Reviews with content warning for Murder - Il baco da seta

This is the second of the Cormoran Strike novels, and I do believe I enjoyed it quite a bit more than the first one. If I recall, I wasn't sure if I would continue in the series, but I'm glad I did.

The writing style of "Robert Galbraith" is quite different, in my opinion, from that of the Harry Potter series. It resembles more the style in The Casual Vacancy. The tone is dark and, at times, depressing. The characters tend to go through their lives with little hope or expectation, or else, the frequently have those shattered.

Strike, himself, the detective, is single, with a failed relationship behind him, and, in this tale, has to deal with his ex getting married. Obviously, he still has feelings for her. He is practically homeless, living downstairs (or is it up?) from his office. But he's a good detective.

Robin, his assistant, wants to also be a detective. There some excellent writing in this book as the two of them deal with expectations that they both have (or don't), and it is quite delightful when Robin finally asserts herself and clears the air.

The crime, itself, in this one is quite gory in detail, and the writer kept me guessing all the way through. I never did figure out "whodunit," in this case. I had some ideas, but they were all wrong. But it's very Agatha-Christie-like, in that almost everyone involved in this one seems to have both motive and opportunity.

it's a great story, and I will definitely find time to continue on. I know it is still going, because we have the latest installment on our new book shelf at the library where I work.

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harthara13's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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liliya_klein's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Cormoran is a big guy. He’s ex-military, proud, intelligent and people-smart. He also has a complicated relationship with an ex that is very toxic.

Robin is his sidekick. She’s Cormoran’s pretty secretary with a host of skills administrative skills and street smarts. In this book, we learn that she is an expert driver. She’s engaged to a guy who doesn’t seem to really understand her although he does care for her.

They work together as a private detective duo taking on mostly surveillance cases and occasionally some biggies (on which the series focuses on).

The storytelling is slow and the reveals are drawn out. But it’s keeping me engaged and invested in these characters lives. And I hope to watch the series too, so I’m trying to get through the books.

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