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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
in reality it’s more of a 3.7 but it was still good. i think there were a couple blips where i got bored and i also felt like the drama was going in circles but overall like not bad i might continue the books
The mystery is more engaging than the first book. Still vaguely sexist. Still pretty enjoyable.
Another very solid, very readable private eye yarn from Galbraith/Rowling. As always the author shows her patience in letting character arcs play out for the relationships of the core characters. The main mystery is a murder that revolves around a salacious roman a clef about the London publishing industry... which makes me wonder whether this book was actually a roman a clef about the London publishing industry. That would have been brassy. The wikipedia entry doesn't say so. shame
It does mention some London reviewer's comment that the descriptions of placed in London were superfluous because surely everyone knows what those look like. Right, everyone important, who already lives in London. twerp.
Anyway, it was a heck of page turner, I like the characters, the mystery plays fair.
It does mention some London reviewer's comment that the descriptions of placed in London were superfluous because surely everyone knows what those look like. Right, everyone important, who already lives in London. twerp.
Anyway, it was a heck of page turner, I like the characters, the mystery plays fair.
Good follow up to the first in the series. Robin is developed as more of a character, and she really is the reason to read this. Strike himself isn't quite likable because whenever he thinks about women, he only seems to think about them in terms of looks. For instance, his ex. I don't think he misses so much as he misses the way people looked at him when he had her.
I'll admit, I was skimming by the end, but like... what? I don't mean that the killer was surprising ...it was more that I simply couldn't believe the killer would thoroughly plan and premeditate something like that when there are SO many better, lower-risk, options for satisfying the motive (some of which would involve murder but the vast majority of which would not).
Implausible character actions are a thing with Rowling, I've noticed. They work out fine in Harry Potter, because those books are very entertaining/funny and aimed at kids. The kids don't think about "WTF, why would Ginny try to flush Riddle's diary down a TOILET??? Surely the diary wasn't THAT small that she thought this would work, and simply stuffing it down a trashcan would be the most sensible and natural course of action?" But of course, Rowling wants it that way for the plot, and she covers it up with humor, etc. Works for children but very much doesn't work for adult fiction, where the readers are more savvy to how people actually operate. I found this same issue in The Cuckoo's Calling too: The first book was slightly more entertaining, though. I don't think I'll be continuing the series. I wish she'd stick with children's fiction... I think she's better at that. (Ickabog and Christmas Pig were both lovely.)
Spoiler
because the agent was a kind of obvious choice due to the cough, after the body was discovered with all the caustic chemicalsSpoiler
If she's going to falsify a lot of stuff, it would have been far lower risk and easier to just rig up a scenario that's compromising for Owen and then blackmail him back - say, "okay, we're even now, I'll keep your secret if you keep mine!"Implausible character actions are a thing with Rowling, I've noticed. They work out fine in Harry Potter, because those books are very entertaining/funny and aimed at kids. The kids don't think about "WTF, why would Ginny try to flush Riddle's diary down a TOILET??? Surely the diary wasn't THAT small that she thought this would work, and simply stuffing it down a trashcan would be the most sensible and natural course of action?" But of course, Rowling wants it that way for the plot, and she covers it up with humor, etc. Works for children but very much doesn't work for adult fiction, where the readers are more savvy to how people actually operate. I found this same issue in The Cuckoo's Calling too:
Spoiler
really, the culprit hires someone to investigate a murder he GOT AWAY WITH and the only explanation is he's crazy??? Someone who operates this illogically would stick out like a sore thumb in everyday interactions.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I hate that I like these books but they are good. Flawed author. But good.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The story continues with Cormoran Strike and his now full time assistant, Robin, and the detective agency. Their next big case? A missing persons who is an author.
Finally a break from death and following people’s significant others. Alas, after great detective work, Strike finds the body, err, missing person. Unfortunately, the author was killed just like his in latest unpublished work. Who could know? How many people read the manuscript? And what is the motive? As the list of suspects grows longer and longer, Strike is back with his familiar limitations: more bills than money, a bum knee that won’t stop hurting, and an assistant that is beautiful, but engaged.
What will be the first to break? The case, his bank or his heart? -Dana S.
He's back! Cormoran Strike, love-child of an aging rock star, ex-military investigator, who won't let a bum leg keep him down, returns to solve the case of a missing bombastic author or is it murder. This time Strike along with his assistant/gal Friday Robin have no shortage of eccentric suspects and motives. Which makes this who-dun-it a tough egg to crack. I liked the Cuckoo's Calling but this one is even better!
-Amy O.
Check it out!
Scottsdale Public Library
Finally a break from death and following people’s significant others. Alas, after great detective work, Strike finds the body, err, missing person. Unfortunately, the author was killed just like his in latest unpublished work. Who could know? How many people read the manuscript? And what is the motive? As the list of suspects grows longer and longer, Strike is back with his familiar limitations: more bills than money, a bum knee that won’t stop hurting, and an assistant that is beautiful, but engaged.
What will be the first to break? The case, his bank or his heart? -Dana S.
He's back! Cormoran Strike, love-child of an aging rock star, ex-military investigator, who won't let a bum leg keep him down, returns to solve the case of a missing bombastic author or is it murder. This time Strike along with his assistant/gal Friday Robin have no shortage of eccentric suspects and motives. Which makes this who-dun-it a tough egg to crack. I liked the Cuckoo's Calling but this one is even better!
-Amy O.
Check it out!
Scottsdale Public Library