One Good Turn
by Kate Atkinson; Read by Robin Atkin Downes
Published by Hachette Audio
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Reviewed by Karen Morse
(5-CD abridged set--abridged by Leslie Thomas)
Ex-cop, ex-private investigator Jackson Brodie (the protagonist of
Atkinson's 2004 hit, Case Histories) is suffering from post-retirement
depression.
A visit to Edinburgh with his potentially unfaithful girlfriend, small-time actress Julia, does nothing to brighten his mood. His trip goes from bad to worse in quick succession as he first finds the body of a dead girl, which mysteriously disappears taking with it his credibility, and then is attacked by "Honda Man," the perpetrator of the road rage incident he witnessed the day before. When he realizes that the two incidents must be connected--after all "a coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen" is his mantra--Brodie is determined to figure out what's going on, much to the chagrin of Detective Inspector Louise Monroe, who has enough problems to worry about without Brodie interfering with her investigations.
Russian matryoshka dolls are a fitting theme for this wonderfully complex novel of plots within plots. Peopled with a variety of finely drawn characters, One Good Turn is evidence of Atkinson's ability to infuse the crime genre with the literary fiction that has been her trademark since she debuted with the Whitbread Book of the Year Award--winning with Behind the Scenes at the Museum.
The audio version of the novel has been expertly abridged leaving no
obvious holes in the story; however, musical effects intended to
heighten the suspense do seem to distract from the story. That one
fault is easy to overlook because English actor Robin Atkin Downes,
best known for his work in voice acting, does an admirable job
bringing the novel to life, giving each character his own unique voice.
Although One Good Turn is Atkinson's second book featuring Jackson Brodie, it does stand on its own. While readers of Case Histories enjoy a better understanding of Brodie's backstory, there is nothing in One Good Turn that hinges on knowledge gained in Case Histories. Fans of Atkinson's stouthearted protagonist will be happy to know that the author leaves herself room for another sequel.
Armchair Interviews says: Well-plotted, One Good Turn admirably blends crime and literary fiction.
Author's Web site: http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth4