A review by mishat
Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

3.0

I went into this with trepidation because of what I'd read about it being transphobic, but I think that is a very unfair critique given what's actually in the book, as other people have said. I was also nervous because I do not want to read about sexual violence, and it was clear from the beginning that that was a possible aspect of this book. But reviewers were describing it as a cozy mystery, and I have faith in the author, and early on when there are some graphic details the characters step away and say things like "I don't need to hear the details," so I kept reading. Very disappointed that the graphic descriptions increased later on in the book. I did a lot of skipping ahead in those sections (I was listening to the audiobook) and don't feel I missed anything important to the story (which means they are gratuitous details). I also think the book is just bloated and overly long... so many unnecessary details about what they're having for lunch and who's taking a sip of coffee when and oh god the astrology. All that said, I love Robin and I like Strike, and their romantic tension is fun, and the mystery (several mysteries really) are interesting. The audiobook narrator is fantastic, really captures both Strike and Robin and all kinds of other characters with different accents.
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