J.D. Robb discussion
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The Cuckoo's Calling
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The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowlings - Aug. 2016
Loved that book! Especially the character of Robin. Really need to read book #2 one of these days.
Yeah!!!!! It gives me a chance to relisten to a wonderful book and listen to a great narrator who knows what he's doing.
I want book #4 in this series and find out what happened with Cormaran & Robin.
Mod
Wonderful book. Hope everyone enjoys it.
Lauren, This will be my second listening to it.
Mara wrote: "Lauren, This will be my second listening to it."I've heard that the audio is fantastic!
It is. Ms. Rowling must have been a student of British Mystery TV dramas because she does a great job. So want book #4.
just downloaded from library will start this weekend
I listened to the audio book a few months ago. I really enjoyed it!
Mod
Robert Glenister is a great narrator and perfect for this series. Now is book number 4 would come out.
I wasn't to sure about reading this one. a lot of negative reviews but gonna give it a try.
Sheri, Just keep an open mind. It's a great series. People are grumbling that J.K. Rowling isn't writing more HARRY POTTER.
i will I never cared for Harry potter lol
Sweet!!! Super excited to chat about it. All I can say is I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
@Kirsten, I'm reading book 2 now. It's great. Wish I had more time to read.
Sheri wrote: "I wasn't to sure about reading this one. a lot of negative reviews but gonna give it a try."I think the people were also disappointed that it wasn't one action scene after another. It is a mystery more in the style of the traditional English who-dun-it like Agatha Christie. So it builds slowly and steadily toward the climax. Readers who enjoy mysteries will probably love it, but those who prefer thrillers might not.
Mod
Sheri wrote: "I wasn't to sure about reading this one. a lot of negative reviews but gonna give it a try."People shouldn't give it a negative review. It's like people complaining about David Tennant's performance as Hamlet, because they were waiting for the Doctor.
I really enjoyed this mystery. You need to read it as a mystery that just happened to be written by the author of Harry Potter, not Harry Potter, Private Investigator.
There are good characters, a well crafted mystery, but no witches or wizards or great evils (well, not too great).
I also really enjoyed her standalone book, The Casual Vacancy
I think that's what people are expecting and don't want Ms. Rowling to write different kind of books.I have love the series, and want book 4 so I can find out what happens next
Mod
I have love the series, and want book 4 so I can find out what happened at Robin's wedding."
Mara, please put your last comment in a spoiler tag.
Thanks for saying that Jonetta. I've only read book #1. I think some people (no offense, Mara!) - and I've done this - think they only need to spoiler major developments like who did the deed or who died, and don't need to worry about who ends up with who.
Kristen, I didn't like
J.K. Rowling. I'm sure it was a good book and a telling of what happens small villages in England, but I just couldn't relate to the book or the characters. It all seemed like a jumbled mess.
Well, I'm used to lots of British shows like this. I'm quite an Anglophile.
I enjoyed the thorough investigations and the steady pace. It's a really well written book. Hope you all enjoy it as well.
Kirsten, I am Anglophile also. I just didn't care for CASUAL VACANCY.
Mod
I'm looking forward to reading it, Namz!
Open discussions will begin on the 15th.
started this one this morning
for me its a slow read so far. I am at over 100 pages in and seems to me nothing is happening so far.
Relistening to it now.
Mod
Susan wrote: "for me its a slow read so far. I am at over 100 pages in and seems to me nothing is happening so far."It does build slowly, but as with all of her writing every detail is significant.
Mod
Susan wrote: "for me its a slow read so far. I am at over 100 pages in and seems to me nothing is happening so far."It is a slow and steady pace.
Mod
yes I keep thinking of all the details and how they will all fit together as I am trying to figure this out myself. its a tough one.
This one had me stumped until the very end. I can usually figure out "who done it", but not with this one. Every little detail counts.
Mod
RangerGirl wrote: "This one had me stumped until the very end. I can usually figure out "who done it", but not with this one. Every little detail counts."Same here. I just couldn't figure it out.
IIRC, I did figure this one out but not until right near the end and I wasn't 100% sure of the culprit.
I think there too many too choose from.
Mod
Mod
Robert Glenister is the GOLD STANDARD of narrator.
Mod
Just finished it a few days ago. As I have said before, Ms. Rowling was a very good study and observer of the British Mystery genre that was broadcast on TV, and the written British mystery in book form.I just relistened to for the second time because of this thread. I love this series, and when all of hullabaloo of the new HARRY POTTER book & play are over with I want a new Cormoran Strike/Robin Ellicott book.
In listening to it the second time, I think that Cormoran and Robin knew they would make a good team and be good friends. And if Cormoran were honest he sort of needed a keeper, and Robin fit the bill.
Whether she realized it or not, Robin wanted to dance to a different drummer, not do what Matthew wanted her to do. She wanted to feel important and be appreciated for her mind. Working with Cormoran, she was able to do that. She wasn't just another paycheck.
Aptly described Mara. I too felt it, Robin is just the sort of person/friend Cormoran needs around him. I do want to punch Matthew. Anyone else feel this way?
J.D. Robb
Books mentioned in this topic
The Casual Vacancy (other topics)The Casual Vacancy (other topics)
The Cuckoo's Calling (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.K. Rowling (other topics)Robert Galbraith (other topics)
@Namita - Congrats on your nomination winning our Poll. Feel free to lead the discussion any way you like. :)
Synopsis/Blurb:
A brilliant debut mystery in a classic vein: Detective Cormoran Strike investigates a supermodel's suicide.
After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. He has also just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is living in his office.
Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.
You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Three Months Later
Part One (7 chapters)
Part Two (11 chapters)
Part Three (10 chapters)
Part Four (14 chapters)
Part Five (2 chapters)
Epilogue
Ten Days Later
Character List
(view spoiler)[
Cormoran Strike: Former military police, now a private detective hired to investigate the suicide of a celebrity model. He's 35-years old and just broke up with his fianceé.
Robin Ellacott: Strike's smart and resourceful secretary. She's 25-years old, pretty, tall, curvaceous, long strawberry blond hair, recently engaged to Matthew.
John Bristow: Lawyer and adoptive brother of Lula Landry, celebrity model who died three months prior to the story. He hires Strike to investigate her death as he believes it is not a suicide.
Lula Landry Bristow: Troubled supermodel whose death specifics Cormoran Strike is working to uncover. It is assumed that she killed herself, but her brother is convinced that her death was the actually murder.
Guy Somé: Fashion designer. Close friend of Lula's.
Eric Wardle: Detective Sergeant assigned to Lula's case who shares his investigation with Strike. Boyishly good-looking, thick wavy brown hair.
Tony Landry: Lady Yvette Landry's brother, who is one of the partners in the law firm that John Bristow works in.
Roy Carver: Detective Inspector assigned to Lula's case.
Jonny Rokeby: Cormoran Strike's father, a famous, aging rocker. Intent on collecting the money Cormoran borrowed.
Alison Cresswell: John Bristow's girlfriend and a secretary at his law firm who has a crush on Tony.
Freddie Bestigui: Film producer married to Tansy. They lived in the same building as Lula.
Tansy Bestigui: Freddie's wife, Lula's downstairs neighbor.
Marlene Higson: Lula's biological mother
Lechsinka: Polish cleaning woman in Lula's building.
Ciara Porter: Fellow model and close friend of Lula's.
Lucy: Strike's half sister.
Greg: Lucy's husband.
Josiah Agyeman: Professor at SOAS.
Derrick Wilson: Security guard at the building where Lula lives.
Leda Strike: Strike's mother, a famous supergroupie for the Rokeby's band and heroin junkie who died from an overdose.
Jonah Francis Agyeman: Josiah's son, a soldier, currently serving in Afghanistan.
Ursula May: Tansy Bestigui's socialite sister. Married to Cyprian May.
Kieran Kolovas-Jones: Lula's main driver, an aspiring actor.
Cyprian May: Senior partner at John's firm, Ursula's husband and Tansy's brother-in-law.
Bryony Radford: Lula's make-up artist.
Sir Alec Bristow: John and Lula's deceased adoptive father.
Matthew: Robin's fiancé, an accountant.
Rochelle Onifade: Lula's friend from rehab. Lula's mother mistakes her name as Raquelle.
Charlie Bristow: John and Lula's brother who died when he was young. Childhood friend of Cormoran Strike's.
Deeby Macc: Lula's neighbor, a famous American rapper. Real name is Daryl Brandon (D.B.) MacDonald.
Evan Duffield: Lula's on again/off again boyfriend of ill repute. Black hair, face all sharp planes and hollows, icy blue eyes, habit of drug use
Anthony (Tony) Landry: John and Lula's uncle, a senior partner at Landry, May law firm.
Charlotte Campbell: Strike's ex-fiancée.
Richard Anstis: Detective Inspector and friend of Strike's on the Metropolitan police force.
Peter Gillespie: Represents Strike's father.
Crowley: Graphic designer who has an office directly below Strike's.
Mrs. Hook: Strike's only other client.
Melanie Telford: News reporter.
Conway Oates: American financier whose estate is being handled by Bristow's firm and is under contention.
Ian Robson: Security guard at Lula's building.
Aunt Joan: Strike's aunt who helped raise him.
Whycliff: Evan's drug dealer.
Shumba: Strike's mother's boyfriend, a white Rastafarian musician.
Colin McLeod: Security guard at Lula's building.
Dickie Carbury: Freddie's contemporary and host of the country-house weekend Lula attended.
Spanner: Computer expert who does work for Strike.
Uncle Ted: Strike's uncle, married to Joan. Strike thinks he looks a lot like him.
Carrianne: Woman who was in rehab with Rochelle, doesn't speak kindly about her.
Carla Astolfi: One of Strike's father's wives.
Gabriela Rokeby: Strike's step-sister, a television presenter.
Daniella Rokeby: One of Strike's step sisters. She's a jewelry designer.
Jenny Graham: Strike's step-mother.
Lindsey Fanthrope: One of Strike's father's lovers and mother of Strike's father's daughter, Prudence Donleavy.
Jason: Wilson's nephew, currently serving in Afghanistan.
Mick: Lulu's alternate driver.
Trudie: Guy's assistant
Jago Ross: Charlotte's former boyfriend.
Brian Mathers: One of Strike's former clients.
Yvette Bristow: John Bristow's mother, a cancer patient.
Mel: Salesperson at Vashti, an exclusive women's clothing store.
Graham Hardacre: Lieutenant stationed in Germany and friend of Strike's.
Winifred: Rochelle's aunt.
Dez: Strike's stepfather.
Mary: Lady Bristow's nurse/servant. (hide spoiler)]