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bickleyhouse's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing style of "Robert Galbraith" is quite different, in my opinion, from that of the Harry Potter series. It resembles more the style in The Casual Vacancy. The tone is dark and, at times, depressing. The characters tend to go through their lives with little hope or expectation, or else, the frequently have those shattered.
Strike, himself, the detective, is single, with a failed relationship behind him, and, in this tale, has to deal with his ex getting married. Obviously, he still has feelings for her. He is practically homeless, living downstairs (or is it up?) from his office. But he's a good detective.
Robin, his assistant, wants to also be a detective. There some excellent writing in this book as the two of them deal with expectations that they both have (or don't), and it is quite delightful when Robin finally asserts herself and clears the air.
The crime, itself, in this one is quite gory in detail, and the writer kept me guessing all the way through. I never did figure out "whodunit," in this case. I had some ideas, but they were all wrong. But it's very Agatha-Christie-like, in that almost everyone involved in this one seems to have both motive and opportunity.
it's a great story, and I will definitely find time to continue on. I know it is still going, because we have the latest installment on our new book shelf at the library where I work.
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Murder
liliya_klein's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Robin is his sidekick. She’s Cormoran’s pretty secretary with a host of skills administrative skills and street smarts. In this book, we learn that she is an expert driver. She’s engaged to a guy who doesn’t seem to really understand her although he does care for her.
They work together as a private detective duo taking on mostly surveillance cases and occasionally some biggies (on which the series focuses on).
The storytelling is slow and the reveals are drawn out. But it’s keeping me engaged and invested in these characters lives. And I hope to watch the series too, so I’m trying to get through the books.
Graphic: Murder, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
ladythana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Rape, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Body shaming
Minor: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Infertility, Terminal illness, and Excrement
tessabessa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Gore, Car accident, Death, and Murder
cottagefairynatalie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Blood, Classism, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Gore, and Infidelity
jselliot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Matthew and Charlotte, however, I feel they'd be perfect for one another. I did feel bad for Nina in this book, though. She has every right to feel a woman scorned, and ideally Strike doesn't repeat that behavior on someone else. As it is, I suspect he'll have damaged his friendship with her brother.
And as an aside, I found the meta-commentary on the publishing world to be rather entertaining. I've known plenty of male writers like the ones displayed within the pages of the book, and the comparison is not particularly flattering. Woe is me and the neglected genius tropes are fraught and frequent among self-perceived artistes who worry more about their glory than telling a good story.
Graphic: Gore and Murder
Minor: War and Pedophilia
imogenlj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Car accident, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Stalking, and Violence
acornell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, Excrement, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Stalking, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, Torture, and Violence
naomi_k's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Cannibalism, Death, Suicide, Violence, Drug use, Dysphoria, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
Minor: Outing, Stalking, Transphobia, and Pedophilia