Lethal White is the fourth installment in Rowling’s series of Cormoran Strike detective novels, the first three being The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm, and Career of Evil.
Book Synopsis
When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike’s office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is mentally distressed and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.
~ Synopsis from goodreads
What I liked
This has got to be my favorite Strike novel yet, and it’s the only Strike novel so far that has me looking forward to the next book in the series.
I guess that’s because as far as the mystery goes, this book had the most substantial mystery plot packed with a secret that surprised me with all the random twists and turns.
I also loved the ensemble cast of suspects, each of whom looked guiltier than the last. In previous Galbraith books, I felt that she didn’t play fair with the reader, pulling out surprise plot resolutions in the end. But in Lethal White, I think the mystery is somewhat solvable, provided you pay attention to Strike’s musings.
What I disliked
I still have to warm up to the inevitable Strike – Robin romantic pairing. I’m not too fond of it, though. Despite Galbraith’s best efforts to build a romance, I can only see these two as friends and partners.
I think that Galbraith knows it too. Indeed, that could be the only reason for making Robin’s husband Mathew such a jerk. At the same time, Strike’s asshole behavior towards his girlfriend Lorelai doesn’t get much criticism from anyone.
All parts of the book that dealt with this plot point were just tiresome and just made the book unnecessarily long.
I glanced through other goodreads reviews, and almost overwhelmingly, nobody is on board the Strike/Robin pairing.
I hope Galbraith is listening and, in her next book, does a slight course correction. More of the mystery and less of the romance would make this series a much stronger one.
What do you think? Are you onboard the Strike/Robin romance? Also, is anyone seeing the mini-series on BBC? How is it?
This seems a good book for my next travel. I always bring 1 book every trips. Will consider your recommendation.
I started reading this and got a bit bored, or maybe just a bit daunted by the massive length of the book. :p I have SO enjoyed Strike and Robin as friends, and I guess I don’t exactly oppose them having a romance? But it feels pretty unnecessary, to me. I love them as friends! It would be fine for them to just stay friends!
Cool thanks for sharing I have never read the book on my start watching it with my husband
There is a tv series as well? I never heard of it!
I just found out. It’s running on HBO.
Hi Nish! I’m Carole from Carole’s Chatter. I’ve followed your blog for quite a while now. I wondered if you would like to join the group of bloggers who share their posts on a monthly basis via Books You Loved. I host this link up on the first Wednesday of each month. If you would like to check it out just hop on over to Carole’s Chatter. We would all love to see you there. Cheers
I love a good mystery book! I’ll check this out!
I’ve found myself reading a lot of classics lately (Scarlet Letter, Shakespeare) because it’s sooooo hard to find a good book lately. I’m not sure if it’s hard because the market is so saturated or because writing styles have changed so much. This book did catch my eye though so I may have to check it out!
I love mystery novels so will have to look for this book and the rest of the series. Good to hear that it constantly keeps you guessing.
I like a book with a good plot. I love books that keep you turning the page. This one sounds like it has you hooked from the beginning.
I really hope she doesn’t go down into the romance path. that would be too predictable.
It looks like that’s the plan sadly 🙁
can we start a campaign to persuade her not to do this?????
My husband devoured all these books, and I loved the TV series they made of it.
Nice! I think I might actually like the TV series more. I just wish it was telecast here in India where I live.
We got ours on a delay as well here in Israel. But my husband wouldn’t let us watch the last episode until he’d read all the books included. I don’t read these kinds of books but I love them as TV series. Excellent cast, excellent acting. You’ll love it!
I started watching it this weekend, and I preferred the TV series to the books, Much more concise! The books felt a bit too flabby.
Flabby… hm… yes, that’s what happens when an editor is afraid of harming the golden words of a famous writer!
I haven’t heard or it but am intrigued now. It’s always difficult when making series and books right. You feel like you know what is going to happen but it’s not the same