Play Book Tag discussion

I've been looking forward to the next in the Cormoran Strike series, and "Lethal White" doesn't disappoint. This time, the story's centred on an irascible Minister of the Crown and his family, leading in to the London Olympics. Robin has to go undercover to try to find out who's blackmailing him. In the meantime, Cormoran is trying to keep his newly successful detective business going, by hiring some new folks (there's at least one good new character to come out of this equation). He's also trying to unravel the "did he or didn't he see anything" mystery behind the story that a paranoid young man tells him about a child being strangled 'up by the horse'. It's a taut, clever thriller of a plot.

Some gripes though. First the inevitable whine about the catastrophically dreadful Matthew. He is Such A Plonker. And, worst of all, Robin knows he is and she knows she doesn't care much for him. But she still marries him and tries to do the loyal little wifey thing despite his controlling two-faced nature. Ugh. I know it's a dramatic device that's meant to add to the tension Robin's under, and yes some people do actually do that kind of stupid stuff. But it makes Robin seem really colourless and weak, and she's supposed to be smarter than that. Cormoran's flaws are somehow more believable and coherent.

Secondly, it's a loooong book. There's nothing that's seriously redundant, and I read it pretty quickly but a bit of judicious editing could have made it just a tad more concise and would have improved it. If the next one ends up longer, I'm going to start using them as doorstops.

Love this series! I agree about how ridiculous Matthew is. Its like, we get it, we shouldn't like him.

I really enjoy this series and even pre-ordered the audio. I liked it better than you - 4.5 Stars - and I absolutely agree about Matthew. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Robin's tolerance of Matthew over the life of the series is its biggest flaw. Other than that I love it!

Loved this book, as long as it was - the author said she made an enormous spreadsheet with all the red herrings, characters, real clues, etc.

The thing about Matthew, is, well, he exists all over the place, and many people put up with his type.

Critterbee❇ wrote: "The thing about Matthew, is, well, he exists all over the place, and many people put up with his type."

Critterbee, that's the only reason I can tolerate his presence, though I always feel like strangling him or alternately, Robin - I know she exists too. Also, I think it's a testament to Rowling's writing that she can evoke such emotion in me over a character.

I have this on overdrive checkout on my kindle. This is the 2nd or possibly the third time I've made my way through the waitlist to check it out. I really must get to it this time. The problem with library holds is that they always come in at the same time and when I already have other things to finish!

Jgrace wrote: "I have this on overdrive checkout on my kindle. This is the 2nd or possibly the third time I've made my way through the waitlist to check it out. I really must get to it this time. The problem with..."

That's what always happens! Nothing, nothing, nothing. 46 holds ready to be picked up! haha

Def give it a chance, it is so good.