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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
First read 22 August 2013.
Re-read 1 September 2017. My original thoughts below still stand. 5 stars.
I'm not a fan of hyped books. I am always wary and extra twitchy when a book is lauded. So it was with hesitation and trepidation that I picked up "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (now commonly known as JK Rowling's pseudonym).
Oh what a delight!
It took me a little while to lay to rest that this was JK Rowling's work and stop comparing it to the Harry Potter series. Not to mention overly critique her foray into adult literature (having not read A Casual Vacancy). Once I passed that, it was sublime. Pure enjoyment. Lost in the plot (one of JK's greatest strength's is her ability to paint a vivid picture so complete with detail you can feel it, taste it and sense it!) and following each twist and turn until the conclusion.
I can only hope there are many more to this series. J'adore!
Re-read 1 September 2017. My original thoughts below still stand. 5 stars.
I'm not a fan of hyped books. I am always wary and extra twitchy when a book is lauded. So it was with hesitation and trepidation that I picked up "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (now commonly known as JK Rowling's pseudonym).
Oh what a delight!
It took me a little while to lay to rest that this was JK Rowling's work and stop comparing it to the Harry Potter series. Not to mention overly critique her foray into adult literature (having not read A Casual Vacancy). Once I passed that, it was sublime. Pure enjoyment. Lost in the plot (one of JK's greatest strength's is her ability to paint a vivid picture so complete with detail you can feel it, taste it and sense it!) and following each twist and turn until the conclusion.
I can only hope there are many more to this series. J'adore!
It was mildly interesting. Enough to finish but I won’t read anymore in the series. Unlikeable main characters is my biggest issue.
So full of suspense, I was gripped from the first page. It was so different to other murder books I've read, and kept me guessing right to the end.
It was my first mystery book and it was really good.
I can't make myself finish this book. The cliches are just too much. The designer is gay, constantly makes sexual comments and "[holds] out his hand with a slightly crooked wrist". Seriously?! And of course the male protagonist has to pull himself together so he won't fall for his new secretary/assistant - mainly because she tried on a tight dress. The swearing is so over the top and the constant "he knew about it, DID HE?", "you're leaving, ARE YOU?" annoyed me already in HP (basically the only thing that did). How can the same person write such a wonderful story like HP and such terrible ones like Cormoran Strike and The Casual Vacancy?!
Despite the distinct lack if wizards, or golden snitches, a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery.
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would. I didn't really expect J.K. Rowling's detective genre effort to be that good, but it has a serviceable mystery and excellent characters and dialogue.
A finger exercise for JK Rowling. She is a more powerful writer than the limits of the standard detective novel really permit, thus the desire to write under a pseudonym.
This is a very good detective novel. I will seek out subsequent books in the Cormorant Strike series,
But this writing, bound by the limits of the genre, does not rise to the strength and power of the Harry Potter books. Not id it probably intended to.
This is a very good detective novel. I will seek out subsequent books in the Cormorant Strike series,
But this writing, bound by the limits of the genre, does not rise to the strength and power of the Harry Potter books. Not id it probably intended to.
I refused to read this book initially because of all the hype. I finally bought it because some people I respect spoke of it as a genuine whodunit. I can't resist one of those. And boy, was that a good decision or what!
Starts slow, meanders along - you almost want to give up. But something about the description pulled me on. Very British, reminds one of the older Agatha Christie novels where there is so much attention given to little details like the atmosphere, the names of the pubs, the people - each character is so unique. In the whole scheme of things, one never forgets that everyone comes with their own issues, with their moments of joy.
I absolutely loved Cuckoo's Calling personally because it took me back to those school days when I couldn't put a mystery book down without finishing it. We even read the book half way and created our own twists and checked later to see if the author thought similarly.
Loved it! Looking forward to more :)
And no, JKR's Harry Potter series didn't make me expect any magic and I missed none of it. To each its place, I thought.
Starts slow, meanders along - you almost want to give up. But something about the description pulled me on. Very British, reminds one of the older Agatha Christie novels where there is so much attention given to little details like the atmosphere, the names of the pubs, the people - each character is so unique. In the whole scheme of things, one never forgets that everyone comes with their own issues, with their moments of joy.
I absolutely loved Cuckoo's Calling personally because it took me back to those school days when I couldn't put a mystery book down without finishing it. We even read the book half way and created our own twists and checked later to see if the author thought similarly.
Loved it! Looking forward to more :)
And no, JKR's Harry Potter series didn't make me expect any magic and I missed none of it. To each its place, I thought.