Book Review: One Good Turn

Resident book reviewer Carol Hall reviews the crime novel 'One Good Turn' by Kate Atkinson.

Set in Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival, this story unfolds from a bizarre road rage scene in front of a long queue of people who don’t quite register that it’s real.  A shy and dull author uacteristically (in his own estimation) saves the life of the driver under attack.  He seems to be the only one who understands the reality of the situation.

What follows is an engaging set of introductions to various characters and the links they have to each other, usually without knowing it.  It is these links and recognisable characters that give credibility to the story; I can imagine myself or those I know reacting as the characters do.

Kate Atkinson weaves into her narrative clever observations of everyday life, the quirky, humorous and colourful.  A number of people die, but to call it a “whodunit” would be an injustice.  Although several justices are served in a very entertaining and satisfactory manner!

I highly recommend this as a good read and despite the author’s gender it is not a girly tale.