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Big Sky

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Jason Isaacs
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Publisher's summary

Iconoclastic Detective Jackson Brodie returns in a triumphant new novel about secrets, sex, and lies.

Jackson Brodie has relocated to a quiet seaside village, in the occasional company of his recalcitrant teenage son and an aging Labrador, both at the discretion of his ex-partner Julia. It's picturesque, but there's something darker lurking behind the scenes.

Jackson's current job, gathering proof of an unfaithful husband for his suspicious wife, is fairly standard-issue, but a chance encounter with a desperate man on a crumbling cliff leads him into a sinister network—and back across the path of his old friend Reggie.

Old secrets and new lies intersect in this breathtaking novel by one of the most dazzling and surprising writers at work today.

©2019 Kate Atkinson (P)2019 Hachette Audio
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Critic reviews

One of VanityFair's Best Books of the Year

"Narrator Jason Isaacs (who starred in the 'Case Histories' TV series) is the perfect match for this multifaceted story. His confident and polished delivery allows both the wit in the writing and the tension of the plot to come together. His accents sound authentic, and he creates believable characters, including young females of different nationalities." —AudioFile Magazine

"The handsome investigator that Kate Atkinson introduced in 2004's Case Histories, played by Jason Isaacs on the BBC series, hasn't appeared in a new book since 2011. If you haven't met him yet, this is a fine place to start... Atkinson is so skilled at getting inside people's heads that when she introduces a new character, it's almost impossible to not feel at least a little sympathy for the person... The gangbuster ending flings a pile of spinning plates in the air. They could be picked up in a swath of new directions, including Jackson or not. But I hope he comes back. He's still the empathetic, flawed, country-music-listening detective we first fell for."—Carolyn Kellogg, The Washington Post

"Atkinson opens "Big Sky" with one perfect page. It's a bit of a red herring, but it couldn't do a better job of throwing the reader off base and commanding instant interest. It's a short chapter called "Eloping," and if you have a way of looking at it, do. It's a prime example of how Atkinson tells a great story, toys with expectations, deceives by omission, blows smoke and also writes like she's your favorite friend. Thank goodness the long Jackson Brodie hiatus is over."—Janet Maslin, New York Times

"As always in a Kate Atkinson book... the pleasures derive from her mastery as a storyteller, her skillful character development and the beauty of her quirky and poetic prose."—Associated Press

What listeners say about Big Sky

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Highly Entertaining, Wonderfully Narrated

This book is fun, fun, fun. Fast-paced story-telling, zippy dialogue, colourful characters and a rollicking plot keep one entertained. And Jason Isaacs is simply marvellous.

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9 people found this helpful

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Can't get enough!

I love the originality of Kate Atkinson's writing. Despite the often difficult subject matter her unique style keeps this reader coming back for more! Pair that with Jason Issacs' narration and we have the perfect listening experience!

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Masterful Writing

This is the fifth Jackson Brodie I've read and I have not been disappointed. Atkinson's mysteries are not the usual fast-paced potboilers that dominate the genre in both written and film media. The characters are complex, the plot fascinating, and the historical background deep and well grounded in fact. They have a touch of Doyle, Dickens and Austin--a mix of true mystery and literature.

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A good mystery

A mystery with many hidden elements lurking in the background. Some real surprises here, indeed!

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  • Overall
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Well written for the most part

This is a great book and it’s intricate. But there were multiple occasions where I was going back and forth trying to work out what was going on with the various intertwined plot lines - got fairly muddled in places.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Too complicated for easy listening on Audible

complicated story line so hard to keep track on Audible
however I am a great fans of Jackson Brodie's misadventures.

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Perfection

It is amazing what the author put together and equally amazing the narration. What a beautiful book.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Meh

This book was pretty mediocre. The villains were predictable and the story dragged... too much time spent developing characters that were peripheral and not enough time on characters who were pivotal or at least interesting. This book was really just ok.

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My first book review!

I never read a book twice. But, this book was way too much fun for just a one time read. Hilarious, meaningful and poetic. The narrator is one of a kind and perfect.

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A good time

loved plot, characters, and of course the reader. I will look for more from the author

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