When Will There Be Good News?

When Will There Be Good News?

by

Kate Atkinson

David Needler is Alison Needler’s estranged husband. He shot several people at his young daughter’s birthday party, and his family now lives in terror of his eventual return. At the end of the book, he returns and holds his family at gunpoint until Marcus McLellen shows up; David shoots Marcus and then kills himself.
Get the entire When Will There Be Good News? LitChart as a printable PDF.
When Will There Be Good News? PDF

David Needler Character Timeline in When Will There Be Good News?

The timeline below shows where the character David Needler appears in When Will There Be Good News?. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Trauma, Survival, and Reckoning with the Past Theme Icon
Family Theme Icon
...who attack women alone or children alone. The Needler case is one of these, too. David Needler had shot his mother-in-law and sister-in-law at his seven-year-old daughter’s birthday party, killing a neighbor... (full context)
Trauma, Survival, and Reckoning with the Past Theme Icon
Appearances vs. Reality Theme Icon
...never be safe.” Louise thinks that Alison should get a big dog and hopes that David Needler comes back during the Christmas season so that the police can finally “shoot the bastard... (full context)
“An Elderly Aunt”
Appearances vs. Reality Theme Icon
...buys an espresso and goes to her office to study all the reported sightings of David Needler . She fears that the case is going cold. Marcus comes in with news about... (full context)
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
Family Theme Icon
...had been on his way to work and responded to a call from the Needlers. David Needler had returned and held his family at gunpoint all night. One of the kids had... (full context)