Here comes another Cormoran Strike mystery by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) and it’s a page turner. I enjoyed the first book (The Cuckoo’s Calling) so there was no hesitation on my part to grab the next one in the series.
This case focuses on the murder of novelist Owen Quine. Strike takes on the case after a weird visit from Quine’s widow Lenora. But I am getting ahead of myself as it’s not known Quine was murdered in the beginning. Lenora wants Strike to find her husband who has been missing for over a week.
While it wasn’t unusual for Quine to be gone for long periods of time, Lenora is sure something desperate has happened. When Strike does find Quine’s remains it’s an all-out murder investigation with Strike and the police both involved and neither parties sharing much information.
Turns out Quine was basically butchered in a fashion described in his last unpublished book, “Bombyx Mori,” whish is Latin for “The Silkworm.”
Obviously Leonora comes under suspicion and is eventually arrested. That’s nowhere near the end of this story as Strike is convinced she is innocent and sets about to find the killer.
This investigation features more of Strike’s assistant Robin Ellacot. I was glad to see her get a bigger role than the secretarial duties she usually handles. Robin is smitten with the detective and investigative work much to her fiancée’s chagrin. Her fiancé objects to her work in the detective field and seems to have a great dislike of Cormoran. The dialogue between them is very realistic. There will be some surprises from Robin in this book – such as her ability to handle a car and high speed maneuvers. She will prove to be a big asset in Strike’s future business.
If you’ve read the first book in the series you’ll know Strike is a former military policeman who worked in the army’s Special Investigation Branch. He lost the lower half of one leg in an explosion in Afghanistan so a prosthetic limb (and sometimes a crutch) play a minor part in the book. Not as a handicap that keeps him down but as something he has to work around. Strike keeps to himself as he never wanted the notoriety of being the bastard son of an old rock star. His father is Jonny Rokeby, a man he has met once in his life, and Strike doesn’t relish being associated with the man or his famous name. He’s out to make a business and a life for himself and earn it all on his own.
Overall, I am loving the Cormoron Strike mysteries and hope Galbraith (Rowling) turns out many more. Let’s see more of Robin and her growing abilities in the detective field.
Let’s get a gin and tonic with Cormoron and Robin at one of the local London pubs. This is a new gin for me – I had not tried Hendrix label before and I must say, I am falling in love!
Adding my review to Goodreads, The British Book Challenge and Beth Fish Reads for her Weekend Cooking Series.
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i loved this one too – although I preferred the first mystery. Cormoran Strike has become one of my favorite detectives in novels.
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I agree Tanya. The introduction to Cormoron in the first book was my favorite of the two but I hope there are many books in this series. Thanks for your comment!
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I love this series too. I read (listened to) both books last year and now can’t wait for more. A new gin to try … fun. A G&T usually says summer to me, but could make a martini.
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We haven’t tried this gin with a martini yet. We have been drinking Sapphire gin and just tried this one after a recommendation. Oh yes, I miss sitting on the patio enjoying a little cocktail in the evening.
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Somehow I’ve never read any of these. I kind of dismissed them because what could Rowling possibly know about detective novels. Now I’m really looking forward to reading them! The gin & tonic brings back memories from when we drank them in college thinking we were sophisticated. Since we weren’t actually sophisticated I had a few too many gin hangovers and have avoided it ever since! Thanks for sharing!
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If you like quirky detective stories I Think you’ll like it. Oh, and you’re not all alone is far as the college Gin drinking! I couldn’t drink gin for years after a “rough patch” !!
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Waiting for it from the library!
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Hope you enjoy it too’
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I still have to read Cuckoo’s Calling first! My husband’s not a gin fan, so we almost never have it! (Also, I have to admit to sharing Katherine’s reason for shying away from it myself over the years!)
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Laurie, I have just recently, I guess in well last year, tried gin again!
Hope you like the first Cormoron Strike book.
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I like The Cuckoo’s Calling, but not so much that I’ve picked up the Silkworm yet. Glad you’re enjoying it! And – I did really like Robin and am glad to hear she’s got a bigger role.
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I really like Rob ‘s character and how dedicated she is to the job and Strike. Hope you enjoy the series asuch as I have.
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I have seen the series but never read it. Glad you are enjoying it.
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Esme, I love mystery and detective books, thanks for stopping by!
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I’ve been loving the audio version of this series! So good!
As for G&T, I have only ever had that once! Need to expand my repertoire a bit!
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Marc, I think I am one of the few people who had listened to an audio book, I need to try that as I hear it’s great if you have a good reader. Thanks for stopping by!
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I keep hearing such good things about these books but I just haven’t jumped on them yet! I really should do that–maybe I’ll check out the audios and go that route.
As for gin and tonic. It looks good in the picture but had one really bad experience when I was way too young to be drinking gin. 😛 Maybe in a few years when I “grow up” a little more I’ll give it a second chance.
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Trish, I here ha about the gin! I hope you like the mysteries if you listen to them. I need to try the audio books!
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I must read this series, everyone speaks so highly of it.
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When I started the first book I didn’t know it was J.K. Rowling, totally different style from her Potter series.
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A book and a drink… the perfect pairing!
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Join me, Cecelia!
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Hopping over from the British Books Challenge…
…because I’m missing Weekend Cooking more often than I’m hitting it lately. Otherwise, I’m sure I would have seen this before. Sounds like a good mystery! And I love the cocktail to go with it.
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I really like this series too. I hope she keeps writing them.
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