One Good Turn

by: Kate Atkinson

Published by: Back Bay Books

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

In Case Histories, author Kate Atkinson introduced dectective Jackson Brodie. Brodie became a millionaire and quit his job as a result of reopening several cold cases. He’s making another appearance in One Good Turn.

Brodie is in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival with his girlfriend, Julie, who is an actress. Road rage sets the stage and sparks a series of events that leaves witness Brodie in the center of several mysteries.

Paul Bradley’s vehicle is rear-ended by another. The driver viciously attacks Bradley with a baseball bat (road rage in the extreme). Brodie witnesses the event along with novelist Martin Canning (pen name Alex Blake) and Gloria Hatter (who is aiming to change her life and dump her husband).

Brodie doesn’t want to become involved with the incident, but just seems to find trouble. He becomes embroiled in events that at first seem unrelated–but soon intersect with the lives of the different characters–and a sinister plot unfolds.

Kate Atkinson does a marvelous job of plotting and her character development is first rate. I found myself being slowly drawn into the story until I was unable to put the book down. Warning: You must pay attention or will find yurself lost in the different character perspectives. This does not, however, detract from the novel. In fact, it’s delightful. One character may miss something that is revealed when we hear from another character.

Armchair Interviews says: If you haven’t read Case Histories, it would be fun, but not necessary to begin with that book–and then delight in One Good Turn.