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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Oh by golly this was good. Is it a five star or not? I need to think about it (which probably means it's 4-4.5). Robert Glenister is a tremendous narrator. He depicts both male and female characters well without falling into the trap of some narrators of just putting on a high squeaky comedy voice for the women. His Strike is superb. No idea how genuine the accent is, but I won't trouble myself with that detail because I adore the characterisation.
I won't go over what lots of reviewers have said about the plot and so on other than to say, it was a cracking story and the characters of Strike and Robin are brilliant. Interactions just flow and work through all their ups and downs. The wider cast has some really great surprises - love Shanker!
Some reviewers have found the end strange -
Strike will strike back - please bring us more, Robert Galbraith/JKR.
I won't go over what lots of reviewers have said about the plot and so on other than to say, it was a cracking story and the characters of Strike and Robin are brilliant. Interactions just flow and work through all their ups and downs. The wider cast has some really great surprises - love Shanker!
Some reviewers have found the end strange -
Spoiler
but although I think Matt is a dickhead (and I am being nice here) of the highest order and that surely a bright spark like Robin wouldn't have gone back to him, I think she will find out about his deceit and betrayal with the mobile phone and that in itself is going to lead to fireworks and yet more excitement in the next book I am sure of it. All we needed to know for the end, is that the connection between her and Strike was rekindled. Where this will lead I cannot wait to find out.Strike will strike back - please bring us more, Robert Galbraith/JKR.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
I read the Cuckoo Calling because I was curious if the author could make the transition in genres. I gave that book a single star. And my review was almost as long as the book itself.
I skipped right over the second book and took the third. I thought maybe the writing mellowed into something more acceptable and palatable. I'm going to give credit, it did just that. Smoother, more inviting to sink into.
I still don't like the characters. Cormoran Strike offered up details about his upbringing and even has a romantic tryst. And Robin gained some depth, but still prefers to shrug off those "complications".
As for the mystery itself....it's full of potential twisted killers. All of these men are deplorable and horrifying. The list of their sins is long and ugly. I don't need to hear the details of child abuse, that in itself is plenty. And the guilty party? Sure, possible, but so dang far fetched.
So this book gets an extra star because it was an improvement. I didn't need to look up vocabulary words this time. But I won't read another from this author.
I skipped right over the second book and took the third. I thought maybe the writing mellowed into something more acceptable and palatable. I'm going to give credit, it did just that. Smoother, more inviting to sink into.
I still don't like the characters. Cormoran Strike offered up details about his upbringing and even has a romantic tryst. And Robin gained some depth, but still prefers to shrug off those "complications".
As for the mystery itself....it's full of potential twisted killers. All of these men are deplorable and horrifying. The list of their sins is long and ugly. I don't need to hear the details of child abuse, that in itself is plenty. And the guilty party? Sure, possible, but so dang far fetched.
So this book gets an extra star because it was an improvement. I didn't need to look up vocabulary words this time. But I won't read another from this author.
Another book in the Cormoran Strike series. A thriller that is filled with adventure for the detective and his assistant, Robin. I enjoyed this book with its twists and turns, plus a little romance thrown in.
More information on my blog: http://hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
More information on my blog: http://hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
*grumbles* So many things I can't say because "spoilers." Suffice it to say it was excellent and a fantastic 3rd installment in the Cormoran Strike series.
I had fun listening, but this one didn't hold together as well as the previous books. The murderer's plot felt unbelievable, their motivation uncompelling. Much of the plot just felt like clumsy exposition of Strike's traumatic childhood. But I love hearing about the weather in London and all the comfy food they eat.
The whole undertone of this is how (heterosexual) men see the world vs. how women see the world - the sense of safety and confidence in public situations, of physical security. It made me feel itchy to witness Cormoran be so protective of his partner Robin, especially with all the communication difficulties they have throughout the story. The balance of having him be overly paternal versus taking Robin seriously as an adult wasn't quite right for me.
Spoiler
Also the ending...ugh! Why would you do this to me? I *know* there will be some form of resolution in the next book, but it's a horrible wait.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes