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4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This, the 7th adventure that we share with Strije and Robin, is probably my favourite of the series thus far, and that is saying a lot. The unsettling plot by itself is probably the best of the series, but what also comes out clearly here is the mastery of the author. J.K.Rowling is nothing but a master of world building, of character building. This book clearly demonstrates the arc her world, her characters are following.
The case itself is about this cult who, under the garb of universal religion, are dealing with nauseating practices under the covers. Strike and Robin start with the task of trying to extricate one person from that cult but they are quickly made to realize that this is not going to be just about one person. The only way to succeed in the case was to uproot the cult altogether. The book is filled with sinister and fearful characters, and you carry a sense of helplessness at the sheer expanse of the adversary. The size of the book deterred me from picking this up sooner but as I read on, I couldnt see how the book could have been curtailed. The bleak world of the Church demanded such detailing and it was brilliantly done.
I would not be far wrong in saying this is Robin's book. My interest in the series really started with the introduction of Robin. Her entry with her thoughts seemed to bring such a whirl of color and cheer that I was immediately rooting for her and concerned in her. Through the series, she has evolved through different levels of skills at detection and I think she just establishes herself as an equal to Strike here. This is the kind of arc that you love to see in a series and Rowling has done that so skilfully.
Strike continues to fight his own personal battles and his humanization is another arc that has been beautifully drawn through the series. This book is about him coming to terms with himself.
While I have thoroughly enjoyed the gradual budding of romance (?) between the two over the series, this book does not resort to the tense moments of potential intimacy that Rowling created in the earlier books. Rather, we see the friendship between the two being cemented and their reliance on each other for comfort. Another arc that is nicely done.
My one minor gripe with the book is the sheer number of characters that abound in this huge book. I tried my best to keep track of the different names and where they belong but I did get lost a few times. I had to go back to recollect the character a few times.
Overall, another solid episode of Strike and Robin- my favorite thus far.
The case itself is about this cult who, under the garb of universal religion, are dealing with nauseating practices under the covers. Strike and Robin start with the task of trying to extricate one person from that cult but they are quickly made to realize that this is not going to be just about one person. The only way to succeed in the case was to uproot the cult altogether. The book is filled with sinister and fearful characters, and you carry a sense of helplessness at the sheer expanse of the adversary. The size of the book deterred me from picking this up sooner but as I read on, I couldnt see how the book could have been curtailed. The bleak world of the Church demanded such detailing and it was brilliantly done.
I would not be far wrong in saying this is Robin's book. My interest in the series really started with the introduction of Robin. Her entry with her thoughts seemed to bring such a whirl of color and cheer that I was immediately rooting for her and concerned in her. Through the series, she has evolved through different levels of skills at detection and I think she just establishes herself as an equal to Strike here. This is the kind of arc that you love to see in a series and Rowling has done that so skilfully.
Strike continues to fight his own personal battles and his humanization is another arc that has been beautifully drawn through the series. This book is about him coming to terms with himself.
While I have thoroughly enjoyed the gradual budding of romance (?) between the two over the series, this book does not resort to the tense moments of potential intimacy that Rowling created in the earlier books. Rather, we see the friendship between the two being cemented and their reliance on each other for comfort. Another arc that is nicely done.
My one minor gripe with the book is the sheer number of characters that abound in this huge book. I tried my best to keep track of the different names and where they belong but I did get lost a few times. I had to go back to recollect the character a few times.
Overall, another solid episode of Strike and Robin- my favorite thus far.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
No
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. However, the pace of much of the book was painfully slow. There are a lot of details included in the story, but quite a few of them don’t contribute to the plot. The book is overly long at 1100 pages in the ebook version I read. This is overly long at 200 pages longer than the previous book in the series. I believe tighter editing would have improved the overall pace. One thing I particularly didn’t enjoy was the forced inclusion of dialects
Sometimes rare literary pieces take readers on a vivid journey full of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected turns, and 'The Running Grave' does just that. This thrilling narrative is perhaps the darkest in the series, masterfully capturing a grim subject matter and setting it to a pace that defies its 900-page length.
The plot unfolds with Sir Colin Edensor contacting the detective agency of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellac. He seeks their expertise in extracting his son, Will, from the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC), a haven masking as a benevolent charity, criticized by many as a cult. This infiltration mission becomes a personal score for Strike when he realizes the UHC's origin traces back to a commune from his childhood days. And the revelations become more disturbing as his sister discloses a traumatic event involving herself and one of UHC's present leaders.
Robin's decision to infiltrate the UHC in disguise sets the premise for an unforgettable covert operation. Amidst the investigation, the detectives unravel past haunting occurrences and deaths tied to the church, introducing the readers to a world of grim practices and beliefs within the community. The narrative grapples with several subplots, from a stalking scandal, a family member’s health deterioration, a deceitful agency's meddling, to Strike battling his past as his ex-fiancée attempts to reinstigate their relationship, maintaining a tense underlying narrative.
Robin's time inside the UHC is fraught with eerie discoveries, whispering cryptic revelations and sinister practices. Her undercover mission and unexpected encounters lead to intense high-stakes scenarios, pushing the storyline further into darkness. All the while, Strike continually investigates the connections related to UHC and the haunting enquiries from his past.
The story takes an emotional turn when Strike confronts the shocking news of his ex-fiancée’s death, leading to self-reflection and a somewhat cathartic experience within a distant church tower. Meanwhile, Robin navigates through precarious situations, essentially scrambling her cover. However, amidst the chaos, new information regarding a supposed drowned prophet stirs the plot. Robin manages to flee the farm with Strike's help but not without grabbing the attention of local authorities and facing dire accusations.
As the investigation proceeds, former church members face cruel realizations, reunions occur, and disturbing truths come to light, twisting an already complex narrative. Will’s return with his daughter, the eventual escape of his partner, and lingering questions about past mysteries keep readers on edge.
'The Running Grave' is a meticulously crafted, deeply engrossing novel, promising a thrilling ride into a chilling investigation within a cult. The highly detailed storyline, rich with deception, suspense, and unexpected revelations, makes for an enthralling read. Yet, it is the exploration of darker themes and the characters' personal battles that lend the narrative an unmatched depth. For lovers of thrillers laced with complexities, 'The Running Grave' is an undisputed must-read.
The plot unfolds with Sir Colin Edensor contacting the detective agency of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellac. He seeks their expertise in extracting his son, Will, from the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC), a haven masking as a benevolent charity, criticized by many as a cult. This infiltration mission becomes a personal score for Strike when he realizes the UHC's origin traces back to a commune from his childhood days. And the revelations become more disturbing as his sister discloses a traumatic event involving herself and one of UHC's present leaders.
Robin's decision to infiltrate the UHC in disguise sets the premise for an unforgettable covert operation. Amidst the investigation, the detectives unravel past haunting occurrences and deaths tied to the church, introducing the readers to a world of grim practices and beliefs within the community. The narrative grapples with several subplots, from a stalking scandal, a family member’s health deterioration, a deceitful agency's meddling, to Strike battling his past as his ex-fiancée attempts to reinstigate their relationship, maintaining a tense underlying narrative.
Robin's time inside the UHC is fraught with eerie discoveries, whispering cryptic revelations and sinister practices. Her undercover mission and unexpected encounters lead to intense high-stakes scenarios, pushing the storyline further into darkness. All the while, Strike continually investigates the connections related to UHC and the haunting enquiries from his past.
The story takes an emotional turn when Strike confronts the shocking news of his ex-fiancée’s death, leading to self-reflection and a somewhat cathartic experience within a distant church tower. Meanwhile, Robin navigates through precarious situations, essentially scrambling her cover. However, amidst the chaos, new information regarding a supposed drowned prophet stirs the plot. Robin manages to flee the farm with Strike's help but not without grabbing the attention of local authorities and facing dire accusations.
As the investigation proceeds, former church members face cruel realizations, reunions occur, and disturbing truths come to light, twisting an already complex narrative. Will’s return with his daughter, the eventual escape of his partner, and lingering questions about past mysteries keep readers on edge.
'The Running Grave' is a meticulously crafted, deeply engrossing novel, promising a thrilling ride into a chilling investigation within a cult. The highly detailed storyline, rich with deception, suspense, and unexpected revelations, makes for an enthralling read. Yet, it is the exploration of darker themes and the characters' personal battles that lend the narrative an unmatched depth. For lovers of thrillers laced with complexities, 'The Running Grave' is an undisputed must-read.