Suzanne
Rating:
Review
In the two other books I've read by Atkinson the storylines were a bit too bleak for my taste – not so here. Sixteen year-old Regina, known as Reggie, is my favorite character in this Scottish crime novel. Reggie is on her own after her mother's recent death and is doing okay, working as a nanny for Dr. Hunter and her sketchy husband. She's quite resourceful, and not overdramatic like many teens. I'm also fond of returning character Jackson Brodie, who like many other private detectives seems utterly incapable of emotional intimacy despite several marriages and relationships gone by the wayside. Jackson shows up in the story by way of a train wreck. Louise Monroe, another detective, is his feminine equivalent and naturally they're attracted to each other like crazy. Thirty years previous is the horrendous crime that ties all these people together, a multiple murder that left a mother and two of her three young children dead. Only six year-old daughter Joanna Mason escaped their grisly fate. The whole thing concludes with an astonishing twist out of the blue for Brodie – the icing on the cake that only makes me hope for a next installment.
Best Line:
"It was just as well the baby was strapped into his high chair, because every so often he would fling out his arms and legs and try to launch himself into the air like a suicidal starfish." (pg. 21)
Kim
Rating:
Review
Starting off a book with a gruesome murder of innocent people is not usually my cup of tea, but I must admit it did keep me reading. Joanna Mason is a wee 6 year-old when she escapes the unprovoked slaughter of her mother and siblings by a deranged man, and then fast forward 30 years to Joanna as an adult, who seems to lead a happy, content life as a doctor with her good-looking (although shifty) husband and newborn son. Detective Louise Monroe drops into the story early, initially to inform Joanna that the man convicted of murdering her family is out of prison, and warns her of the press that may accompany his release. Teenager Reggie Chase works for Joanna as her nanny, and Reggie not only loves her job, but loves Joanna too, so when Joanna abruptly disappears, Reggie is beside herself with worry. Thrown into the story is Jackson Brodie, who used to work with Louise, but now does whatever he wants, which is mostly reflect on all the women he's wronged in his life, including Louise. Reggie is the one character that tethers all these characters together, and I found her voice most enjoyable ("Totally, sweartogod") and her gumption admirable. The lives of Louise and Jackson are quite interesting as well. Louise is trying to do her job as a detective the best way possible, but her past, and present keep getting in her way. Jackson is recovering from a horrific accident and is trying to sort out his current aimless, and regret-filled life, while Joanna is just trying to keep herself and her baby alive, since it quickly becomes apparent that her sudden disappearance was not her idea. I enjoyed this book once I got 1/3 of the way into it, so stick with it. Ms. Atkinson's writing style is fun and the dialogue between the characters is engaging as all get out.
Best Line:
"Knowing that when light is gone, Love remains for shining, Dr. Hunter said."
