First Paragraph(s):
If only the swans would swim side by side on the dark green lake, this picture might turn out to be the crowning achievement of the wedding photographer's career.
My Thoughts:
Have I ever said how much I enjoy the Cormoran Strike books? Well, I do love them and I was delighted to hear that #4 was coming. Needless to say, it went on my list and I preordered the audiobook. Robert Glenister narrates this series and he does a really excellent job. Lethal White was no exception. Robert Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling, can really tell a story, whether it's about wizards or private detectives. However, if you shy away from 'long' books, you might be reluctant to visit with Cormoran and Robin. And you are missing out! The audio is 22-1/2 hours long - ha!
Lethal White begins with the scene mentioned above, a wedding photography shoot. You might wonder who was getting married. Well, I'll not share that tidbit, but if you've read the first three books, then you will know. I loved spending time with Strike and Robin and a couple of new operatives that have been hired because business is good. They have several cases that appear and it's tough to keep everything covered. Robin is still recovering from events that happened in the previous book and her home life is less than ideal. Strike is typical Strike, though I do wish that he'd quit smoking. I enjoyed the story, did figure out the killer, and wish the book cover hadn't included what looks like the TV adaptation characters. There were a lot of other scenes that could have been used, in my opinion. By the way, have you watched the TV version of this series? I have not as yet. I did recently acquire it on DVD (we don't have Cinemax). We'll see how I like it. And now the wait begins - book #5. Write faster, J.K.! A definitely recommended series.
Blurb:
"I seen a kid killed...He strangled it, up by the horse."
When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike's office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.
Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott-once his assistant, now a partner in the agency-set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.
And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward: his new found fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been-Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much trickier than that.
I liked it, but not as much as the others in the series, felt like we were marking time.
ReplyDeleteI've had that happen with other series. And it's hard when a series you love has a book you feel is not quite...quite. Hopefully, #5 won't be too far away.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one although I have to confess my knowledge of the series so far is via the TV!
ReplyDeleteI've loved the whole series. They are really good on audio, by the way...
DeleteThe first book in the series has been languishing on my Kindle since its publication. I really need to give it a go soon.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great series, Catherine. One of my favorites.
DeleteI've shied away from reading the Robert Galbraith books, but if you like them, I'll have to give them a try :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe try them and see what you think, Susan. I've enjoyed all of them, but they are long.
DeleteYes, I've seen the TV series but not read the books. For some reason the books only mildly appealed so I never got to them and then the TV series came along and it's so good I was actually rather surprised. LOL
ReplyDeleteCath, I understand that the TV adaptation is a good one. Since I haven't yet seen it, I can't speak to that for myself. However, I've really liked the series.
DeleteOh I didn't realize there was a tv version of this series. We're always looking for new crime/mysteries to try out so I'll have to see if we can find this! I'm not sure that I could do the audio of this one. I think for a book this long I would probably have to get a copy of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's been on Cinemax in the US. It was released in the UK a year or so ago and then finally came to US viewers later. I did see that this book will also be adapted for TV to be included. Iliana, the book is indeed long. Rowling does like her long stories.
DeleteI'm looking forward to listening to this one! It's a great series!
ReplyDeleteYes it is! And I think this one is very good.
DeleteI just finished this great book. I waited until I finished it before coming over to see what you thought. We are in agreement. Great story - the main chararacters are still very real - and the mystery still eluded me until the end. Mystery novels don't get much better than this.
ReplyDeleteMy friendly librarian told me about the Cinemax show and she is trying to get the library to buy it. It sounds excellent.
Hope they can get it soon.
DeleteWe read the first book in book club. Here is an example of one I really liked and intended to read the next book in the series and lost sight of it. :(
ReplyDeleteYou still can catch up. This is just #4. They are long though.
DeleteI missed the last one in this series, but will try to catch up before I read the next! I haven't watched the tv version, but maybe in the future.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read the previous book. This one starts right where the last one left off in some character development.
DeleteI need to fit in the second book. I really enjoyed the first.
ReplyDeleteI love how Rowling can tell a story.
DeleteI did like the first book a lot and I have the second book. I am looking forward to reading it. I am glad to hear you are continuing to enjoy the series.
ReplyDeleteI do continue to enjoy it. As I said, JK Rowling can tell a story, no matter what her subject is.
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