Sunday, October 19, 2014

The Cuckoo's Calling / Robert Galbraith / 464 p / Mystery

Let's just get it out of the way--yes, I read The Cuckoo's Calling because I'm a JK Rowling fan, but I enjoyed it primarily because I'm a fan of classic, well-crafted whodunnits.  And this is extremely well crafted--excellent tight pacing, an extremely likable protagonist in Strike, memorable characters (both major and minor), excellent and original phrasing and descriptions, and a mystery that keeps you guessing right up until the end. It's all that makes JK Rowling so brilliant--the vivid and often eccentric characters and original turns of phrase and clever depictions--mixed into a classic mystery that delivers.

Cormoran Strike is a private detective. He's big, hairy, missing a leg . . . and sharp as the finest needle. The reader follows Strike and his new assistant, Robin Ellacott, as they investigate the apparent suicide of supermodel Lula Landry. Here's the thing: it's absolutely riveting. The characters are flawlessly drawn. The dialogue for each is beautifully executed. No two characters speak in the same way. The plot is carefully and cleanly constructed and logically followed.

If you like mysteries, I'm confident you'll love The Cuckoo's Calling.  Give it a try. I'm quite certain Rowling is winning over a whole new fan base.

Take Note:  This is the first in the Cormoran Strike Detective Series with its sequel Silkworm already on the bestseller list.


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