Kate Atkinson is a critically acclaimed English author, best known for her literary mystery novels. Born in 1951 in York, England, Atkinson pursued her passion for literature by studying English and American literature at the University of Dundee, where she obtained her Master’s degree in 1974. Although she began working on her doctorate degree in American Literature, she did not complete it, having failed at the oral examination (viva) stage.
Before Atkinson began her career as a fiction writer, she worked a variety of jobs, including stints as a legal secretary and as a teacher. Her writing is known for its strong wit, well-developed characterizations, and shocking twists. Atkinson's work has been praised by critics and readers alike, and she has become an international bestselling author.
Atkinson's first novel, "Behind the Scenes at the Museum," was a critically acclaimed success, winning the Whitbread Book of the Year Award. She has since published a collection of short stories, "Not the End of the World," as well as several standalone novels, including "Human Croquet," "Emotionally Weird," "Life After Life," and "Transcription." Atkinson is perhaps best known for her Jackson Brodie series, which features a former police inspector turned private investigator. The series includes "Case Histories," "One Good Turn," "When Will There Be Good News?", and "Started Early, Took My Dog." The first three novels in the series have been adapted into the BBC TV series "Case Histories." Atkinson currently resides in Edinburgh, Scotland.