Big Sky

By: Kate Atkinson

Narrated by: Jason Isaacs

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins

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

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

I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the audio book.

I have always enjoyed Kate Atkinson work. The story was good but to be honest a bit confusing. This didn’t stop me from listening what almost did stop me was some of the parts that had the narrator yelling/hollering? If I were able to read the book I simply would not have screeching sounds in my head.

Sparatic

It jumped around so much. I often couldn't tell when the chapter or character changed.

Darkly Sardonic

Although this book began a bit slowly compared to my expectations, it picked up the pace fairly soon. After that it just got better and better. There is a main plot but many subplots that connect and meander throughout the story. It held my interest and I loved the narration. Especially enjoyable for me was the dialogue. The character would express himself verbally while simultaneously pondering his internal dialogue contrasting what was said and what was thought. Very clever. If you enjoy British humor and sarcasm integrated into a multifaceted mystery, you will probably like this book.

Slow down to 0.8 speed then a great listen!

Slow the speed down to 0.8X speed, then the narrator provides a really fantastic listen!

Beautifully Read and Masterfully Crafted

Jason Isaacs brings Brody to life-as he does in film- capturing and expressing Jackson’s dark humor, exterior cynicism, and interior hope. Kate Atkinson takes us on a journey that honors survivors and redeems honorable men. She does so with a light touch that entertains. She also ties up loose threads from previous books in the series. What a treat!

Finely wrought, exceptional work

Head and shoulders above the usual fare. Worth the patience of a complex beginning. Fresh observations, timely topics, and great wit make this an engaging and satisfying read. True to life characters put the cherry on top of this great book.

Perfect narrator for this story

The plot hums along, dropping references to past novels about the characters without requiring the reader to be familiar with them.

Jackson is Back!’

I love all Kate Atkinson boons, but I’m particularly fond of the Jackson Brodie series. I found myself laughing out loud often despite the grim crimes in the background of it. The book is not about the crime as much as about the nature of people. I didn’t want it to end.

glad I stuck with it

It took a while to set up the plot, introduce the characters. once it got going though, it was a great read.

Love the return of Jackson Brodie

This was very well plotted, and having Jason Isaacs narrate was perfect since he portrayed the protagonist in TV series.