The Cuckoo’s Calling

Cormoran Strike, Book #1

By Robert Galbraith

ISBN# 9780316206846

Author’s Website:  https://robert-galbraith.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Cormoran Strike is the illegitimate son of a rock star.  A rock star that has never had anything to do with him.  His mom was a supergroupie that lived her life hard and fast.  Strike got away from it all when he enlisted in the army, but it’s where he lost his leg.  Now, he’s barely scraping by as a private investigator.  And, to add insult to injury he just ended things with his long-time girlfriend.  Now he has no choice, but to live in his office.

After letting his last temporary secretary he couldn’t afford go, Temporary Solutions was quick to send another, Robin.  Helping investigate is a secret dream job of Robin’s.  However, Strike needs to figure out how to end this agreement with the temp agency.  In the meantime, he’s willing to allow Robin to work for him the week they sent her for.  He quickly realizes that she’s the best secretary he’s ever had and hates to have to lose her.

Strike is barely scrapping by and only has one client to his name when a big case falls in his lap.  Supermodel Lula Landry met her tragic end several months ago.  It was ruled a suicide as she ‘fell’ from her balcony to the street below.  However, her adopted brother, John Bristow, is determined that she was murdered and is willing to pay Strike double the normal fee for him to investigate and hopefully prove it.

Now Strike is hunting down any info he can from anybody that had anything to do with Landry.  Most of which, have no desire to talk.  And, he quickly realizes that her brother is only cooperative when the investigation is heading in the direction he wants.  Looking at the people he considers to be the guilty parties.

Can Strike look past all the glitz and glamour to find himself a killer?  Or did Lula truly decide it was all too much and ended her own life?

Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Honestly, I really expected more from this book.  The concept of the story was fine; however, it lacked a lot in the execution.  There was way too much of the day-to-day happenings for Strike and Robin without anything interesting ever really happening.  This made the book incredibly boring and at over 450 pages it was just long and felt never-ending.

Then, when we find out what happened, it made no sense.  I can’t say too much without giving it away.  Like what happened made sense, but the hiring of Strike didn’t.  

This book just fills me with relief that it’s finally over.