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The Edinburgh Festival is the setting for this ‘Jolly Murder Mystery’ where a violent incident pulls a bunch of seemingly unconnected people together in an unlikely but compelling tale. There are so many vividly drawn characters in Atkinson’s new novel that it’s hard to choose a hero, although the early and enduring favourite is Martin – a mild-mannered writer of detective fiction whose uncharacteristically brave action averts a possible murder. Jackson, ex-policeman and private eye, turns out to be the real hero – and Atkinson fans will be glad to hear of the new life he has made for himself (albeit with mad actress Julia) after ‘Case Histories’, her previous book, in which he also featured. As that subtitle – ‘A Jolly Murder Mystery’ – suggests, this is a lighter Atkinson than we’ve been accustomed to, and Martin’s conflicting feelings about his work act as an ironic counterpoint to her deft and funny prose, which sums up each character sharply and endearingly. Perhaps it’s because each of them is approaching the end of a decade and facing some kind of crisis, but every story blends humour with page-turning action, while also allowing Atkinson to meditate on identity, ageing, mortality and rage. The masterfully controlled writing which Atkinson is known for is perhaps wasted on a plot which nearly dissolves into farce, but the deliciously rich and convoluted narrative more than makes up for it in this sad, clever, but ultimately fun novel. - Copyright © 5 September 2006, Claire Figuero. |