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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
way too long, took too long to get there and not that interesting of a main case. and it's hard to read this book and not think of JKR's misguided views on gender.
Only thing giving it 2 stars is the forward movement of the slow and torturous Robyn and Strike relationship.
Only thing giving it 2 stars is the forward movement of the slow and torturous Robyn and Strike relationship.
Galbraith has a phenomenal way of writing to throw you off the trail and keep you guessing the killer. As always when you find out who it is, you look back to little hints thrown in (that of course are overlooked) to make you think, ‘Was that important?’ or ‘I totally should’ve guessed who it was from that.’ The reader only knows as much as the author lets them know which is how the suspense is built-up so much. The only thing I could’ve done without is as much delving into Strike and Robin’s relationship. I did however appreciate them FINALLY! talking through things.
The book was much longer than it needed to be, but it was still an interesting addition the the Strike series. I still like the main characters and going with a very cold case this time was a good move.
I love JK and her worlds and I don’t care who knows it! I didn’t love the case this time but I love being immersed in Strike and Robin’s world so much!!!!
3.5/5
The mystery parts of the book were as good as usual but there was a lot of other background stuff that dragged on and on. Too long, needed a more ruthless editor.
The mystery parts of the book were as good as usual but there was a lot of other background stuff that dragged on and on. Too long, needed a more ruthless editor.
TRANSPHOBIC GARBAGE WRITTEN BY A TRANSPHOBIC GARBAGE PERSON
jk rowling is a fucking TERF
also trans women are women, sisters not cisters
spend your money on trans authors instead :)
jk rowling is a fucking TERF
also trans women are women, sisters not cisters
spend your money on trans authors instead :)
Booktrail it around London with Strike and Robin
4.5 (half a point taken off as it is a bit overlong)
Another brilliantly entertaining episode in the Strike/Robin crime investigation novels. This case was very unique as it's a cold case where many of the witnesses are dead or have moved away. The attention to detail character wise was perfect - we get further insights into Strike's romantic past and relationship with Charlotte and his father!, we get to share Robin's pain in the aftermath of her divorce and there are just enough snippets to see what might or might not be happening between Strike and Robin.
First of all I have to say there was one scene where Strike does something involving Robin that really annoyed me and I went off him a bit! He did manage to turn things around but I shall be watching him.... * blimey I am far too invested in this fictional relationship aren't I?*
And another point =there's a really sad story line about someone in Strike's family terminally ill with cancer and it made me cry and feel that the author really had done her research and dealt with the aftermath of such a disease very sensitively indeed. Just be aware that if you have experience of this it will touch a nerve.
On the whole - There is a LOT to take in with this novel. It's a tough and hard to solve case, there's a lot of tooing and froing so concentration is key. The case really brings out Strike and Robin's characters as they analyse what might have happened, how they can and try to solve the cold case with modern methods and they overcome obstacles along the way. This was really fresh having a cold case and I found the whole thing fascinating.
There's a major theme of tarot, the occult and star signs which might help to solve the case. The policeman on the original case was found to have mental health problems though so STrike wants to clear things up. The policeman on the case was also convinced the missing woman in the case was a victim of a now convicted killer.
There are sketches in the book that the detectives find in books or clues and which they use to work out the next clue - this felt very Agatha Christie and worked well although the drawings were terrifying. Not sure how this would work on kindle in that respect.
I can't wait to see this episode on TV = especially the scene when Strike goes into a store to buy a present. That's not the main point of the novel I realise but having seen the previous TV shows, this did make me laugh. That's the gem of this series I think - excellent characterization and people to care about. This is a detailed, complex and challenging case and kudos to JK Rowling for creating such real, believable characters who are passionate about their work, have backstory, real worries and who I miss immediately after finishing each novel.
The main story - the cold case is very interesting. Very well done and well researched. This author knows her stuff. The level of research and analysis into this cold case was something I really couldn't take my eyes off. Clues, red herrings and a few surprises along the way made this very compelling reading. So much meat to this book and it's definitely worth a purchase.
I normally comment on location - London is also the star of the show with Clerkenwell and the legends of St John a major feature. They even visit Hampton Park which was a nice aside when they had to talk to someone in Tudor costume... Location is well evoked and part of the story itself but it's the characters that shine through here.
IT took me ages to pick up book one in the series so I made sure I bought this as soon as it came out on paperback. Recommended!
4.5 (half a point taken off as it is a bit overlong)
Another brilliantly entertaining episode in the Strike/Robin crime investigation novels. This case was very unique as it's a cold case where many of the witnesses are dead or have moved away. The attention to detail character wise was perfect - we get further insights into Strike's romantic past and relationship with Charlotte and his father!, we get to share Robin's pain in the aftermath of her divorce and there are just enough snippets to see what might or might not be happening between Strike and Robin.
First of all I have to say there was one scene where Strike does something involving Robin that really annoyed me and I went off him a bit! He did manage to turn things around but I shall be watching him.... * blimey I am far too invested in this fictional relationship aren't I?*
And another point =there's a really sad story line about someone in Strike's family terminally ill with cancer and it made me cry and feel that the author really had done her research and dealt with the aftermath of such a disease very sensitively indeed. Just be aware that if you have experience of this it will touch a nerve.
On the whole - There is a LOT to take in with this novel. It's a tough and hard to solve case, there's a lot of tooing and froing so concentration is key. The case really brings out Strike and Robin's characters as they analyse what might have happened, how they can and try to solve the cold case with modern methods and they overcome obstacles along the way. This was really fresh having a cold case and I found the whole thing fascinating.
There's a major theme of tarot, the occult and star signs which might help to solve the case. The policeman on the original case was found to have mental health problems though so STrike wants to clear things up. The policeman on the case was also convinced the missing woman in the case was a victim of a now convicted killer.
There are sketches in the book that the detectives find in books or clues and which they use to work out the next clue - this felt very Agatha Christie and worked well although the drawings were terrifying. Not sure how this would work on kindle in that respect.
I can't wait to see this episode on TV = especially the scene when Strike goes into a store to buy a present. That's not the main point of the novel I realise but having seen the previous TV shows, this did make me laugh. That's the gem of this series I think - excellent characterization and people to care about. This is a detailed, complex and challenging case and kudos to JK Rowling for creating such real, believable characters who are passionate about their work, have backstory, real worries and who I miss immediately after finishing each novel.
The main story - the cold case is very interesting. Very well done and well researched. This author knows her stuff. The level of research and analysis into this cold case was something I really couldn't take my eyes off. Clues, red herrings and a few surprises along the way made this very compelling reading. So much meat to this book and it's definitely worth a purchase.
I normally comment on location - London is also the star of the show with Clerkenwell and the legends of St John a major feature. They even visit Hampton Park which was a nice aside when they had to talk to someone in Tudor costume... Location is well evoked and part of the story itself but it's the characters that shine through here.
IT took me ages to pick up book one in the series so I made sure I bought this as soon as it came out on paperback. Recommended!
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of my favourite crime series, and I've become heavily invested in the fates of Cormoran and Robin, but this is my least favourite of the books so far. While an enjoyable read, it desperately needed a ruthless edit. There seemed to be a great deal of extraneous information included, and there was a lot going on with various plots and subplots involving the characters and their personal lives. It also had a different feel, being a cold case investigation rather than the usual tense scenario of tracking down a killer before they reoffend. So, mixed feelings overall.
Mīļo pasaulīt, beidzot varēšu aizmigt. Man nevajadzētu lasīt šādas grāmatas. Ļoti, ļoti aizraujoša ar pārdomātiem, pievilcīgiem galvenajiem varoņiem. Sāku šo sēriju ar 5.grāmatu un domāju te arī noslēgšu - divas nedēļas neesmu bijusi ārpus mājas pēc tumsas - pārāk baisi...
I hovered between 3-4 stars on this one. The broader context around this book being published made me less excited to read it from the start, and the nearly 1000 pages even less so. But, JKR’s writing is so natural and easy to read I got into the story after a couple hundred pages. I still feel like there were just way too many plotlines that could’ve been edited down and a lot of threads left unresolved. However, the story was interesting, and I was surprised by the ending but could see the way clues were subtly dropped throughout. Now I’m sure we will have to wait ages for the next one...