When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson

DATE PUBLISHED: 2008 DATE READ: August 2009 NOTES: Another brilliant offering from Kate Atkinson. The narrative is multi-stranded and numerous characters appear – so the reader certainly has to concentrate. But every page brims with quirky ideas and the whole plot is very entertaining. Some characters such as Jackson Brodie and Louise Monroe are included from previous books but are not at the heart of the narrative. Reggie, a sixteen year old girl, is a great creation. She is quirky and passionate and I couldn’t help but race to the end in the hope that all would be well! Some reviewers have complained that the plot has too many coincidences. But as Jackson says towards the end of the book “A coincidence is just an explanation waiting to happen.” But it’s not all fun and games. The crime at the beginning is truly shocking and graphically described as is the violent rescue at the end. But along the way are many funny, sad and heartwarming moments….. A lovely book