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bethaniekay's review against another edition
3.0
I've read all the novels in the Strike series, so of course I got this one as soon as it came out. I really wanted to give this 4 stars like I did the first couple books in the series, but I just couldn't. There were really just two major things that prevented me from giving this book a higher rating:
First, this book was TOO LONG, and too convoluted. It needed to be trimmed WAY down and more focused on the primary storyline. I couldn't keep up with half of the characters, and even at the end when the mystery was solved, I couldn't truly relish the reveal because I couldn't remember who all the people were that were involved, and how they were involved with each other. I understand there needs to be a certain level of complexity for the story to evolve, but this was a bit much.
Second, I could've done without the extraneous sub-plots. The storyline with Cormoran's aunt Joan was important for character development, and although I can't stand Charlotte, I can see how what happened ultimately helped to advance one of the most important storylines (Robin + Strike), but I really wasn't interested in all the other cases the agency was working on, and feel if those were all cut out, it would've saved some pages and some additional characters (both clients and staff) from the overall heft of the book.
Now, for the good stuff. I like JKR's writing style, and I truly enjoy the relationship Strike and Robin have. I was happy to see they turned a bit of a corner, got past some of their awkwardness, and got back to the dynamic duo that they were before. The last chapter, in particular, gave me hope that their relationship might go the way I hope it will in the future. I'll be anticipating the next book in the series to find out what happens. I just hope the book is about half the size.
First, this book was TOO LONG, and too convoluted. It needed to be trimmed WAY down and more focused on the primary storyline. I couldn't keep up with half of the characters, and even at the end when the mystery was solved, I couldn't truly relish the reveal because I couldn't remember who all the people were that were involved, and how they were involved with each other. I understand there needs to be a certain level of complexity for the story to evolve, but this was a bit much.
Second, I could've done without the extraneous sub-plots. The storyline with Cormoran's aunt Joan was important for character development, and although I can't stand Charlotte, I can see how what happened ultimately helped to advance one of the most important storylines (Robin + Strike), but I really wasn't interested in all the other cases the agency was working on, and feel if those were all cut out, it would've saved some pages and some additional characters (both clients and staff) from the overall heft of the book.
Now, for the good stuff. I like JKR's writing style, and I truly enjoy the relationship Strike and Robin have. I was happy to see they turned a bit of a corner, got past some of their awkwardness, and got back to the dynamic duo that they were before. The last chapter, in particular, gave me hope that their relationship might go the way I hope it will in the future. I'll be anticipating the next book in the series to find out what happens. I just hope the book is about half the size.
tuckeralmengor's review against another edition
1.0
Time for the FAQ because most of you are repeating each other-
Yes, I know. I also know that it is a theme in Silence of the Lambs and Psycho. No need to mention it for the 42nd time. The man dressing up as a woman isn't the main point. It's the fact that Rowling is abusing her enormous platform to share unkind and hateful opinions about the trans community. Her incorrect comments do nothing except further the abuse of trans people. The problem isn't fully the concept of this book. It's the fact that it's coming from a transphobic author whose pseudonym is a psychiatrist who is known for gay conversion therapy.
I have actually read a whopping 1 page of this book before I decided I didn't want to waste 900+ pages of my time on it's BS. As far as the one star, it is there to do what it is designed for, express my opinion about this book.
I want to make it very clear once again...
I DO NOT HATE J. K. ROWLING! I completely disagree with her opinions but I do not hate her. She is a very talented author. I just wish she would listen to reason. Until then, I will continue to fight for the truth and love.
As always, I am completely open for a reasonable discussion. Any hate or slurs will be reported and deleted along with the user being blocked. If you need to talk to someone, please feel free to click the links at the bottom of this review.
Love,
Tucker
- - - - - -
this is a book about a male serial who dresses up as a woman to kill his victims...
HOW IS THIS BEING PUBLISHED? This is coming from an obviously unkind and transphobic author. It's not a mysterious/thrilling plot device. It's bigotry disguised as literature.
C'mon, Hachette. You're better than this.
Links:
➵ What J.K. Rowling has done
➵ Does J.K. Rowling's Transphobia Ruin Harry Potter?
➵ Is J.K. Rowling Transphobic?
➵ Is J.K. Rowling a Transphobe? Trans guy reacts
➵ The Science of the Transgender Issue VS. the Pseudoscience Surrounding Gender and Biology!
I do not condone hatred or condone attacking authors nor is that what I am intending to do here. But J.K. Rowling's hate, hypocrisy and abuse of power must be recognized.
If you need someone,
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
You know that a man dressing up as a woman to kill people can happen in real life/fiction, right?
Yes, I know. I also know that it is a theme in Silence of the Lambs and Psycho. No need to mention it for the 42nd time. The man dressing up as a woman isn't the main point. It's the fact that Rowling is abusing her enormous platform to share unkind and hateful opinions about the trans community. Her incorrect comments do nothing except further the abuse of trans people. The problem isn't fully the concept of this book. It's the fact that it's coming from a transphobic author whose pseudonym is a psychiatrist who is known for gay conversion therapy.
hAvE yOu EvEn ReAd ThE bOoK?!? / WhY dId YoU rAtE 1 star??!
I have actually read a whopping 1 page of this book before I decided I didn't want to waste 900+ pages of my time on it's BS. As far as the one star, it is there to do what it is designed for, express my opinion about this book.
I want to make it very clear once again...
I DO NOT HATE J. K. ROWLING! I completely disagree with her opinions but I do not hate her. She is a very talented author. I just wish she would listen to reason. Until then, I will continue to fight for the truth and love.
As always, I am completely open for a reasonable discussion. Any hate or slurs will be reported and deleted along with the user being blocked. If you need to talk to someone, please feel free to click the links at the bottom of this review.
Love,
Tucker
- - - - - -
this is a book about a male serial who dresses up as a woman to kill his victims...
HOW IS THIS BEING PUBLISHED? This is coming from an obviously unkind and transphobic author. It's not a mysterious/thrilling plot device. It's bigotry disguised as literature.
C'mon, Hachette. You're better than this.
Links:
➵ What J.K. Rowling has done
➵ Does J.K. Rowling's Transphobia Ruin Harry Potter?
➵ Is J.K. Rowling Transphobic?
➵ Is J.K. Rowling a Transphobe? Trans guy reacts
➵ The Science of the Transgender Issue VS. the Pseudoscience Surrounding Gender and Biology!
I do not condone hatred or condone attacking authors nor is that what I am intending to do here. But J.K. Rowling's hate, hypocrisy and abuse of power must be recognized.
If you need someone,
| Goodreads | Blog | Pinterest | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
andyblv's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read that kept me guessing from beginning to end. A bit too long. A bit bloated in parts. But all in all, a great installment in the Robin and Cormoran series.
lostinfrance's review against another edition
4.0
Politics and wacky beliefs aside--- I really enjoy this series. I was reluctant to read it because of the uproar before it was released, but I had to read to see--- and well, I love Robin and Comoran. I still do not agree with Rowling's twitter rants, but this book is not transphobic and I have a hard time understanding people who have not read the book standing on their pedestal and yelling.
This book was hard to put down- I purposefully got the e-book because I didn't want to have to carry around a 900+ page hard cover book...
Robin and Comoran are back at it--- this time Comoran is dealing with his aunt dying of cancer while also solving mysteries and Robin has taken a bigger role in the practice--- not just because she is now single, but also because Comoran is running home to Wales whenever he can. While in Wales, Comoran comes upon the daughter of a woman who was murdered over 30 years ago--- and is asked to see if he and his team can solve the cold case. They have to reconstruct what happened years ago, track down witnesses that have either moved on or passed away....all while dealing with the modern world.
And yes, the chemistry is still there (duh).
Read if you enjoy a mystery--- you don't have to start with #1, but I would.
2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book that was published anonymously
This book was hard to put down- I purposefully got the e-book because I didn't want to have to carry around a 900+ page hard cover book...
Robin and Comoran are back at it--- this time Comoran is dealing with his aunt dying of cancer while also solving mysteries and Robin has taken a bigger role in the practice--- not just because she is now single, but also because Comoran is running home to Wales whenever he can. While in Wales, Comoran comes upon the daughter of a woman who was murdered over 30 years ago--- and is asked to see if he and his team can solve the cold case. They have to reconstruct what happened years ago, track down witnesses that have either moved on or passed away....all while dealing with the modern world.
And yes, the chemistry is still there (duh).
Read if you enjoy a mystery--- you don't have to start with #1, but I would.
2021 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book that was published anonymously
mageekm193's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zutsie's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I liked watching the development between Strike and Robin, and Matthew is the eternal thorn. Was pleased to see Barclay back, and a little glimpse of Shanker, too. This dealt with some emotional things, too, and it was nice to see how people can band together. The case was interesting, too. Longer than previous books in the series, but doesn’t feel like that. I think this series keeps getting better and better.
heni_3s's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
witchshark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0