The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

“The dead could only speak through the mouths of those left behind, and through the signs they left scattered behind them.”

Like many people, I first heard about The Cuckoo's Calling when the news broke that its author, Robert Galbraith, was actually a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling. In an attempt to write in a different genre without all the pressure from her Harry Potter fame, Rowling decided to publish this mystery novel under a pen name. As a big fan of both Rowling and Harry Potter, I purchased The Cuckoo's Calling for my Kindle once the secret of her identity was revealed. However, the mystery genre isn't one that I typically read, so I wasn't in a big rush to start it. With one of my Popsugar Challenge categories this year being to read a book by an author that uses a pseudonym, I figured that now was the perfect time to give this one a shot.

The Cuckoo's Calling is the first in what is now a series of mystery novels starring private detective Cormoran Strike. At the start of the novel, he is approached by a client to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Lula Landry, a famous supermodel. The police have ruled the incident to be a suicide, but the client, Lula's brother, is convinced that foul play was involved. At first, Strike is hesitant to take on such a high profile case, especially one that the authorities have already thoroughly investigated. However, a recent breakup with his fiance and a lack of new cases have left him strapped for cash, so he agrees to take the job.

His investigation thrusts him into the glittering world of fame and high fashion, with clothing designers, actors, and musical artists making their way onto his suspect list alongside Landry's friends, boyfriend, and family members. The deeper Strike digs into the circumstances surrounding Landry's death, the more little inconsistencies, possible motives, and outright lies he uncovers. It quickly becomes obvious that there is more going on than what the police were able to determine. 

By his side throughout the investigation is Robin, his new secretary. She begins her work with Strike on the same day that he is offered the Landry case. She has just moved to the area and initially considers the job to be a temporary position until she is able to secure something better. However, she has always nurtured a secret ambition to help solve crimes, and she soon falls in love with the job, proving herself to be a talented and valuable assistant. Together, the pair must work to put together a complete picture of what really happened to the beautiful model and bring those responsible to justice.

I thought this novel was a very suspenseful and engaging read. The plot was suitably complex for a mystery, with lots of colorful characters and red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing. The clues and suspects were presented well and fit together nicely when the solution was revealed. It was a bit like watching an episode of Law and Order - easy to get lost in and totally fun. At some points the story did drag a little, but not enough to spoil my interest in it. Overall, reading this was a fun experience.

Aside from the plot, I also enjoyed the lead characters, Strike and Robin. Rowling gave Strike enough background to make him feel like a three-dimensional character. His painful breakup with his fiance, his injury in the war, and his unusual parentage, among other details, made him interesting and sympathetic without taking away too much time from the mystery that makes up the bulk of the book. Similarly, Robin was presented very well; she was a smart and capable woman with her head on straight. She felt like a normal person, which was a refreshing change from the helpless or oversexed female characters you often run across in books. I wouldn't mind reading some of the other novels in this series to watch Strike and Robin work together again.

J.K. Rowling's first foray into the world of mystery novels was successful. The Cuckoo's Calling isn't exactly high literature, but it is a very fun story to read and definitely worth the time for fans of mystery novels or fans of Rowling in general. The interesting plot and well-developed characters combine to make this book difficult to put down. It's a shame for Rowling that her pseudonym was outed before she had a real chance to see how the book did under the false name, but I'm selfishly glad it happened because I probably wouldn't have ever discovered it if she was able to maintain the secret.


Challenge Tally
Popsugar Challenge: (a book by an author who uses a pseudonym) 25/40
TBR Challenge: (previously owned) 23/60