The Silkworm by Robert Galbriath Book Review

If you’re looking for a captivating mystery novel, look no further than Cormoran Strike. This series of books by J.K. Rowling is a thrilling journey into the world of private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. The pair investigates suspicious disappearances and grisly murders that plague London – but there’s more to this series than meets the eye. This is the second in the series and its best read in order, so go back to read book one if you haven’t already!

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days – as he has done before – and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine’s disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives – so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before . . .

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.

About The Author

Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series is classic contemporary crime fiction from a master story-teller, rich in plot, characterisation and detail. Galbraith’s debut into crime fiction garnered acclaim amongst critics and crime fans alike. The first three novels The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013), The Silkworm (2014) and Career of Evil (2015) all topped the national and international bestseller lists and have been adapted for television, produced by Brontë Film and Television. The fourth in the series, Lethal White (2018), is out now.

Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym of J.K. Rowling, bestselling author of the Harry Potter series and The Casual Vacancy, a novel for adults. After Harry Potter, the author chose crime fiction for her next books, a genre she has always loved as a reader. She wanted to write a contemporary whodunit, with a credible back story.

J.K. Rowling’s original intention for writing as Robert Galbraith was for the books to be judged on their own merit, and to establish Galbraith as a well-regarded name in crime in its own right.

Now Robert Galbraith’s true identity is widely known, J.K. Rowling continues to write the crime series under the Galbraith pseudonym to keep the distinction from her other writing and so people will know what to expect from a Cormoran Strike novel.

My Review

This second book in the series focuses on novelist, Owen Quine going missing. This isn’t unusual, he often goes off by himself for a few days but this time his wife needs him home so she enlists Detective Cormoran Strike and his trusty sidekick, Robin Ellacott to help find him and bring him home. Quine is later found brutally murdered (which is brilliantly described). Unfortunately, lots of people want him dead after he has completed several poisonous pen portraits in his latest manuscript, which if published would ruin many people.

One of the things that set this series apart from other detective novels is its cast of characters. Cormoran Strike is an ex-military man with a complicated past, while his partner Robin Ellacott has her own set of challenges and strengths to bring to the table. Together they form an unlikely partnership as they investigate some of London’s most mysterious cases. I loved Cormoran and Robin from the start but I think this was helped by the fact that I had watched the series’ first so had a good picture of what they looked like in my head before I started.

The novels in this series also have a unique style of storytelling, combining elements of classic detective fiction with a modern twist. Rowling deftly weaves together threads from disparate cases and characters to create narratives full of suspense and intrigue. In addition, she takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride through the complex lives and relationships between her protagonists, making it impossible to put down until you’ve reached the end.

Cormoran Strike is not your average detective novel; there are many twists and turns along the way that will keep readers guessing until the very end. It’s full of complex characters, unexpected plot twists, engaging dialogue, and vivid descriptions that draw readers into each case.  Along with solving mysteries, readers will gain insight into human nature as well as how different people handle difficult situations in their lives – all while enjoying a thrilling read!

My only criticism really is that Rowling is so good at observing human nature that sometimes the descriptions can dwell a little too long on this and you get a little bit lost. It’s fascinating to read but did take me a while, even more so because the books get progressively longer each time and at 465 pages this is the shortest one!

If you’re looking for a riveting mystery novel with plenty of suspense and unexpected plot twists, then look no further than Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series. With compelling characters, intriguing cases, and a unique style of storytelling this series is sure to captivate readers from start to finish! So, if you’re looking for an exciting story that will keep you up late at night trying to solve mysteries then pick up one (or all!) of these books today!

My previous reviews of Robert Galbraith’s work

The Cuckoo’s Calling

Rated