flijn's review against another edition
4.0
You know how sometimes, you can't read fast enough? The story just grips you and won't let go. I had to restrain myself to not take a peek at later chapters, because I had to know who, but also exactly how and why and oh my god, is everyone alright?!
This book gave me feelings. Suspense (is that even a feeling?), shock, compassion, frustration, triumph. I wanted to cheer Robin on, wanted to drag children and women to safety; shout at Matthew. I almost feel sorry for him - he is so very easy to dislike.
The murderer and case had a definite Criminal Minds-esque feel. I love when crime novels give glimpses into the deranged psychology of the murderers. The chapters from the villain's point of view were a bit blunt, especially compared to the convincingly realistic scenes of seedy, gloomy and downright fatalistic hidden lives of the poor, the addicted, the ones stuck in the muck of hopelessness. I'm not sure if it felt a bit over the top because it was so clearly insane, or because this kind of misogynistic violence has been done so many times before (which is depressing in itself, because you just know that those ideas, those desires to put women down, to own them, are really out there).
Anyway, this new addition to the Strike novels might not be perfect, but it helps to set the scene, and to show that Cormoran is not infallible. He's a good detective, but not impervious to danger and mistakes.
Strike is mostly the same, which is good. He should get one of those running blades paralympics use when he is detectiving in the streets; clearly he is not ready for the safe lifestyle his doctor (and sister) would probably recommend. Which brings me to his worst moment. He of all people should understand why Robin had to do what she did.
Oh Robin. She really gets to shine in this one, and not just by virtue of her hair. Her backstory could have easily been atrocious. It felt kind of predictable, but executed so well, so real, that it fits her character and the plot.
I would not recommend this to people who need a strict sleep schedule. But if you can spare a night or two, then go for it.
This book gave me feelings. Suspense (is that even a feeling?), shock, compassion, frustration, triumph. I wanted to cheer Robin on, wanted to drag children and women to safety; shout at Matthew. I almost feel sorry for him - he is so very easy to dislike.
The murderer and case had a definite Criminal Minds-esque feel. I love when crime novels give glimpses into the deranged psychology of the murderers. The chapters from the villain's point of view were a bit blunt, especially compared to the convincingly realistic scenes of seedy, gloomy and downright fatalistic hidden lives of the poor, the addicted, the ones stuck in the muck of hopelessness. I'm not sure if it felt a bit over the top because it was so clearly insane, or because this kind of misogynistic violence has been done so many times before (which is depressing in itself, because you just know that those ideas, those desires to put women down, to own them, are really out there).
Anyway, this new addition to the Strike novels might not be perfect, but it helps to set the scene, and to show that Cormoran is not infallible. He's a good detective, but not impervious to danger and mistakes.
Strike is mostly the same, which is good. He should get one of those running blades paralympics use when he is detectiving in the streets; clearly he is not ready for the safe lifestyle his doctor (and sister) would probably recommend. Which brings me to his worst moment. He of all people should understand why Robin had to do what she did.
Oh Robin. She really gets to shine in this one, and not just by virtue of her hair. Her backstory could have easily been atrocious. It felt kind of predictable, but executed so well, so real, that it fits her character and the plot.
I would not recommend this to people who need a strict sleep schedule. But if you can spare a night or two, then go for it.
indydriven's review against another edition
3.0
This book was probably my least favourite in this series but it was still a relatively good book. I have a read a lot of the reviews on Goodreads and I found it interesting that many people really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book but did not like the character driven plot. Many people complained about Robin being whiny and the triangle relationship between Robin, Cormoran and Matthew. What most people did not like in this book was exactly what I did like. I have always been a character driven plot reader and I really enjoyed all the personal storylines in this book with the on-again off-again on again wedding between Robin and Matthew and the relationship between Cormoran and Robin. Personally I found the mystery part of the story boring but that is probably because I have read so many mystery and thriller books over the last 25 years that it has to be a really different storyline in order for me to really engage with it. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see if this marriage between Robin and Matthew works out.
danielcharlton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rglossner's review against another edition
4.0
Private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant/partner Robin find themselves embroiled in a case of a serial killer who sends a dismembered leg to Robin at the office. The killer may be someone from Strike’s complicated past, although the police remain unconvinced. As Robin’s on again, off again wedding grows closer, so does the killer. Thoroughly entertaining and engaging; Strike and Robin are characters who grow and reveal more of their back stories with each outing. Can’t wait for the next one.
alexandrahope91's review against another edition
4.0
Career of Evil was an engrossing read, and definitely the best of the series so far, but also just as disturbing as the rest.
You have to have a stomach for this series. They aren't your mother's crime novels. And they are definitely not Harry Potter. If you're looking for warm fuzzies, you're looking in the exactly wrong place.
The crimes described in the Cormoran Strike series are on par with Gillian Flynn novels. Sadistic and (maybe?) too descriptive. You can't deny her talent, but JK Rowling has definitely expanded her scope.
She paints a perfectly laid setup for a classic whodunnit. Her endings are always a treat with a twist you never seem to see coming even when you're prepared for it.
So things about this novel:
1. Central theme of rape/misogyny/feminism/abuse/victim vs. predator/victim-blaming which I thought was relevant (maybe too topical even?), but also made my stomach twist with anxiety and overwhelming sympathetic concern.
2. So much Robin/Corm will they?/won't they? which was awesome. I want more.
3. She laid out the case with 4 possible suspects. Throughout the novel you're led to each of them at least once. Usually in her novels, the guilty party, in the end, is someone you never suspected, so I kept thinking "HOW CAN IT BE ANY OF THESE PEOPLE?!" So that was frustrating and brilliant. The ending did not disappoint. (I was half-right about the killer if anyone cares.
You have to have a stomach for this series. They aren't your mother's crime novels. And they are definitely not Harry Potter. If you're looking for warm fuzzies, you're looking in the exactly wrong place.
The crimes described in the Cormoran Strike series are on par with Gillian Flynn novels. Sadistic and (maybe?) too descriptive. You can't deny her talent, but JK Rowling has definitely expanded her scope.
She paints a perfectly laid setup for a classic whodunnit. Her endings are always a treat with a twist you never seem to see coming even when you're prepared for it.
So things about this novel:
1. Central theme of rape/misogyny/feminism/abuse/victim vs. predator/victim-blaming which I thought was relevant (maybe too topical even?), but also made my stomach twist with anxiety and overwhelming sympathetic concern.
2. So much Robin/Corm will they?/won't they? which was awesome. I want more.
3. She laid out the case with 4 possible suspects. Throughout the novel you're led to each of them at least once. Usually in her novels, the guilty party, in the end, is someone you never suspected, so I kept thinking "HOW CAN IT BE ANY OF THESE PEOPLE?!" So that was frustrating and brilliant. The ending did not disappoint. (I was half-right about the killer if anyone cares.
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
I don't really know why, but I feel like this series is getting better as it goes on. I felt okay about the first, better about the second, and I downright loved this one. Perhaps it is because I am more invested in the characters now, or the characters are becoming more complicated. Either way, don't give up on this series, it's worth it.
mommab3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25