Started Early, Took My Dog

Private investigator Jackson Brodie becomes entangled in a case involving a young woman searching for her birth parents. Meanwhile in Leeds, retired police superintendent Tracy Metcalf makes an impulsive decision that changes multiple lives when she encounters a child in distress. The narrative moves between the 1970s and present day, connecting seemingly unrelated events and characters across time. Both Brodie and Metcalf must confront their own pasts while navigating ethical dilemmas that blur the lines between right and wrong. A series of interconnected mysteries emerge as Brodie pursues leads about adoption records and cold cases. The investigation reveals links between current events and decades-old police corruption in Yorkshire. The story examines how small choices ripple through time, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the complex bonds between parents and children. Through parallel narratives about protecting the vulnerable, the novel questions what truly makes a family.

Readers appreciate Atkinson's complex plotting and character development, though some found the multiple storylines challenging to follow. The humor and wit throughout the narrative earned specific praise from reviewers, with many highlighting the authentic portrayal of Yorkshire and its inhabitants. Likes: - Strong character development for Tracy and Jackson - Realistic depiction of police work - Integration of past and present storylines - Dark humor throughout Dislikes: - Too many coincidences in plot resolution - Confusing timeline jumps - Slow pacing in middle sections - Unresolved subplot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (38,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Common reader comments note the book works better for those familiar with previous Jackson Brodie novels. Several reviewers mentioned struggling with the multiple narrative threads but finding the conclusion satisfying. The dog-related storyline received mixed responses, with some finding it unnecessary to the main plot.

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🔹 The title "Started Early, Took My Dog" comes from an Emily Dickinson poem about making a quick escape from danger, reflecting themes of rescue and flight in the novel. 🔹 Kate Atkinson won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year award for her debut novel "Behind the Scenes at the Museum," making her the first author to win the award with a first novel. 🔹 The book's plot incorporates real historical events, specifically the Yorkshire Ripper murders of the 1970s, weaving fiction with actual British criminal history. 🔹 This is the fourth novel featuring private investigator Jackson Brodie, but Atkinson intentionally writes each book to stand alone, allowing readers to begin the series at any point. 🔹 The author worked as a chambermaid and home help before becoming a writer, experiences that often inform the detailed domestic scenes and service industry perspectives in her novels.