Kate Atkinson is always a treat to read. I don't know how to describe this book except to say it is witty, hilarious, over-the-top mystery with a strange cast of characters: vicar, servants, poor aristocrats, wounded Major etc. It could be described as a farce with "Knives Out" vibes and a big nod to Agatha Christie et al set in a run-down mansion with a snowstorm stranding the characters. Many threads to the plot but then there is Jackson Brodie to sort it all out. A fun romp.

My first impression is that Kate Atkinson must have enjoyed herself when writing this book. In this novel, she has created unique, over the top and idiosyncratic characters who often, in my opinion, require some suspension of disbelief on the reader’s part. The plot here includes a number of tropes, including the murder mystery weekend, the small English village, the snowstorm that isolates characters, stolen art, family relationships and more.

Readers who have read other Jackson Brodie mysteries will be delighted to meet up with him, his family and his police contacts once again. This time, he has been hired to look into stolen art but stumbles on much more.

There were times when I felt that Atkinson was going for the comic, even farcical, effect. That said, some of her portraits of the characters, were quite moving. While many jokes were made, often by Ben, about his war experiences, he is very sympathetically presented. Ben reminded me of Strike in the JK Rowling series. Their situations are similar in dealing with the loss of a limb. He is just one among a group that includes a vicar, actors, down on their heels aristocrats and others.

This book just gallops along. Events and situations pile up on one another. Atkins fans will rejoice!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for this title. All opinions are my own.

Private investigator Jackson Brodie has been hired by a brother and sister to find a painting stolen from the home of their recently deceased mother.
DC Reggie Chase has been looking into an earlier theft of an another painting. Could the thefts be related? A murder mystery weekend has been planned at Rook Hall, a wing of the once majestic now a bit downtrodden Burton Makepeace. When a snowstorm ensues, these two detectives as well as others including the local vicar, a former major who has lost his leg in battle, an acting troupe and other invited and uninvited guests converge for a rollicking evening of mystery and crime.

This story is fast paced, entertaining, humorous, a bit farcical. I really enjoy Atkinson’s sharp wit and amusing characters. There are a few different storylines that come together and a large cast of players. This is a cozy mystery joyride with kind of a Knives Out vibe to it.

The sixth of the Jackson Brodie series, it is the second I have read. It works well as a standalone.

If you read mysteries for, well, the mysteries themselves, "Death at the Sign of the Rook" is not for you. The case to be solved, concerning stolen art, is just an excuse for Kate Atkinson to indulge in witty, erudite prose and bring to life an unlikely cast of characters.

Personally I don't typically read mysteries for the plot. I'll read one only if the setting is appealing, the characters are intriguing, or I'm a fan of the writer. This met all three criteria for me. Admittedly, at times the number of primary and secondary characters was a bit overwhelming; I'd have to remind myself who certain ones were and what they had to do with the mystery at hand, which was periodically buried beneath subplots. And several characters were so lachrymose, I occasionally wondered if this was the escapism I'd been looking for. But I love Atkinson's writing so much, I not only raced through the book but already bought one of the earlier titles in the series.

Thank you, Doubleday Books and NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. If you read mysteries for, well, the mysteries themselves, "Death at the Sign of the Rook" is not for you. The case to be solved, concerning stolen art, is just an excuse for Kate Atkinson to indulge in witty, erudite prose and bring to life an unlikely cast of characters.

Personally I don't typically read mysteries for the plot. I'll read one only if the setting is appealing, the characters are intriguing, or I'm a fan of the writer. This met all three criteria for me. Admittedly, at times the number of primary and secondary characters was a bit overwhelming; I'd have to remind myself who certain ones were and what they had to do with the mystery at hand, which was periodically buried beneath subplots. And several characters were so lachrymose, I occasionally wondered if this was the escapism I'd been looking for. But I love Atkinson's writing so much, I not only raced through the book but already bought one of the earlier titles in the series.

Thank you, Doubleday Books and NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, just because it made me laugh out loud about 25 times. This was my first book by the author and I had no idea what to expect, and it took me a long while to get into the book's rhythm. It felt like the author had to note a character's every thought, whim or idea in print, and believe me, there were a lot of characters. The author is clever, whimsical with phrasing, but for me, things felt a little over-written. I would have liked the book/story better with a touch of editing.

I think the cover is striking.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

I love Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie mysteries, especially the supporting cast that seems to grow with each new book in the series. In Death at the Sign of the Rook, we once again meet Reggie Chase, and there's a brief appearance by DC Louise Monroe. The supporting cast is as much fun as Brodie, and a highlight of each of these stories. While I didn't think this was one of Ms. Atkinson's best, it was still great fun and I appreciate the chance to read the eARC.

This was my first Jackson Brodie book, and now that I've read this one, I want to go back and read the previous books in the series. Jackson is a bored, out of work detective who lives in a sleepy English town. He takes a job investigating some art theft and fraud, and it leads to a series of very unfortunate events, including attendance at a Murder Mystery Weekend at an old mansion. This is perfect for readers who love Agatha Christie-type golden age mysteries.

Death at the Sign of the Rook was my first Brodie Jackson mystery by Kate Atkinson and I really enjoyed it! Atkinson's writing is a delight - she's witty and clever, and her characters are wonderful. She definitely pays homage to Agatha Christie with this one, but that makes for a fun story. It has everything you could want for a British murder mystery - a snowed-in remote mansion, a group of strangers coming together (for a murder mystery night), hard-luck aristocrats and their servants, a few local vicars thrown in, a detective and a cop, and lots of amusement as the story unfolds. I recommend!

The sixth mystery in Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series feels a little slight and silly at times, but as always, there are true moments of emotional resonance. As always, sharp, funny, and eminently readable. Based on a blast-from-the-past encounter near the end of the book, I'm hoping Atkinson has at least one more Brodie book up her sleeve -- but she could write ten more, and I'd still happily read them all.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I love how well Kate Atkinson draws these characters. The background stories and asides, relevant or not, simply make it all feel more real. I didn’t find this book especially fast paced, but it was super engaging and the way everything came together at the end was fabulous. Very enjoyable read.

An entertaining read… But while I enjoyed it, I felt that it fell short of its predecessors in the CASE HISTORIES series. It was surprisingly short, and it felt superficial by comparison, as it seemed Atkinson was simply playing with an Agatha Christie plot. It was still fun to read, and it was very nice to see Jackson Brodie and Reggie Chase team up again. But it felt like a lightweight entry in the series. I wouldn’t tell a fan of the series NOT to read it, but I was frankly a bit disappointed, and it made me wonder if Atkinson is losing her enthusiasm for the Jackson stories. I hope not, as I still hope to see at least one more great entry to finish up the series.

I've been a fan of Kate Atkinson for as long as she's been writing Jackson Brodie novels, so like, 20 years? This wasn't my favorite in the series, but I did like the premise a lot. Jackson Brodie is back, investigating a painting that seems to have been stolen by the carer of an elderly woman who has just passed away. Her children claim that the painting has only sentimental value for them, but they're awfully keen to have the painting found, and Brodie starts investigating them as much as he's looking for the painting. He discovers a string of several similar art thefts, separated by years and many miles, and it brings him to Burton Makepeace, a dilapidated country estate that runs murder mystery weekends promising a Downton Abbey-style experience. A painting was stolen from Burton Makepeace years earlier by a maid who, just like his clients' mother's carer, disappeared into thin air, and while Brodie is looking into it he comes across a figure from his past (and from the earlier book in the series When Will There Be Good News) Reggie Chase, now a police officer who is trying to keep Brodie from going too far in his investigations. The whole plot leads up to a closed door murder mystery situation (a la Agatha Christie) in the middle of a massive snowstorm, and the somewhat disparate threads of the story finally come together as Brodie and Reggie help untangle the case. I had a bit of trouble keeping up with the various storylines here for about half of the book - I was trying to figure out how they would all come together - but even that didn't really put me off of the story because I knew that it eventually would based on past experience with this author and this series. A solid take on the English Country House Murder trope, though not my favorite of the series.

Well loved character Jackson Brodie returns to become part of this homage to the cozy mystery! Atkinson has a wicked sense of humor, but never more clever than when it comes out of Brodie's mouth. Long convoluted scenes, and multi nefarious characters at the heart of this farce make it a romp through the genre of the murder mystery party combined with a Clue like setting of the old English manor. It is hilarious!

Glad that I got to read this early. I've read the others in the series. Well written, but i don't think it really needed the murder mystery. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I received an ARC of this book from Doubleday via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I have read previous Jackson Brodie novels, so I was excited to see this one offered. A lot of nuance and character relationships will go over your head if you have not read previous novels in t his series. I am pretty sure I have missed some and was wishing I were more up to date, particularly regarding Brodie's relationship with other characters.

The book references the game "Cluedo" (or Clue for us Americans), which made me laugh since portions of the book totally remind me of this game. Some ridiculous characters, farcical behavior, general hysteria. And I was also reminded of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" during the actors' portion.

Ms. Atkinson is hilarious. Not many books can make me literally laugh out loud, but she does.

One star off because I did get a bit confused among the many characters. But I will still eagerly await the next Brodie installment!

Death at the Sign of the Rook is another Jackson Brodie mystery written by Kate Atkinson, Thanks to Doubleday and Net Galley for the ARC copy. I’m a big fan of Atkinson and Life After Life is one of my all time favorite books. Her writing about the London Blitz is nothing less than spectacular. Death at the Sign of the Rookie revolves around the mysterious theft of three separate works of art one of which Jackson Brodie is hired to investigate. It all comes together at a murder mystery weekend in one of England’s historic stately homes. It’s an interesting premise and the characters especially Jackson Brodie are well drawn. Unfortunately the plot isn’t as crisp and riveting as an Agatha Christie. However DC Reggie Chase and Major Ben Jennings are characters I’d love to see more of… 2 Stars

Kate Atkinson is one of my favorite authors, but this one just didn’t cut it for me. Jackson Brodie is more annoying rather than endearing. The comic element was too farcical. My opinion might be negatively impacted due to reading the book on my phone instead of print, I admit. I am still going to read every novel Atkinson ever writes, don’t get me wrong. And I would love to see many more Brodie novels, this one just isn’t the top of my list. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Death at the Sign of the Rook is Kate Atkinson’s sixth installment of her Jackson Brodie series and fans of her work will love it. I haven’t read all of them, but I did love Case Histories (the first), and now feel the need to catch up.

This one begins with a scheduled Murder Mystery dinner theater at a former estate-turned-inn where not all the family love having the public tromp through their dwindling heritage. (Several references to Downton Abbey for context.)

Meanwhile, Brodie has been brought by a couple of strange siblings to investigate a painting that has gone missing after the death of their mother. The main suspect is a caregiver who has disappeared and the whole thing reminds Brodie of another unsolved art theft. But is it possible this caregiver with a questionable identity was playing such a long game over a painting with more sentimental than real value?

Add in a faith-questioning vicar, an escaped murderer, a disabled army veteran, and a snowstorm – you get characters in a setting that form a story that you don’t want to put down. Who can resist trying to figure out who the fake murderer is when a real one enters the scene?

The general nod to Agatha Christie – the master dame of mystery – is notable and appreciated. Scheduled to be released in August of 2024, this will make for great reading over a long weekend.

My favorite Jackson Brodie yet!
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for an ARC which I really enjoyed.
This seemed like many books all wrapped up into one - a story of art theft and a con with a twist, a murder mystery party and more. So much was going on. The author really brings it all together. She had me as captive audience with the art thefts.
In addition there is Jackson Brodie at his best with some favorite characters from his life. Really enjoyed the character Reggie Chase in this book!
I felt the ending was perfection!
I know fans of Jackson Brodie will love this book but it is also a great stand alone mystery story.
4.5 stars

It is lovely to meet up with Jackson Brodie again in ‘Death at the Sign of the Rook’. I always enjoy Kate Atkinson’s witty and intelligent writing and this new book didn’t disappoint.
The characters were all great and the stolen paintings and various deaths added some intrigue, but I felt that Mr Brodie nor Reggie were in the book hardly at all. The first part of the book is chock full of introductions and biographies of the characters but by the end it feels a bit rushed to come to the conclusion and wrap up all of the loose ends.
I did thoroughly enjoy the read and liked it’s cleverness and humor, I will not hesitate to recommend it to our Jackson Brodie reading patrons.