Reviews

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

spoilsofwar's review against another edition

5.0

Without spoiling this wonderful novel, I will just make a few comments. It's starts with the set of three unspeakable crimes: the kidnapping of a small child, the knife/throat slicing of a beloved daughter, and the axe-murder of a husband.

As you can expect, none of these cases are quite as they appear -- otherwise, what would be the point of the story? Along the way, the narratives are interwoven, and every character we meet is complex and so painfully read. We learn their histories, what makes them tick, and how to each moment affects them.

The funny thing about this novel is that it's not really the ending point that you're reading for -- though the climaxes of the three cases are satisfied in their various ways -- it's the journey.

Kate Atkinson really has a way with words, and sees so much into her characters. I really felt as though I knew all these people she'd introduced me to, and though I didn't like all of them, they were very real.

I read this before I read Atkinson's "Behind the Scenes at the Museum," and loved her style and picked "Museum" off my shelf immediately after.

dcmr's review against another edition

2.0

Many storylines, many characters, excessive time jumps. I lost the thread and missed the connections.

sabrinahughes's review against another edition

Lost the thread a little in audio format. 

amiablebookworm's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

jtferdon's review against another edition

2.0

I was really into this book for the first 75 pages, she was laying out the three cases and introducing characters, I thought it would turn out to be a great read. After approximately 75 pages, the rest of the book was long, too much monotonous detail and it just dragged on forever. I am really surprised to have completed the book. I really enjoyed her writing style but it just wasn't enough. I thought this was going to be a series I would want to read. I just removed the next book from my TBR list.

rowanrelph's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Murder

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Infidelity, Infertility, Fatphobia, Violence, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Animal death, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Religious bigotry, Rape, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Child death, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Dementia, Addiction, and Cancer

kelbi's review against another edition

4.0

First in series by author I love. Good not great. Shall read number two next

aquaboi's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

shippers1983's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

twig_larkin's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5