Kate Atkinson was born in York and now resides in Edinburgh. Her debut novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, won the prestigious Whitbread Book of the Year Award, establishing her as an internationally acclaimed bestselling author.

Atkinson has authored a collection of short stories, Not the End of the World, as well as several critically acclaimed novels including Human Croquet, Emotionally Weird, Case Histories, and One Good Turn. Case Histories introduced readers to the character Jackson Brodie, a former police inspector turned private investigator, and earned the Saltire Book of the Year Award and the Prix Westminster.

Her novel When Will There Be Good News? was honored as Richard & Judy's Book Best Read of the Year. Case Histories, One Good Turn, and When Will There Be Good News? are interconnected through the character Jackson Brodie.