(Cormoran Strike # 5) The morning I picked this fifth instalment up from the library, I was glad I had eaten my Wheaties and done my aerobics. As I muscled this doorstopper of a book (almost 1000 pages) into the car, I promised myself I would only read it if it grabbed me right away. It did, and I was engaged all the way through. I love sinking into a massive tome. As the Brits might say, it’s “good value for money!”
Robert Galbraith’s (aka J.K. Rowling’s) mystery series started a bit slow in the first instalments but has grown richer over time. Undoubtedly, the author is too literary and descriptive to be mistaken for a fast-paced traditional crime writer (despite the pseudonym). Better to think of it as a novel with a mystery in it. It’s really the relationship between Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin that intrigues readers much more than the crimes being investigated. I also really enjoyed the TV series ‘Strike‘ which is based on this series. It brought the characters to life.
Fans of this series will definitely be pleased to hear that Troubled Blood is again more about Strike and Robin than it is about the 40 year old cold case they have agreed to investigate. Despite the slim chance of success, the detective duo energetically absorb the additional work from this case, and together juggle various cases along with challenges in their respective private lives. Just so you know, I found the ending quite satisfying.
Joanne's Reading Blog 