Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson

1. Death at the Sign of the Rook is Kate Atkinson's sixth book in the Jackson Brodie series. Have you read any of the others, and if so, how does this one compare? What do you like most about the series?
2. The book opens at Burton Makepeace, a grand estate fallen on hard times, during a murder mystery weekend. What did you think of the setting? Have you ever attended a murder mystery dinner or weekend, or would you like to?
3. What did you make of Simon's inability to believe in God, in spite of his profession? How about his bishop's pastoral advice to "carry on as if you still believed" (p. 59)? Do you consider Simon a good vicar? Why or why not?
4. Simon "bitterly regretted being too young to experience the meaty stuff of recent history" (p.55). Do you think the 1960s and 1970s were truly momentous times, or do they only appear remarkable in retrospect? Have you ever similarly felt that you've missed out on key historical events by being born too late?
5. Jackson thinks, "some bits of the past you carried with you for ever, other bits you jettisoned as quickly as possible." (p. 76) Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
6. Jackson wonders if his adversary is "Saint Teresa or a cunning thief" (p.77). What did you think of the thief's character? Were any of their actions justified?
7. What was your opinion about his family's reaction to Ben's injury ("Everyone in his family apart from Fran…believed in stoicism as if it were a religion" p. 82)? How do you think they helped or hurt his healing?
8. On p. 97, Jackson considers the difference between how he thought the world of stolen art worked vs. the reality. Had you heard of the Lost Art Registry? Did reading the book change your ideas about art theft in any way, or did anything surprise you about it?
9. Reggie likes facts and procedure, while "Brodie's MO was disruption" p. 124. What did you think of their two detective styles? Which one do you suspect you'd be more like? Would working with the opposite personality type drive you crazy, or would you appreciate the balance your partner brought?
10. What did you think about Dorothy Pagett's funeral? Did you feel it was fitting? Why do you feel it proceeded the way it did?
11. Reggie accuses Jackson of "nefarious" activities, while he responds, "Nefarious for a good cause" (p. 142). Do you think it was acceptable for him to cross the line under the circumstances? Are there times when it's reasonable to break the law?
12. Jackson thinks the "golden years" should be named the "rust years", and they come "attended by a retinue of unfriendly ailments" (p. 195). What do you think he means? Do you agree with him?
13. What did you think of the ultimate fate of the Woman and the Weasel? Why do you suppose the thief took this action?
14. Did you believe the thief's story about the Turner – that it was a worthless fake? Why or why not?
15. Which red herrings did you find buried in the story? What did you think of them?
16. Were there any plot twists that surprised you? If so, which ones?
17. Which of the characters did you like best? How about least? Why did you choose those two?
18. Have you seen Case Histories, the BBC series based on the Jackson Brodie books? If so, what did you think of the casting? How about the story itself – does it adhere to the books or diverge?
19. To what audience would you recommend Death at the Sign of the Rook? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
20. Overall, what did you think of Death at the Sign of the Rook? (no spoilers, please!)

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Doubleday. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.