When Will There Be Good News?

Detective Jackson Brodie returns in Kate Atkinson's third crime novel set in Edinburgh, where multiple characters' lives intersect after a brutal family murder from thirty years ago resurfaces. A teenage orphan named Reggie works as a babysitter for Dr. Joanna Hunter, who survived a family tragedy in her childhood. Detective Louise Monroe investigates concerns about Dr. Hunter's husband while dealing with pressures in her own domestic life. The narrative threads include a mysterious man seeking DNA evidence of paternity, Reggie's brother's criminal activities, and the complex relationships between mothers and children as characters navigate loss and survival. This crime novel explores the ripple effects of violence across decades, examining how people rebuild their lives and form new bonds in the aftermath of trauma.

Readers value the complex character development and interconnected storylines, particularly the portrayal of teenage Reggie Chase. Many note the dark humor and Atkinson's skill at weaving together multiple narratives that initially seem unrelated. Readers appreciate: - Sharp dialogue and wit - Detective Jackson Brodie's continuing character arc - Balance of emotional depth with suspense - Details that become significant later in the plot Common criticisms: - Too many coincidences driving the plot - Multiple timelines can be confusing - Some find the pacing slow in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (900+ ratings) One frequent reader comment highlights how the book works as both a crime novel and literary fiction: "It's a mystery that's more about the people than the puzzle," notes a top Amazon reviewer. Some readers mention needing to read the previous books in the series to fully appreciate the character relationships.

The Likeness by Tana French A Dublin detective goes undercover by impersonating a murder victim who looks exactly like her, diving into themes of identity and belonging while unraveling both past and present crimes.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson Private investigator Jackson Brodie works three cold cases that weave together through family secrets, lost children, and the echoes of past violence in Cambridge.

What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman Two sisters vanish from a shopping mall in 1975, and thirty years later a woman in a car accident claims to be one of them, leading to an investigation that peels back layers of family trauma.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn A reporter returns to her hometown to cover the murders of two young girls, forcing her to confront her own dark past and dysfunctional family relationships.

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner DS Manon Bradshaw searches for a missing Cambridge graduate student while dealing with her own loneliness, combining police procedural with character study and family dynamics.

🔍 The novel is the third installment in Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series, following "Case Histories" and "One Good Turn." 🏆 Kate Atkinson won the Costa Book Award (formerly Whitbread) for her debut novel "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" in 1995, beating Salman Rushdie's "The Moor's Last Sigh." 📍 Edinburgh, where the novel is set, has been UNESCO's first City of Literature since 2004, home to influential writers like Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. 🎭 The Jackson Brodie series was adapted into the BBC television series "Case Histories" (2011-2013), starring Jason Isaacs as the detective. 📚 The book's title comes from a quote by Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all."