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Big Sky
- Jackson Brodie, Book 5
- Narrated by: Jason Isaacs
- Series: Jackson Brodie Mysteries, Book 5
- Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Shortlisted for the Audible Sounds of Crime Award 2020.
The highly anticipated return of Jackson Brodie, ex-military, ex-Cambridge Constabulary, now private investigator.
Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village in North Yorkshire, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son Nathan and ageing Labrador Dido, both at the discretion of his former partner Julia. It’s a picturesque setting, but there’s something darker lurking behind the scenes.
Jackson’s current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, seems straightforward, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network—and back into the path of someone from his past. Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking new novel, both sharply funny and achingly sad, by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today.
Critic reviews
"Jason Issacs - best known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films - [is] a popular and adept narrator, who has done all five Brodie novels with great flair. This book has all Atkinson's genius hallmarks: funny, sad, heartwarming and gripping." (Daily Mail)
More from the same
What listeners say about Big Sky
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kerry
- 27-06-19
A welcome return
A welcome and excellent long awaited return of the wonderful JB & others. Brilliantly executed story with memorable characters. Next one sooner!!
5 people found this helpful
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- Barbara
- 22-06-19
Excellent
Throughly enjoyed this book , it had the perfect combination of humour, irony, reality of the worst of life, well written to make a excellent read thank you.
10 people found this helpful
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- HazelW
- 15-07-19
Welcome back Jackson Brodie
Another brilliant life on a larger scale romp with the marvellous Mr Brodie. And the big bonus is that Jason Isaacs reads it.
3 people found this helpful
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- Beatrice
- 09-07-19
Great Easy Listen
One of the most enjoyable books I've downloaded for quite a while. The writer has a beautiful clarity and simplicity to her writing, (I often have to 'rewind' with some books as I lose track of what's going on - I didn't have to do this once with this one) and this, along with the many LOL moments in the book made it un-put-downable. There was no unnecessary gore, which often spoils books for me, and being familiar with many of the locations in the story made it extra interesting. The narration was brilliant - all in all a 10 out of 10 from me.
3 people found this helpful
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- Vee
- 08-07-19
Welcome back Jackson Brodie
It was a long wait for a new Jackson Brodie book, but it was well worth the wait. Kate Atkinson has brought us another great story and it was great to have it read by Jason Isaacs. A particular plus for me was the story being set in and around Scarborough, where I was born. As always, you are left wanting more.
Jason Isaacs narration was very good and he brought all the characters to life really well.
I think I will be going back to listen to the other Jackson Brodie books again now.
3 people found this helpful
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- san2har
- 20-06-19
Welcome back Jackson
Another episode in Jackson Brodie’s life as a PI. But that’s only half the story (or even less). He gets caught up in several happenings including murder, slave trafficking and old abuse cases. Familiar characters are there (a bit older) Julia, Nathan, their son (now 13)
his daughter Marlee and Reggie Chase now a detective constable. New characters also appear. Kate Atkinson’s writing is superb with moving moments as well as hilarious ones. The best audio book for me this year
7 people found this helpful
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- yorkieboy
- 17-07-19
A Real Discovery
Having never read anything by Kate Atkinson before I was really taken by this.It is a thriller but of superior quality to the usual ‘pot boiler’.
Jackson Brodie is a memorable character,but the supporting cast are also well drawn.This can definitely be regarded as ‘literature’,memorably enhanced by superb narration by Jason Isaacs.
Not only will I be looking to enjoy the other Jackson Brodie’s but will also try Atkinson’s standalone novels.
2 people found this helpful
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- Jenny D
- 14-07-19
Superb
You won’t be disappointed. This is a brilliant story, well written with a mix of sadness and humour.
2 people found this helpful
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- L. Mcfarlane
- 05-01-20
Sorry Kate, a big fat miss
Where is the story? Where is Jackson? Hours and hours of uninteresting information and no plot. Give this one a miss.
1 person found this helpful
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- VM J
- 14-07-19
Brilliant Narration
Whilst the subject of the book was difficult- abused children, sex trafficking- the subject was dealt robustly by Jackson. Jason Isaacs is the perfect Jackson. The only problem I have is that Kate Atkinson assumes that we remember all the characters she has introduced over the years -15? They are dropped into the narrative and we are supposed to remember their back story. Kate has written the Jackson Brodie books as light relief from her more worthy novels. She has probably got a crib sheet we don’t. Did, however, enjoy the book and look forward to the next Jackson Brodie book hopefully with a personae dramatis.
1 person found this helpful
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- Carol
- 02-07-19
Lots going on!
There are so many story lines coming together in this book, that I was a bit confused for the first third of it. The story goes back and forth on itself depending on which character the narrator is portraying. Once I figured out the who and what, I really enjoyed it! There is a level of sardonic humour that I loved, and the little twists and turns held my interest. I'd probably give this a 3.5 if I could, but it is more of a 4 than a 3,
2 people found this helpful
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- Margaret Rose STRINGER
- 25-08-19
Jackson Brodie: my favourite protagonist
But I can only give this (so far) final instalment 4 out of 5 stars because he's aging too fast. And as he ages he becomes more curmudgeonly and less ... less inspired, I suppose.
Or maybe inspirational.
Jason Isaacs is utterly marvellous at reading these books. I'm perfectly sure he's marvellous at reading anything at all; and to be able to actually see him as Brodie in the BBC's series would make me happy forever. But who knows if the Australian Broadcasting Corp. will buy it ?!
Kate Atkinsons follows her Brodie style in Big Sky, I'm happy to say; but Brodie himself is less the frontman and more a member of the cast. I do understand that she does all this deliberately; and that she is writing him out of her life before he becomes another Peter Wimsey - although her works are already far, far more than Sayers'.
Basically, I haven't enjoyed a character this much for as long as I can remember. Sean Duffy is probably my previous favourite, but has been usurped in the queue.
1 person found this helpful
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- Tranquil in traffic
- 11-11-19
Absorbing and entertaining
Another great read from Kate Atkinson with wonderful narration. Some lovely touches of humour throughout lightened the mood. Highly recommended.