The Silkworm (A Cormoran Strike Novel) / Robert Galbraith / 464 p / Mystery

The Silkworm is the second book (following the Cuckoo's Calling) featuring the wounded military veteran turn detective Cormoran Strike and his trusted young assistant Robin Ellacot. The crime fighting dual get caught up with the murder of a known novelist. The victim a (self-centered) author named Owen Quine disappearance and murder is tied to a scandalous novel he was composing that would reveal hidden secrets of almost everyone he knew (mostly people in the publishing business). Quine's murder is grisly to say the least and very twisted.

The victim's novel is a gothic like fiction that implicates his rivals, editor, publisher, and even his own wife & mistress. The collection of suspects is therefore small, and the author gives you intervals of hints for each character's motive to keep the story moving and interesting.  Strike will probe deep into the dead author's book for elements of proof to solve the crime; the result is a book within a book. 

This book has appeal for several reasons: 1) It is artful - meaning it has a unique structure and mix of old English literature - each chapter begins with a quotation from mostly past Jacobean plays, and Rowling's English style of writing places you in the London/Westminster area accurately. 2) Through the experiences of the very famous author, you gain a realistic perspective within the story of the strangeness of fame. 3) Ms. Rowling has further developed her lead character Detective Strike brilliantly by revealing more of the personal struggle in his life. 4) Lastly, the book is a page turner with a very clever unexpected ending - the key requirement for a crime mystery novel.