<p>Just finished reading this. I did like it overall, but (and maybe this is unfair) not nearly as much as the Harry Potter books, either in terms of characters or plot.</p>
<p>And a few things just bugged me . . . like, what is with falling down the stairs? Both Robin and Strike take serious falls, and that seems odd to me. Also, it seemed like everyone smokes - I got very tired of reading about cigarettes.</p>
<p>I read about half of it and couldn’t finish it. It was just okay. While Strike was an interesting character, the story moved too slow for me and the other characters didn’t feel well developed. I was quite surprised given that Harry Potter was very well plotted and well paced. JMHO. Am interested in other’s opinions. I just don’t see anything special about this book.</p>
<p>I found it a very entertaining hard boiled detective story. I am looking forward to the next Strike book.</p>
<p>I just love her writing ability. The density of information, of detail always chosen well, the variety in the language. I read the first few pages and wondered how people didn’t realize this was her.</p>
<p>As to the quality of the book, it is very good within the ambitions of that field. It isn’t supposed to be more.</p>
<p>I read Casual Vacancy, her prior adult book. HATED it. This doesn’t sound like a must read to me, so will probably pass.</p>
<p>I am reading it now…about half way through…I love her descriptive writing. It is very detailed and paints quite a picture of each event and character. With that, it does make the book a slower read and the plot is a bit labored, but I am really enjoying it!</p>
<p>It’s much better than Casual Vacancy.</p>
<p>I read a couple of chapters of Casual Vacancy, I never got interested in the story or the characters</p>
<p>I thought it was good; a lightweight read.</p>
<p>I just finished it and really enjoyed it a lot. It is a beautifully written story and I found the characters very well-drawn. I agree with lergnom that it’s surprising that people didn’t immediately recognize Rowling’s writing. The beauty of her use of language was in full evidence. Rowling’s writing is always best read in leisure and some aren’t willing to spend the time to savor the development of the story or characters, which is a shame. I think it must have been nice for Rowling to receive widespread acclaim for the book before anyone knew that she was the author.</p>
<p>I really hope that this is just the first of many Cormoran Strike books!</p>
<p>OK, H & I finally finished reading it. We loved it and can see that there are options for her to crank out future books with this setting. It’s a much more satisfying read to us than Casual Vacancy, which we both disliked.</p>
<p>HImom, the second in the series is already out, The Silkworm.</p>
<p>If I buy a book, I feel compelled to finish it “get my money’s worth”. I got to about chapter 4 of A Casual Vacency and stuffed it back on the shelf.<br>
Reading your reviews of this new one…not running out to buy it, thanks.</p>
<p>Borrowed Cuckoo from the library. Picked up Silkworm at Costco today for a decent price and H is devouring it happily. We like this SO much more than Casual Vacancy, which we both strongly disliked and panned to anyone who asked. </p>
<p>dragonmom, most of the comments here about The Cuckoo’s Calling have been positive. It’s the ones about Casual Vacancy that were negative. Cuckoo is not the new one, Silkworm is. I recommend reading them in order.</p>
<p>I read The Cuckoo’s Calling last year and am now within a hundred or so pages of finishing The Silkworm. chinablue described The Cuckoo’s Calling - in post #2 - as a “hard boiled detective story” and I agree: no fantasy, not an action thriller. I liked it and I like The Silkworm and like alwaysamom I recommend reading them in order. I hope “Galbraith” continues to write.</p>