The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

 

When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case.

Strike is a war veteran – wounded both physically and psychologically – and his life is in disarray. The case gives him a financial lifeline, but it comes at a personal cost: the more he delves into the young model’s complex world, the darker things get – and the closer he gets to terrible danger . . .

A gripping, elegant mystery steeped in the atmosphere of London – from the hushed streets of Mayfair to the backstreet pubs of the East End to the bustle of Soho – The Cuckoo’s Calling is a remarkable book. Introducing Cormoran Strike, this is the acclaimed first crime novel by J.K. Rowling, writing under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

 

We had a small group this month and not everyone got a chance to read the selection (life does get in the way of our reading at times!), so it was left to just five of us to pass judgment on J.K. Rowling’s latest addition to adult fiction.

Scores were high; seven through to nine, and the majority of us found a great deal of fondness for the main characters, Strike and Robin. Their all too human traits, good and bad were essential in making them real and although there were many characters coming and going (a few too many Tera thought), the two main protagonists held firm and developed well. 

Viti loved Rowling’s pictorial of London neighbourhoods, especially Mayfair. She lived in the area for a time and could feel herself re-walking the streets and visiting the markets. High praise when a novel can do that!

Nancy commended the cleverly worked out plot and found it ‘unputdownable’. Elenor loved the use of language and felt the characters were bestowed real flesh and blood, something that was instrumental to her enjoyment level. She also believed it abundantly clear that the author was in fact female, as she felt male writers are rarely able to award characters such life.

 Tera on the other hand was underwhelmed (she scored the only seven). For a murder mystery she wanted more built up tension and felt there was something fundamentally missing. And although she continued reading hoping for that elusive climax, ‘dull’ was her one word appraisal.

Our discussion concluded with an interesting chat on disabilities and the challenges those with a prosthesis face. Strike’s everyday struggle with his false limb worked its magic on our group and required us all to stop and think what many face on a daily basis.  In conclusion, we were very happy (although not surprised) to learn that Cormoran Strike will be back!