Death at the Sign of the Rook is Kate Atkinson’s sixth installment of her Jackson Brodie series and fans of her work will love it. I haven’t read all of them, but I did love Case Histories (the first), and now feel the need to catch up.
This one begins with a scheduled Murder Mystery dinner theater at a former estate-turned-inn where not all the family love having the public tromp through their dwindling heritage. (Several references to Downton Abbey for context.)
Meanwhile, Brodie has been brought by a couple of strange siblings to investigate a painting that has gone missing after the death of their mother. The main suspect is a caregiver who has disappeared and the whole thing reminds Brodie of another unsolved art theft. But is it possible this caregiver with a questionable identity was playing such a long game over a painting with more sentimental than real value?
Add in a faith-questioning vicar, an escaped murderer, a disabled army veteran, and a snowstorm – you get characters in a setting that form a story that you don’t want to put down. Who can resist trying to figure out who the fake murderer is when a real one enters the scene?
The general nod to Agatha Christie – the master dame of mystery – is notable and appreciated. Scheduled to be released in August of 2024, this will make for great reading over a long weekend.
Verdict: Fully Recommend
I was provided an advanced reader copy of Death at the Sign of the Rook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. To learn more, go to netgalley.com. Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson is scheduled to be published Sept. 3, 2024.
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