Lethal White by Robert Galbriath Book Review

When Cormoran Strike, the renowned private eye, meets a young man named Billy who is desperate to uncover a mystery from his past, he knows that this case is going to be unlike any other. Despite Billy’s mental distress and lack of solid details, there is something sincere and captivating about his story. Armed with their wits, Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott set off on a mission to solve the mystery of Billy’s story.

Click me to go to my Review

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 obviously 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.

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy’s story, Strike and Robin Ellacott – once his assistant, now a partner in the agency – set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike’s own life is far from straightforward: his newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been – Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much more tricky than that . . .

Epic and enthralling, Lethal White is the gripping fourth instalment in the ongoing story of Cormoran Strike and 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 fourth book in the series begins where the last one (Career of Evil) left off at the wedding of Robin and the dreaded Matthew. I’m not sure a character has ever irritated me as much as Matthew manages to which is a testament to the great writing of ‘Robert Galbraith’. This doesn’t end as I would have wanted it to and leads to a very awkward relationship between Robin and Strike through this instalment. We then join them a year later when they are investigating Billy’s mysterious and distressing past.

While Billy is clearly mentally ill, Cormoran’s instinct tells him that his story is worth investigating. From the little he has managed to pick up from the chaotic delivery he manages to identify Billy’s brother, a dedicated socialist and activist. This plot becomes more complicated than the others and involves politics, blackmail, murder and upper-class dynamics.

As they unravel the clues behind Billy’s story, Strike and Robin find themselves delving deep into London’s backstreets and into secretive inner sanctums within Parliament. The twists and turns of this thrilling murder-mystery lead them further into the depths of darkness as they come face-to-face with danger in a sinister countryside manor house. But despite every obstacle in their way, Strike’s wit and resourcefulness ensure that no stone remains unturned in their pursuit of justice.

The duo employs strategies from both old-school detective work such as surveillance and stakeouts to cutting edge technology like facial recognition software in order to crack this case wide open. However, nothing can prepare them for what lies ahead when they finally confront the truth behind Billy’s story. Will they be able to put an end to this mystery? Or will they be left with more questions than answers?

Through this complex plot, Galbraith manages to interweave the difficulties in Robin and Strike’s relationship and how they have developed and moved on since Robin’s marriage.  

Join Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott as they embark on an exciting journey full of uncertainty, adventure, romance, and suspense! With its unique blend of classic detective tropes, blended with modern tech tools, this complex story will leave you hooked until its conclusion. It’s a little too long and complicated but worth a read.

My previous reviews of Robert Galbraith’s work

The Cuckoo’s Calling

The Silkworm

Career of Evil

Rated