The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
Group Read Discussions
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Jan/Feb 2014 Group Read - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
I really enjoyed this book, although I have not previously read anything else by Rowling. I did see some of the Harry Potter movies though. I loved the two main characters and how they interacted. They seemed to me to be very isolated and lonely. Rowling seems to have a gift for creating unique and sympathetic characters. The story moved a little slowly at times and called for patience in pushing through. But in the end I was very glad to have read it and look forward to the next.
I agree Dorie about the slowness of the story and the rather tiresome descriptions if clothing but I liked the main character and picture him as a more good looking version of Hagrid!
Good thing I listened to it on audio book then really. Lalula (?sp) is another odd one too
I liked this book. I thought the characters were compelling, the story was well-plotted, and Cormoran Strike and his temporary secretary Robin make good investigative partners.
Having read only a small amount of Rowling (I didn't get past Harry potter 2) I was interested to see what her foray into crime was like. I LOVED Comoran strike! Her characterisation was unbelievably strong for me, he was a large bumbling man and his social awkwardness was so clearly portrayed. He struck a cord for me and rowlings description of him as a babboon among capuchin monkeys (or similar) really summed up what her characterisation had already conveyed.The dynamic between cormoran and robin was great for me too- I saw it as the start of a series which would grow and grow. I think the story of cormoran took forefront over the story of cuckoo though.
It held my interest although it wasn't an action packed plot and had a great deal less violence Than the crime books I usually choose.
For me- a great book that could be the start of something fab. I wanna see what cormoran does next?????
I agree about Comoran but I was less enamoured with Robin, who I felt was a little shallow? Maybe she will grow on me if there is another book. I would also like the relationship between Cormorant and his father to be developed further.. Loads of room for more intrigue there!
I really liked her spot on descriptions of the well to do.Also Comoran was a really good character, who we get to know slowly as the novel builds.
Very good mystery and well plotted
I love the name of the book it's so mysterious and inviting!
The title is awesome I love the cover too so amazing I'm rereading the book right now it's great the second time reading it. The characters are so creatively done JK Rowling did an amazing job on this book. I'm a fan of her Adult books so for.
What?!? I didn't know JK Rowling wrote this book?
Yeah it's her pseudonym she wrote and released the book and later on people found out JK Rowling wrote The Cuckoo's Calling
Mod
I liked Robin but I'm not sure where Rowling will go with her, still I liked her in this book.
Me too I think I'm 130+ into the book now but I love Robin what an amazing character
We'll the book looks and sounds interesting I'm sold, I see if I can burrow it from the library thanks guys! :-)
I read there's a sequel coming out soon. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the characters. I'm wondering if Robin will stay with her boyfriend.
I don't know whether robin will stay with her boyfriend but i hope they don't start a romance together- I think that would spoil their dynamic! What do people think?
Oh I agree but the tension could be great...
I have read 111 pages and think Strike and Robin are both great characters. The writing style is excellent, it sucks you right in.
Does anyone know why Jk Rowlings wrote this story under someone else's name?
I read somewhere, she wanted to write and release the book without the hype and pressure of being "J.K. Rowling".
Is that because of her famous book Harry Potter and she didn't want them to except Magic and Hogwarts?
Lynsey wrote: "I don't know whether robin will stay with her boyfriend but i hope they don't start a romance together- I think that would spoil their dynamic! What do people think?"I agree that Robin and Cormoran shouldn't get romantic. Partly because I don't like romance in my mystery books and partly because I agree it would destroy their "partnership".
Parinita wrote: "I was reading in another group.. What is it with Rowling and big, hairy men?
Lol.
"
Good question. LOL
Barbara wrote: "I liked this book. I thought the characters were compelling, the story was well-plotted, and Cormoran Strike and his temporary secretary Robin make good investigative partners."I agree - but I found the pacing slow too
Lynsey wrote: "I don't know whether robin will stay with her boyfriend but i hope they don't start a romance together- I think that would spoil their dynamic! What do people think?"I totally agree!
I agree with everyone Camoran and Robin should absolutely not get into a relationship I just don't see it at all. I think Camoran more has a crush on Robin in that I think she's good looking. It would destroy the good partnership they have right now. I think Robin just admires how good a detective Camoran is. I'm really interested in how JK Rowling sequel will be I see her being able to make into a great series.
Good read and greatly drawn characters. That's what makes this book. Rollings make you a bit doubtful as to whom you may have picked as the guilty one;thereby keeping you interested while she skillfully brings Cormoran to life. We want to read more about him and Robin as his sidekick. The mystery is not what's important as much as what drives people to do a dastardly deed.
I thought the main characters were great, but the plot was weak. Personally I like a little romance in my mysteries. It is something that can help tie a series together.
I'm on page 330 and I have to make myself put the book down so I can get some work done. I agree with other readers that find Cormoran Strike a great detective. Robin is his opposite, but together they form a wonderful partnership. Nice how Rowling keeps the tension up as I wait for the two of them to form a more permanent working relationship. I love all the suspects/witnesses and the world of fashion. I do hope Rowling writes a series using these characters.
So glad my recommendation has got such good reviews:-))
just finished the book moments ago. I posted my own review, but the highlights are that it's written extremely well, the characters are very diverse,and overall thoroughly thought out. My main complain was I wasn't drawn in because there was very little suspense, at least in my opinion. -Read it in 5 days.
I had never read anything by JK Rowling and must say I really enjoyed this book.
Very entertaining read! It worked for me!
Marla wrote: "I had never read anything by JK Rowling and must say I really enjoyed this book."It is my first J.K. Rowling as well and really enjoyed the book . Great story and characters. Strike and Robin are a good team!
I enjoyed all of JK Rowlings books the way the story is revealed!
Really pleased my recommendation has proved so popular !
I really loved the book. Yes,it was a bit slow in the middle. It has a bit of Christie essence. Talking and taking different point of views of people associated with a crime. My favourite character was Robin. I really really loved her character! Of course Strike was great too..I also liked the mid parts of personal life of cormoran's personal life with Charolette.. It gives a humane essence to his character.
I will definitely read upcoming books of this series.
This was my first book by J.K.Rowling hence I was able to read it without any prejudice.
Hi everyone,I've read this book a few months ago: an enjoyable, adeptly written novel by a talented professional writer. Characterization is superb, dialogue crisp and real-life, and the care for details is both extensive and exhaustive.
However, I had a problem with this novel (to the extent that I wrote a blog about it) that ruined my experience. I read it as a detective mystery thriller (the book was publicized after all as featuring a murder and a private detective) but wasn't satisfied there. The novel was slow throughout, and the plot was weak and the detective reveal at the end wasn't convincing enough. Even most of the novel didn't center on the crime, rather the protagonist and his circle, the victim and her friends.
The book has the biggest potential to entertain readers, just needs proper genre selection: perhaps, Social Mystery, Contemporary Mystery, Soap Opera Mystery.
It's closer to an English cozy than to other mystery sub-genres, but I think Rowling has invented a new sub-genre as well. English mysteries have always struck me by their inclusion of deeper and wider general life relationships than American mysteries. I think American mysteries rely more on customary stock characters which induce knee-jerk reactions, as in, this guy is thin, tall, moves like he's a snake, wears black, hair combed straight back and laughs high pitched, so he's a bad guy, or this guy looks like a big dark bull with heavy knuckles so he's mafia.
Of course, that's exactly what a lot of urban Americans look like....Maybe we yanks are more shallow than the English!
It isn't much different plot-wise than the Ann Granger (English) Mitchell & Markby mysteries. I think the main characters are more engaging in The Cuckoo's Calling and there is probably a touch more sex. I don't think the urban environment made any difference. One of my criticism of this book is that I missed the significance of what seemed like a minor plot point. I don't think the suspense in a book should hang on such a slender thread.
I read this a few months ago and genuinely loved it - I do hope she continues to write novels for adults as she is the most talented writer with real capacity for variety. A casual vacancy was equally good.
I am listening to this on audible, and it is very well read. Great characters and realistic conversations. I am finding the actual crime/mystery dragging a bit in the middle, but overall I am impressed. I didn't like CV either, Laura, and it's nice to know she can write good adult books.
Yes, I listened to it on audio as well, mainly at the gym..thoroughly enjoyable. Mind you I loved all the HP books too
I haven't quite finished yet. I like the characters and I agree the conversations feel realistic. I just feel the pacing is slow for me. Not sure how I will feel about this overall by the end, but I don't feel like I will love it. Though I feel like it is a good PI down on his luck novel. I think the pacing will knock it down to a just like it for me though.
I have been listening to this book via Audible, whilst doing boring household chores and at the gym. I am quite a fan of Ms Rowling and thoroughly enjoy her characterisations. Classic detective stuff, with twist and turns.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I am, but let us know what you think :-)