The Book Vipers discussion

Spoilers are allowed in this thread. Please unselect 'Add to my update feed' so other don't see your comments.
Things to consider:
1. Did you like the book?
2. Did you like or dislike the main characters?
3. Do the characters develop?
4. What did you think of the plot and the ending of the story?
5. Do you have any particular favourite quotes or scenes?
6. Would you read anything else by this author?

I was very nervous of reading this book as I am a massive JK Rowling fan, but I should not have worried. Her powers of characterisation and excellent story telling have survived once again the move into adult fiction. I also enjoyed "A casual vacancy" showed JK's clear understanding of societal problems/issues but in my humble opinion, it had far too many characters for adults. Cormoran Strike, the new and very promising detective, is extremely well described and you just have to like him whilst noticing his obvious weaknesses. The transformation of Robin, Strike's temporary secretary, from a tippy girl in love with the perfect man to a very capable women who wants more out of life is also very promising. The plot shows JK's is well chosen combining society's obsession with celebrities, the problems they face and the stupid mistakes they make, the world of the upper crust and women who will do anything to get as much money and social status through a rich man, if it makes them happy or not and the problems of adoption and questions of identity. All this in a great plot, where I for one didn't guess the murderer until it was revealed. Can't say I "believed" that the murderer would have done it and there were a few reasons only explained very late! The next book in the series is out and I'll try and read it asap.
Will be interesting to hear what others thought.

I have never read any J K Rowling yet!!

Paul wrote: "I have never read any J K Rowling yet!!"

I didn't used to be one for wizards and muggles either, but started Harry Potter when my son was in Y3 to get him from somebody who could read to being a reader and we read the books together and I was hooked more or less immediately. When it comes to brilliant characterisation, suspense, fear, surprise and working out who what makes "people" tick, there is nothing better. Forget the filmes (whilst they are not bad)there is only 1/3 of the story in them. Try, forget about being an adult and you will have a reading experience like some of the best crime fiction and very much like (dare I say it) Charles Dickens.

Ooooo - thrilled to find this thread as I've just finished The Cuckoo's Callling without realising it was a read-along.

I'm a massive HP fan, but to be honest I'd sort of avoided 'grown-up' JKR because I feared she might not pull off the transition. Oh ye of little faith!

I loved this book. I loved Cormoran Strike - well how could you not love someone with such an unlikely name? I loved Robin - and I hope for her sake that she ditches that deathly dull fiance sometime soon. I loved Lula - a sort of agglomeration of Amy Winehouse, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss. And Evan Duffield? Just a tad of Pete Docherty there I'm thinking?

Cormoran in particular is a well-developed character - I feel I know him, and I like him - and Robin too - I'm even wondering if we may have a latter-day Paul and Steve Temple here (no - I'm not that old, but I love early radio drama!).

And she writes well. JKR's prose sort of wraps itself around you like a comfort blanket. Her style is easy and unpretentious. Her plot is well paced. Her character's converse comfortably and naturally. Yet she manages not to sacrifice grammar at the altar of the vernacular.

More than this though, JKR is a consummate story-teller - and I should have known that really, after all, HP gave us some of the best stories since - well, as you say, Gisela - since Charles Dickens.

This was a four star read for me - had all the right elements, but wasn't quite unputdownable - close though.

Anyway - can't stop - I'm off to start The Silkworm - hoping it's the second in a long-running series!!

Susan wrote: "Ooooo - thrilled to find this thread as I've just finished The Cuckoo's Callling without realising it was a read-along.

I'm a massive HP fan, but to be honest I'd sort of avoided 'grown-up' JKR be..."

Like you Susan, I am a massive HP fan. Used to reread them during the school holidays when i was a teacher! Read her newer work pretty much as soon as they came out and was delighted to discover The silkworm was out and my library had a copy yesterday! Needless to ay I have a huge wait for the Goldfinch...only 125 people ahead of me!

Can confirm the second is looking to be another great read. Just seven chapters in and I am hooked. Rowling's style is so very readable and you get to know her characters so quickly. Perhaps her ability to make characters so accessible comes from her beginnings as being a children's author.

In regards this particular book, The cuckoo's calling, I would agree that the killer's motives may not have been as watertight as hoped, perhaps not quite believable. Still enjoyed the book though and looking forward to the series as it develops. The HP books are essentially whodunits so Rowling is a master at this craft!

Just started this one, am about 100 pages in and really enjoying it. Like the character of Cormoran Strike, not entirely original as he has aspects from other private detectives, but definitely sympathetic. Looking forward to seeing Robin develop too. I have an idea of where the plot may go, and a couple of early incidents that may be clues, but we'll see....

I absolutely loved this. Keen to read the second.

Just finished this. Really enjoyable read so have put The Silkworm on the tbr for next year.