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A review by annaavian
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
As someone who has read all of J.K. Rowling's young adult books and enjoyed them immensely, I was looking forward to checking out her Cormoran Strike series. To say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. This novel was downright boring.
The story follows an ex-army investigator, Cormoran Strike, as he tries to solve the case of a troubled model who ends up dead in her apartment. The story drags on, with page after page of long-winded conversations between characters. The plot moves at a snail's pace, and there is no real suspense or mystery to keep the reader hooked. If you're looking for a gripping thriller or a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look elsewhere.
In addition to the lack of excitement, I also found the book to be unnecessarily detailed and at times even redundant. The author uses an overwhelming amount of detail to describe every aspect of the characters' appearances and surroundings, to the point where it becomes almost exhausting to read. I kept feeling like I was being fed more information than I needed or cared about.
Furthermore, the majority of the characters are one-dimensional and lack depth. Strike is a stereotypical tough-guy detective who is a bit of a grump, but he lacks any real character development or nuance. The other characters are similarly lacklustre, with little to differentiate them from one another.
Despite giving this book a shot and hoping to like it, I couldn't push past the monotony and dullness to find any real entertainment value. If you're looking for a good murder mystery, you're better off looking elsewhere.
The story follows an ex-army investigator, Cormoran Strike, as he tries to solve the case of a troubled model who ends up dead in her apartment. The story drags on, with page after page of long-winded conversations between characters. The plot moves at a snail's pace, and there is no real suspense or mystery to keep the reader hooked. If you're looking for a gripping thriller or a mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look elsewhere.
In addition to the lack of excitement, I also found the book to be unnecessarily detailed and at times even redundant. The author uses an overwhelming amount of detail to describe every aspect of the characters' appearances and surroundings, to the point where it becomes almost exhausting to read. I kept feeling like I was being fed more information than I needed or cared about.
Furthermore, the majority of the characters are one-dimensional and lack depth. Strike is a stereotypical tough-guy detective who is a bit of a grump, but he lacks any real character development or nuance. The other characters are similarly lacklustre, with little to differentiate them from one another.
Despite giving this book a shot and hoping to like it, I couldn't push past the monotony and dullness to find any real entertainment value. If you're looking for a good murder mystery, you're better off looking elsewhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cursing, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Death
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, and War