Who Would Like This Book:
If you love classic detective stories with a modern twist, this book is a treat. Cormoran Strike, the gruff, down-on-his-luck PI, makes for an oddly endearing lead, and his partnership with bright, eager Robin is a highlight. Rowling (as Galbraith) brings London vividly to life, sprinkles in loads of character details, and delivers a satisfying, puzzle-like mystery with plenty of suspects and red herrings. Mystery lovers, fans of character-driven stories, and anyone who enjoys the behind-the-scenes drama of fame and fortune will find lots to enjoy here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Those who crave fast-paced action and shocking plot twists might find this book on the slow and methodical side - think interviews, legwork, and lots of detail instead of car chases. If you’re looking for wildly original plots or hard-hitting procedural drama, you might find the story a tad familiar or even a bit long-winded in spots. Some readers have also called out the depiction of side characters and certain social commentary as lacking nuance or feeling dated.
About:
Set in modern-day London, 'The Cuckoo's Calling' follows Cormoran Strike, a down-on-his-luck private detective, as he investigates the death of supermodel Lula Landry. With the help of his temp secretary, Robin, Strike delves into a complex mystery involving possible suspects, red herrings, and unexpected plot twists. The book is praised for its well-developed characters, engaging writing style, and classic detective story elements.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are mentions of suicide, substance abuse, and mental health issues, which could be triggering to some readers.
From The Publisher:
Published under a pseudonym, J. K. Rowling's brilliant debut mystery introduces Detective Cormoran Strike as he investigates a supermodel's suicide in "one of the best books of the year" (USA Today), the first novel in the brilliant series that inspired the acclaimed HBO Max series C.B. Strike.
After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, creditors are calling, and after a breakup with his longtime girlfriend, he's living in his office.
Then John Bristow walks through his door with a shocking story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry - known to her friends as the Cuckoo - famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.
You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.
Ratings (198)
Incredible (32) | |
Loved It (88) | |
Liked It (38) | |
It Was OK (25) | |
Did Not Like (11) | |
Hated It (4) |
Reader Stats (350):
Read It (206) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (90) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (51) |
10 comment(s)
I really liked the stories and the dynamics between the two main characters.
Took a while (like 300+ pages) to really get into. Good story in the end, although it felt a bit drug out. Typical Rowling style writing
sigh. she’s a good writer.
I loved this book. I almost forgot how good a storyteller J.K. Rowling is. It was a nice change to read her writing fresh without knowing the story for over 15+ years.
I actually have to say that this mystery gave nothing away. I loved every minute of this book. It was clearly written for a more mature audience and had many f- bombs throughout. I was engrossed in the story and really wanted more time with some of the other characters.
Character development fell behind the plot and story but I feel that as she continues to write this series and in the genre we can expect that to even out to a more desired pace.
This was a good read not easy, but not one that had to be put down and revisited either.The pace was spot on and did not drag that much. I also am glad that this story was not "Americanised" by the publishers and kept to it's original wording and format.
Pretty good murder mystery, although if the pen name thing hadn't come out, I wouldn't have read it. Rowling has created a pair of interesting characters in Robin and Strike, with lots of room for the development of each one down the road. I have to admit I didn't see the end coming, because the field is so crowded with greedy jerks trying to keep secrets/leach off each other/take all the drugs. It's hard to know what everyone's motive is, but everyone has one.
However, without the big reveal of the name behind the name, I think this would not have been a remarkable seller. Rowling has a voice unique from her Harry Potter franchise as well as
The Casual Vacancy here, but I don't think it is enough to propel her to the top of a very deep pile of excellent British and Irish mystery writers. I mean, this is the land of Agatha Christie, people. She doesn't have Elizabeth George's nuanced grasp of social conflict, or Val McDermid's flat-out badassery; but what she does have is entertaining, and I'll read the next one in the series.
Cormoron Strike is a vry interesting character and I liked him. The plot was good but the narration was weak for a murder mystery. It was slow, the events were slow and didn't much raise the curiosity.
J.K Rowling has to get much much better in her writing mysteries. Its a read which i am not sure of whether i can say as 'good' or 'ok' or 'bad'.
The only suggetion is read it if you get it but dont run behind it to read it once. :P
To me this was an entertaining little mystery!
Typical Rowling Prose
Ridiculous amount of characters & chapters that follow the same formula: 80% is filler with the last 20% where the action happens / important information is found.
Meh. Rowling is a one hit wonder. I love Harry Potter as much as the next person, but these Cormoran Strike books are honestly bad.
Cormoran Strike series
Mystery investigation
Likeable protagonist
Strong character dynamics
Classic British mystery
Noir elements
Agatha Christie influence
Compelling pacing
Engaging dialogue
What can you read after
The Cuckoo's Calling?
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