The Cuckoo's Calling by JK Rowling: A Book Review

The Cuckoo's Calling - J K Rowling

I finished reading The Cuckoo's Calling by J K Rowling yesterday. The book is well written and I was mighty impressed. Though not as good, The Cuckoo's Calling, kind of reminded me of the works of Agatha Christie. I hope that Rowling continues this as a series.

The book is a crime thriller where Rowling introduces us to a new detective called Cormoran Strike. Strike is a war veteran turned detective who is drowning in debt. He has an amputed limb, is not physically attractive, camps out in his office space and is just down and out. John Bristow comes to him and offers him his only case. The case of his sister - Lula Landry. Lula was a supermodel who suffered from Bipolar Disorder and hence her suicide did not surprise anyone. Anyone, apart from her brother John, who is convinced that its a murder.

The book does have quite a few cliches - there is the down and out detective - Strike, who is the illegitimate child of a famous rockstar and a supergroupie, an attractive and intelligent secretary - Robin, who wants to stick out in Strike's office to fulfill her dream of solving mysteries, a strange Bristow family - where all the 3 children - Charlie, John and Lula, are adopted and of which 2 are dead - Charlie and Lula; the life of a supermodel suffering from bipolar disorder, fame and its complications, and paparazzi. Inspite of all kinds of cliches thrown in, the book is quite a good read.

The pace is ok in the beginning, bit slow thereafter when the detective keeps interviewing people however its quickens towards the end. Infact I found it difficult to keep the book down from say pg 260 to the end at pg 449.

I have read all the Harry Potter books, but never got around to reading - The Casual Vacancy. I would say from the world of fantasy to mystery - Rowling doesn't disappoint at all.


Details for the Paperback Edition:-

  • Author: J K Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith
  • Publisher: Sphere
  • Price: Rs 599 
  • Pages: 449

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