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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Robert Galbraith has created a brilliant 5th instalment of the Strike series - I absolutely loved this one! Strike is in Cornwall visiting relatives when he is approached to take on a cold case. Margot Bamborough disappeared 40 years ago and her body has never been found - can Strike and Robin solve this mystery...?
At nearly 1000 pages, this is a huge novel but it is compelling and completely gripping and I just couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what would happen next! The sexual tension between Robin and Strike is basically the big draw with this detective duo and Galbraith hits all the right notes to keep the readers on the edge of their seats with this "will they, won't they" partnership. The big dinner party scene was so well played and really felt like a critical "no going back" turning point for them.
I enjoyed the process of Strike and Robin solving this case as it was done concurrently to other cases the firm were working on, which felt believable in a busy, modern agency. The ending and "whodunnit" reveal was done well and I didn't have any idea who the killer was until the last minute. The way they did it was suitably grisly!
At nearly 1000 pages, this is a huge novel but it is compelling and completely gripping and I just couldn't stop turning the pages to find out what would happen next! The sexual tension between Robin and Strike is basically the big draw with this detective duo and Galbraith hits all the right notes to keep the readers on the edge of their seats with this "will they, won't they" partnership. The big dinner party scene was so well played and really felt like a critical "no going back" turning point for them.
I enjoyed the process of Strike and Robin solving this case as it was done concurrently to other cases the firm were working on, which felt believable in a busy, modern agency. The ending and "whodunnit" reveal was done well and I didn't have any idea who the killer was until the last minute. The way they did it was suitably grisly!
I never write reviews but I felt the need to write something after finishing this book. I love this series and I loved this book. The central mystery was complex and intriguing. Our two main protagonists were, as usual, vivid and relatable with wonderful character development that has been continual throughout the series. I couldn't put the book down and I look forward to the next installment.
Yes, I am aware of the controversy surrounding this book. Yes, I read the review that sparked the outrage before reading the book. Do I agree with the statements made in that review? No, I do not. Frankly, I do not see how anyone who actually read the book could come to those conclusions but if they do, they have a right to that opinion just as I have a right to mine. I only ask that people judge the book for themselves rather then let one review/headline/tweet make that judgement for them. Do the research, do the reading, think and decide for yourself. Do not let others decide for you.
Yes, I am aware of the controversy surrounding this book. Yes, I read the review that sparked the outrage before reading the book. Do I agree with the statements made in that review? No, I do not. Frankly, I do not see how anyone who actually read the book could come to those conclusions but if they do, they have a right to that opinion just as I have a right to mine. I only ask that people judge the book for themselves rather then let one review/headline/tweet make that judgement for them. Do the research, do the reading, think and decide for yourself. Do not let others decide for you.
I enjoyed most of this book overall, but the transphobic and fatphobic content is problematic. I've pre-ordered the Strike books in the past, but I didn't want to directly financially support Rowling for her deliberate doubling down on transphobic comments recently, so I waited for a library hold. I really just wanted to see what happened with the Strike/Robin storyline, but it wasn't worth 31 hours.
Three "negatives" and many positives to ponder as I finish this book. Yes, it was too long. Way too long. There were too many people to remember, although Galbraith did a decent job of reminding the reader each time one was mentioned. And thirdly, I didn't like all the chapter beginnings (quotes from Spencer's Faerie Queene). Other than that, it was spot on....great mystery, excellent plot (just too lengthy), great characters, and a really perfect ending, both for the professional pair of Strike & Robin, and for their personal side as well. Enough going on in their personal lives to keep that part of the story quite interesting.
Long. Very intricately plotted. Liked it. Long.
Did I mention it is long?
Did I mention it is long?
It's good but it's ridiculously long. Even if it was half the length it would still be an unusually long crime novel. And while I love Strike & Robin and really enjoy spending time in their world, there are plenty of better crime writers out there. It's an absolute joke that JKR thanks her editor first in the acknowledgement, he must have redecorated her house or done her tax return, cos he sure as hell didn't do much editing on this unwieldy tome. If 3.5 was possible I would give that but it's never a 4, not in a million years
4.5 stars; really long, but really good. Everything is tied up very nicely in the end. Just takes a while to get there!
It's not good for your emotional health to take 3-4 hours reading late at night on weekday's night. Because you can't treat your book hangover properly while you need to face the reality of work days with your mind occupied with book's character so dear to you.
Fix! Jadi barisan shipper strike x robin yang rela di-torture sama penulisnya.
wkwkwk
Fix! Jadi barisan shipper strike x robin yang rela di-torture sama penulisnya.
wkwkwk
Disclaimer: JK Rowling is TERF trash.
Christ, this one was punishing. Once again I thought that at a certain point, authors who make a ton of money don't actually get edited properly. Someone just kisses their butts and publishes it. I read this because I like the characters and wanted to know what happened next. But it was mostly a slog of depressing and needlessly violent stuff, along with hatred of fatness and women thrown in. I dunno. Not worth it, though the very end was finally some uplift.
Christ, this one was punishing. Once again I thought that at a certain point, authors who make a ton of money don't actually get edited properly. Someone just kisses their butts and publishes it. I read this because I like the characters and wanted to know what happened next. But it was mostly a slog of depressing and needlessly violent stuff, along with hatred of fatness and women thrown in. I dunno. Not worth it, though the very end was finally some uplift.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated