I would
never have thought this was written by Rowling if I hadn’t already known. There
was more adult language than I’m used to, but I guess that’s to be expected in
a novel about a hard-boiled detective. There is not a lot of action, so I do
understand reviewers who’ve said they thought it might have been written by a
woman even before the news broke. This is a mystery for a thinking reader, not
someone who likes nonstop action. I doubt many James Bond fans will be drawn to
The Cuckoo’s Calling.
As always,
Rowling’s strength is her character development. After 455 pages I really felt
I’d gotten to know Private Investigator Cormoran Strike and his “temporary”
secretary Robin Ellacott. I had strong images of what they looked like in my
mind and insight into their personalities. Their relationship did not unfold in
a predictable way. There are many wholly unlikeable characters in this book,
but, like Shakespeare, Rowling manages to give even minor characters depth and interesting
qualities.
The Cuckoo’s Calling has a pretty straightforward plot. I
did not figure out the mystery – although I suspected the murderer at times, I
wasn’t sure – but then I rarely figure out “who done it.” I don’t really try, so if
I guess the murderer early on in a book I know the mystery was lame. Rowling
does throw in some red herrings to lead her readers astray. She spends a lot of
time describing things, places, and events, which will drive some readers crazy
but which I enjoyed.
I don’t come
across words I don’t know the meaning of all that often in pleasure reading,
but Rowling caught me several times. (For example: “Exophthalmic” – having or
characterized by protruding eyes.)
I thoroughly
enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling
and look forward to the next book in the series. If you like great character
development and a meandering investigation, you may enjoy this book. If you like
minimal character development and lots of action, it is probably not for you.
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