jemmatrainor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
leannaaker's review against another edition
4.0
I would have ranked this a 3 up until the last 100 pages...it was a slow burn, and a little hard to keep reading, but it wrapped up tightly in the end.
afox98's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book...more than I expected to. I was wary going in bc I knew it was JK Rowling and worried it would be too fantastical, but it wasn't. Cormoran Strike, the down-on-his-luck PI, was a rich character with a few surprises sprinkled throughout the story. He was likable and relatable and just so very human. His assistant, Robin, was a lot of fun. The plot was good, with enough twists to keep my interest, but not so many that it was hard to follow. Great mystery with great characters.
zabthefab's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, the descriptions of "high life" and London are so great and I do think JKR is a great mystery writer. I had a great time reading it, couldn't put it down.
That being said. There is NO, and I do mean NO, reason for any author to write 600 page mystery thriller (let alone the later ones that get longer.... .. ....). I don't care how many successful children's books you've written. U got NO business writing a 600+ page mystery.
Furthermore, while I do believe the characters are well written and feel real, the lone wolf detective and the asprining secretary are kind of a cliché. Still well done, just not that innovative. But I stand with my four stars.
That being said. There is NO, and I do mean NO, reason for any author to write 600 page mystery thriller (let alone the later ones that get longer.... .. ....). I don't care how many successful children's books you've written. U got NO business writing a 600+ page mystery.
Furthermore, while I do believe the characters are well written and feel real, the lone wolf detective and the asprining secretary are kind of a cliché. Still well done, just not that innovative. But I stand with my four stars.
laviskrg's review against another edition
5.0
The mystery was decent, but the writing style was gorgeous, as I expect from the splendid J.K. Rowling. I loved all the voices, the dialogue, the description, the characters. Never quit writing for adults, please!
camihawk's review against another edition
3.0
Okay so I guessed the ending just a bit before it happened but it still doesn't quite make sense to? Like why tho? Would have been a higher rating if the ending was believable.
I liked Comoran's character and will definitely keep reading the series because of his character. I feel like it the author is trying to force a romantic relationship between Robin and Comoran and I don't think it's necessary nor do I feel much chemistry between them.
I liked Comoran's character and will definitely keep reading the series because of his character. I feel like it the author is trying to force a romantic relationship between Robin and Comoran and I don't think it's necessary nor do I feel much chemistry between them.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
Exceeded my expectations, which I will confess were middling. There is a great deal of solid character shading on display, and the playing with established tropes while wisely not straying too far afield was effective in a series starter. The mystery itself has misdirection, and the thankless process of mining multiple interviews is well-depicted as well as seeding ground for later revelations.
audiobook note: Spot-on casting of English character actor Robert Glenister to voice Cormoran Strike. His performance is nuanced without being showy, and he finds exactly the right rhythms to each dialogue (internal or external) and scene. Everything from the weight of the character's past to his wry perspective on culture and celebrity is mined to flesh out a character whose stoicism might have been misinterpreted as blandness. Thoroughly entertaining.
audiobook note: Spot-on casting of English character actor Robert Glenister to voice Cormoran Strike. His performance is nuanced without being showy, and he finds exactly the right rhythms to each dialogue (internal or external) and scene. Everything from the weight of the character's past to his wry perspective on culture and celebrity is mined to flesh out a character whose stoicism might have been misinterpreted as blandness. Thoroughly entertaining.
hgranger's review against another edition
4.0
This rating really ought to be a 3.5 because the story takes a long time to get going and suffers from occasional excessive wordiness. (I do that all the time, but I figure a published and successful author should know how to cut out unnecessary words) I gave it a four instead of three because it's a good story, with a delightful twist and compelling characters. I like that they all had some depth to them; even minor characters like Winston and the Polish maid were engaging and often endearing. I really enjoyed Strike; he had a good balance of strength and vulnerability. (I like a protagonist that doesn't mind throwing a punch verbally - or physically if necessary. I appreciated not figuring out the plot and I like how it all came together in the end. I loved the descriptions of London; the houses, the weather, the pubs and streets all came to life for me.
I definitely hope to read more Strike stories in the future.
I definitely hope to read more Strike stories in the future.
kcoccia's review against another edition
4.0
It was a little slow but once it got going I really enjoyed it. Mystery/Thrillers aren't usually my genre for that exact reason but I'll give anything a try that JK Rowling writes.
ayshin's review against another edition
1.0
I've tried to like it but I just couldn't. I was hopeful that it'll be interesting but even with that expectation, I ended up being disappointed by it.