This book's plot is grisly and so improbable that the story bogs down in several places. However, the characters are interesting and well-drawn and will get me reading the next book in this series.

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This is the 2nd book written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. The 1st, The Cuckoo's Calling, introduced PI Cormoran Strike. He is also the central character in The Silkworm. Both of these books are extremely well written. The characters are well developed, and the stories are intriguing. I read The Cuckoo's Calling on my Kindle and had a hard time putting it down when I had to do other things. My copy of The Silkworm is an Audio CD book. My husband and I listen to such books in the car when we are going places, wherever that might be. Fortunately, for us we had a long, out-of-town trip to make while listening to The Silkworm. Another important thing about this audio version of the book is that the narrator, Robert Glenister, is an excellent reader. He does a great job with the various voices for both male and female characters. I assume (hope) that this series will continue.

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A nice follow up to Galbraiths first book " The Cookoo's calling" The main characters are more fully developed , the plots are twisted and compelling.. a very enjoyable read.

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Author Owen Quine loved the spotlight and was known for his graphic books. But, when his latest books angers practically the entire publishing world, he turns up missing. His wife hires Detective Cormoran Strike to find him, thinking the eccentric writer is off at a writer's retreat. But, what starts as simple missing person case turns into a high profile murder case when Strike finds Quine brutally murdered in a manner reminiscent of one of his books. With so many people who hated the victim, this is no easy case.
This book once again proves that JK Rowling can write a completely different genre well (although I still prefer the Potter series). Both Cormoran Strike and his assistant, Robin, are complex and fascinating characters. I enjoyed seeing Robin play a more active role in the investigation this time. As for the mystery, I was in suspense to the very end.

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3.0 out of 5 stars -- June 27, 2014

This is the second in the Cormoran Strike series and I didn't like it as much as the first one (The Cuckoo's Calling).

Convoluted mystery surrounds an author's murder -- who committed the heinous and grisly crime? There are lots of suspects as there was no love lost between this man and his acquaintances and enemies. In fact, the author's newest book really embarrassed and humiliated all who were involved in his life.
I like the characters of Cormoran and Robin well enough, but I'm not a fan of little tricks such as when the detective has an ah ha moment and shares it with his cohort, but the reader is left in the dark and then there is a "tell all" at the end.

Probably will read a third, but not with the same degree of anticipation and expectation I had while waiting for this one.

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