Margie W. (natnmargie) - , reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
As the first book by this author in this genre, I am impressed. It is well written, covers a lot of ground and shows a very thorough investigation.
I actually expected a lot, because prior books by this author were very well written also.
This book could easily be made into a movie, due to it's wonderful detail...and I know people would enjoy the story.
It kept me wondering who the bad "person" was until the end, which is the making of a great story to me.
I actually expected a lot, because prior books by this author were very well written also.
This book could easily be made into a movie, due to it's wonderful detail...and I know people would enjoy the story.
It kept me wondering who the bad "person" was until the end, which is the making of a great story to me.
Elisabeth P. (BetsyP) reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 566 more book reviews
Contemporary mystery novel by Robert Galbraith, which is a pen name for JK Rowling. Struggling private detective Cormoran Strike is down on his luck; he's behind in his bills, business is bad, and he's just broken up with his girlfriend. Things are looking pretty bad, when the Temp agency sends a very competent assistant, and Strike gets a new, wealthy client.
The job is to re-investigate the death of supermodel Lula Landry, which has been ruled a suicide. At first glance even Strike suspects suicide. But, the deeper Strike looks into events leading up to the death, the more the suicide theory doesn't add up.
This is a pretty good book. I would read a sequel. I only have a few issues. The author uses the "F" word a little to often for me, and I'm no prude. Also, I would have liked a little more clarification on a few of the actions of the killer, which led up to the final downfall. Worth a credit!
The job is to re-investigate the death of supermodel Lula Landry, which has been ruled a suicide. At first glance even Strike suspects suicide. But, the deeper Strike looks into events leading up to the death, the more the suicide theory doesn't add up.
This is a pretty good book. I would read a sequel. I only have a few issues. The author uses the "F" word a little to often for me, and I'm no prude. Also, I would have liked a little more clarification on a few of the actions of the killer, which led up to the final downfall. Worth a credit!
This isn't the most suspenseful or the best mystery I've ever read but I do like the main characters. I pretty much figured out the bad guy about half way through but after seeing reviews about the twist at the end, I thought I had it wrong. Her writing is good IMO, but there isn't a whole lot different about the plot.... I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
I didn't read the Harry Potter books but I thought I'd try this new one she has created under a different name---I won't be pursuing any more, this was so tedious and boring, the characters cold and stupid you just don't like them and the old old storyline of the 'poor misunderstood actress' that commited suicide etc. but her brother (adopted) can't accept it so hires a PI, well the PI is a down and out character that needs the job (of course) and he can't even remember his temp girl's name? but she sticks with him etc.--I gave up pretty early in the book and I just didn't care enough to flip ahead to see who the murderer turned out to be because I didn't really care. I can tolerate bad language sometimes but she uses the 'f' word way way too much making you just skip as much as you can so you can skip over that part
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-cuckoos-calling.html
The Cuckoo's Calling is a mystery - a who-done-it. Cormoran Strike is a down and out private eye. Robin is his new assistant. John Bristow is the client. He is the brother of one of Strike's childhood friend. He is also the brother of the famous young supermodel Lula Landry.
Three months before this story begins, Lula Landry falls to her death from her apartment window. The death is ruled a suicide. John Bristow does not believe it was a suicide and wants Strike to investigate. Stirke needs the fee offered and takes the case on.
What emerges is a story of siblings, adoptive parents, birth parents, and family dynamics. Old family secrets come out. Family history is revisited. Family relationships are called into question.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, I did. It was a quick, easy mystery read. Would I have read this book had it not been by J.K. Rowling? Probably not. It was an enjoyable book, but made remarkable because of who the author is.
The Cuckoo's Calling is a mystery - a who-done-it. Cormoran Strike is a down and out private eye. Robin is his new assistant. John Bristow is the client. He is the brother of one of Strike's childhood friend. He is also the brother of the famous young supermodel Lula Landry.
Three months before this story begins, Lula Landry falls to her death from her apartment window. The death is ruled a suicide. John Bristow does not believe it was a suicide and wants Strike to investigate. Stirke needs the fee offered and takes the case on.
What emerges is a story of siblings, adoptive parents, birth parents, and family dynamics. Old family secrets come out. Family history is revisited. Family relationships are called into question.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, I did. It was a quick, easy mystery read. Would I have read this book had it not been by J.K. Rowling? Probably not. It was an enjoyable book, but made remarkable because of who the author is.
After not finishing the disappointing A Casual Vacancy, I had low hopes for Rowling's (aka Galbraith) next foray into modern adult fiction, and was much delighted to become totally absorbed with this first of a new series. It features Cormoran Strike, a perceptive and persistent detective in London. His forte is finding clues the police and others have missed. His assistant, Robin, a temp secretary keeps his office going while Cormoran ferrets out the baddies. Definite "cant put down" material. Mystery fans will enjoy it, and look forward to the 2nd book as much as I do.
Rebecca R. (abeccapug) reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 26 more book reviews
I like the way this book was written. I enjoyed the banter between the main character, Cormoran Strike, and his temporary secretary, Robin. I had a hard time figuring this one out. Just when I thought I had it narrowed down to the prime suspect, I'd discover something in the next chapter that would lead me in another direction. I did not anticipate the ending. While I was glad the brother was right about his sister's death, I did not suspect the outcome. This may sound strange, but I've never read the Harry Potter series. That is going to change. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Maura (maura853) -
The solution to the mystery of how supermodel Lula Landry died was readable enough.
Rowling is no stylist. And she is a self indulgent writer. (I've felt that very strongly from my attempts to read the you-know-who books ...) At 500+ pages, this feels, ohh, about 200 pages too long, to me.
Thanks to her tendency to describe everything at least twice. I almost didn't make it past the prologue, where she takes three wordy passes at the scene -- a snowy street with police and paparazzi poised around a broken body under a crime scene tent ... I seem to recall that there is good advice out there to "hit it, and get out" ...
And thanks to lines like this: "He feared advice to rest the leg, to desist from normal ambulation ..." I believe the phrase she's looking for is "to avoid walking on it ..." (If you're going to argue that she's channelling Strike's awkwardness and formality with a line like that, I don't buy it -- Strike, at least, seems like a guy who wouldn't use one word where no words would do ...)
I wish someone had had the courage to tell her that she can't do accented dialogue: Afro-Caribbean, Polish, East End London ... all toe-curlingly embarrassing. For some reason, she gets a scene with a couple of Sloane-y posh girls just right -- just replacing the odd word with a tweaked pronunciation ("rarely" instead of "really") to give the flavour of their speech. For everyone else, she throws mis-spellings and apostrophes at the page, like her printer has gone mental. No. Just no.
Some aspects of the plot seem like a covert effort to engage us in the plight of one multi-millionairess Joanne Rowling: pursued by the paps! Most intimate secrets revealed!! Can't trust anyone!! Misunderstood by everyone!!! Rowling may believe she is writing a roman-Ã -clef, with its looong Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous digressions, and its slightly clunky hints about who Cormoran's father might be. (If you're unsure, repeated mentions of model Bebe Buell, and a description of a photo of said absentee father, toward the end of the book, cinched it for me.) But the secret of a roman-Ã -clef is that you have to care who the clefs are and, to be honest, I just didn't ...
But it was probably brave, in 2013, to include a character who is so obviously Harvey Weinstein, whose gross behaviour had been rumoured for years, but not confronted until 2017. Reading it today may feel a bit obvious -- what else would a predatory film producer look and sound and act like? -- but in 2013 it must have seemed like exposing an uncomfortable secret.
I'm not rushing out to read more Cormoran Strike books (and I gather that -- again, like you-know-who -- they just grow and grow and grow in length). But if at any time I find myself presented with one, I wouldn't necessarily say no.
Rowling is no stylist. And she is a self indulgent writer. (I've felt that very strongly from my attempts to read the you-know-who books ...) At 500+ pages, this feels, ohh, about 200 pages too long, to me.
Thanks to her tendency to describe everything at least twice. I almost didn't make it past the prologue, where she takes three wordy passes at the scene -- a snowy street with police and paparazzi poised around a broken body under a crime scene tent ... I seem to recall that there is good advice out there to "hit it, and get out" ...
And thanks to lines like this: "He feared advice to rest the leg, to desist from normal ambulation ..." I believe the phrase she's looking for is "to avoid walking on it ..." (If you're going to argue that she's channelling Strike's awkwardness and formality with a line like that, I don't buy it -- Strike, at least, seems like a guy who wouldn't use one word where no words would do ...)
I wish someone had had the courage to tell her that she can't do accented dialogue: Afro-Caribbean, Polish, East End London ... all toe-curlingly embarrassing. For some reason, she gets a scene with a couple of Sloane-y posh girls just right -- just replacing the odd word with a tweaked pronunciation ("rarely" instead of "really") to give the flavour of their speech. For everyone else, she throws mis-spellings and apostrophes at the page, like her printer has gone mental. No. Just no.
Some aspects of the plot seem like a covert effort to engage us in the plight of one multi-millionairess Joanne Rowling: pursued by the paps! Most intimate secrets revealed!! Can't trust anyone!! Misunderstood by everyone!!! Rowling may believe she is writing a roman-Ã -clef, with its looong Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous digressions, and its slightly clunky hints about who Cormoran's father might be. (If you're unsure, repeated mentions of model Bebe Buell, and a description of a photo of said absentee father, toward the end of the book, cinched it for me.) But the secret of a roman-Ã -clef is that you have to care who the clefs are and, to be honest, I just didn't ...
But it was probably brave, in 2013, to include a character who is so obviously Harvey Weinstein, whose gross behaviour had been rumoured for years, but not confronted until 2017. Reading it today may feel a bit obvious -- what else would a predatory film producer look and sound and act like? -- but in 2013 it must have seemed like exposing an uncomfortable secret.
I'm not rushing out to read more Cormoran Strike books (and I gather that -- again, like you-know-who -- they just grow and grow and grow in length). But if at any time I find myself presented with one, I wouldn't necessarily say no.
Ramona M. (Grazona) reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 119 more book reviews
I was hesitant to read this book because I couldn't get into Rowling's other adult novel but this was NOTHING like The Casual Vacancy. Rowling's writing is beautiful and vivid as ever and this is a fast moving mystery with lots of twists and turns. I thought the characters were well developed and realistic. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes a mystery or just a good novel.
I'm going to be honest, I'm not a big Harry Potter fan so I was really surprised by how much I liked this book. The language didn't bother me at all, as I have a good friend who is British and that is exactly how she talks. Excellent mystery, with strong characters. So glad I already had book 2 of this series on my TBR so I don't have to wait to continue reading more in the Cormoran Strike series.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Let's face it, I probably never would have picked up this book to read if I hadn't discovered that Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling. I find books I want to read almost every single day, and I have to draw the line somewhere. But I simply could not draw that line in front of the creator of Harry Potter. I had to know what sort of crime fiction writer she is. What's my verdict? It's a bit mixed.
I thought the mystery was strong and ultimately very satisfying. It certainly wasn't one of those that I figure out within the first few chapters and skip to the end to see if I'm right. There were just enough people with excellent motives on the suspect list to keep me guessing without having to resort to using a scorecard.
However, as strong as the mystery is, it's not what sucked me right into the pages of this book. No, that is all due to the two main characters, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Strike is a veteran who lost his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan. He seems at loose ends-- as if he hasn't really made a decision to buckle down and make a go of this private investigating gig. He needs a catalyst, someone strong and reliable, and that would be Robin Ellacott.
Recently arrived from Yorkshire, Robin has a new fiance and all sorts of plans for what she wants her married life to be like. What's amazing and heartwarming is to watch how quickly she takes the initiative to get the office organized and to assume responsibility for some basic research into the case. She's a natural who rapidly craves learning more and more about the business-- something that does not fit in with all those wedding plans.
The one thing that almost had me talking to myself was the pacing of this book. It was glacially slow. I don't mind stories that unfold gradually, so when I keep stopping to hold the book out in front of me, stare at it, and ask, "When is something going to happen???" you know there's a problem.
But as many times as I asked the silent book when something was going to happen, it never ever occurred to me to stop reading. Why? For the simple fact that the story and Cormoran and Robin did suck me in; I had to find out what happened to them, and I had to find out what happened to Lula Landry. Will I be reading the second book in the series, The Silkworm? You bet! I just hope that I won't be conducting a one-sided conversation as I read.
I thought the mystery was strong and ultimately very satisfying. It certainly wasn't one of those that I figure out within the first few chapters and skip to the end to see if I'm right. There were just enough people with excellent motives on the suspect list to keep me guessing without having to resort to using a scorecard.
However, as strong as the mystery is, it's not what sucked me right into the pages of this book. No, that is all due to the two main characters, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott. Strike is a veteran who lost his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan. He seems at loose ends-- as if he hasn't really made a decision to buckle down and make a go of this private investigating gig. He needs a catalyst, someone strong and reliable, and that would be Robin Ellacott.
Recently arrived from Yorkshire, Robin has a new fiance and all sorts of plans for what she wants her married life to be like. What's amazing and heartwarming is to watch how quickly she takes the initiative to get the office organized and to assume responsibility for some basic research into the case. She's a natural who rapidly craves learning more and more about the business-- something that does not fit in with all those wedding plans.
The one thing that almost had me talking to myself was the pacing of this book. It was glacially slow. I don't mind stories that unfold gradually, so when I keep stopping to hold the book out in front of me, stare at it, and ask, "When is something going to happen???" you know there's a problem.
But as many times as I asked the silent book when something was going to happen, it never ever occurred to me to stop reading. Why? For the simple fact that the story and Cormoran and Robin did suck me in; I had to find out what happened to them, and I had to find out what happened to Lula Landry. Will I be reading the second book in the series, The Silkworm? You bet! I just hope that I won't be conducting a one-sided conversation as I read.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
Good book! Wondered if the author of the Harry Potter series could switch genres. Well done. There are a few flaws but I shall not dwell on them. Like the hero, Cormoran Strike, very muh - a down and out PI whose father is famous performer. Independent, careful, detail oriented and thorough. When a woman falls from her apartment to her death, her brother doesn't believe it was suicide and hires Strike to investigate her death. I did figure out who the murderer must be but it did not change my opinion of this writer's work in a new genre. I will look for the second in this series.
I throughly enjoyed reading this detective novel. I found the writing to be smooth and enticing.. I was not aware that Robert Galbraith was JK Rowlings until I was halfway through the book.. Like Harry Potter style, its is easy to read, the characters are well developed and it is page turning.. If you love a good mystery , you will not be disappointed.
Darilee P. (cozysleuth) reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 153 more book reviews
Good adult book from J.K.Rowling. A PI his temp assistant, and a suicide thought suspicious. Adoption, love, lost and excitement. British humor and words too.
I have begun the 2nd book, Silkworm.
I have begun the 2nd book, Silkworm.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike, Bk 1) on + 989 more book reviews
Rather good for the most part, enjoyable main characters, Strike and Robin. Only fault I have is that towards the end, as everything is being 'wrapped up', the d4tai goes on for far too long. Otherwise, an interesting read.
Jody M. (jodymcgrath) -
On a snowy night, a woman lays dead in the snow. Did Lula Landry jump or was someone else responsible for this beautiful model's early death, that is what Coroman Strike is hired to find out. The ex-military Private Investigator will seek answers traveling amongst blue-bloods, artists, and the homeless. Why do most people want to believe it was suicide?
This was a really good book. It is a completely different side to J.K. Rowling, and I can see why she took a moniker for this book. This book has drug-use, sex, violence, and bad language. You wouldn't want anyone to assume it is a kid's book. I loved Coramon and his secretary, Robin. They were amazingly multi-dimensional and I liked watching their relationship grow. The mystery was super interesting and I did not know who the killer was until the end.
I think my only complaint with this book, was that occasionally there was too much description. Sometimes she would describe the same thing repeatedly, which got a tad tedious.
I highly recommend this book. This is not the J. K. Rowling you think it is!
This was a really good book. It is a completely different side to J.K. Rowling, and I can see why she took a moniker for this book. This book has drug-use, sex, violence, and bad language. You wouldn't want anyone to assume it is a kid's book. I loved Coramon and his secretary, Robin. They were amazingly multi-dimensional and I liked watching their relationship grow. The mystery was super interesting and I did not know who the killer was until the end.
I think my only complaint with this book, was that occasionally there was too much description. Sometimes she would describe the same thing repeatedly, which got a tad tedious.
I highly recommend this book. This is not the J. K. Rowling you think it is!
