Book Review: Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

 

Career of Evil

by

Robert Galbraith

 

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith is the third instalment of the Cormoran Strike novels. When I first heard that this book was to be published I was straight online to pre-order. Having previously read Galbraith's previous two novels The Cuckoo's Calling and The Silkworm there was no question, that I was not going to order this one. Both myself and my wife love these books so it was a case of who was going to read it first. When it was delivered we were both half way through books, so it was a who finishes their book first wins. I lost of course as my wife is so much faster than me. Thankfully when I did get my chance to read it, it did not take long.... For those that don't know Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K Rowling author of the Harry Potter books.

 

When a Mysterious parcel is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that is contains a women's severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is not that surprised but very alarmed. There are four people from Strike's past who he thinks could be responsible, especially one of them who is capable of unspeakable brutality. With the police focusing on one suspect Strike is increasingly sure they are not the perpetrator, so he & Robin decide to take matters into their own hand and delve into the dark & twisted worlds of the other three suspects. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for both Strike & Robin.....

 

Where do I start? well I am best to describe these books as a good old fashioned murder mystery. A modern day Agatha Christie' Hurcule Poirot you could say. Private detective Cormoran Strike, a former Special forces detective and his trusted side kick Robin Ellacott go together so well. It was great to catch up with what has been going on with them since their last big case, which I'm afraid would only really make sense if you had read the two previously books. This however is not a bad thing as they are both brilliant so it will be worth it. Straight from the off you are deep into this story. I remember when my wife read it she had only been reading 5 minutes and she was like, woooah, after only the first chapter. Books that start like this are always the best for me as you know it is going to be great and whilst you have you mind in the book nothing else in the world matters. 

 

The story in itself is brilliant and so clever, this books takes so many twists & turns that I, at one point, was convinced every character in the book had done it and in some instances I kept going back to the same character over and over. Even when you think you have found out, you still have not really and have to keep going till at least the last page of the book. Did I get it right?? nah of course not. Out witted again....

 

Apart from Strike & Robin there are some old faces from previous books that are back and it is great to see them as well. Along with the regulars you had a whole new cast of evil suspects which were written brilliant by Galbraith. The way they are described you could picture them so well. I regularly visit London which is where these books are set, so for me this makes it more fun when the story is in places where I have been too. This book also took a trip down a very dark path, which for me is why I think these books are so good. Not because I'm evil, because I'm not, far from it haha but it creates an atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes the story so realistic and reminds you that this world is a horrible place sometimes.

 

Was there anything bad about the book? Yes it finished, and I have to wait till October 2016 for the next one. Like I said before you are best to read the previous two books so you would probably not enjoy it as a stand alone book.

 

I scored this book a 5 out of 5. It was amazing and an extremely enjoyable page turner. This is up there as one of the best books I have read in 2015. I fully recommend this book. I know of 5 people who have read this as well and they all say how great it is.

 

I would love to know what other people think. Do you agree with me or not? Let me know..

 

Speak soon

 

CBailey31