The Cuckoo's Calling by J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo's Calling, J.K. Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith.  New York: Little, Brown & Company, 2013.  e-book, 453 pps.


By now, the grand secret is out and anyone with a computer surely must know that J.K. Rowling wrote a murder mystery under an assumed name.  She was duly pissed when the secret leaked out.  J.K. wanted to know if she could make it as a writer without resorting to her own name.  Truthfully, she has nothing to worry about on that score.  The Casual Vacancy  is more than credible evidence of her writing talent.  The Cuckoo's Calling is further evidence of her versatility as a writer.

There is a private dick by the name of Cormoran Strike, a pretty engaged secretary sent over by the temp agency who is known as Robin Ellacott, a dead starlet, the starlet's mysterious brother and tempermental photographer and a street bud, and some other people.  The novel opens with the aftermath created by a pretty model plunging to her death off her balcony and the crowd that assembles afterwards. 

Comoran Strike, the private investigator, has just been booted from his living arrangement with a soon to be divorced wife.  He is in desperate straits and his business is going down the flusher.  The temp secretary arrives in the midst of the mess.  Strike is less than pleased to see her but eventually adjusts to her presence.  Robin proves both resourceful and valuable to his office.  The dead woman's brother shows up and Comoran begins to investigate although the death was already ruled a suicide.  The story unfolds and Comoran, with the help of his trusty temp secretary. solves the crime. 

sapphoq reviews says:  Although some reviewers have complained about the frequent presence of the f-bomb throughout the pages of The Cuckoo's Calling, the fact remains that J.K. has written a book for adults and it is clearly labeled as such.  I found the cursing to be believable.  The characters were multi-faceted and likeable.  The storyline kept my interest.  J.K.'s in-depth descriptions added greatly to the book.  This one's a keeper.  Highly recommended, especially to those who like Agatha Christie and other crime fics.