The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo’s Calling is Robert Galbraith’s (aka J.K. Rowling’s) first mystery novel and introduces two unlikely heroes... London PI Cormoran Strike and his temporary secretary, Robin Ellacott.  Strike is having a run of bad luck.  Born to a groupie mother and a rock star father who will not acknowledge him, Strike grows up a transient in poverty and joins the Army as early as possible.  He becomes a successful MP in Afghanistan but has his leg blown off up to his mid-calf and is forced to retire sooner than he would like.  He reluctantly returns to London and becomes a PI and moves in with his girlfriend.  Both his business and his relationship flounder but his pride refuses to let him blame his upbringing or his prosthetic leg.  Strike breaks up with his girlfriend and is moving into his office the same day his new temporary secretary, Robin arrives for her first day at work.  Robin immediately recognizes Strike’s pride and need for privacy which fosters an arm’s length connection between the two.

Just as Strike is contemplating closing the doors on his PI business, John Bristow arrives at his office in need of his services.  John’s adopted sister, the legendary supermodel, Lula Landry fell to her death some months earlier.  The police have ruled her death a suicide but John cannot accept that and hires Strike to investigate further.  His investigation draws him into Cuckoo’s (Miss Landry’s nickname) private life including dysfunctional family members, excessive life styled celebrities, drug rehabbed acquaintances, security providers, and news media types all hustling for something at Cuckoo’s expense.

Strike’s skilled interview style and his meticulous attention to detail combined with Robin’s curiosity and sensibility coalesce to sift through a barrage of characters with some motive to end Cuckoo’s life.  Only when the killer shows his willingness to kill again is Strike able to close in… but at what cost?

The Cuckoo’s Calling is a deep dive into the character of Cormoran Strike.  The author delves deep… perhaps deeper than we need to go… into his history letting us know who he is and what caused him to get here.  We can’t help but empathize and forgive his indiscretions as well as respect his abilities and perseverance.  Soon we begin cheering for him… hoping for the best outcome… all signs of a worthy protagonist.  I look forward to more of Cormoran Strike.  Hopefully next time we can forego some of the dry detailed character development of which we are now well informed.