The Cuckoo's Calling

A riveting murder mystery featuring a compelling detective with a crumbling lifestyle and a clever sidekick with a lot of heart. I was totally engrossed from beginning to end. A stellar achievement. "A lie would have no sense unless the truth felt as dangerous." How far will people go for greed and envy? How intricate a web is weaved to cover up lies, to deceive and to come out the victor? This riveting murder mystery by J.K. Rowling, writing under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith, seeks to uncover whether the suicide of famous and flawed model Lula Landry (or Cuckoo, as a friend called her) was indeed that, or rather, a cleverly plotted murder daftly overlooked by authorities. I'd desired to read something different than the contemporary romance genre for awhile, and just recently, when I found my battered, overly worn copy of And Then They Were None by Agatha Christie, I determinedly set out to find a mystery novel to shake me out of my romantic reverie. Admittedly, when I discovered that J.K. Rowling, author of one of my all-time favorite series (Harry Potter) wrote a classic mystery novel, well I one-clicked and started reading. And wow... it's an absolutely stellar, enrapturing read. I couldn't help but seek out the tell-tale imprint of J.K. Rowling in the story and certainly there are some recognizable elements. First off, the story is masterfully structured, her writing precise and vivid, creating a rich and clear depiction of the world, people and circumstances. As with Harry Potter novels, the sensory precision of her words made me feel as if I were actually there, in the cold and shadowed streets of London. I could almost picture the shrouding mist and innately mysterious street in which Harry Potter grew up with the Weasleys. Our protagonist is a military veteran that has lost part of his leg, and is for all practicality an orphan having lost his mother and ignored by his famous father. In a very J.K. Rowling fashion, his name is unique and memorable (I loved researching the names she chose in the Harry Potter series)... Cormoran Strike. Strike, as he calls himself, has had a difficult life and is now barely making it as a private detective with the threat of surmounting debt and diminishing clients. "Strike's conscience, once firm and inelastic, had been weakened by repeated blows of fate." When he receives an unexpected visit from the brother of his childhood best friend to investigate the suicide of his sister, Lula Landry, Strike gets on the case. Assisted by the clever and resourceful temporary assistant, Robin, they begin an investigation that immerses them in the glittering, well-monied circles of London and takes them through a barrage of awkward conversations and not-quite-right-aligned stories from Lula's eccentric group of friends and family. J.K. Rowling weaves in some impactful social commentary as a means to enhance the story and enmesh us even deeper into the mystery. "What we mourn is the physical image flickering across a multitude of red-tops and celeb mags; an image that sold us clothes and handbags and a notion of celebrity that, in her demise, proved to be empty and transient as a soap bubble. What we actually miss, were we honest enough to admit it, are the entertaining antics of that paper-thin good-time girl, whose strip-cartoon existence of drug abuse, riotous living, fancy clothes and dangerous on-off boyfriend we can no longer enjoy." Lula was a beautiful model of mixed race, adopted by the wealthy and white Bristow family. She never felt like she quite fit in, despite the crushing over protectiveness of her mother, so she sought her biological parents to find a much-needed connection to her identity. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and surrounded by other models, designers and drug users, everyone seemed to accept her death as a suicide. "They wrote that she was unbalanced, unstable, unsuited to the superstardom her wildness and her beauty had snared; that she had moved among an immoral moneyed class that had corrupted her; that the decadence of her new life had unhinged an already fragile personality." But as Strike continues his investigation, so much more is uncovered and I was completely entrenched in the story, attempting to piece together the clues in this classic "who done it" story. "Laymen, in Strike's experience, were obsessed with motive; opportunity topped the professional's list." Every time I thought I had it all figured out, something would happen that had me doubting my rationale and in the end, my first guess was actually correct, but the journey took me on a series of twists and turns that had me biting my nails along the way, questioning everything and everyone. I thought the novel was brilliantly written, well-paced and highly addictive. I loved it and I devoured it and I highly recommend this book. To me, J.K. Rowling has further proven her versatility and genius as a writer and this book is yet another stellar accomplishment. I hope there are more adventures to come for Cormoran Strike! "The dead could only speak through the mouths of those left behind, and through the signs they left scattered behind them."

There’s not much to research about Robert Galbraith, author of “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” because he’s nowhere to be found. In fact, he doesn’t exist. He’s the invention of J.K. Rowling who created the male pseudonym to “take my writing persona as far away as possible from me,” whatever that means. And what’s in a name? Galbraith may be a spirit, but his robe is of good lineage. The writing is excellent and reflects Rowling’s genius for storytelling. London private investigator Cormoran Strike has suffered through many personal challenges, not the least of which was losing a leg in Afghanistan and, most recently, spends his time with a glass of booze in his office/sleeping quarters, smoking cigarettes and getting fat. His volatile girlfriend has dumped him, he has no clients, and has a temporary secretary foisted on him with no means of paying her salary. The same day the temp comes to work, a long lost friend with strong financial underpinnings calls on him to look into the death of said caller’s sister who apparently bailed out of her high rise apartment window, meeting an untimely death on the pavement below. Suicide says the authorities. Not so, says the brother. The story of Strike’s investigation, aided by his eager new secretary, Robin, makes for good reading with complex details, knotty twists and turns, bizarre suspects, and a killer in plain sight, although the reader doesn’t know it. We get to ramble around in all sorts of London environments from damp gloominess to glittery high society. The dialogue is high quality and softens what could be the hard edge of struggling through an overlong book. Strike smokes constantly to stay awake as he reads through reams of police reports, perhaps making the reader also wish for a puff or two. But the author painstakingly weaves the story back and forth through one innocuous circumstance after another, keeping the reader in his or her seat, if not on the edge of it. There is an intoxicating aspect to all the detail, but it is a tedious read.. Critics are mixed in their reviews. It seems some cannot separate Rowling from her Harry Potter image. That’s a shame because the only parallels I found were good writing, inventive plotting, fascinating characters, and relentless detail. Crime fiction and fantasy are very different in both their interest and appeal. I am not a fantasy fan but love crime and mystery. I didn’t find any disconcerting crossovers: I thought Rowling moved very well among her sleuthy characters, capturing the boredom, little victories, and unrelenting puzzle-solving that inhabit their world. I recommend this book. Although it is relentless, I found it to be a very good crime fiction novel. As expected, because of the appealing nature of Strike and Robin, Rowling has written two more in the series and I’m going to read them. I don’t mind reading a lengthy book if it’s well written. Also, as expected, after Rowling was outed as the writer Robert Galbraith, the sales rose dramatically and, apparently, Rowling has no intention of discarding her alto ego. Good on her. Schuyler T Wallace Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

Yes, I know; surely not? But this is THAT good. I haven't enjoyed a private eye yarn this much in a long time. And it will undoubtedly have been by one of the aforementioned gentlemen. "Mr" Galbraith is a very descriptive, very humorous writer. Mr Galbraith is a very talented writer. The plot, like all private detective stories, involves a murder; or two. It also has a cast of characters ranging from the psychotic to the oddball - including the main protagonist. There is a depth of knowledge at work here. Not just through painstaking research but also through experience. The background of wealth, throwaway media coverage and fashionista is described at all times with just a hint of forked tongue and is all the more compelling for it. Even the homeless and down and out get a knowledgeable wink. The basic storyline concerns our anti-hero trying to track down the killer of a supermodel having been hired by her brother to do so. If there is a killer, suicide being the official verdict. Various sides of London life are portrayed with accuracy and humour as Cormoran Strike seeks to get at the truth. I won't give any more away than that. The plot isn't complex because it doesn't need to be. This is an introduction to a few characters that I personally hope to encounter again and again. I loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes their detective novel filled with humour rather than descriptive gore. Interesting and realistic characters rather than polarised heroes and villains. Looking forward to the next one which is coming up fast on the rails. A one legged private eye searching for a serial killer. You got to love it! Can't wait!

JK Rowling is pure joy to read. Her style is unique and uncomparable. Reading her books makes you think that writing is as simple as breathing (which of course is not, at all - I've read from her website that she's extremely well organized and keeps spreadsheets with all the info for each character). I have truly enjoyed the whole Strike series and all the twists and developments in both the misteries and the relationship between Strike and Robin. For all London lovers, finding out about lovely pubs and curious venues is yet another source of delight in these books. I believe this Author fully deserves the amazing success she's had.

As many others, I guess, I bought this book because of its author, J. K. Rowling, not knowing what to expect. I was curious. I’ve just turned the last page, and I wasn’t disappointed. What I particularly remarked is Rowling’s ability not only to build up a solid plot but to make her protagonists and other characters come to life and become likeable – or not so likeable, and without filling page after page with sterile character introductions, but by subtly making the character human and realistic in their strengths and weaknesses through the subtle ways she describes not only what they do but how they do it, and what their reactions are. Rowling makes you feel you're present yourself. This is an author who knows her stuff. Once started, it’s difficult to put this book down.

I read A Casual Vacancy, and quite enjoyed it. I thought Rowling contrasted two very different subcultures in British society well, wrapping a good story around the prejudices of both groups. When I read last week of Robert Galbraith being the nom de plume of Rowling for The Cookoo's Calling I thought I would enjoy her writing despite the hype. And I did. I did not expect to meet a riveting character in the form of Cormoran Strike...an ex British forces officer who had one leg blown off by an IED in Afghanistan...whose mother was considered a super-groupie...and whose lover Charlotte has dumped him. Nor did I expect to be so intrigued by this man who is described as mammoth-like, tall and hairy, a ginger with unruly hair and a penchant for details. I didn't expect to actually care, and now wonder when I will get to learn more about Cormoran...or to see if the relationship between Cormoran and Robin, his temp secretary will blossom...Will Robin leave the stable Mathew for the thrill of the unknown? Rowling presents the young working woman well in the figure of Robin who is efficient, smart and compassionate. This book is better that a Casual Vacancy - much much better. Rowling has entered the brain of an "all man" action figure whose sensitivities and emotionalism are powerful and evocative drivers. She has brought to life this very nice young man (young to me as I am the age, although do not have the same inclinations, as his mother)who is simply decent but equally complex. She presents the story in the contemporary context of technology, particularly in the art of detecting. The issue for Rowling/Galbraith is that the challenge now is to bring on book two in a series of Cormoran Strike! Will he resolve issues around being the biological product of a rock star and a super-groupie (now dead)? Will he discover that his mother was indeed murdered? Will he live to see Charlotte regret her choice to leave him? Will he take her back? Rowling has brought adult readers a lovely new gift...the gift of promise of great future reading.