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'The Cuckoo's Callling' Review by Book Club Member Sam..


After reading Atonement, I moved on to The Cuckoo's Calling. To be honest, I was curious since it has already been established that it is in fact JK Rowling writing as Galbraith but I was highly dubious for a number of reasons as to if I would genuinely enjoy this one, her crime fiction debut. 
Firstly, crime fiction is a genre I don't tend to pick up unless there is one very hyped title out there. I don't want to be reading blood and gore to relax. Secondly, I have not read 'The Casual Vacancy', her first adult book but I do recall mixed reviews and have sort of concluded that the phenomenon of Harry Potter couldn't be recreated so why was Rowling risking letting herself down, writing new books in new genres when she could easily quit at the head of her game. To me, that seemed a bit foolish!
However, it has to be admitted before reading Harry Potter, I'd been sceptical of that HP hype too. I was about 18, a little older then the target audience and couldn't believe I could become immersed in this fantasy world of children  wizards and magic but yes, I was won over and yet again, with The Cuckoo's Calling', Rowling has done it again, won me over. 

I loved this book and was completely immersed. Luckily it was easy to read in snatches and I could happily pick it up several times a day for yet another little fix. I cannot believe how well Rowling creates plots and tie them up so succinctly. 
Of course, now having finished the book and knowing the answer, it is ALL so obvious but yes, with all the little twists and turns, Rowling kept me wondering until Strike reveals his findings in the office. I'm not sure how Rowling distracted me from such an obvious answer. . ! 
 
There was a lot of setting detail in this book as there was with Atonement. However, with this book, I found it easier to read along with and paint the scenes in my head. Maybe because I know London a little or maybe because the book is more contemporary in language and narrative feel (almost like a reporter was following Strike?) or maybe it is just Rowling's style but I loved the detail and was happily trying to take it all in. Characterisation in my opinion though remains Rowling's biggest talent, from Strike and Matthew to the three shop assistants. Haven't we all been helped by staff in almost in the same way and manner as Robin and Strike was in Vashti?!! Reading about the wolf's mask and the scenes with the pap’s and the clubs seemed almost reminiscent of similar happenings the tabloids report almost daily. The slow growth of fondness between Robin and Strike seems particularly genuine and I'm so glad that this part of the trilogy does not appear to have peaked yet.
 
This book absorbed every spare minute I had this weekend I found it compelling yet as a crime novel, I don't think it was a heavy read (just a tad long). Every time, I finished reading, I felt as if I had been dragged back to my own world. I loved the escapism element of this book and found Rowling's general negative references to the theme of fame interesting and especially enlightening given that she originally released this book secretly as Robert Galbraith and not famous J K Rowling. The way she referenced the real life news stories specifically the reporting of trivial political/electoral happenings /leads up of the time against the background of Afghanistan also makes me think about the world we are living in today.
I cannot wait to read Silkworm, the follow up, when it is released later this year and just hope that I can still pre-order it somewhere for half-price!!!'

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