A review by katieb94
The Running Grave by J.K. Rowling, Robert Galbraith

challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is the latest Strike novel and I actually enjoyed this one as I felt it was quite different from the previous ones in terms of the actual case. 

Strike and Robin are tasked by a client to get their family member out of a church- which is more like a cult, in order to save them. It won’t be easy, as you have to gain membership to be able to gain entry. So Robin goes undercover.

I was really hooked on the chapters based around the farm where the church is based. The community, the rituals, the people, it was really interestingly written and I could have definitely seen it as the feature of a true crime documentary. Yes the author isn’t a very nice person but she can definitely write an engaging mystery thriller! 

I have become so invested in Strike and Robin as characters that I genuinely didn’t want anything bad to happen to Robin. At some points I got really anxious and was waiting for Strike or other members of the agency to come and rescue her.

When it happened, I actually sighed in relief. 

It’s really clever how the case comes to a close, with unexpected twists. It was much better than I expected it to be! 

The confession at the end…..oh my gosh. 
I want to read the next one now just to see what happens after that.

4.5/5 stars.
I really enjoyed it but I won’t be giving J K Rowling 5 stars anytime soon. 4.5 is the highest I can go. 

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