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The Cuckoo's Calling
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Galbraith, Robert (J.K Rowling): The Cuckoo's Calling - Start Date October 2, 2013 (October 2013 Adult Anything Goes)
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I do think listening to audiobooks allows you to be more distracted than physically reading the book.
Lauren's Answers for Part 3 / Chp. 01-05 27. What do you make of Lulu leaving everything to her brother, John Bristow?
It does sort of give him motive but then why would he have asked Strike to investigate?
28. How about Lady Bristow’s belief it was simply an accident, due to slippery ice? Sure, a mother doesn’t want to believe her daughter committed suicide, but it makes me wonder if the ice was a factor, if it really was a “spur of the moment” act, and not premeditation.
Her mother is in denial. She doesn't want to believe Lulu committed suicide, which is understandable.
I don't think it was an accident - the security precautions at the flat, the immediate disappearance of the killer means that whoever killed Lulu put some serious thought into how to do it and make it look like a suicide
29. Strike has taken some inquires about his paternity thus far in stride, but it seems he has a boiling point. Did you blame him for being abrupt to that neighbor at his nephew’s birthday party? Do you think you could handle the constant intrusion into your personal life, if you were famous famous – or rather, infamous?
Poor Strike - it must be so difficult to have to put up with those questions all the time. I don't blame him for being rude at all!
30. What did you make of the DVD? Whatever was that first guy pulling out to examine? Do you think the two runners were friends? Was the guy who got on the bus – wearing a stylized GS hoodie – somehow connected to Guy Somé, or was that logo just a red herring? Remember, where Somé lives is within walking distance of Lulu’s home. Did they seek refuge there, and that is why they couldn’t be found on any surveillance cameras?
I'm starting to think that the two men were not together. In fact, I think one was chasing the other.
The GS hoodie is a bit too obvious. Anyone could have bought it.
31. Derrick Wilson gave up Rochelle Onifade’s name readily enough; however, he put off Strike from coming around, because Mister Bestigui is around a lot. Strike needs to talk with Mr. B; think he’ll seek him out in his home turf?
Perhaps. I think that Mr. B knows more than he's saying but I don't think he's the killer. I think it would take someone bigger and fitter than him to throw Lulu off a balcony
32. Well, Strike opened up a little and told Robin about the “Death Threat Client.” Did you laugh? Or do you think he ought to take this guy a little more seriously?
I think that death threats should always be taken seriously, especially from someone who is obviously paranoid and disturbed
33. Did you like the scene in the Vashti boutique? Seems like Robin’s a natural born actress. What stood out to me:
a) I loved the phrase “ostentatious ugliness” and laughed over Robin “ruthlessly sacrificing her fictional sister-in-law’s figure.”
Lol! I loved that scene and that Robin is taking a more active role in the investigation. I hope we see more of her doing that
b) Just a wild thought, but maybe Robin taking a job with human resources in the West End, might get some further connections or information for Strike. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree; she doesn’t really want to leave.
Nah, I don't think she's taking that job or if she does, it won't be long until she's back with Strike
c) Despite what the shop girls believe, I’m beginning to think it wasn’t Evan Duffield Lulu was on the phone with when she was in the dressing tent there the day before she died. Who do you think it was: Evan Duffield, Tony Landry, or someone else entirely?
I don't think it was Evan either. I think it was her uncle Tony. I think he and Lulu were having an affair.
d) Strike was attracted to Robin in the slinky green dress, but he remained a gentleman. I don’t think her actions were intentionally seductive. Comments.
No, she wasn't being intentionally seductive and Strike is certainly a gentleman :0)
34. Well, after that interview with Tony Landry, now I suspect him in the death of Charlie Landry!! Comments.
Yup! He's my #1 suspect!
@Lauren #34 Tony's character was one of the most intriguing to me throughout the book -- he always seems so angry, doesn't he?
Ashley wrote: "@Lauren #34 Tony's character was one of the most intriguing to me throughout the book -- he always seems so angry, doesn't he?"He sure does and I have to wonder just how angry he could get at Lulu. Perhaps enough to throw her over a balcony?
Lauren's Answers for Part 3 / Chp. 06-10 34. Do you think that John and Tony and/or Lulu really did talk the morning in question (at Lady Yvette Bristow’s flat)? If so, why are they both sticking together on this? Could it only be about the Conway Oates’s account?
I think that Tony talked to Lulu and whatever they spoke about upset her very much so that she was distraught for the rest of the day hence the phone calls to Tony and her behavior with Rochelle
35. Why did the photo in the paper distract John Bristow to that degree? Was it really because of his thoughts on Derrick Wilson’s son being in Afghanistan? Or something else entirely?
No idea at this point but I don't think it was because of Wilson's son
36. Lulu’s will leaving everything to her brother John can’t be found! Does it even exist? Comments. What did you think of his explanation of why Ciara Porter mentioned it? Could she have another motive?
I don't think there is any will and even if there is I don't think that John killed his sister - why would he hire Strike if he had?
37. What are your impressions of Spanner (who is given Lulu’s laptop to scan) and his conversation with Spike?
Typical computer geek more interested in bits and bytes than human interaction
38. In Chapter 7 Strike also recalls his family dynamics, as well as – after her text message – his 15 year relationship with Charlotte. What do you make of it all? All I can figure out is that she does something – that might be self-destructive – repeatedly and it gets worse each time. What that is, I don’t know. Or did you pick up something else?
The impression I got is that Charlotte is a manipulative liar and a narcissist. Her relationship with Strike was very damaging and I hope he has enough common sense to stay far, far away from her.
39. Why was Rochelle Onifade so very frightened when she realized what Strike wanted to talk to her about? Do you think she’s lying about anything? Or just holding back? Did anything she say to Spike stand out to you? Who did she call right after she left? Is she in danger?
She definitely knows more than she is saying. Someone has told her to say that Lulu was depressed and killed herself when in fact, she wasn't and she didn't
40. Lucy visited; I thought Robin was very tactful. You? However, it appears it is a game of boundaries between Strike and Robin. Or are they just feeling their way? Comments.
Strike wanted to keep his personal life and his professional life separate. Now that Robin has met Lucy, the boundary he placed between the two is gone and he doesn't know how to progress from there so he is distancing himself from Robin
Lauren's Answers for Part 4 / Chp. 01-0441. Am I the only one that thinks Rochelle is already dead? Or do you think she’s added Strike to her ”do not answer “ list and she is ignoring his calls? I got the vibe that Rochelle was only after Lula’s money and it seems Guy Some and Marlene Higson agree on this. What do you think? And why do you think Some said “Lucky for her, as it turned out…” what did she get from Lula’s death?
Nope, you are not the only one. I also think something has happened to her.
Yes, neither Some nor Marlene think much of Rochelle, but then I take what Marlene says with a grain of salt given her own behavior with Lula.
I'm not sure what Guy meant by that
42. Guy is the only person so far that seems to be telling the whole truth and not lying or omitting anything. He’s also the only one calling her Cuckoo , can you guess the reason behind the title “The Cuckoo’s calling”?
Yes, Guy seems like the only one who truly loved Lulu.
I think that title refers to Lulu's phone calls to Tony - clever play on words
43.There were a few thing that caught my interest in the interview with Guy Some. What Strike thought of himself “a woolly mammoth attempting to blend in amongst capuchin monkeys “ the T-shirt with Princess Diana on it (not related just interesting ), the creepy Mr.B and the attempted rape and Some’s comment(??!!) to Trudie after Strike has left, but the most important thing was that John had told her to “get out of the closet”, what do you think that meant?
The ending of that chapter made me laugh, lol!
The "get out of the closet" seems to suggest that Lulu was gay, but I think that is too simplistic. There is a lot more to all of this than meets the eye.
44.Who deleted those photos? Tony? Is the killer in them?
The photos were deleted because there was something incriminating in them and Tony seems like the most likely suspect right now although Allison might also have had access to the computer ...
45. Could professor J.P. Agyeman be Lula’s father? Her password was his last name,so he was someone important to her , that’s the only thing I can think of. Do you have ideas why Lula was interested in this guy? Strike underlined the words Malmasion hotel Oxford (that’s where Tony stayed the night of Lula’s murder) and circled J.P.Agyeman name. Could these two be related?
Yes, I think that Agyeman is either Lulu's father or she though he was. If he is then he could have a motive as well seeing that he is an academic with a certain reputation to maintain and might not want an illegitimate daughter with a murky past to be associated with him
Hmm...I didn't make the connection between the Tony and the hotel. Well spotted!
46. I liked how Strike was feeling close to Lula in her apartment. He’s putting everything he’s got into finding the killer and I think he knows something or at least can guess who the killer is . It seemed he was expecting Wilson to reveal something new and wasn’t surprised to hear about the water on the stairs .
It does look like Strike is closing in on the answers. The water on the stairs is a big clue - did it come from the broken vase of flowers or was it melted snow? I think the killer might have been hiding in Lulu's apartment and walked out when Derrick went into the bedroom to look around. He/she might have knocked the flowers over then. Another possibility is that the killer was hiding on the roof and tracked snow in when he/she came back in while Derrick was in the apartment
47.OMG .His father is a jerk ! He doesn’t have a relationship with his father , I wonder why he borrowed the money from him?!
I understood that Strike needed money for the business and got it from his father (probably had to blackmail him to get it). I loved that Strike put the douchebag lawyer in his place!
48. In strike’s interview with the biological mother, she mentioned her other sons , do you think they were found? I’m thinking the new security guy could have been one of them! Do you think she could be right and Lula’s will was destroyed by Tony?
Knowing Rowling's writing and the fact that she never mentioned something for nothing, I'm sure the sons will play a roll. Yes, I wouldn't put it past Tony to destroy Lulu's will.
Lauren's Answers for Part 4 / Chp. 05-0849. Whoa Charlotte is engaged and she is nasty !The way she left that message for Strike ,she must have known its effect on him. As some of us predicted it was a pregnancy thing that was the last straw for Strike. And with this fast engagement it seems she’s been cheating on him all along. Does she want him to rescue her (like Strike thinks)? What did you think of his reaction to the news?
Wow that Charlotte is some piece of work! Strike is well rid of her. She's obviously trying to manipulate him and it was sad that he allowed her to upset him so much that he went on a bender. She so isn't worth it! Nevertheless, it does say a lot for him that he cares so deeply.
Not surprised that her lies revolved around a pregnancy but I wasn't expecting the cheating thing even though there were clues for it.
50. Robin Lied to Mattew , I would have lied too but it doesn’t bode well for their relationship. I was so impressed with how she took care of him. And wow for that note the next morning. It was so thoughtful .They are a good team. Comments?
Yes, Robin and Strike are a good team and no, Robin's lie does not bode well for her relationship with Matthew. But to be fair, Matthew is not accepting of Robin's choices. It seems that he loves the woman he thinks she is rather than the woman she really is.
51.Bryony knows about the blue note but she’s not telling , she is a nosy person, she must have looked but if she is honest about being dyslexic , she doesn’t know what was written on it. But why isn’t she telling?
I have to wonder if she isn't saying anything for the same reason that Rochelle isn't talking - someone has gotten to them...
52.Wasn’t that thing Ciara said about his mom offensive? He took it well it seemed.
Yes, very offensive but then Strike isn't under any illusions as to the type of woman his mother was.
53. We have seen a lot of bad things being said about Mrs. Bristow things like crazy and over protective and possessive . Do you believe it? What do you think she is really like and how was her relationship with Lula?
Yes, she probably is over-protective, but then that is understandable given the fact that she lost a child. It is impossible to judge someone under those circumstance and I do believe that she loved Lulu and wanted the best for her, but ended up spoiling her as well, which didn't do Lulu's mental health any good.
54.Did you realize that the last name Owusu was Guy’s real name and it was one of the names he checked with the biological mother. Does Strike think Guy is her brother?
No, I think that Strike was testing the women with a name that he new just in case they decided to make something up.
At this point, I'm starting to wonder if Deeby might not be Lulu's father. It would, however, make the lyrics rather icky!
55. They keep talking about those goodies and flowers Some and Mr.B sent to Lula and Deeby Mac’s apartments , do you think they are significant in what happened that night?
The fact that Freddie made such a fuss seems to be misdirection. He blamed the policeman for knocking the flowers over to divert attention away from something else - like the fact that he and Tansy were not where they said they were.
Another possibility is that the killer knocked the flowers over.
56. Now that we have met Evan, do you think all the people are right about him or is he alright and he really loved and cared for Lula? What did you think of the commitment ceremony?
Evan, like many of the characters in this book, is very self-centered. He probably did care for Lulu in his own way, but he is so narcissistic that he can only think of how her death effected him
57. I really like to see other people reactions to Strike and Ciara photos, To Charlotte it’s a kind of revenge for what she did to him. Robin’s reaction should be interesting too. What did you think of him and Ciara spending the night together? Did you see that coming?
No, I didn't see it coming, and I also think that Charlotte is going to be livid about the pics! Serves her right!
Robin will probably be disappointed in him, but on the other hand, she has her fiancé...
Mod
So what are your thoughts on the characters to this point?
I really like Robin and Strike as a team; I think they work well together.
I like your comment about Robin and Matthew and how she is the person he'd like her to be. I think she is changing too from perhaps the person she was trying to be.
As for Charlotte, I wish she'd just go away. Strike has some issues that's for sure, but I'd like to see him in a normal kind of relationship
Yes, I also think that Robin is changing her perceptions of herself.I'm almost done and am 90% convinced of the motive and 80% convinced of the killer. Rowling is keeping me guessed right up until the end.
One of the things I love about her writing is the attention to details and how every piece of information fits in somewhere by the end.
Mod
I've finished the book and couldn't put it down to answer the DQs so I'm doing the last two sets together:Lauren's Answers for Part 4, chapters 9-13
58. Robin gets information on Professor Agyeman including a photo which Cormoran seems to recognise there is a significance to. He died 5 years ago and his son is in the Army. Is it a resemblance to Lula that he sees in the photo, or is there something else that he recognised?
I think he saw the resemblance to Lulu in the photograph. This is the point in the story where I figured out the motive for Lulu's murder and the significance of her comment to Ciara that she left everything to her brother. I realized that she didn't mean John.
59. So Tony Landry stayed at the Malmaison when he was meant to be at a conference, and also apparently at his mother's house. Alison confirms she was also sent there to check he was there (we assume as there was suspicion he was having an affair with Ursula May). What do you make of all of this?
This is where Rowling's skill at misdirection hit and I was vacillating between Tony and John as my main suspects. If Tony was at the hotel in Oxford then he couldn't be the killer but why would he lie about being in London...
60. Did you like the scene with Robin and Strike when she realised he must've slept with Ciara? Did you notice Strike referred to Robin's "detective training"?
Yes. Robin was SO not impressed with him, lol! But he managed to soften her up anyway
61. So it was Rochelle in the morgue. It seems she was killed after leaving Strike. The scene at the police station was pretty frustrating! Carver just doesn't believe him.
Carver was a complete idiot. Typical small-minded cop who sees his perfect case falling apart around him. My estimation of Wardle went up a tiny notch though
62. What did you think about the story of Strike's mother (Leda)?
Quite pathetic really 0(
63. Freddie Bestigui is a piece of work! Will he come forward with the truth after all?
What a complete douchebag! I don't think he's going to have much of a choice when his wife spills the beans.
64. Why do you think Strike wanted to go to the funeral? And why did he want to take Robin? what is the significance of Brian Mathers to this?
I understood that he wanted Robin to keep John busy while he spoke to Allison. Allison was still on my suspect list at this point even though she was lower down because I didn't think a woman could have the strength to throw Lulu off the balcony.
I didn't see the connection to Mathers at the time, but it was actually both clever and stupid of Strike to have Robin mention him to John.
65. I was surprised Bristow went to Rochelle's funeral. Were you? So sad that there were only 7 people there.
Very sad... In hindsight, Bristol going to Rochelle's funeral was typical sociopathic behavior
66. Strike makes the observation/comparison about the statues at Queen's gate looking identical, but one being male and one female. Theories on this? Is it that the two hooded figures on the CCTV was one male and one female?
I connected this to Lulu and Jonah, which confirmed my suspicion that they were siblings and she left her money to him.
67. Now we are getting to the point end! Ah! Can you stop reading??! So if it wasn't Tony at his mother's house that day, who was it? Do you have any theories on how this is all going to end or are you just enjoying the story?
I couldn't stop reading hence my answering the questions after I've finished, lol!
By this time I was 90% sure who done it and why!
Lauren's Answers for Part 4, chapters 14 - end68. I loved how the mystery all came together at the end. There was just the right amount of tension and surprises thrown in. It reminded me very much of an Agatha Christie mystery. What did you think?
I loved it too. All the pieces fit together so seamlessly. Rowling is a master with the little details and she certainly knows how to draw out the tension. I was waiting for John to pounce for that whole scene at the end.
69. My favourite quote from this book was in this section when Strike visited Lady Bristow:
"Her death was an almost palpable presence in the room, as though it stood waiting patiently, politely, behind the curtains."
Do you have any favourites?
That is an excellent quote. My favorite was John's comment that Strike should "give up detecting and try fantasy writing". How apt!
70. Question adapted from LitLovers Using a hard-bitten investigator assisted by an young, ambitious "Girl Friday" is a classic detective-story trope. What were your final impressions of Strike and Robin?
They are a good team and I'm glad she's found the money that he can pay her with, lol!
71. Was this your first JKR book, or were you already a fan? Sarah was a bit concerned that there was so much hype around the book. Did it change your opinion knowing this was written by JKR and not "Robert Galbraith"? Do you think the book is worth the hype?
I think the fact that Rowling wrote it made me more inclined to read the book because I'm a huge Rowling fan and I did my PhD on Harry Potter.
All in all, I think the book is really good and worth the effort of reading it. Regarding the hype, I rarely think books are worth the hype. Readers differ in their tastes so there will be those who see this as brilliant and those who do not.
72. Did you like the writing style? Did JKR do a male voice convincingly?
Yes on both questions. Harry Potter is male after all so I'm not surprised
73. Final thoughts? will you read the next book in the series?
Absolutely. I have a gift card to the book store and I'm going to get it ASAP!
I just started this book today, finished part one and must say I'm intrigued. I had been putting off reading this because I wasn't sure about the authors adult work, I'm happy. The characterization of Strike has been done so well.I haven't read through all the comments (afraid of spoilers) but can't wait to see what everyone thinks once I get far enough along to look at this thread and answer DQs.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
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Having just finished listening to the audiobook of this, I'm dying to get a hard copy of the book just to see if I pick up on anything new when I reread it -- wondering if I'll see a difference between listening vs reading.