The Bibliophiliac’s Corner – “The Cuckoo’s Calling”
Article and photo by Amanda Merriman
Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too.
When I searched for this month’s book to feature, Robert Galbraith’s novel, “The Cuckoo’s Calling”, stood out with its interesting title and cover. I was about halfway through the crime novel when I discovered that Galbraith is actually a pseudonym for famous author J.K. Rowling.
Cormoran Strike is the clever detective introduced in this three-book (so far) series. Strike is a down-on-his-luck character one step away from losing his business as a private investigator when a new client asks him to investigate the tragic death of his sister, a famous model. Her death was ruled a suicide, but her brother believes it was murder. Strike has an interesting backstory that readers learn about as he moves closer and closer to discovering the truth behind the young model’s demise. Of course cracking the case could not be done without the help of an indispensable partner, which is found in his assistant Robin Ellacot.
The storyline culminates in a predictable fashion, common to the genre of detective fiction. However, fans of mysteries will likely be able to dive in and enjoy the read. The other two books in the series, “The Silkworm” and “Career of Evil,” are out for your reading pleasure. There is no set end to the series at this point, so I look forward to seeing how Strike and Ellacot’s characters develop. In addition to the acclaim Rowling has received while writing as Galbraith, her books about Strike’s sleuthing will be adapted into a television series for BBC One that is expected to air sometime in 2017.
Fellow bibliophiles and book club members, feel free to join in the dialogue. Blog your thoughts and feedback at www.castlepinesconnection.com and enter the keyword “bibliophiliac” in the search bar. Have you read a great book recently? Don’t keep that juicy tidbit all to yourself. Email your find to me at amerriman@castlepinesconnection.com.
