Atkinson has a lovely way of depicting characters. No detail is to small or trivial to escape her notice, and she is masterful at repeating a favorite phrase or image that illustrates the essential character. I especially loved how her characters, although many struggled with amazing tragedies or apalling hardships, completely lacked self-pity. 16-year-old Reggie tenaciously fought for the people that she adopted to fill the void of being an orphan. Dr. Joanna Hunter learned to both save lives and take them, where necessary. She refused to be a victim but built a beautiful life from the ruins of an early tragedy.

Looking forward to reading more by this author. ( )

On a hot and beautiful day in the English countryside, six-year-old Joanna Mason witnesses an appalling crime. Thirty years later, the man convicted of the crime is released from prison.
Sixteen-year-old Reggie works as a nanny for a doctor devoted to her new young son. But Dr. Hunter has gone missing, and Reggie, no stranger to bad luck and worse, seems to be the only person who is worried.
Sadie, the dog.
Detective Chief Inspector Louise Monroe is also looking for a missing person, unaware that hurtling toward her is an old friend-Jackson Brodie- himself on a journey that becomes fatally interrupted.
Joanna, Reggie, Jackson and Louise become narrators in this suspenseful, full of twists, mystery. Great read!

Edinburgh, mystery, detective ( )

This is described as a ‘Jackson Brodie novel’ but it is just as much about DCI Louise Monroe, 16-year old Reggie – nanny to Joanna Hunter’s baby, and Joanna, whose family was brutally murdered 30 years earlier (the murderer has just been released from gaol). Jackson is badly injured in a train crash and is kept alive by Reggie’s first aid. Joanna is missing and Reggie fears foul play, but finds it difficult to convince Louise of this. The sub-plot of Reggie’s difficult existence is fascinating, as are the relationships of all the characters. Reggie manages to recruit the injured Jackson in her quest to find Joanna and the plot thickens. The writing is brilliant – we learn lots about the characters as the plot develops, but we need to keep our wits about us and refer back to earlier happenings. There is great suspense and a believable conclusion. ( )

This book was exquisitely written, the plot was outstanding, the characters were all perfectly unique and memorable.

I would urge anyone who enjoys suspense novels with surprising twists and turns to get this book. Un-put-downable!! Kate Atkinson certainly knows how to weave an extraordinary tale! ( )