Death at the Sign of the Rook
Kate Atkinson
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2024
⚠️Content Warnings
DeathMental Health IssuesSuicide or Self-HarmViolence
Ex-detective Jackson Brodie is staving off a bad case of midlife malaise when he is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town, and the seemingly tedious matter of a stolen painting.
But one theft leads to another, including the disappearance of a valuable Turner from Burton Makepeace, home to Lady Milton and her family.
Once a magnificent country house, Burton Makepeace has now partially been converted into a hotel, hosting Murder Mystery weekends.
As paying guests, a vicar, an ex-army officer, impecunious aristocrats, and old friends converge, we are treated a fiendishly clever mystery; one that pays homage to the masters of the genre—from Agatha Christie to Dorothy Sayers.
Tonight’s fit
Best for readers who enjoy: Character-Driven · Mystery · Steady
Character-Driven
England
POV: Multi-POV
Published by Penguin
Characters
•
Detective
•
Police Officer
Sub-genre
•
Mystery
•
Whodunnit
Experience
•
Character-Driven
•
Humourous
•
Witty
Pace
Gentle
Adrenaline
Balanced
Tone
Light
Dark
Balanced
Book length
Short
Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft
Graphic
Balanced
Romance
Background
Front and centre
Background
Worldbuilding
Light touch
Deep & dense
Light touch
Readability
Breezy
Dense
Balanced
Humour
Serious
Very funny
Very funny
Target audience
Younger
Adult
Balanced
Kate Atkinson
Literary Fiction, Mystery, Crime & Detective, Historical Fiction
Kate Atkinson MBE is an English writer of novels, plays and short stories. She has written historical novels, detective novels and family novels, incorporating postmodern and magical realist elements into the plots.
Books By This Author
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3.80
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5 stars
3 (30%)
4 stars
4 (40%)
3 stars
1 (10%)
2 stars
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Loved it: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Death at the Sign of the Rook is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
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Really enjoyed: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Death at the Sign of the Rook is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
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Really enjoyed: Death at the Sign of the Rook
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. Death at the Sign of the Rook has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. If you’re on the fence, try a sample — you’ll know quickly.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
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Didn’t work for me: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Mixed feelings on Death at the Sign of the Rook, but I can see why people love it. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
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Really enjoyed: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Death at the Sign of the Rook is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
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Loved it: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Mixed feelings on Death at the Sign of the Rook, but I can see why people love it. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
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Mixed feelings: Death at the Sign of the Rook
I went into Death at the Sign of the Rook with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
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Really enjoyed: Death at the Sign of the Rook
Death at the Sign of the Rook has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
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