The Cuckoo's Calling (2013)

What can I say about this mystery published under the pen name Robert Galbraith, written by J.K. Rowling, the first author to ever become a billionaire from book sales alone? I liked it. Main character, Private Investigator Cormoran Strike, seems like an affable fellow. I like him, too. His sidekick, Robin the secretary from Temporary Solutions, is also very likable.

The writing, of course, is sharp. Twice in the book she describes a character as, "having the complexion the color of corned beef." That's one of my new favorite descriptions, one I know will come to mind the next time I'm forced to go to Walmart on a Sunday when everyone is loading up their shopping carts with beer and chips for football or NASCAR. The plot, if slightly predictable and secondhand, was entertaining. There were times when I doubted my initial suspect and was left guessing.

I liked this book. Not loved, but I did find it enjoyable. Why, then, did it take me almost a full two weeks to read it? Days went by when I looked at the book, then looked everywhere but at its pages. Until the last 1oo, maybe 150 pages, I didn't feel drawn to the story. I wasn't compelled to lose myself in its pages. At times, the book even felt like a chore I was avoiding.

But, again, I did like and enjoy the story, so perhaps the time it took me to read it has less to do with the book and more to do with me. It's possible that my expectations were set so high that they were impossible to meet. It's also possible that I was in a weird mood and would have had issues reading any book during the same time frame. Still, I'm only giving this one 4 stars, for several reasons. Mainly, one, my first suspect was the guilty party, and I believe Rowling has more imagination than to regurgitate a tired trope and two, I got the impression that what was supposed to impress the reader was not the plot but the Sherlock Holmes like deductions made by the PI, which, while impressive, are not enough. 4 stars. ( )

From the very beginning of this book, you're hooked. Even if you don't like this genre of storytelling, if you give it a shot, before you know it you're rooting for Strike, for Robin, and for the truth to be found and exposed to the public and the world. The book will keep you interested from beginning to end and leave you wanting more. Each character is beautifully written and the environments in which they roam are beautifully and perfectly detailed. You'll truly feel as if you are right there with the characters, walking beside them, listening to them talk, watching Strike work and Robin do her thing. You'll be riveted, trust me. Give the book a shot, and I promise you won't be disappointed. ( )

Actually a pretty good mystery, which doesn't feel like it ever cheats and has a "wow, I never saw that coming but of course" ending. Looking forward to more of these if the first is any indication of what the rest will be like. ( )

I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it and the second read hasn't disappointed either.

It is an easy book to read, although I did struggle to care much about some of the characters. That is due to their vapidness and the world they inhabit more than anything, I just can't relate to them. Having said that I did like the two main characters who we meet for the first time, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Their characters take shape as the book progresses and their relationship evolves. The plot is intriguing enough to keep you wondering and despite having read this before I had forgotten who the murderer was, only remembering just before it was revealed. Not that I think knowing who the assailant is detracts from the story.

I like the drip-feeding of details that Galbraith peppers throughout the book about Cormoran and Robin, just enough detail with hints and suggestions that make you want to know more and makes you ask questions.

I can't recall now whether I knew J.K. Rowling had written this when I purchased it, I am not sure if that alone would have enticed me to pick this up, being a rather different genre. I do love a good crime novel, not ones full of indiscriminate violence, but more subtle and humorous, with characters that are relatable and a good flowing writing style. This ticked those boxes. ( )

The story was ok....there is something about Rowling's writing style for adults that I don't enjoy. The narrative isn't allowed to flow. Not a page turner as a mystery novel should be. ( )