I figured it was finally time to blog my two-cents. Overall, I thought it was an alright, average read. I probably would not rush out and buy the next one, but I would add it to my ever growing to read list on Goodreads. As far as actual writing style and voice, Rowling is awesome. Her stories have a nice flow, all her sentences, paragraphs and chapters are concise and she knows how to pen a good read. She also really loves to use the adjective, pregnant. Which most people probably would not notice, but I just spent the last couple months re-reading all the Harry Potter books. So, it kind of jumped out at me. Anyways, lets continue.
Strike is a good character. He is very realistic and has just enough baggage to make him interesting but not too broody. And I think Rowling left him at a point, where should more books follow, there is room for growth. I also liked how she balanced his hardness out with Robin's accepting nature and support. I look forward to seeing how the relationship develops but I honestly hope it stays platonic. I like how they work as a team, but I find their individual lives interesting and merging them in to a romantic relationship would take that away.
Now as for the mystery, I had my suspicions but I didn't guess the killer. Some of the clues were so minuscule and in the end I was sitting there thinking: "For real! I was suppose to catch that?!" I like mysteries that play out more naturally. When it is time for the big reveal the detective and I our on the same page. But in this case, we weren't. Strike's big reveal really turned me off. The point of a mystery is piecing it together as you read. Taking notice of the clues and learning with the detective. I don't like reveals were the character's have to explain every little thing that happen resulting in so and so being the murderer. That is what Strike did. I think it takes away from the suspense and is unbelievable. If I was accused of murdering my brother and sister, I would not stand there for twenty minutes so someone can explain how I did it. I know how I did it. I was there, no recap needed. I feel those pages could just have been put to better use. Like character development or setting up for a sequel.
If she does chose to continue this as a series, I hope it shadows Harry Potter in suspense and well-crafted, complex story lines minus the five page reveal. Allowing us to be a detective with Strike instead of an observer.
I actually prefer my mysteries to have me going, "Shit, didn't see that person doing it!" and having it all fall into place afterward. It makes me sad when I figure out the whodunit before the detective.
ReplyDeleteI would have to reread the book to see if I was suppose to figure out John was the killer. I haven't read many mystery novels but it wasn't obvious to me either. I expect there to be some misdirection like where some of the clues were pointing to Tony.
ReplyDeleteI also liked Strike as a character. I meant to write more about him in my post but you're right he has the right amount of baggage. But also his baggage is interesting like having the rock star father he never knew and him losing his leg in the service.