Powerfully claustrophobic

Ruth Rendell shows an unparalleled understanding of human evil.

Compelling, disturbing and masterfully written.

Rendell knows how to make your hair stand up straight on your head

There are quite a few Ruth Rendells: the doyenne of the traditional English detective novel; the queen of the psychological thriller; the celebrated author of the literary thriller

Psychologically acute and extremely disturbing, Ruth Rendell’s work is outstanding

Shot through with sharp, black humour, and introducing a loveable hero in Brodie, this is storytelling that satisfies at every level

Atkinson is very good indeed... more satisfying than many detective novels. Everyone who picks it up will feel compelled to follow it through to the last page

Brilliantly playful, witty and original... massive and consistent talent for comedy

Intriguing and affecting... she has also created a compelling central chracter in world-weary private investigator Jackson Brodie, who is determined to bring justice to all the lives that lie fractured around him

Civilised, funny, life-affirming and hugely enjoyable

Brilliantly detailed and unexpectedly funny

Perceptive and engaging

Murder, mystery and Atkinson's skill make for an atmospheric and moving story

Funny, furious fourth novel rumbustiously drives a path through the genre of detective fiction, demolishing its careful, forensic summation of human behaviour and replacing them with bloody, believable, vigorous tales

Vivid, multifaceted... Case Histories manages to be such an ultimately joyful novel.. I found myself captivated throughout by the vivacity and big-hearted humour... skilled juxtaposition

Not just the best novel I have read this year...but the best mystery of the decade. There are actually four mysteries, nesting like Russian dolls, and when they begin to fit together, I defy any reader not to feel a combination of delight and amazement. Case Histories is the literary equivalent of a triple axel. I read it once for pleasure and then again just to see how it was done. This is the kind of book you shove in people's faces, saying 'You gotta read this!

So well-written...Everyone who picks it up will feel compelled to follow it through to the last page.

Her best book yet...a tragi-comedy for our times.'

'A greedy feast of a story by a masterful author ... Will stay with you for a long time after you have finished reading it. '

'Civilised, funny, life-affirming and hugely enjoyable. I can't recall reading crime fiction quite like this before- honest, ironic, and cheerfully unselfconscious. I urge you to share my surprise and delight.'

One of the most brilliantly playful, witty and original writers we have.

'At heart a comic novelist, who explores the relationship between comedy and crime... In Case Histories, these skills have found their literary home.'

'Sharp humour, together with a number of unexpected twists, make this a typically pacey and intelligent read.'

Not just the best novel I have read this year...but the best mystery of the decade. There are actually four mysteries, nesting like Russian dolls, and when they begin to fit together, I defy any reader not to feel a combination of delight and amazement. Case Histories is the literary equivalent of a triple axel. I read it once for pleasure and then again just to see how it was done. This is the mind of book you shove in people's faces, saying 'You gotta read this!'