Wow! This 5th installment of the Cormoran Strike/Robin Ellacott series is phenomenal. At a whopping 927 pages, which is long for any book much less a detective novel, it expands our knowledge of both Cormoran and Robin's personal histories, provides development of the personal relationship between them, as well as lays out an intricate, multi-character, astrologically-based 40 year old cold-case of the disappearance of a young female doctor that Cormoran and Robin are hired to solve. Of course this cold case, which they are given one year to solve, is certainly not their only case, so we are on the journey of their other cases as well. It continues to astound me how talented JK Rowling/Robert Galbraith is as a writer. I can't even begin to think where she comes up with her ideas - and how long it takes her to lay out the details of each of her stories so that they weave together into a fascinating exploration of human nature at its worst.
Not only does the original detective in this 40 year old case use astrology to try to solve the case, using horoscopes, astrological symbols and stars, but he expands his thought process to include Steven Schmidt's 14-sign zodiac (advocated in 1970). The detective has some mental health issues (of course!), so he is obsessed with fitting all his suspects into the zodiac. Cormoran and Robin spend many hours trying to dissect his astrology ramblings (he left a notebook with his musings and drawings) to help them understand if there is any merit to his discoveries pertaining to the case when he first interviewed all of the interested parties 40 years previously.
In addition to working many, many hours at their agency, Cormoran is also spending time with his dying aunt Joan (who was really more of a mother to him) and coming to terms with the pending loss; intensely avoiding his half-siblings who want Cormoran to join them and their famous Rockstar father, Jonny Rokeby, for a "family photo"; still feeling responsible for Charlotte's mental health and trying to manage his feelings for her; and trying to come to terms with his true feelings for Robin. It's a lot for any man, especially one who doesn't express himself very well - or very often.
Robin is also dealing with a lot. Matthew continues to drag out their divorce proceedings; she has to deal with Matthew & Sarah "sitings" while still trying to absorb their betrayal against her; her own history of being a victim of rape/assault; clients always assuming that she is Cormoran's assistant instead of his partner in the agency; and her own feelings for Cormoran.
There is SO much more than all I mentioned above as well! And I loved every single word of it. In fact, as I neared the end I slowed down my reading because I didn't want it to end. I love that JKR/RG doesn't spell everything out for the reader. Sometimes, she gives you the means to find the information, and then the reader has to work to find it.
So now I wait for the 6th book of this series. "People" are predicting it will be published in 2022 or so. Apparently she was already writing it in Spring of 2020. I have to wonder how long it will be! Ha! Anyway, love, love, love this author.
Wendy's Rating: *****
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