Like most, I'm also heard about the novel only after becoming aware of JKR's authorship, whether it was worth, will show my bottom line, but it was the same One told (even though it was probably mentioned countless times):
It is a crime. With Harry Potter, the whole thing has nothing to do. Anyway content.
On a content summary, I will do without but (there to enough in the Web), therefore directly to one of the great strengths Rowling (at least in my eyes): As with the Potter books and even with A Casual Vacancy is JK Rowling their talent in the development of the depth of the world, only that this is just not a fantasy world or a secluded little village. The characters, especially the protagonist Cormoran Strike be relined with a credible background. They act plausible, their thoughts and actions are never without motivation. Although it is a trend of more current (television) thrillers to put the private lives of investigators to the fore and that can go wrong duly, but here you just get the feeling that Rowling has really thought about the characters. Although you always have a touch cliché in itself and to recognize basic patterns of types behind them (the physically rough-looking, in the privacy of failing private investigator and ex-soldier Strike; the Dandy Rock Star Duffield soft-core; the fragile Rochelle with mental health problems) but honestly everyone who runs a little through the world, will have to admit that he himself assigns people types. The types are at JKR but, as I said, only the base, forms the basis for highly individual, equipped with its own life history characters.
It is weakening because maybe a little just with Robin, Strikes sake assistant who somehow seems to me a little colorless; her relationship with Matthew, I find a little implausible just got engaged, at the peak of happiness quasi, bring the two a few things to argue? Speculation: in subsequent volumes (because those are indeed announced) is the separation that has now been prepared endeavored gently, finally carried out. We will see.
But these are also pretty much the only criticisms that I have to speak to the characters. Otherwise, they are, I can not say enough excellent and presented credible. Just as the setting, the whole area: Rowling's London-knowledge are unmistakable. With prudence also premises or smaller, seemingly unimportant events are marked colorfully; Some that may be irrelevant to the pure plot in such detail (cf. the shopping scene) is removed and gives the novel as a depth and authenticity, as it was to be found in Harry Potter already.
To be honest, it was in the Potter books ever especially the world, the love of detail, which knew how to inspire me. The story was ok to good, but ultimately can mainly there to immerse yourself in this world. What about now at The Cuckoos Calling with the story or even a fall from?
Anyone hoping for a lot of excitement and action, on a hard act started, will probably be disappointed. I must say that JKR newbie my first crime was in any case in novel form, in TV thrillers are pretty much the only thing I see next to the messages at this point well. The crime is certainly a slow and takes time to develop the case. I can without spoilers say that it is in my eyes an intelligently designed case with depth, whose resolution could have been so probably not expected. Here, then, thumbs up. But hand in hand with it right a point of criticism: either a murder mystery in novel form something completely different than in the movie and I fail here miserably (as I did not imagine that in TV detective series in this discipline albeit not a masterpiece, but nevertheless to be untrained) or JKR installed a fact by the clever tricky confusions of the puzzling case. Well, what came out in the resolution at the end, I had thought so in approaches but only in between, as one of many possibilities that open up a da. Actually, I was clueless and that bothers me really see that on a crime, I would like to mitraten.
Curious and almost angrily this Cormoran Strike wanders from one interview to the next, identified here and there, actively supported by Robin, and just seems to do everything right. Of course, it does not solve everything on the fly, incidentally runs much good stuff in his private life wrong, but in the event he unraveled piece by piece and presented at the end of a perfect resolution. The latter may be permitted, even has appeal, but would have the reader not a little earlier the odd snippet can be presented by Strikes guesses? Sure, the balancing act, not to present the reader with too much and too little, so that he suspects something at the end, but it is still surprising is difficult. But since this is a review on here, I can calmly say: not so really succeeded Mrs Rowling. A perfect private detective who resolves a perfectly-complicated case at the end of a perfect running me a little too smooth and actually takes quite a bit of fun while reading. Particularly the notorious middle part runs something. I do not miss the action (which is really sparse) or the big shock experience just before the end, but I miss some more amazing discoveries and reversals in between, I miss a strike, which is sometimes followed a false trail, the well times overlook a detail, just to look at it later happened to be in a different light
Conclusion: world, attention to detail, characters color! as usual from Rowling masterfully dominated (although that is certainly more difficult for a non-fantasy novel). The case is well thought out and not run the risk to have been something like this already implemented several times. But the Plot data, the plot construction, to outstanding moments is lagging behind (until just before the end) unfortunately. But all this from a (novels) Crime newbie.
Still, I'll probably at least the next event with buy Strike (JKR wants to follow under a pseudonym other novels), if only because of the characters. Rowling's new in this area, their crime debut so. In fantasy genre she has set milestones. When Crime they might have to learn something, but that is surely coming.
Therefore 3.5 stars because that is not possible with a little good will four.
Recommended for all JKR fans (write deliberately not HP fans) those that could still be there and everyone who wants to see again how the bestverdienende author of world history tries on a new genre.
