Scan barcode
chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
5.0
“Such is the universal desire for fame that those who achieve it accidentally or unwillingly wait in vain for pity”
Lethal White is the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series written by J K Rowling under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. This immediately follows on from the previous book “Career of Evil” responding to many unanswered questions readers had at the end of the previous book. The book then progresses in time by one year whereby Strike and Robin are asked to investigate a blackmailing matter by a current Conservatory MP.
Galbraith manages the character structure phenomenally as usual, introducing new characters with their individual theories in a way that isn’t overwhelming and keeps the reader intrigued throughout. I, for one, could not put this book down. In the background of the mystery being solved the relationship between Strike and Robin is compelling and keeps the reader wanting more. This book definitely increased my love for the two main characters and has left me with a thirst for more. Old characters are not forgotten within this and previous characters will creep in throughout the story reminding you of the previous books that have been published. I would advise that if you are going to get the best out of this book that you read the previous three in order to benefit from the story to the highest degree.
I have no hesitation in saying that I think with each book published the storyline just gets better and better. I would openly admit that Career of Evil was my favourite until I read this book. Whilst I love each and every book in this series, but this is a firm favourite. I can’t wait to see what Galbraith has in store for us next.
Lethal White is the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series written by J K Rowling under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. This immediately follows on from the previous book “Career of Evil” responding to many unanswered questions readers had at the end of the previous book. The book then progresses in time by one year whereby Strike and Robin are asked to investigate a blackmailing matter by a current Conservatory MP.
Galbraith manages the character structure phenomenally as usual, introducing new characters with their individual theories in a way that isn’t overwhelming and keeps the reader intrigued throughout. I, for one, could not put this book down. In the background of the mystery being solved the relationship between Strike and Robin is compelling and keeps the reader wanting more. This book definitely increased my love for the two main characters and has left me with a thirst for more. Old characters are not forgotten within this and previous characters will creep in throughout the story reminding you of the previous books that have been published. I would advise that if you are going to get the best out of this book that you read the previous three in order to benefit from the story to the highest degree.
I have no hesitation in saying that I think with each book published the storyline just gets better and better. I would openly admit that Career of Evil was my favourite until I read this book. Whilst I love each and every book in this series, but this is a firm favourite. I can’t wait to see what Galbraith has in store for us next.
bethaniekay's review against another edition
3.0
I'll echo the frustrations of others, and someone PLEASE pass this along to JKR: 600+ pages is TOO LONG for this kind of a book. It was too long and too convoluted. It needed to be trimmed WAY down, and more focused, with less extraneous sub-plots.
I adore the Strike novels. However, I almost DNF'd this book SO many times. It took me over 6 weeks to read this, which is a lot for me. I persevered because I truly enjoy the relationship Strike and Robin have, and I wanted to see if they'd get past all their awkwardness and get back to the dynamic duo that they were before.
In the end, I was fairly satisfied with how it was left off - and I am excited about the prospect of the continuation of their story. I just hope the book is about half the size.
I adore the Strike novels. However, I almost DNF'd this book SO many times. It took me over 6 weeks to read this, which is a lot for me. I persevered because I truly enjoy the relationship Strike and Robin have, and I wanted to see if they'd get past all their awkwardness and get back to the dynamic duo that they were before.
In the end, I was fairly satisfied with how it was left off - and I am excited about the prospect of the continuation of their story. I just hope the book is about half the size.
megareads42's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite of the Cormoran Strike books. Still my usual complaints about them...uneven attention paid to personal lives, some chapters we get tons of detail and others very little. Same thing about the passage of time. Also, the names. So many names! There were definitely times I thought to myself, 'Who the hell is Vanessa?' and 'Wait, whose husband is that again?' The gallows resolution was a little bizarre. And there was a bit of overkill with the super villain monologuing at the end. Will say that I blazed through this in a few days and couldn't put it down.
unicornsteak's review against another edition
2.0
Too long. Decent beginning, dragged on in the middle. Really good end.
The peripheral characters in this stand out too much as shallow caricatures, from the schizophrenic to the socialist.
Then there's the misunderstandings and insecurities that draw out the romantic tension between Robin and Strike. It's embarrassing and annoying, and undercuts the intelligence of the characters.
The peripheral characters in this stand out too much as shallow caricatures, from the schizophrenic to the socialist.
Then there's the misunderstandings and insecurities that draw out the romantic tension between Robin and Strike. It's embarrassing and annoying, and undercuts the intelligence of the characters.
blair_w's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lostinfrance's review against another edition
4.0
I grabbed this book knowing I would enjoy it and knowing I would want to read it over winter break. I loved the story webs that Rowling winds....and I enjoy falling into her words and setttings without regard to reality. The mystery is always interesting, but what I really enjoy are the characters and their relationships.
This is the 4th in the Comoran Strike series...and we start at Robin's wedding where we witness the beginning of a fight between her and her fiance, that will continue for a huge chunk of the book. Strike is hired to follow/watch a politician (Chiswell)'s wife--- but when he appears to meet with him he finds his body--- and the mystery begins. Who killed him? And why did a hugely troubled teen with mental problems contact Strike insisting he saw a murder? Why are there drifters about and why are they protesting? How are the three stories entwined? All while Robin is battling her new marriage and Strike is dating a new female, that he lets the reader know he cannot love from the beginning.
As usual, it is a good read and worth the extra weight in your bag. I recommend it, truly.
Read: once you have read the first three. It is worth your time.
2019 Reading Challenge....still trying to decide- title with two words or a requirement from a past challenge.
This is the 4th in the Comoran Strike series...and we start at Robin's wedding where we witness the beginning of a fight between her and her fiance, that will continue for a huge chunk of the book. Strike is hired to follow/watch a politician (Chiswell)'s wife--- but when he appears to meet with him he finds his body--- and the mystery begins. Who killed him? And why did a hugely troubled teen with mental problems contact Strike insisting he saw a murder? Why are there drifters about and why are they protesting? How are the three stories entwined? All while Robin is battling her new marriage and Strike is dating a new female, that he lets the reader know he cannot love from the beginning.
As usual, it is a good read and worth the extra weight in your bag. I recommend it, truly.
Read: once you have read the first three. It is worth your time.
2019 Reading Challenge....still trying to decide- title with two words or a requirement from a past challenge.
goldies_mom's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
val_parr's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
a_chickletz's review
3.0
Whomp-whomp.
Eh. This book suffered the same fate as the one I read, only a bit longer in terms on how long it took to get invested in the story. I don't live in the UK, I'm iffy when it comes to understanding House of Commons and what goes on in there. But man, it was a slog and one that when you find out the mystery behind it all, you ask yourself... is it really that necessary of a location to spend all you time in? Probably not.
Strike and Robin are one of those couples that you honestly want to get together and enjoy hodling out hope that they WILL come to discover their feelings for one another. But, again, SO MUCH of the book was them being obsessed with what the other is thinking or feeling about the other that you just want to tell them to TALK to one another and say what you wanna say. However, I feel that will come to play in book 5.
The mystery was interesting and a bit of 'plucked' (in the sense that the clues were just really scattered and difficult to follow) that when you finally get the real, you sit there going 'well, maybe the TV show will clean it up better'. And that's what I'm hoping with this book. (When does that TV adaptation of this book come out?)
Anyway. I love Robin, and I love how tough she got in this one - with Matthew, her trauma post attack in Book 3 and, her job. I'm interested to see how Strike is going to feel the deeper they get into situations and if he comes clean on his emotions will he be more cautious and or wanting her to stop what she is doing and turn into Matthew without expecting it? Time will tell.
So yeah, beware of a messy plot but a good read. Just hope it gets back on track for book 5.
Eh. This book suffered the same fate as the one I read, only a bit longer in terms on how long it took to get invested in the story. I don't live in the UK, I'm iffy when it comes to understanding House of Commons and what goes on in there. But man, it was a slog and one that when you find out the mystery behind it all, you ask yourself... is it really that necessary of a location to spend all you time in? Probably not.
Strike and Robin are one of those couples that you honestly want to get together and enjoy hodling out hope that they WILL come to discover their feelings for one another. But, again, SO MUCH of the book was them being obsessed with what the other is thinking or feeling about the other that you just want to tell them to TALK to one another and say what you wanna say. However, I feel that will come to play in book 5.
The mystery was interesting and a bit of 'plucked' (in the sense that the clues were just really scattered and difficult to follow) that when you finally get the real, you sit there going 'well, maybe the TV show will clean it up better'. And that's what I'm hoping with this book. (When does that TV adaptation of this book come out?)
Anyway. I love Robin, and I love how tough she got in this one - with Matthew, her trauma post attack in Book 3 and, her job. I'm interested to see how Strike is going to feel the deeper they get into situations and if he comes clean on his emotions will he be more cautious and or wanting her to stop what she is doing and turn into Matthew without expecting it? Time will tell.
So yeah, beware of a messy plot but a good read. Just hope it gets back on track for book 5.
huckabees222's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0