Shannon’s review of The Hallmarked Man (Cormoran Strike, #8) > Likes and Comments
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Thanks! I was wondering as I was reading whether I would be the outlier on this one. My hopes were that we'd get a few books of them being in a relationship and navigating that while doing their jobs. Now I fear they won't even kiss until the climax of the last book, like Ron and Hermione. Definitely it felt like a replay of things we've seen before!
101% true all of it! great review! but i can tell we are on the same ship and we will be back for more. she got us good and it's too late to retreat
I wanted to shake Robin so bad for most of the book.
Wow. This review really sums up my feelings, too. Robin was very hard to like, Kim was the worst, Bijou was obnoxious, Murphy is also the worst. The main crime was too buried under all the melodrama and side quests that I had to relisten to chapters 120-122 just to try to remember who was who.
Also, this might be the worst cliffhanger yet. I had so many mixed feelings. I feel bad for Strike, yea he could have chosen a much better time but Robin needs to go to therapy ASAP before she answers either man. She gaslit herself the entire book. 😩😠😓
I just finished the audiobook and I think this was the hardest mystery for me to follow.
Robin irritated me so much!! This review is so validating! Things happened in this book, but ultimately, nothing happened if you know what I mean. Robin forcing herself to stay with a man she obviously doesn’t love for no reason. They don’t even live together, just break it off and be done. What is the point of this?? I skipped a lot of parts, because the main story line wasn’t interesting at all. I still read the big conclusion at the end and I still felt like I didn’t miss anything by skipping interviews. I’m so angry at this book.
I feel very much the same regarding both the mystery and the relationship development. Robin did not deserve this. Neither did we.
Shannon ( original reviewer) has hit the nail on the heard!!!! I’m getting lost amongst the characters in this story. The Robin/Strike will they/won’t they is getting on my last nerve!! Did we have to bring up Charlotte again?? OR Bijou again for that matter? JK is a remarkable writer. Even when I don’t like the story, I appreciate the writing. But come on. I’m only on track 23 of this book and I”m thinking its too long already. I need a Who’s who list.
I haven't finished the book yet. I barely started. I came here to read some reviews without spoilers. Yours is a long review, so I should have guessed that it would probably contain spoilers, even if minor (I stoped reading in the Wardle part).
Next time maybe check the box as a warning that your review contains spoilers, even if just little details (I haven't read the entire text)
Strongly agree with your review especially about Robin- I felt the same
Mmhm. I still am not totally certain who the victim was? I mean I know his name but who WAS that guy? I could barely follow.
M.
Absolutely agree - an artfully penned, dull, overly charactered tome that ends without any development. Not a clue who half the characters were at any given point or why to give af.
agreed about the personal stuff. way too much and kept throwing me off track. I was wondering why I kept putting the book down and then realized I was really annoyed by the inner and outer monologue/dialogues regaring their love lives.
I agree that the case was loaded with threads that all seemed to get lost. So many people, so many directions, so many very loose connections - it was hard to follow and to keep up with everyone without taking notes. With that being said, I actually loved the inner dialogue and the more personal focus on the people within the agency- I liked it more than the case. It was a nice shift - I get more into the relationship than the little side stories - I appreciate the “will they/won’t they” stuff. I’ve been rooting for Strike and Robin since the beginning so every book, I’m like “is this it? Is this when they admit it? Is this when they wind up in a romantic setting on accident or get drunk and make a move?”… lol I’m longing for it!!! So this was a nice little palette teaser for what I’ve been waiting for.
I’m emotionally invested in these characters and because the case was so hard to follow this time around, I was able to just appreciate what I *could* follow and what I have been waiting for and focus on the Robin/Strike relationship.
I have opinions about Murphy and of course Kim, and I am annoyed at Robin for not listening to her gut… but I laughed outloud at Pat, Shanker, and Barclay a couple times and the character connections she’s created for me throughout this series are what made me love this book. It’s not my favorite but I enjoyed it immensely because I know she’s getting us where I’ve been longing to get 😆❤️ I do just wish she’d get us there faster.
highly agree. It feels like, after the high standards established by the previous installments, this one took a 10-meter dive and dumped cold water straight on our heads.
“Everyone is miserable for most of this book, and that made me miserable to read”
Spot on! Everything you’ve said in this review I agree with. It’s been a long two years waiting for some resolution after the ending of TRG, and what do we get? Another handful of pages at the end of this book to cling on to for another couple of years!
Totally agree about the disappointment of the case. I don’t think I’m a stupid person, but I couldn’t distinguish one potential victim from another. Plus, I just didn’t care about anyone! Strike - spit it out, Robin - as if you’d go down the Matthew road again.
It’s hard to believe this was written by the same author who wrote Troubled Blood. When you think of the heart in that book, the many characters, the interesting side plots, plenty of sub contractors interaction and the great connection between Strike & Robin, it’s a world away from this book.
Just the biggest disappointment. I really hope she can pull it back with the last two books. I’d hate for such a great series to end as a damp squib.
Thanks for the very in depth and insightful discussion. I agree with your views. All through the book I wo dared what Strike sees in Robin, because all I see is a crybaby victim. After reading this I'm tempted to change my rating. I gave it 3 stars only because I really like Cormoran Strike.
I agree with everything in your review. I’m only at Chapter 18 and I’m ready to give up. I just don’t care anymore. The only good thing is Robert Glenister’s narration. He’s wonderful.
Agree completely. I can’t believe we waited this long to find out of Strike and Robin were going to come together only to end up in the same spot. The only thing that kept me reading was how much I liked the previous books.
Thank you your review it summarises how I feel
about this book. This book has made me think that maybe they shouldn’t get together as they don’t seem to be able to communicate!
Agree also. Loved the first few books (and show) but author is just babbling on only to set up for…another book. Too bad.
100% agree with every word here. I don’t buy that two adults in their 30s are incapable of having an honest conversation. The Running Grave was soooo good and now this? The romantic tension between the 2 isn’t the main reason I read the stories so either get them together or move them on. And Robin: get some fkg martial arts and weapons training already. Work out! Sheesh!
I deleted my comment from yesterday because now I feel like JKR was being realistic with regards to Robin's backsliding into doormat partnershipping. She is chock full of untreated trauma including the new layers from Chapman Farm. She is in dire straights. And Strike, I just want to shake him. At least the fish is being taken care of. The problem is the tension is wearing thin on us readers. Maybe the pace of this particular slow burn is a glacial pace our reading patience can't maintain. My only hope is that we don't have to wait two years between books. Honestly, two months seems too long. Just give me the novella of them getting together and then I will be able to patiently wait for the next mystery for them to solve.
I could’ve written this word for word. Spot on!! Do we think another book is coming in the series or was this it?
I was worried Murphy would get injured and then we’d have to keep him around like another Charlotte. Just glad that was not the angle.
I agree...Robin is kind of getting on my nerves with this always thinking the worst where Strike is concerned before she has his side and is way past annoying at this point...not sure you love someone if you always think the worst of them...and her getting mad at him for keeping secrets??? They're supposed to be best friends and all they do is keep secrets from one another...still like the series but that part of it is getting old...and all of the rest of the stuff you said...spot on.
I can't disagree with anything you've said in this very good review. I also wonder to myself how on earth Robin can state that she loves to work and the agency but the whole thing is piling on grief, stress and anxiety. Her self-awareness in this book is so low it's almost undetectable. And how a woman of her intelligence can go through another carbon-copy relationship to her previous marriage is beyond credulity! The only thing to suppose is that her mental well-being is in her boots, she's certainly got PTSD, and she can't see the wood for the trees. It was painful reading her unravelling, especially around the Bijou pregnancy chapters.
Like you say, it's nearing the finale now and I would like to see a good part of a book with them solving a case in harmony.
I agree with every words of yours. Speaking from my heart, word by word. I'm maybe not even interested in the upcoming books.
I hear what you are saying and agree in a much milder way. The case was not as engaging as normal and was confusing. The miscommunication between Strike and Robin is being dragged out too far, and is making them both seem not like themselves. Robin particularly was hard to fathom, but I think we’ll find that the aftermath of the UHC is a big reason why. I look forward to the tough talking therapist Pru has found for her. What I loved about this one: more callbacks of characters who play an actual role in the plot and the Rokeby meeting was outstanding. Ted definitely got short shrift. I will wait on pins and needles for the next one, but hope Jo gets out of her way a bit. I do feel that the ending would have been better had she allowed an actual kiss to happen, even if Robin still pulled away. We’ve hung in there a long time!
Could not agree more! Also, wash, rinse, repeat. It's becoming the same story over and over, with a different mystery that is getting more washed out with every book, in lieu of a super tedious romance. My husband won't actually listen to this one and I'm not sure even I will listen to the next. I *loved* these books but the investment of time isn't worth this story line. PLEASE resolve the romance and get back to the engaging mystery plot!
A much longer, more detailed review that mirrored mine. Painful 900 pages to slog through.
Could not agree more, wholeheartedly concur
Yes thank you for saying what I felt reading this book! I was so hopeful for some resolution at the beginning of this book from the end of the last book and was so disheartened we got essentially nothing until the last chapter. Way too long and frustrating of a book for that with a mystery I was not invested in.
I agree. You’ve done a great job of putting my thoughts to words.
So agree, I nearly put it down in the middle as I suddenly realised she wasn’t going to resolve the relationship the entire 900 pages and we would have to wait longer. It’s very frustrating for the reader. The main case was not as absorbing this time. Didn’t really care for any of the characters, the whole book felt a bit like a “filler” book as it seems we won’t get the actual relationship until the very end.
You made such a good point about Strike actually growing and maturing and Robin staying in the same place, if not regressing, emotionally. I get the UHC thing being traumatic but sis should have had a therapist page 10. I also was like OMG CHECK THE DENTAL RECORDS WTF haha. All of the who’s in the vault could have realistically been solved through a dna test or dental records that really got me. Anyway, probably my least favorite strike book because of all you mentioned.
I agree with everything said. I did get invested in the plot and figuring out who the body was, but the “will they / won’t they” between Strike and Robin is driving me nuts now! And I was fuming at the ending. I will keep reading the Strike novels as I love JK’s writing and I love the characters, but this was disappointing and the worst so far.
I agree. You saved me from writing anything. I listened to the book on Audible and love the narrator. I was lost on the characters by the end of the book.
I don't even remember who dies early in the book, oops
Great commentary. Agreed all around and the especially the dislike of Robin’s character in this book!!!
Agree with everything you’ve said. I finished it but honestly couldn’t have cared less about ANYONE by the time I dragged myself to the end
Completely agree. All the phonetic dialogue was really annoying too!
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Thanks! I was wondering as I was reading whether I would be the outlier on this one. My hopes were that we'd get a few books of them being in a relationship and navigating that while doing their jobs. Now I fear they won't even kiss until the climax of the last book, like Ron and Hermione. Definitely it felt like a replay of things we've seen before!
101% true all of it! great review! but i can tell we are on the same ship and we will be back for more. she got us good and it's too late to retreat
I wanted to shake Robin so bad for most of the book.
Wow. This review really sums up my feelings, too. Robin was very hard to like, Kim was the worst, Bijou was obnoxious, Murphy is also the worst. The main crime was too buried under all the melodrama and side quests that I had to relisten to chapters 120-122 just to try to remember who was who. Also, this might be the worst cliffhanger yet. I had so many mixed feelings. I feel bad for Strike, yea he could have chosen a much better time but Robin needs to go to therapy ASAP before she answers either man. She gaslit herself the entire book. 😩😠😓
I just finished the audiobook and I think this was the hardest mystery for me to follow.
Robin irritated me so much!! This review is so validating! Things happened in this book, but ultimately, nothing happened if you know what I mean. Robin forcing herself to stay with a man she obviously doesn’t love for no reason. They don’t even live together, just break it off and be done. What is the point of this?? I skipped a lot of parts, because the main story line wasn’t interesting at all. I still read the big conclusion at the end and I still felt like I didn’t miss anything by skipping interviews. I’m so angry at this book.
I feel very much the same regarding both the mystery and the relationship development. Robin did not deserve this. Neither did we.
Shannon ( original reviewer) has hit the nail on the heard!!!! I’m getting lost amongst the characters in this story. The Robin/Strike will they/won’t they is getting on my last nerve!! Did we have to bring up Charlotte again?? OR Bijou again for that matter? JK is a remarkable writer. Even when I don’t like the story, I appreciate the writing. But come on. I’m only on track 23 of this book and I”m thinking its too long already. I need a Who’s who list.
I haven't finished the book yet. I barely started. I came here to read some reviews without spoilers. Yours is a long review, so I should have guessed that it would probably contain spoilers, even if minor (I stoped reading in the Wardle part). Next time maybe check the box as a warning that your review contains spoilers, even if just little details (I haven't read the entire text)
Strongly agree with your review especially about Robin- I felt the same
Mmhm. I still am not totally certain who the victim was? I mean I know his name but who WAS that guy? I could barely follow.
M. Absolutely agree - an artfully penned, dull, overly charactered tome that ends without any development. Not a clue who half the characters were at any given point or why to give af.
agreed about the personal stuff. way too much and kept throwing me off track. I was wondering why I kept putting the book down and then realized I was really annoyed by the inner and outer monologue/dialogues regaring their love lives.
I agree that the case was loaded with threads that all seemed to get lost. So many people, so many directions, so many very loose connections - it was hard to follow and to keep up with everyone without taking notes. With that being said, I actually loved the inner dialogue and the more personal focus on the people within the agency- I liked it more than the case. It was a nice shift - I get more into the relationship than the little side stories - I appreciate the “will they/won’t they” stuff. I’ve been rooting for Strike and Robin since the beginning so every book, I’m like “is this it? Is this when they admit it? Is this when they wind up in a romantic setting on accident or get drunk and make a move?”… lol I’m longing for it!!! So this was a nice little palette teaser for what I’ve been waiting for. I’m emotionally invested in these characters and because the case was so hard to follow this time around, I was able to just appreciate what I *could* follow and what I have been waiting for and focus on the Robin/Strike relationship.
I have opinions about Murphy and of course Kim, and I am annoyed at Robin for not listening to her gut… but I laughed outloud at Pat, Shanker, and Barclay a couple times and the character connections she’s created for me throughout this series are what made me love this book. It’s not my favorite but I enjoyed it immensely because I know she’s getting us where I’ve been longing to get 😆❤️ I do just wish she’d get us there faster.
highly agree. It feels like, after the high standards established by the previous installments, this one took a 10-meter dive and dumped cold water straight on our heads.
“Everyone is miserable for most of this book, and that made me miserable to read”Spot on! Everything you’ve said in this review I agree with. It’s been a long two years waiting for some resolution after the ending of TRG, and what do we get? Another handful of pages at the end of this book to cling on to for another couple of years!
Totally agree about the disappointment of the case. I don’t think I’m a stupid person, but I couldn’t distinguish one potential victim from another. Plus, I just didn’t care about anyone! Strike - spit it out, Robin - as if you’d go down the Matthew road again.
It’s hard to believe this was written by the same author who wrote Troubled Blood. When you think of the heart in that book, the many characters, the interesting side plots, plenty of sub contractors interaction and the great connection between Strike & Robin, it’s a world away from this book.
Just the biggest disappointment. I really hope she can pull it back with the last two books. I’d hate for such a great series to end as a damp squib.
Thanks for the very in depth and insightful discussion. I agree with your views. All through the book I wo dared what Strike sees in Robin, because all I see is a crybaby victim. After reading this I'm tempted to change my rating. I gave it 3 stars only because I really like Cormoran Strike.
I agree with everything in your review. I’m only at Chapter 18 and I’m ready to give up. I just don’t care anymore. The only good thing is Robert Glenister’s narration. He’s wonderful.
Agree completely. I can’t believe we waited this long to find out of Strike and Robin were going to come together only to end up in the same spot. The only thing that kept me reading was how much I liked the previous books.
Thank you your review it summarises how I feelabout this book. This book has made me think that maybe they shouldn’t get together as they don’t seem to be able to communicate!
Agree also. Loved the first few books (and show) but author is just babbling on only to set up for…another book. Too bad.
100% agree with every word here. I don’t buy that two adults in their 30s are incapable of having an honest conversation. The Running Grave was soooo good and now this? The romantic tension between the 2 isn’t the main reason I read the stories so either get them together or move them on. And Robin: get some fkg martial arts and weapons training already. Work out! Sheesh!
I deleted my comment from yesterday because now I feel like JKR was being realistic with regards to Robin's backsliding into doormat partnershipping. She is chock full of untreated trauma including the new layers from Chapman Farm. She is in dire straights. And Strike, I just want to shake him. At least the fish is being taken care of. The problem is the tension is wearing thin on us readers. Maybe the pace of this particular slow burn is a glacial pace our reading patience can't maintain. My only hope is that we don't have to wait two years between books. Honestly, two months seems too long. Just give me the novella of them getting together and then I will be able to patiently wait for the next mystery for them to solve.
I could’ve written this word for word. Spot on!! Do we think another book is coming in the series or was this it?
I was worried Murphy would get injured and then we’d have to keep him around like another Charlotte. Just glad that was not the angle.
I agree...Robin is kind of getting on my nerves with this always thinking the worst where Strike is concerned before she has his side and is way past annoying at this point...not sure you love someone if you always think the worst of them...and her getting mad at him for keeping secrets??? They're supposed to be best friends and all they do is keep secrets from one another...still like the series but that part of it is getting old...and all of the rest of the stuff you said...spot on.
I can't disagree with anything you've said in this very good review. I also wonder to myself how on earth Robin can state that she loves to work and the agency but the whole thing is piling on grief, stress and anxiety. Her self-awareness in this book is so low it's almost undetectable. And how a woman of her intelligence can go through another carbon-copy relationship to her previous marriage is beyond credulity! The only thing to suppose is that her mental well-being is in her boots, she's certainly got PTSD, and she can't see the wood for the trees. It was painful reading her unravelling, especially around the Bijou pregnancy chapters. Like you say, it's nearing the finale now and I would like to see a good part of a book with them solving a case in harmony.
I agree with every words of yours. Speaking from my heart, word by word. I'm maybe not even interested in the upcoming books.
I hear what you are saying and agree in a much milder way. The case was not as engaging as normal and was confusing. The miscommunication between Strike and Robin is being dragged out too far, and is making them both seem not like themselves. Robin particularly was hard to fathom, but I think we’ll find that the aftermath of the UHC is a big reason why. I look forward to the tough talking therapist Pru has found for her. What I loved about this one: more callbacks of characters who play an actual role in the plot and the Rokeby meeting was outstanding. Ted definitely got short shrift. I will wait on pins and needles for the next one, but hope Jo gets out of her way a bit. I do feel that the ending would have been better had she allowed an actual kiss to happen, even if Robin still pulled away. We’ve hung in there a long time!
Could not agree more! Also, wash, rinse, repeat. It's becoming the same story over and over, with a different mystery that is getting more washed out with every book, in lieu of a super tedious romance. My husband won't actually listen to this one and I'm not sure even I will listen to the next. I *loved* these books but the investment of time isn't worth this story line. PLEASE resolve the romance and get back to the engaging mystery plot!
A much longer, more detailed review that mirrored mine. Painful 900 pages to slog through.
Could not agree more, wholeheartedly concur
Yes thank you for saying what I felt reading this book! I was so hopeful for some resolution at the beginning of this book from the end of the last book and was so disheartened we got essentially nothing until the last chapter. Way too long and frustrating of a book for that with a mystery I was not invested in.
I agree. You’ve done a great job of putting my thoughts to words.
So agree, I nearly put it down in the middle as I suddenly realised she wasn’t going to resolve the relationship the entire 900 pages and we would have to wait longer. It’s very frustrating for the reader. The main case was not as absorbing this time. Didn’t really care for any of the characters, the whole book felt a bit like a “filler” book as it seems we won’t get the actual relationship until the very end.
You made such a good point about Strike actually growing and maturing and Robin staying in the same place, if not regressing, emotionally. I get the UHC thing being traumatic but sis should have had a therapist page 10. I also was like OMG CHECK THE DENTAL RECORDS WTF haha. All of the who’s in the vault could have realistically been solved through a dna test or dental records that really got me. Anyway, probably my least favorite strike book because of all you mentioned.
I agree with everything said. I did get invested in the plot and figuring out who the body was, but the “will they / won’t they” between Strike and Robin is driving me nuts now! And I was fuming at the ending. I will keep reading the Strike novels as I love JK’s writing and I love the characters, but this was disappointing and the worst so far.
I agree. You saved me from writing anything. I listened to the book on Audible and love the narrator. I was lost on the characters by the end of the book.
I don't even remember who dies early in the book, oops
Great commentary. Agreed all around and the especially the dislike of Robin’s character in this book!!!
Agree with everything you’ve said. I finished it but honestly couldn’t have cared less about ANYONE by the time I dragged myself to the end
Completely agree. All the phonetic dialogue was really annoying too!
At this point I'd be happy if they got together, got themselves a pet dog in lieu of kids and then just focus on the agency.
The relationship distracts from the case. It would be a much better series without that aspect at this point.
I also used to be a shipper, but I too am bored of being strung along for 8 books.