The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK is a saucy minx)

November 6, 2014 Audio Books, Mystery 23

Howdy Bookworms!

It will come as no surprise to my regular readers that I don’t typically go in for thrillers and mysteries. I do, however, go in for all things JK Rowling. If I didn’t know that Robert Galbraith was JK Rowling incognito, the odds of me ever picking up The Cuckoo’s Calling were nil. Luckily, someone leaked Robert Galbraith’s identity, and I’m confirmed in my suspicions that JK Rowling can write anything. I’m also confirmed in my suspicions that my library’s selection of digital audio books is completely awesome.

thecuckoo'scallingThe Cuckoo’s Calling begins by introducing a down-on-his-luck private detective named Cormoran Strike. After having his leg blown off in Afghanistan, he left his military career behind and went out on his own to decidedly disappointing effect. He’s just split up with his emotional roller coaster of a fiance and he owes money to just about everyone and their mom. It’s almost cliche, really, but somehow it stays out of of kitschy place. Just as Strike is on the verge of complete collapse, he’s visited by the distraught brother of a recently deceased supermodel. Though Lula Landry’s death has been ruled a suicide by the police, John Bristow begs Strike to investigate the case. He simply doesn’t believe his adoptive sister jumped to her death from her apartment balcony. He thinks foul play must be involved.

I can’t help but think that Rowling’s own fame influenced the way she portrayed the paparazzi-hounded Lula Landry. I imagine press coverage has died down a bit since Harry Potter has been a (mostly) a closed book in recent years, but I think that insight was helpful in imagining what super A-list celebrities deal with on a daily basis.

I should probably dabble in thrillers more often, because I found this book quite a lot of fun. Dark and twisty characters, mysterious motives, scandals, and a lovely variety of English accents? (Did I mention the narrator was brilliant?) What’s not to love? A colorful cast of quirky characters and varying degrees of dastardly behaviors made The Cuckoo’s Calling a winner for me. It also made me happy that I’m not obscenely wealthy and constantly photographed. I would TOTALLY end up on the cover of a tabloid picking a wedgie… Or my nose. Siiigh.

Talk to me, Bookworms! If you were a celebrity, what embarrassing situation would you most likely be caught in?

*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*

 

23 Responses to “The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (JK is a saucy minx)”

  1. Leah @ Books Speak Volumes

    Yay, I’m glad you liked this! I don’t read crime much, either, but this book made me think I should.

    I still have no idea how to properly get out of a car in a dress, so my biggest fear as a celebrity would be upskirt photos. (At least I always wear the proper undergarments?)

    Reply

  2. Charleen

    This was great, and I liked the second book even better.

    I will say that this doesn’t really feel like most mysteries out there, or at least most mysteries I’ve read. Which probably makes it a good choice for someone who doesn’t read many of them. But it takes such a long time getting where it’s going, I’d think of it more like a character-focused book that happens to have a mystery in it.

    I did think it was great, though, and I liked the second book even better.

    Reply

  3. Hobbie DeHoy

    Oh, I trip and stumble and drop things a lot. I think being famous would be awful. I’m happy to keep toiling along in obscurity, thank you! Did you read The Casual Vacancy?

    Reply

  4. Megan M.

    I would most def get caught picking my nose. I loved this one – J.K. can write anything. The second one is about the publishing industry. I hope she continues this series for a while.

    Reply

  5. Ashley

    I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I don’t usually read mysteries either and as much as I love me some JK I was really disappointed in her first non-HP attempt The Casual Vacancy. I haven’t read the second one yet but it’s on my Kindle.
    Another mystery type book you might like (if you haven’t already read it) is Marisha Pessl’s Night Film. It is also very dark and twisty and interweaves things like news articles and stuff into the story.

    Reply

  6. Busy Brunette

    It’s so exciting that you liked this book! I have wanted to read some of her new stuff but was scared that it would never be able to be as good as Harry Potter. I can’t wait to give this one a try.

    Reply

  9. Sarah Says Read

    I really do want to read this, I swear! Kind of hating The Casual Vacancy has me hesitating, I guess. Maybe the audiobook is a good idea. I usually go for non-fic on audio, but maybe it’ll at least get me into it. Hmmmm…

    Reply

  10. Jenny @ Reading the End

    Hmm, I am fairly staid; I don’t know what the paparazzi could possibly catch me doing that would be embarrassing. It would be like, buying super cheap wine and way too many cookies. If I were rich, I could buy infinite cookies. I’d never stop having cookies.

    Reply

Talk to me, Bookworms!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.