This was so good. Such consistent quality and definition of characters. Robin is my savior from brainless sidekicks. I think this series might be about her, and Strike is the sidekick. SO HAPPEEEEEE ( )

Really good story enjoy the dimensionally the twists in the plot are fantastic the characters are really well developed I enjoyed this master storyteller's book. ( )

WHAT KIND OF AN ENDING WAS THAT?!? ( )

Yep, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and leaves you wanting Robert/J. K. to hurry up with book 4, but golly can this author get dark. This series isn't for kids, and there's no holding back. We've got three suspects and they're all sick creeps! ( )

Got confused with all the suspects. ( )

A disturbing package leads Cormorant Strike and his assistant Robin. Ellacott to investigate four dangerous murder suspects. When Robin opens an u expected package,she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormorant Strike, is less surprised but just as alarmed. He suspects that four people from his past could be responsible-and any one of the is capable of sustained and u speakable brutality. With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike has essentially ruled out, he and Robi. Take matters into their own hands and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out. ( )

I love Cormoran and Robin. Like others in this series it's dark and creepy but it's also exciting. I didn't solve the mystery own my own and that's always a bonus for me.

This one has a bit of an unexpected tease that makes me anxious to pick up book 4 the minute it comes out. ( )

Another excellent mystery with more exploration into Robin and Corman's characters and relationships. ( )

Very good. A little bit slow at points but a strong mystery. I loved the characters even more and can't wait for the next book! ( )

Very good. A little bit slow at points but a strong mystery. I loved the characters even more and can't wait for the next book! ( )

More of a good thing! The Robyn/Cormoran saga continues in this book that bounces between solving the case and Robyn's upcoming wedding. There's plenty of typical murder mystery clues and suspense to keep you reading through this one so that you're constantly guessing and second-guessing who the culprit might be. And a cliff-hanger ending: ooohh. ( )

3rd of 7 owned

A fat thriller, immediately engrossing, as you are reading the thoughts of the killer ...
Enjoyable read, a veritable page turner.
Warning, the language and scenes are quite gross in places.

I needed a dictionary a few times to keep up with the author's vocabulary.
I also increased my vocabulary with local lingo:
Fat Rascal= a cross between a bun and a scone
'eau de nil'= a pale greenish colour
'Whit a reedy'= bit embarrassed ( )

Once again, Cormoran Strike (and his sidekick Robin) did not disappoint. Although, and I have a feeling I've said this before about titles in this series, the mystery almost takes a back seat to the relationship between Strike and Robin. By design of course, and perhaps a little distracting, but entertaining and ultimately satisfying. The fact that Robin herself appears to be the target of the murderer this time provides a canvas for some background and character development for her in particular. It also creates tension that adds to the already present romantic tension between her and Strike. So, although the perspective changes, from Robin and Strike to the killer, seemed a bit hackneyed at times, even unnecessary, it all seemed to work. I tried to figure out which of the three suspects was the killer but I couldn't guess before the Big Reveal this time. No matter. ( )

Welp, she's done it again. Darker, scarier, and more violent than the first two, but unequivocally brilliant. When it comes to constructing a story, I increasingly think she's the best living writer in the English language. ( )

Even though the title immediately made me think of the Blue Öyster Cult, it wasn't until I opened the book that I realized it actually was in reference to it. So many Blue Öyster Cult references! They've made my favourite song of all time (Burnin' For You), so that was a nice surprise.

The book was as good as the rest of the series. The blurb promised plot twist upon plot twist, which it didn't really delived, but it was nice and enjoyable nonetheless. The biggest "twist" came at the end, but it worked really well and made sense so I liked that. It so easily explained everything yet I totally didn't see it coming. That's pretty much what I expected from a crime novel by Rowling though.

Gonna put this whole thing under spoilers though. The romance!? I don't know. I've realized in my head Strike is like 20 years older than he actually is, which made all the comments about him and Robin really creepy until I realized my mistake. I'm still not sure I like it. I kinda like his crush on her, but I don't want her to reciprocate? That's how I ship ...

But oh my gods, I HATE Matthew. Never liked that douche and especially not after this one. Like he's 100% the worst and Robin should dump him, but she should NOT run into Strike's arms as soon as she does. Be single for a while, girl! Live a little, for fuck's sake. Or find someone who is supportive but not holds some weird power over you. It's not really the mark of a good relationship.

On the plus side I really started to like Robin more in this one. She stands up for herself and takes charge more, I felt, and that was nice. I still can't really relate to her need to get married and be with a douche like Matthew, but maybe that's just me.

Oh well, I am in desperate need for a sequel now! ( )

This third in the Cormoran Strike series is a lot darker than the previous two. There is a LOT of delving into the past of both Cormoran and Robin which helps a little to explain why they are who they are. Their characters are becoming more fully fleshed as the series goes on.
The violence/descriptions of violence were a bit too graphic for my tastes but I put up with them because I felt so involved in the story. Galbraith really does make you care about her characters (and loathe those who you are supposed to - MATTHEW!). Another good mystery and I'm looking forward to the fourth. ( )

Review to come. I need a while to process the awful truth from the end of this book ......

I would give this 3.5 stars. Each book in this series got progressively darker and disturbing, which I didn't like. But I was invested in the characters, found the book to be engaging, and read it pretty quickly. The mystery was well done, and kept me guessing.The cliff hanger at the end really makes me want the next book! ( )

Still love the series. Not thrilled with the ending but it'll be fun to see how it resolves. Eventually.

The case was good and, just like the previous ones, a little hard to believe but very entertaining.

I'll be not-so-patiently waiting for the next in the series. ( )

Didn't like this one as much at the first two "Strike" books. But I do give 3.5 stars. ( )

This is the third book in the Cormoran Strike series, and I'm liking them more and more. I really look forward to more in the series.

Along with the mystery and suspense, there is a lot of good interaction between Strike and his office manager/assistant/partner/??? Robin Ellacott, and between each of them and their partners, plus there's always the hint of the two of them getting together.

J.K. Rowling is a great writer no matter what name she uses. I hope she keeps it up for a long time. ( )

SWEDISH REVIEW

Många såg nog fram emot den nya Harry Potter boken som släpptes i år. Personligen så har jag längtar mer efter att läsa denna bok. Nog för att jag gillar Harry Potter, men jag tycker att Rowling har lyckats gå vidare i livet med att skriva andra typer av böcker. Och då jag är en fan av kriminalromaner så är det kanske inte så överraskande att jag är väldigt nöjd med att hon har valt att skriva böcker om en privatdetektiv.

Nu kan jag inte säga att de är perfekta, jag har haft lite problem med handlingen i båda böckerna innan denna, även om fallen i båda bok 2 och denna har varit bättre än fallet i den första boken. Dock lider denna bok av samma problem som de förgående böcker. Handlingen kan bli lite långrandig. Om jag nu inte älskade karaktärerna så mycket så hade böckerna helt klart varit jobbigare att läsa. Men i och med att både Cormoran och Robin är fantastiskt karaktärer och jag är intresserad av deras personliga liv och deras problem så kan jag stå ut med att ibland känns det som om det tar en evighet för fallet att röra sig framåt. Jag tycker om att fallet var personligt i denna bok, att förövaren var ute efter Cormoran och använde sig av Robin att komma åt honom. Vem är det som är ute efter honom och varför?

Slutet är både perfekt och oerhört frustrerande. Jag kan inget annat än säga än att jag nu verkligen vill ha fortsättningen på boken. Nu!

Tack till Wahlströms och Widstrand förlag för recensionsexemplaret!

ENGLISH REVIEW

I bet many looked forward to the new Harry Potter book that was released this year. Personally, I craved this book more. Not that I like Harry Potter, but I think that Rowling has managed to move forward in life with writing other types of books. And then I'm a fan of crime novels, so it is perhaps not so surprising that I'm very pleased that she has chosen to write books about a private detective.

Now I have to say that the book is not perfect. I've had some problems with the plot of both books before this, even if the cases in book two and this book are better than the case in the first book. However, this book suffers from the same problems as the previous books. The plot can be a bit tedious. If I did not love the characters as much as I do would the books clearly have been harder to read. But, both Cormoran and Robin are fantastic characters and I'm interested in their personal live and problems so thanks to that can I take that the case seems to take forever sometimes to get anywhere. I like that that the case was personal in this book that the perpetrator was after Cormoran and used the Robin to get to him. Who is after him and why?

The ending is both perfect and extremely frustrating. I can't say anything else that I really want the continuation of the book. Now!

Thanks to Wahlströms och Widstrand förlag for the review copy!

Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede ( )

Quality mystery. I continue to enjoy this series. Not real find of the quasi romantic feelings between Cormoran and Laurie. I like them as platonic partners. ( )

Recensione completa qui: http://thereadingpal.blogspot.it/2017/05/recensione-100-la-via-del-male.html


Quella mattina i colori sembravano più accesi, il mondo un
posto bellissimo. Lui si sentiva sereno e su di giri, come se
l'avesse assimilata, come se la vita di lei si fosse trasfusa nel suo
corpo. Ti appartenevano, una volta che le avevi ammazzate:
era un modo di possedere al di là del sesso.


Cormoran Strike torna in questo terzo libro dopo aver risolto due casi piuttosto difficili ed aver messo in ridicolo la polizia. Robin sta per sposare Matthew, le cose sembrano andare bene... Finché, davanti all'ufficio, Robin riceve un pacco contenente la gamba mozzata di una donna. Qualcuno vuole vendicarsi di Strike colpendo la sua agenzia e Robin, e l'investigatore chiede l'aiuto della polizia per trovarlo.
Dico subito una cosa: se siete delicati di stomaco o cuore, non leggete questo libro. Con l'avanzare della sua storia, Strike si trova arisolvere omicidi sempre più macabri e sanguinosi, di cui avevamo avuto un assaggio con Owen Quine. In questo libro, il POV di Cormoran e Robin si alterna con quello del serial killer, di cui noi non conosciamo l'identità. All'inizio di ogni capitolo ci sono dei versi proveniente dalle canzoni dei Blue Öyster Cult, band che adoro e le cui canzoni sono parte integrante di questa storia scritta egregiamente e che ho fatto fatica a terminare non perché brutta ma perché non volevo che finisse.
Cormoran ha tre sospetti, tutti legati al suo passato e propensi alla vendetta. Terence 'Digger' Malley, Donald Laig, Noel Brockbank, e Jeff Whittaker sono i quattro nomi a cui Strike ha pensato subito, e così comincia una nuova indagine, mentre l'agenzia va a picco a causa della cattiva pubblicità causata da tutto questo.
La storia è articolata e complessa, bisogna stare attenti ai particolari per godersela a pieno. Come ho detto è piuttosto pesante da "digerire" ma, personalmente, più che tenermi alzata per gli incubi, le mie ore piccole sono state causate dalla voglia di andare avanti e scoprire di più.
In questo libro scopriamo di più sia su Cormoran che su Robin, in particolare della seconda.
Cormoran 'Blue' Strike è come lo abbiamo lasciato: soldato dal passato turbolento, con uno spiccato dark humor (e io ho riso alle sue battute...) e una vita che continua ad essere incasinata. Nei libri precedenti abbiamo visto Shanker, ma qui il loro rapporto viene esplorato molto di più, in un modo che mi è piaciuto particolarmente, e vediamo che è più profondo di quello che sembra.
Shanker è presto diventato uno dei miei personaggi preferiti e spero che compaia molto di più nei prossimi libri, sia per il suo legame con Strike, per cui risultano praticamente fratelli, sia perché è interessante in sé e molto diverso da Cormoran.
Robin, invece, non mi è piaciuta. Se nei libri precedenti sembrava piuttosto interessante e forte, qui il suo comportamento me l'ha resa antipatica. Soprattutto perché non si decide a mollare Matthew, uno dei personaggi più odiosi che ho incontrato fino ad ora.
Nelle ricerche dei due investigatori scopriamo di più sui sospettati, soprattutto su tre di loro: tutti e tre hanno dei particolari che li rendono odiosi, e ognuno di loro ha, all'apparenza, dei motivi per cui non avrebbe potuto commettere l'omicidio.
E' una delle cose che mi piacciono di più di questa serie: la componente psicologica sia dei personaggi principali sia dei loro nemici o avversari è esplorata ed è importante per la storia. Questo aspetto è diventato più importante ne Il baco da seta e in questo libro rispetto a Il richiamo del Cuculo e non me ne lamento affatto.
Questa serie migliora di volume in volume e spero di poter leggere presto il quarto! ( )