson and mystery isn’t your thing - she has written two of my favorite novels - Behind the Scenes at The Museum and Life After Life, so read those!

Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson is a highly recommended murder mystery and the sixth novel in the Jackson Brodie series.

In the opening, Brodie Jackson with Detective Constable Regina (Reggie) Chase attends a murder-mystery weekend at Rook Hall, part of Burton Makepeace, a now rundown estate during a blizzard. The novel then jumps back a week in time when Ian and Hazel Padgett, twin children of recently deceased Dorothy Padgett, hired Brodie to track down a missing Renaissance-era painting that belonged to Dorothy. They suspect their mother’s caretaker, Melanie Hope, stole the painting.

Brodie and Chase’s are following the suspected theft when their investigation leads them to other art thefts, including one at Burton Makepeace House where Lady Milton had a Turner stolen with the housekeeper the suspected thief. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed.

Death at the Sign of the Rook pays homage to the masters of the genre, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, as well as modern mystery writers. There are many clever, hilarious parts along the way that will definitely keep you reading. Some chapters are wonderfully entertaining while, honestly, others (with the vicar) feel slow moving.

The characters are portrayed as fully realized individuals and most of them are interesting. Jackson and Reggie are wonderful characters. Even though this is the sixth book with Brodie, it can be read as a standalone.

As the novel moves toward the conclusion the pace quickens and it is absolutely compelling, entertaining, and funny farcical mystery. Naming the painting "Woman with a Weasel" made me laugh every time it was brought up. Thanks to Knopf Doubleday for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

The newest Jackson Brodie book by Kate Atkinson is clever with witty writing. This was my first Brodie book and as such I felt a bit lost as there were references to older books and characters. The characters are interesting, the plot is solid but I figured out who did it half way through, always a bit disappointing. I will go back to read the first 5 novels as I enjoy the character and writing and maybe it will flow better knowing the back stories.
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for my review copy of Death at the Rook.

It was my first encounter with Jackson Brodie, so I cannot compare this book to the previous ones. The cover and the description caught my interest, and I expected a book in the style of Agatha Christie. However, it wasn’t what I expected, and I have mixed feelings. We first encounter a body when we are 60% into the book. It seems that the actual mystery wasn’t the author’s goal here, and as a lover of golden age mysteries, I was disappointed. On the other hand, instead of a juicy mystery, we have a set of very interesting dramatis personae. The author focused on character development, which was the best aspect of the book for me.

Despite my mixed feelings, I would like to say that I truly enjoyed the time spent with "Death at the Sign of the Rock."

A big thank you to the Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for the copy.

Kate Atkinson's Death at the Sign of the Rook is a delightful romp through the world of cozy mysteries, serving up a perfect blend of old-school sleuthing and modern wit that'll have you chuckling long after you've turned the last page.

Don't fret if you're new to the series – this book stands on its own two feet like a seasoned detective at a crime scene. However, Atkinson sprinkles just enough breadcrumbs about the history between our dynamic duo, private detective Jackson Brodie and police officer Reggie Chase, to make you curious about their past escapades.

Speaking of Brodie and Chase, their banter is the heart and soul of this novel. It's like watching an old married couple solve crimes – if that couple consisted of a gruff, world-weary PI and a sharp-as-a-tack police officer determined to step out of his shadow. Reggie, or Regina as she'd prefer, is a firecracker of a character. She's constantly trying to prove herself, yet can't help but get pulled into Jackson's orbit. It's a dance of mutual respect and exasperation that'll have you grinning from ear to ear.

Now, Atkinson takes a unique approach to the classic murder mystery setup. Picture this: a group of characters trapped in a manor due to nasty weather, a murder most foul, and suddenly you're in the middle of a real-life game of Cluedo. But here's where it gets interesting – instead of jumping straight into whodunit territory, Atkinson takes us on a scenic route through the lives of her characters. It's like being at a dinner party where everyone has a secret, and you're the nosy neighbor trying to piece it all together.

Stick with it, dear reader, because Atkinson's writing is as witty as it is clever. She weaves a tapestry of lives, each thread seemingly disparate until suddenly, gloriously, the whole picture comes into focus. And when it does? It's a masterpiece of storytelling that'll leave you slack-jawed in admiration.

While the stakes might not be sky-high, the joy is in the journey. Following Brodie and Chase as they bumble and deduce their way through the investigation is pure entertainment. And those secondary characters? They're far from forgettable background noise. Atkinson breathes life into each one, making them feel as crucial to the mystery as the detectives themselves.

Oh, and the Murder Mystery weekend scene? It's comedy gold. I dare you to read it without cracking up. It's like watching a group of serious adults play dress-up and take it way too seriously – in the best possible way.

In the end, Death at the Sign of the Rook is more than just a mystery novel. It's a character study, a comedy of manners, and a puzzle box all rolled into one. Atkinson has crafted a story that not only piques your curiosity but tickles your funny bone too. And in my book, anything that can make you laugh while keeping you guessing is a must-read.
So, grab a cup of tea, settle into your favorite armchair, and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.


Thank you, Doubleday Books and NetGalley, for my free E-book for review.

I hadn't read one of Atkinson's Jackson Brodie mysteries before but the plot sounded interesting and I've enjoyed her literary fiction books so I gave it a try. Unfortunately, the book didn't work for me. There were some charming characters and interesting twists but the book had a lot of detail and not much plot. I lost interest pretty quickly.

*Death at the Sign of the Rook*, the latest installment in the Jackson Brodie series, is another brilliant and madcap adventure. Jackson is hired by the children of the recently deceased Dorothy Padgett to locate a missing painting that vanished from their mother’s bedroom after her caregiver, Melanie Hope, mysteriously disappeared. Although the children insist the painting holds only sentimental value, Jackson suspects there’s more to the story.

Years earlier, Lady Milton, the dowager marchioness of Burton Makepeace House, also lost a valuable painting when her maid, Sophie, disappeared under similar circumstances. Reggie Chase, Jackson’s friend and now a detective constable, was part of the original investigation and, despite her reluctance, agrees to revisit the case with the new evidence Jackson uncovers. As expected, the investigation takes a hilariously chaotic turn before the case is finally solved.

The author excels at delving into the interior lives of her characters. Alongside Jackson and Reggie, other characters are given rich, introspective chapters of their own. Lady Milton’s musings on her disdain for her family and the societal changes affecting her class are particularly sharp and insightful, offering a depth that dialogue alone could not capture. The narrative also explores the inner worlds of a vicar who has lost his faith and a retired soldier grappling with PTSD, each playing a crucial role in the story’s dramatic conclusion.

Highly recommended

I've read all of the previous Jackson Brodie novels but since the last one was five years ago, I can't say the other books are fresh in my mind. This one felt a little different at first, largely because there was an absence of the detective in many of the early chapters, but maybe the others were like structured like the as well.

In the end the book introduces a series of eclectic characters who are vaguely connected and many of whom end up at the Rook Hall murder mystery weekend in a snow storm. That premise sounds generic, but because of all of the character development and the groundwork laid in the first half of the book it all ties together in a satisfying conclusion.

Kate Atkinson has kindly provided us with a new Jackson Brody mystery and if you're a fan, you've no doubt already planned to read it asap.

This installment begins with Jackson arriving at a country hotel, a hotel situated in a grand house of the Downton Abbey variety, for a murder mystery weekend event, then the book goes back in time to explain why he is there, given that it's not the kind of thing he would usually go in for. It begins with the theft of a small painting from the bedroom of a recently deceased widow. Her middle-aged children hire Jackson to get it back from the caregiver they suspect of having taken it. Jackson is intrigued -- by the painting, by the caregiver, and the sense that the pair that hired him are hiding something. And so he goes about figuring things out, step by step.

This novel is delightful. It calls back to the Golden Age mystery novels with the big manor house, the characters that include everyone from a vicar to a butler to landed gentry slowing selling off the artworks to maintain the house. Of course, it's well-constructed and Atkinson manages to create a few more memorable characters, while bringing back a few old favorites.

I thought Kate Atkinson retired her Jackson Brodie character, so I was delighted to see this book featuring him. He's older, more tired, and funnier than ever.

Business isn't booming at Jackson Brodie's detective agency, so he readily takes the assignment to find a stolen painting. It isn't long before he finds two other art thefts and an elusive woman who may be behind them. One of the thefts, at Burton Makepeace manor house, whose owners have been selling off valuables and now are hosting murder mystery weekends to keep up with repairs, has also caught the attention of the police. Much to her chagrin, Brodie tries to partner with Detective Constable Reggie Chase--an uneasy partnership proving fruitful. When a snowstorm isolates many of the characters at Burton Makepeace, can murder be far behind?

I love Atkinson's humor. The back-and-forth between Brodie and Reggie is laugh-out-loud funny. The characters and situations are similar to an Agatha Christie book, only humorously written. Atkinson is at the top of her game with this book. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Doubleday, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is September 3, 2024.

Death at the Sign of the Rook is a cleverly constructed mystery wherein two paintings are missing and/or stolen, each in remarkably similar circumstances. PI Jackson Brodie is tasked with finding one of those paintings; DC Reggie Chase has been given the assignment of locating the other one. People gather at Rook Hall, the country house known as Burton Makepeace, for a murder mystery weekend but a massive snowfall means that no one (including Jackson and Reggie) is able to leave. And of course, there is a murder or two. But whodunit (and why and how?) Some favorite characters from previous novels in this series make an appearance and it’s fun to see what they have been up to.

In Kate Atkinson’s own inimitable style, there are serious moments and tension, broken up by laugh-out-loud humor. [For example, Ben (who had been a major while in the military) has been charged with greeting the guests and showing them to their rooms. He thought to himself, “Private Dogsbody had been promoted to Major Domo, or perhaps even to General Factotum.”] A very enjoyable, fun-to-read mystery. I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Jackson Brodie!!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book. This book is DELIGHTFUL. Poor Jackson Brodie, through a complex series of events, finds himself snowed in at a murder mystery weekend in a crumbling manor house. Without giving away spoilers, Atkinson has given us our beloved detective and combined his latest case with the elements that have made her other books such as Behind the Scenes at the Museum and Shrines of Gaiety so engaging. The end result is a funny, quirky, and wry take on a traditional Christie-esque mystery trope.

The usual Jackson Brodie novel is focused on him making his way through a life that often hasn’t treated him well, and his interactions with the various—and varied—characters who make up his personal and professional lives. Formerly a police detective, he’s been a private detective for some years, and his cases tend to be on the prosaic side; or, I should say, they *seem* to be that way in the beginning. They have a way of turning into much more complicated matters.

What a surprise to start reading this book and finding it sounds like a Golden Age country house murder mystery. Jackson Brodie is investigating the apparent theft of a painting from an old lady’s house on the day of her death, with the woman’s now-missing caretaker being the prime suspect. This case has a more upmarket parallel in the theft of a Turner painting from the manor of Burton Makepeace, probably by Lady Milton’s now-missing housekeeper. Jackson’s old police colleague, Reggie, is investigating the theft of the Turner, but of course Jackson ends up with her at Burton Makepeace while a murder mystery weekend is going on, a blizzard approaches, and an escaped killer is on the loose in the area.

The book is a bit of a slow starter, and there is a dizzying number of characters. But sort of like a jigsaw puzzle, once the background is filled in, the picture becomes much clearer and moves to completion much more quickly. The final chapters, with a motley collection of actors, blizzard refugees, Brodie and Reggie, and more than one criminal, turn into a comic version of Clue, with characters moving around the manor house, as mayhem, murder and attempted murder abound. Funny stuff, and a welcome reward for continuing through the slow start and the many characters.

Another welcome entry in the Jackson Brodie mysteries featuring a couple of other recurring characters and many new ones. This story finds Jackson looking into the theft of a painting and later part of a murder mystery theater experience taking place at a home reminiscent of Downton Abbey. Kate Atkinson's witty writing and characters are the draw, as usual, and the nods to Agatha Christie and Clue are a lot of fun.

Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for this ARC. While I haven't read any previous Jackson Brodie novels by Kate Atkinson, I've read other books of hers and have see the TV show based on the Jackson Brodie books - so I had some idea what I was getting into with this one and was excited to see how this series differed or was similar to Atkinson's other books.

This one took me a bit to get into but I think one of the reasons for that was messy formatting. Shifting between characters was a little disruptive until I got a feel for the pacing. One thing I do recall from Atkinson's other books is the fantastic characters - always so interesting in backstory, voice, and personality. About 40% of the way in, it all started to click and then it just rocketed off from there. Even though the book opens with a taste of where it's going to go, it was still a very unexpected journey and ending. I think the ending also would have been even better if I had read the previous books in the series. Those who have will definitely enjoy this latest visit with Brodie.

Jackson Brodie is hired to find a painting believed to have been stolen from a caretaker who has seemingly disappeared. When he tracks down a similar theft, he is reunited with Reggie, the DI he has worked with in the past. All roads seem to lead to the same place where a real life vicar, army captain, marchioness and a killer cross paths with a group of murder mystery actors playing fictional characters that almost mirror the real ones. And it all comes together in a manor house during a blizzard where art imitates life or life imitates art - one or both of those.

I read Kate Atkinson's Transcription awhile back and quite enjoyed it. I have to admit being hesitant to jump straight into this, the 6th in the Jackson Brodie series, but have to say it worked well as a standalone.

Death at the Sign of the Rook was a brisk, fun and hilarious read if you like a cozy mystery or a locked room murder mystery. The writing is witty, the characters were interesting with some a bit peculiar. Strongly recommended for fans of Knives Out.

Thoroughly enjoyable. I am looking forward to catching up on the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for providing an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thanks to Doubleday & NetGalley for providing a digital ARC i exchange for an honest review.

Is there anything better than a new Jackson Brodie? No, no there is not. I love this character and will read anything Kate Atkinson writes about him. I get the sense that she's tired of him and would rather write exclusively "literature," but thankfully that doesn't come through in the writing.

I'm mildly annoyed at the reappearance of Reggie, the female Scottish police partnered with Ronnie in Big Sky (I see what you did there, KA), but it wouldn't stop me reading. The plot is great, complicated but not labyrinthine or at all off-putting; quirky without bringing irritation. Tons of references I didn't get as an American; thank Christ for the google feature in the eBook. I learned a lot (but will I retain any of it? Probably not).

Jackson makes reference to having lived 7 decades (how?) and I fear that this might be the last we see of him (but also why is he still working at that age? Is he a one-man coincidence-warrior?). Keep writing them and I'll keep reading them. I loved every minute.

I am an outlier in that I just don't love Jackson Brodie. I love Atkinson, but these Brodie mysteries just always leave me bored.