Kate Atkinson

"The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories."

Kate Atkinson won the Whitbread (now Costa) Book of the Year prize with her first novel, Behind The Scenes At The Museum and has been a critically acclaimed international author ever since.

Her bestselling novels featuring the former private detective Jackson Brodie, Case Histories, One Good Turn, When Will There Be Good News? and Started Early, Took My Dog , have been adapted into a successful BBC TV series starring Jason Isaacs. She was appointed MBE in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

What genres does Kate Atkinson write in?

Her work spans literary fiction and crime/mystery. The Jackson Brodie novels are crime/detective stories, while many of her standalones explore historical, family and literary themes.

What is the Jackson Brodie series and in what order should I read it?

The Jackson Brodie series follows a former private detective. A commonly used reading order is: Case Histories; One Good Turn; When Will There Be Good News?; Started Early, Took My Dog; and Big Sky.

Which Kate Atkinson books are good places to start for new readers?

For crime readers start with Case Histories. For readers who prefer literary or historical fiction try Life After Life or A God in Ruins.

Has Kate Atkinson won any major awards?

Yes. Her debut Behind The Scenes At The Museum won the Whitbread Book of the Year (now Costa). A God in Ruins won the Costa Award in 2015. She was appointed MBE in 2011.