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Death at the Sign of the Rook

The addictive #1 Sunday Times Bestseller

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Death at the Sign of the Rook

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Jason Isaacs
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER


Welcome to Rook Hall. The stage is set. The players are ready. By night’s end, a murderer will be revealed.

Ex-detective Jackson Brodie is staving off a bad case of midlife malaise when he is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town, and the seemingly tedious matter of a stolen painting. But one theft leads to another, including the disappearance of a valuable Turner from Burton Makepeace, home to Lady Milton and her family. Once a magnificent country house, Burton Makepeace has now partially been converted into a hotel, hosting Murder Mystery weekends.

As paying guests, a vicar, an ex-army officer, impecunious aristocrats, and old friends converge, we are treated a fiendishly clever mystery; one that pays homage to the masters of the genre—from Agatha Christie to Dorothy Sayers.

Brilliantly inventive, with all of Atkinson’s signature wit, wordplay and narrative brio, Death at the Sign of the Rook may be Jackson Brodie’s most outrageous and memorable case yet.

'How delicious to have Jackson Brodie back, this time in a story that starts off in Agatha Christie's world but soon becomes a landscape that could only have been crafted from the pen of the incomparable Kate Atkinson' Ian Rankin

'Christie would be proud . . . I defy you not to snort with laughter as the novel progresses to its farcical denouement. Atkinson is brilliant' Observer

'Sharp, droll and knowing as ever, Atkinson has huge fun with the set-up; the supporting cast is terrific, and the rueful Brodie, ever more mindful of the passing years, feels like an old friend.' Guardian

©2024 Kate Atkinson (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Crime Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Murder Funny Witty Feel-Good Fiction

Critic reviews

How delicious to have Jackson Brodie back, this time in a story that starts off in Agatha Christie's world but soon becomes a landscape that could only have been crafted from the pen of the incomparable Kate Atkinson.
Inventive, funny, gripping, lovely to be back with Jackson Brodie - I loved it!
Delicious character studies . . . fine writing, wit, originality and eccentricity – even as it induces a warm glow
Sharp, droll and knowing as ever, Atkinson has huge fun with the set-up; the supporting cast is terrific, and the rueful Brodie, ever more mindful of the passing years, feels like an old friend.
Christie would be proud . . . This stands alone as a crime novel, but it is better enjoyed having read the previous books in the Brodie series. And why wouldn’t you – they are all a delight. I defy you not to snort with laughter as the novel progresses to its farcical denouement. Atkinson is brilliant.
Superior writing and a highly entertaining read.
[A] delirious crime caper . . . Atkinson has tremendous fun manoeuvring her motley cast together for a climactic murder mystery weekend
Another brilliant addition to her impressive oeuvre, Atkinson masterfully blends intricate plotting with rich character development, delivering a mystery that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging
The set-up is a delight, paying homage to traditional Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries . . . the characters are well-drawn, their stories unfolding alongside each other until gradually the strands unite, keeping the reader guessing how they will ultimately tie together . . . A great read.
A testament to Atkinson's versatility and mastery of the crime genre . . . pays a heartfelt homage to the golden age of detective fiction while offering a fresh, invigorating take on the classic murder mystery . . . a captivating escape into a world where every puzzle piece fits seamlessly into a perfectly choreographed mystery.
All stars
Most relevant
KA does it again. So funny, so heartbreaking, so human. Easily the best writer working today. Wry, intelligent, witty and absurd. She nails it. Loved the story, loved the characters, thoroughly miserable that it’ll be another few years before Jackson rides again.

Another sublime addition to the series

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Range of characters and skilful plotting. Quality of research by the author and have enjoyed several books by this writer.

Settings and narrative skill

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Poor storyline but amusing characters
Not one of her best
Maybe Jackson Brody is bored

The humour

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I love love loved this one it was brilliant like meeting up with old friends it might have even been my favourite Jackson Brodie
I loved all the characters the plot was brilliant I'm going to listen to it again right away

Absolutely fantastic

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A little more coherent than Big Sky.. with return of some characters and the usual
Observational Humour

Atkinson has fun with the cliches of the genre

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