Jackson Brodie Books In Order
Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.Publication Order of Jackson Brodie Books
| Case Histories | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| One Good Turn | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| When Will There Be Good News? | (2008) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Started Early, Took My Dog | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Big Sky | (2019) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Death at the Sign of the Rook | (2024) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Jackson Brodie Series
Kate Atkinson MBE is an English author who writes many kinds of books. Her work includes historical stories, detective fiction, and novels about families. She often blends realistic tales with playful and imaginative elements. This unique mix makes her books both thought provoking and highly entertaining for a great many people.
She has a special talent for building characters who feel completely real. Her ongoing stories about detective Jackson Brodie are a major favorite. Readers find her narratives deeply compelling and return for each new book. This ability to craft engaging tales with something meaningful to say remains her true strength.
The Jackson Brodie series features a former detective who now works as a private investigator. He takes on cases across different parts of the United Kingdom. Each book presents a new mystery that is fully resolved within the story.
These novels are written for adults and focus on more than just crime solving. The character’s personal history and his observations on life are central to the books. Readers enjoy the combination of clever puzzles and well developed characters. This balance makes the series both engaging and thoughtful.
The series began with the book ‘Case Histories’. It features Jackson Brodie who is an ex police officer and now works as a private investigator. Each of the six novels presents a completely new and separate mystery for him to solve. Readers follow his investigations across UK locations.
Case Histories
Kate Atkinson’s detective novel ‘Case Histories’ was first published in the year 2004. The book was released by the publisher Doubleday. This work is the initial entry in her ongoing series featuring the character Jackson Brodie.
Private investigator Jackson Brodie looks into three separate family mysteries in Edinburgh. The first case involves the disappearance of a young girl many years earlier. The second concerns a violent and apparently random assault on a young office worker. The third follows a new mother trapped in a difficult domestic situation. As Brodie investigates these cold cases, surprising connections between them begin to slowly emerge.
Readers find the way these separate stories connect to be incredibly satisfying. The book is widely enjoyed for its clever plot and its thoughtful main character. It is considered a very strong and engaging start to a popular detective series. Many find it a truly rewarding read.
One Good Turn
Kate Atkinson’s detective novel ‘One Good Turn’ was published in 2006. The publisher for this work was Doubleday. It is the second book in her continuing series that features the character Jackson Brodie.
On a summer day, bystanders outside a theater see a sudden act of road rage. Jackson Brodie, a former detective and now a wealthy man, is among the crowd. This incident pulls him into the lives of several individuals, each hiding their own secrets and motives. These encounters draw him out of retirement and into the center of multiple intersecting mysteries.
Many have find this novel to be a smart and engaging entry in the series. The way the plot brings together a diverse cast of characters is often highlighted as a key strength. Fans of the main character enjoy following his continued personal journey. It is widely regarded as a thoroughly enjoyable book.
When Will There Be Good News?
Kate Atkinson’s detective novel ‘When Will There Be Good News?’ was published in August 2008. The publisher for this work was Doubleday. This book is the third installment in her ongoing series featuring the protagonist Jackson Brodie.
On a hot summer day, a young Joanna Mason walks home with her family along a country lane. Her life is tragically altered in a single moment during this journey. Thirty years later, the ex detective Jackson Brodie is on a delayed and crowded train when he hears a shocking sound. Meanwhile, a sixteen year old named Reggie has her own peaceful evening shattered by a terrifying noise, but she is a person who believes in being prepared for any emergency.
This is widely considered to be one of the most gripping books in the entire series. Readers frequently praise how the separate storylines masterfully converge. The young character Reggie is often highlighted as being especially memorable. It is widely regarded as a powerful and emotionally resonant novel.
Started Early, Took My Dog
Kate Atkinson’s detective novel ‘Started Early, Took My Dog’ was published on August 19th, 2010. The publisher for this work was Doubleday. It’s the fourth installment in her ongoing series featuring the protagonist Jackson Brodie.
A retired police detective named Tracy Waterhouse makes a sudden and surprising decision. She intervenes upon seeing a known offender with a young child, a choice that complicates her quiet life. Concurrently, private investigator Jackson Brodie is attempting to rescue an abused dog. Both characters quickly learn their good intentions lead to significant and unexpected trouble.
Fans of the series frequently highlight this novel for its emotional depth and clever plotting. The introduction of a compelling new protagonist is often mentioned as a key strength. Readers enjoy how the separate storylines masterfully converge. It is considered a standout and memorable book in the collection.
Big Sky
Kate Atkinson’s detective novel ‘Big Sky’ was published in 2019. The publisher for this work was Doubleday. This book is the fifth installment in her ongoing series featuring the protagonist Jackson Brodie.
Jackson Brodie now lives in a quiet seaside village, sometimes visited by his teenage son and an aging dog. His routine investigation into a husband’s infidelity takes an unexpected turn. A chance meeting with a distressed man on a cliff draws him into a dark network. This encounter also brings him back into contact with a familiar face from his past, Reggie.
This novel is praised for its sharp writing and a compelling, intricate plot. Readers enjoy the return of a beloved character and the atmospheric setting. It is widely considered a standout and highly satisfying entry in the popular detective series.
The Jackson Brodie Series
Fans of intelligent detective fiction consistently celebrate this entire series. Its unique combination of complex puzzles and rich character development creates a special longevity. The books remain fresh and engaging no matter how many times they are revisited. This quality ensures readers will return to them for a long time.
Book Series In Order » Characters »


Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
I’ve loved the Jackson Brodie novels as well as the series on TV. Will there be another series with the books Big Sky and Death at the Sign of the Rook?
Thank you.
Susan Delaney
What is the name of the BBC series? I would like to see if it’s available on our Dish lineup.
Case Histories