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zepeng's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very different compared to other murder mystery books, (eg. books from Chris Carter). There aren't many gruesome and bloody scenes, nor the killer's pov. It's more towards the detective slash protagonist, Coroman Strike's judgement and his personal life.
Personally, I don't really enjoy parts describing Strike's personal life. In my opinion, a good criminal book should focus on the crime scene itself and the killer's motive and the evidence left behind. I's fairly disappointed at the lack of crime scene.
Yet, the plot twist: the killer's identity makes up the disappointment.
Personally, I don't really enjoy parts describing Strike's personal life. In my opinion, a good criminal book should focus on the crime scene itself and the killer's motive and the evidence left behind. I's fairly disappointed at the lack of crime scene.
Yet, the plot twist: the killer's identity makes up the disappointment.
jgbradbury's review against another edition
3.0
Nice to read something from Rowling outside the Potterverse. Despite crafting a winning character with Cormoran Strike, I never really warmed up to the other characters...I viewed them with the same cold and detached point of view as Strike would have investigating them. The relationship between Strike and Robin makes up for that somewhat and is enjoyable, but I don't feel like they have a ton of chemistry yet. This being the first in a series, that relationship has a lot of room to grow however. Similarly, Robin's character also felt strangely underdeveloped...perhaps we will get to know her better in future stories as well. The mystery here is clever if underwhelming and again for me, it goes back to having non-interesting characters. The victim is already dead when the story begins so it's hard to develop any sort of emotional connection. Sadly when I was reading this I was wondering why I should even care.
bookdust's review against another edition
3.0
I was really afraid that I wasn't going to like this book, especially since it took me a bit too read, but I really liked it! As usual with Jo, I loved the characters. Crime isn't my normal read, but I think I'd read more after this! It was great fun trying to figure out who the murderer was and seeing all the clues be tied together!!
klaireparavel's review against another edition
4.0
What a fantastic story! I didn't know what to expect, really. Cormoran Strike and his temporary secretary Robin are two superb characters and their interactions are just so touching and engaging. And a well-played whodunit on top of it. Super enjoyable. More adventures of Cormoran and Robin, please.
cazab22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
slothreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
beckeal's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a sucker for a classic whodunnit. Which this is. Almost too much so …
I was actually taken a bit aback by how stereotypical the style, characterizations, and themes were. The writing style was classic noir murder-mystery. Almost felt like I was reading something out of the 60s, but a bit grimier. The characters were a bit too classic too. The main character was brutish, insensitive, and something of a show-off (although just human enough to be likeable), the female lead was painfully fluttery and lacking in assertiveness to the point of being embarrassingly subservient (in a way that made her unlikeable—thankfully she had a few chances to show another side). Didn’t help that the two of them were set up in on-the-nose Bond-Moneypenny roles. Also, the book was drenched in a very strange hyper-awareness of how good-looking or homely different characters were—and how that affected their value in the world—in a way that grew to be uncomfortable.
I’m still trying to figure out if perhaps it was satire. Or maybe Galbraith/Rowling is starting at Square 1, so the series can develop away from the most tiresome tropes of the genre and into places more nuanced?? I hope so. I hope it’s intentionally dated and misogynistic to make a point. There were definitely bits that seemed tongue-in-cheek, and an overall sense of isn’t-this-silly that make me believe there’s more to read into it than it might seem on the surface.
Anyway, on the whole, it was still page-turny and theory-prompting the way all the best whodunnits oughta be. I look forward to reading more. Because it was fun! And because I want to see the arc that moves these characters and their circumstances into more sophisticated and thoughtful realms.
I was actually taken a bit aback by how stereotypical the style, characterizations, and themes were. The writing style was classic noir murder-mystery. Almost felt like I was reading something out of the 60s, but a bit grimier. The characters were a bit too classic too. The main character was brutish, insensitive, and something of a show-off (although just human enough to be likeable), the female lead was painfully fluttery and lacking in assertiveness to the point of being embarrassingly subservient (in a way that made her unlikeable—thankfully she had a few chances to show another side). Didn’t help that the two of them were set up in on-the-nose Bond-Moneypenny roles. Also, the book was drenched in a very strange hyper-awareness of how good-looking or homely different characters were—and how that affected their value in the world—in a way that grew to be uncomfortable.
I’m still trying to figure out if perhaps it was satire. Or maybe Galbraith/Rowling is starting at Square 1, so the series can develop away from the most tiresome tropes of the genre and into places more nuanced?? I hope so. I hope it’s intentionally dated and misogynistic to make a point. There were definitely bits that seemed tongue-in-cheek, and an overall sense of isn’t-this-silly that make me believe there’s more to read into it than it might seem on the surface.
Anyway, on the whole, it was still page-turny and theory-prompting the way all the best whodunnits oughta be. I look forward to reading more. Because it was fun! And because I want to see the arc that moves these characters and their circumstances into more sophisticated and thoughtful realms.
ellisollie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellipsiscool's review against another edition
4.0
I actually enjoyed this book once I got into it! I will admit that I generally do not read mysteries as a rule. In the past I have found them boring and predictable and therefore usually avoided them. I will also admit that if I had not known that this book was actually written by J.K. Rowling, I would not have read it.
I started this book twice actually. The first time I could not get into it. I kept telling myself that I was not interested and only wanted to read it because of Rowling, which was true. So I gave up and decided that I might try again at some point. That point came up recently when I saw that that another Cormoran Strike book was being published.
Cormoran Strike is a down on his luck private detective, Afghan war veteran with half a leg, living in his shabby office and sleeping on a camp bed. His gruffy, bear like countenance and heart of gold are quite endearing. He has only one client when a very rich lawyer offers him a job investigating the supposed suicide of his super model sister, Lula Landry.
It was slow going at first. I love Rowling's writing style. No matter what she's writing about, it feels familiar to me and comfortable. So I plodded on through what I was still telling myself was boring and "procedural," but as I got going I found myself suddenly caring about Lula's fate and what had happened to her as I came to know her through the many interviews with various friends, acquaintances, and family members. Interestingly enough Stike's level of actually caring about Lula paralleled with mine, but while he was putting the clues together to discover her killer, I could not figure it out, so the reveal was a surprise.
I started this book twice actually. The first time I could not get into it. I kept telling myself that I was not interested and only wanted to read it because of Rowling, which was true. So I gave up and decided that I might try again at some point. That point came up recently when I saw that that another Cormoran Strike book was being published.
Cormoran Strike is a down on his luck private detective, Afghan war veteran with half a leg, living in his shabby office and sleeping on a camp bed. His gruffy, bear like countenance and heart of gold are quite endearing. He has only one client when a very rich lawyer offers him a job investigating the supposed suicide of his super model sister, Lula Landry.
It was slow going at first. I love Rowling's writing style. No matter what she's writing about, it feels familiar to me and comfortable. So I plodded on through what I was still telling myself was boring and "procedural," but as I got going I found myself suddenly caring about Lula's fate and what had happened to her as I came to know her through the many interviews with various friends, acquaintances, and family members. Interestingly enough Stike's level of actually caring about Lula paralleled with mine, but while he was putting the clues together to discover her killer, I could not figure it out, so the reveal was a surprise.
jwilding's review against another edition
3.0
I'm still torn. By the last hundred pages I was hooked, but it shouldn't have taken 350 pages to get there. That said, I'd probably keep reading this series. Cormoran is just too damn lovable to leave behind. Question for the universe: what would a crime novel be without a tragically damaged detective character at front and center?