The Cuckoo's Calling is JK. Rowling's second attempt at writing fiction crime after the Harry Potter Series. There were mixed review for Casual Vacancy and I still haven't laid my hands on that one!
I decided to read this one with the intriguing title and loved the cover too . The plot begins with the death of a super model who seemed to have jumped from the balcony of her penthouse in one of the poshest areas of London. Cormoran Strike is the private detective introduced to us who is struggling with his personal as well as professional life at the outset of it . The other protagonist would be Robin Ellacot , the temporary secretary of Cormoran who later becomes an integral part of the case that she continues to assist till the end of the case and most likely to continue in all the upcoming sequels too.
Strike, a war veteran who retires from the Army due to his physical injury and to balance his personal civil life as well is offered a financial lifeline from John Bristow, the brother of the super model (Lula Landry),whose proven suicide has to be reinvestigated by him . Since John staunchly believes it is a murder and not a suicide as proved by the Scotland Yard. The story slowly plunges in to its depths as Strike interviews one by one all the various characters involved in the incident right from the security guard of the luxury apartment to Lula's inner circle of friends in the glamour world to her own over protective adopted family. The author offers a glimpse of the modelling world and the fashion industry and the merciless paparazzi plundering these so called celebrities to make their' parasite living ' which partially reminds the reader of the case of Diana.
The almost 450 page novel isn't exactly fast paced or a page turner as compared to most other crime fiction you might have read or would expect .It is slightly draggy at many places and in fact the entire plot unfolds towards the end in the climax only in the last few pages. Somehow the characters don't leave a lasting impression in your mind including that of Robin which could have been made much stronger . Nevertheless , it is a good time pass crime fiction if you wouldn't mind all those slow deducing interviews .More than the plot I liked the way London is brought alive in the pages describing the various localities and the landmarks it is known for, as Strike makes his way through them.
Nevertheless would be interested to know what Rowling comes up with in the sequel.
Let me know what did you think of this new style of writing of Rowling's and her attempt at crime fiction. Whether you enjoyed it or disappointed after being a Big Harry Potter Fan?
I decided to read this one with the intriguing title and loved the cover too . The plot begins with the death of a super model who seemed to have jumped from the balcony of her penthouse in one of the poshest areas of London. Cormoran Strike is the private detective introduced to us who is struggling with his personal as well as professional life at the outset of it . The other protagonist would be Robin Ellacot , the temporary secretary of Cormoran who later becomes an integral part of the case that she continues to assist till the end of the case and most likely to continue in all the upcoming sequels too.
Strike, a war veteran who retires from the Army due to his physical injury and to balance his personal civil life as well is offered a financial lifeline from John Bristow, the brother of the super model (Lula Landry),whose proven suicide has to be reinvestigated by him . Since John staunchly believes it is a murder and not a suicide as proved by the Scotland Yard. The story slowly plunges in to its depths as Strike interviews one by one all the various characters involved in the incident right from the security guard of the luxury apartment to Lula's inner circle of friends in the glamour world to her own over protective adopted family. The author offers a glimpse of the modelling world and the fashion industry and the merciless paparazzi plundering these so called celebrities to make their' parasite living ' which partially reminds the reader of the case of Diana.
The almost 450 page novel isn't exactly fast paced or a page turner as compared to most other crime fiction you might have read or would expect .It is slightly draggy at many places and in fact the entire plot unfolds towards the end in the climax only in the last few pages. Somehow the characters don't leave a lasting impression in your mind including that of Robin which could have been made much stronger . Nevertheless , it is a good time pass crime fiction if you wouldn't mind all those slow deducing interviews .More than the plot I liked the way London is brought alive in the pages describing the various localities and the landmarks it is known for, as Strike makes his way through them.
Nevertheless would be interested to know what Rowling comes up with in the sequel.
Let me know what did you think of this new style of writing of Rowling's and her attempt at crime fiction. Whether you enjoyed it or disappointed after being a Big Harry Potter Fan?
Excellent review Jyothi. Let's plan a trip to London to experience the places in the novel. Btw, why is Rowling using a pseudonym? खं
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes we should plan one.It is actually high time! Rowling is using for many reasons since this is her first attempt at this genre and its for adults. She wanted to differentiate her success with HP and her new attempt I believe.But of course it has been leaked and everyone knows now its her. Nevertheless She will continue to write in this name only. Her second novel under the pseudonym is releasing this coming summer.
ReplyDelete