Started Early, Took My Dog: A Novel
Release date: 2011 /385 pages
Synopsis (from the back cover): It’s a day like any other for Tracy Waterhouse, running errands at the local shopping center, until she makes a purchase she hadn’t bargained for. One moment of madness is all it takes for Tracy’s humdrum world to be turned upside down, the tedium of everyday life replaced by fear and danger at every turn…
First Sentence: Leeds: “Motorway City of the Seventies.”
Review: I didn’t entirely enjoy this novel, but this is much more my fault than the novel’s. I read When Will There Be Good News? and Case Histories — and maybe even One Good Turn — and appreciated each one, but didn’t really enjoy reading them. This is mostly a matter of genre — I avoid murder mysteries as a rule and have no interest or patience for any sort of “CSI” narrative. However, beyond a the distasteful (in my opinion) genre, Atkinson does so many other things well that I keep forgetting she is at heart a mystery writer – as happened when I was contacted to read and review her latest.
I do admire Atkinson’s ability to create atmosphere — she really transports the reader to the United Kingdom: my semester spent in England comes back vividly whenever I read one of her novels. She has also created a character in Jackson Brodie that readers are able to know deeply, intimately, and completely. I also love her wit and her occasional asides – both dry and astute:
“(In synopsis, Jackson’s life always sounded more dramatic than the mild ennui of living it every day.)”
“‘You’re big,’ Courtney said. ‘Can’t argue with that,’ Tracy said. Unsure of teh rules of engagement with a small child, Tracy had decided it worked best if they both pretended they were grown-up and conversed accordingly.”
“For months now Jackson had been reporting back to her, occasional, laconic emails that elicited an immediate chirpy response about the weather in Christchurch (Snow!) or ‘little Aaron’s’ first day at nursery school (I don’t mind telling you I went home and sobbed my heart out). Hope McMaster shared with Julia a (misplaced) faith in exclamation marks. Jauntiness never conveyed itself well in the written word, in Jackson’s opinion.”
So, I predict that anyone who has enjoyed Jackson Brodie’s exploits in the past will not be disappointed. The driving mystery of the novel is compelling and satisfying in its closure, and the secondary characters are as interesting as Jackson. Although I am still not a fan of this genre, I do appreciate that Atkinson has mastered it.
Interested in winning a free copy? Drop me a comment below and I will choose a lucky winner by the weekend!
I’d love a copy!
I love mytsteries, so count me in please!
Sounds like a really cool book. Mysteries are my favorite books. Please enter me. Thanks!
I love mysteries of all sorts but have not yet read anything by Kate Atkinson though I have read good reviews of her work. Maybe it’s time to sample one of her books.
I’ve been wanting to read this one – please include me. Thanks!
I’m a big fan of mysteries and I always enjoy Kate’s books! I’d love to win this one!
Thank you!
I love Kate Atkinson’s books! She has a very clever way of driving plot and I do love Jackson Brodie. Oh I would love to win this book!!
I enjoyed Case Histories but have not read When Will There Be Good News. I do however love anything set in England though!
I had a lot of trouble getting into reading WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS, but then I had the opportunity to listen to it as an audio book. I absolutely fell in love with it. Atkinson is not an author who can be easily pegged. Lately I’ve been reading her short story collection NOT THE END OF THE WORLD before sleep. I have really weird dreams! But I highly recommend her work. I’d love to have the chance to read her latest. Thanks for the giveaway and your honest opinion of Atkinson’s work!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I have not yet read this author. I shall place the book on my wishlist if I don’t win it. Thanks.
I would love to try a new author…thanks for the chance!
ruthiekb72ATyahooDOTcom
I like a good mystery book. They are good books to take to the beach for reading.
Would like to try this one
Will definitely suggest this to our Mystery Club. Will probably read it myself. Thanks for sharing, especially in a genre that is not your favorite, and please include us in your giveaway.
Oh how I ADORE Mystery/Suspense/Thriller novels. Murder mysteries especially intrigue me. I think it might have something to do with my love for forensics. Thank you so much for such an insightful and fair review, I’d love to win/read a copy of this book – so thank you very much for the opportunity!
Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve heard great things about this one and would love to read it.
teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
I have read two of Kate Atkinson’s earlier books and thoroughly enjoyed them. This one is on my “Books to Read” list and I can’t wait to read another Jackson Brodie mystery. I appreciate your honest review of this book but because this is my favorite genre, I know I will love it.
Kate Atkinson is a wonderful author and I would love to read this one. Please enter me into the Giveaway.
Thanks!
Wendy
Amazon recommended this for me and I am very interested in it.
I am a fan of good murder mysteries and I love Kate Atkinson’s style. I’m sorry you didn’t really enjoy the book but since murder myseries aren’t one of the genres you really like, it makes sense. Still, I liked your review and very much appreciate the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
Thank you!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of this book
hawkes(at)citlink.net
Started Early, Took My Dog is my first Kate Atkinson novel, which I listened to on cd. Loved it!. I am a little lost though. I missed Courtney’s story. I know Tracy “bought” her from Kelly Cross. How did Kelly get Courtney? Where did Courtney come from?