The Cuckoo's Calling

Again, (as in another review) I am moved to use other's descriptions in my review, because there seem to be people out there who express themselves as I would like to, but can't seem to find the words. However, I did include some of my own words, which follow the "quoted sections." I also need to say that I only bought the book after I found out it was written by J.K. Rowling. I'm glad I did. "Keris Nine" said "It's hard to put your finger on exactly what it is that makes The Cuckoo's Calling such a terrific new Private Investigator crime fiction debut...it's an utterly compelling read with strong characters that wraps you up completely and thrillingly into the investigation." I love these characters and want more of them! I felt as I did at the end of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo...I missed her. I miss Cormoran and Robin. I even miss Guy! "Karen" said the compelling descriptions "made one feel like another occupant in the scene. You could feel the weather, the tension, the pain, the atmosphere in the gatherings." Oh wow...the pain Cormoran was having was his leg made my leg hurt. What descriptions! "Sid Nuncius" said "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a very well-written and engrossing read and promises to be the start of a very good series." All I can add to that, Sid, is from your lips to J.K. Rowling's ears! He also went on to say: "I think the book's real strength is the dialogue; I found the many interview scenes utterly engrossing and the various voices thoroughly believable as well-drawn characters emerge. This made the whole book come to life for me and develop as a very classy crime novel." This is not your Harry Potter dialogue...it's very raw, but as much as I hate overuse of any one word...especially a swear word...the swear word used frequently in this novel fits each character and I felt was quite believable and utterly understandable...given each situation and each character. "S Riaz" commented, "Both Strike and Robin, are fully fleshed out characters that we care about deeply by the end of the book." Love them...want more of them. He went on to say "I would say that Cormoran Strike is the best new addition to the P I genre that I have read for a long time. He certainly deserves a series and I hope to see him appear in many more books. There were tantalising glimpses of his past which need much further exploration and perhaps the author can be kinder to him in the next book and, at least, get him a proper place to sleep. I feel he will serve the author well and deserves a little looking after! If you enjoy really intelligent, well written crime novels (P D James, etc) then this will be a book you will love. Great start to what will, hopefully, become a long running series." And, lastly (and, by the way, I only stopped because I was afraid you were getting bored!), "d kemp" said exactly what I was thinking, too: "While crime/thrillers/detective stories are my preferred genre, I rarely read first-time novels. ...It was a complete delight. I was fascinated by the story, cared about the main characters and can't wait to read, what I'm certain will be, the follow-up books in this series. In addition to the believable plot, great characters and vivid description of London I loved the way Mr Galbraith entered the psyche of both his male and female protagonists so convincingly."

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

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.

Adorei a trama, as personages. Difícil parra de ler. Surpresa Por saber que se tratava do pseudonimo de JK Rowling, boa leitura como sempre!