The Cuckoo's Calling

Wow! I forgot how great J.K. Rowling is. It's been so long. I honestly didn't even know this was a J.K. book until after I had added it and picked it up from the library. Confession: I just never read all the way through the synopsis on the book page... ha.

After I researched J.K.'s motives for writing under a pseudonym, I was really excited to read this book, and after reading it, I'm really excited for all of the recognition that the book got in the first 3 months after it was published before anyone had figured out that the writer was indeed J.K. Rowling. She completely proved herself... she is still a fantastic writer. Her adult fiction is phenomenal, and she finally escaped everyone comparing her current writing to Harry Potter. YAY J.K.!!!

The Cuckoo's Calling was a great crime mystery. I love how Strike figured out who the murderer was about halfway through the book and kept hinting that he knew who it was, but it was not revealed until the end of the book. And I never guessed who it was. I also love that all the interviewing was so detailed that you even felt like you got to know Lula, the victim, who was dead for the entire book.

I also love Robin. She's my favorite in the story because she has a childlike wonder for solving crimes. She admires Strike at first, and then they become friends and she proves herself to be a solid asset to the team. The dynamic between her and Strike added a lot to the story but did not overpower the main plot.

Overall, this was a perfect read for me. I actually slowed down and digested it (that's how you really know I'm enjoying it). The plot never became slow or boring. Tidbits from Robin's and Strike's personal lives were woven perfectly throughout the story to make this a beginning to a great series. I can't wait for more. I will definitely be reading them.