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A review by stennes_basil
Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Rowling is a bigot, a seriously committed transphobe, and this book contains all sorts of weird and bad examples of her worst impulses as an author. “But there are no trans characters!” you may protest; true, but the transphobia and gender-essentialism are on clear display throughout. There are too many examples to list.
I was willing to set aside her beliefs and be entertained by a decent mystery novel. That’s already more credit than she deserves. I had already read the first four books and liked them well enough. But this book sucks. It is way, way too long; the central mystery is by far the least interesting in the series so far; the characters outside of the two leads are at best unlikeable; and prolonging deeper communication or romance between Strike and Robin is tiring by now. Easily the worst book I have read in recent memory.
I was willing to set aside her beliefs and be entertained by a decent mystery novel. That’s already more credit than she deserves. I had already read the first four books and liked them well enough. But this book sucks. It is way, way too long; the central mystery is by far the least interesting in the series so far; the characters outside of the two leads are at best unlikeable; and prolonging deeper communication or romance between Strike and Robin is tiring by now. Easily the worst book I have read in recent memory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Sexism and Transphobia