THE INK BLACK HEART Paperback – 7 September 2022

Another page turner from the genius that is Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling. Each Strike book has been better than it's predecessor, and The Ink Black Heart is no different. Complex and fascinating, it closes the problem with a satisfying end, but leaves you waiting for the next instalment in true Rowling style. If you're new to the Strike series, I suggest you read them in order if only to understand the character arcs that run through the books. Unputdownable, one of those books that you want to finish to reach the end, while also not wanting the experience to end!

Cormoran Strike has one leg blown up and we read in every book, the follow up complications. Robin Ellacort, the partner, cannot believe when Strike makes an overture and that results in Madeline. Wait, this is not the story of murder, deception, bombing, threats and what not that goes on for 1200 plus pages! The saving grace is the writing, one is never bored, and the pages merrily march along. The greatest long classical golden age mystery is Gaudy Night, a 400 plus book by Dorothy Sayers. Mr. Galbraith, or Miss Rowling can really write ( just forget Casual Vacancy) and in keeping with 21st century, plenty of four letter words and characters that always go from one sexual pot to another sexual fire. Perhaps that is the modern London life.It is really a murder mystery, with the detectives trying to find Anomie’s identity. Somehow one doesn’t mind the pages, they fly by. But forgetting the mystery it is how Robin responds to Strike that holds the reader’s attention. The basic work of the agency appears to be following people and that is made slightly interesting by the characters. But Strike and Robin rule. Life has changed from the golden age, references to loo and toilets stick their unwelcome noses. Strike says, ‘firstly’ a strict no no if one follows English grammar, but who cares.Believe me, if the book was cut down to a third, it would be the tour de force it is advertised to be. As it is a wonderfully written novel ends with a whimper, although much happens in the climax, we are too tired to care.

Oh, I am little biased when it comes to the C B Strike novel series. I absolutely love each and every book of this series. This one’s is also a really good read.

Did not like the plot much and felt slow to read..

Slightly longer than your usual thriller, but none the worse for it. The book is gripping and highly enjoyable! Highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of the genre.

I have read all Cormoran Strike books so far, and I love the way Galbraith writes the plots so that it is very hard to guess who the perp is until it is revealed, even though all the clues are always there, right from the beginning of the book for all readers to see. However, in this one, there were hardly many clues for the reader. The ending seemed hastily written and did not tie all the loose ends, contrary to which I find is one of the best qualities of Galbraith's books. On top of that, there were so many typos that I wonder whether the book was ever proof-read. And then comes the part when the cousin suddenly becomes the aunt, or conversely, the other cousin becomes the niece. This was the most glaring error for me! How does my father's niece become my aunt and not my cousin? XD This was least expected of Galbraith. Don't get me wrong, the story WAS interesting and the book WAS a page turner. But I just didn't get the kind of ending that the other Strike books had set the expectations for. Not only didn't I get explanations for all the Chekhov's guns, but I also didn't understand what the explanation for "Anomie is not my girlfriend, she's my sister" was. Made no sense whatsoever. At the end of the book, I feel really disappointed.

The plot is intricate, although feels unnecessary and dragged on at some points. But had fun reading this. This is must read for all mystery fans out there.

Very Well written and layered. Vivid as always . The cyber bully world and impact on teenagers is well captured