Started Early, Took My Dog Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson, author of the enchanting Behind The Scenes At The Museum, decided to turn her hand to crime fiction with Case Histories in 2004. Started Early, Took My Dog is the fourth such book in her own unique brand of literary crime fiction, and is also the fourth book to feature private investigator Jackson Brodie (although the books are very much stand-alone novels).

Started Early, Took My Dog is typical of Kate Atkinson in its refusal to adhere to the standard rules of the genre. She has a stream-of-consciousness style of writing which hooks you into the narrative so that before you realise it you are half way through and unable to put the book down. Fluctuating between different viewpoints (primarily those of ex-cop and security chief Tracy Waterhouse, confused elderly actress Tilly and Jackson Brodie himself), the present of each character becomes inextricably linked with the mysterious death of Carol Braithwaite some 35 years ago. As the truth is gradually uncovered, the different threads of the story are slowly pulled together until everything is connected, the mystery is solved and the novel is complete.

Kate Atkinson is a very satisfying writer; she has a firm grip on both the detail and the bigger picture, and her words flow with ease and grace. Started Early, Took My Dog is both an intelligent, witty and exuberant novel, and an enthralling crime mystery.

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