Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike #3)

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym for JK Rowling) is the third book in the Cormoran Strike series. Strike is a private investigator in London. He and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, have a lot of cases after the publicity of two previous cases.

As Robin gets to work one morning a messenger is waiting with a package addressed to her. She signs the sheet and takes it up to the office. But it is does not contain the disposable cameras she ordered - it holds a human leg.

With the police focusing on only one possible suspect, Cormoran and Robin start their own investigation into the dark and twisted world of three men who may be involved - all of whom have a reason to target Strike and the people around him.

Galbraith is a masterful storyteller. Both Cormoran and Robin are great character though very different. Mystery and suspense readers who have not discovered Robert Galbraith would be wise to run to the nearest library and start reading the first book.

Galbraith, Robert. (2015). Career of Evil. New York: Mulholland Books.

The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike #1)

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith is (hopefully) the first book in the Cormoran Strike detective series. Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for JK Rowling.

Cormoran Strike is a private detective. He is not having much luck in business at the moment and he has just left his girlfriend to move into his office. He had been using a temp service for a secretary but can no longer afford to pay her - but forgot to cancel the service.

When Robin shows up for her first day of work for a PI, she just misses being run over by a beautiful woman leaving the building. When she gets to the top of the stairs, she is not missed by Strike, who knocks right into her.

Now Cormoran's luck might be changing. Robin seems like much more than a secretary and suddenly he has a new client - one who can pay.

John Bristow found Strike in the yellow pages and remembered his name from childhood. Strike was friends with John's older brother. And now that he needs help, Strike seems like the best option. John's sister, the supermodel Lulu Landry died three months ago. The police ruled it a suicide, but John is convinced she did not jump to her death. He hires Strike to prove it.

Galbraith is a great writer who weaves this mystery like a master. Anyone who likes mystery will love this book and hope for more featuring Cormoran Strike.

Galbraith, Robert. (2013). The Cuckoo's Calling. New York: Mulholland Books.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling is a collection of the folk tales told to the children of wizards and witches.

Translated from the ancient runes by Hermione Granger, the book is comprised of five tales that each include commentary by Albus Dumbledor. Each tale has a message to be learned and wisdom to pass on to the next generation.

Stories include:
The Wizard and the Hopping Pot
The Fountain of Fair Fortune
The Warlock's Hairy Heart
Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump
The Tale of the Three Brothers

Rowling has created these stories as a companion to the Harry Potter series. They are beautifully crafted and are fun to read.

Rowling, J.K. (2007). The Tales of Beedle the Bard. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter #7)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling is the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series.

Before Harry, Ron, and Hermione can begin their final year at Hogwarts, the wizarding world is turned upside-down by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Everything is Harry's life has changed and he knows that he is the only one who can defeat Voldemort.

The three friends were given a task by Dumbledor - to find the Horcruxes that Voldemort split his soul into. He cannot be destroyed until they are or he will just find his way back into the world in the future. But Harry, Ron, and Hermione have to figure out where the Horcruxes are and then how to destroy them.

This conclusion to the Harry Potter series is a dark masterpiece. Rowling is on par with J.R.R. Tolkien for her mastery of the fantasy genre. Her world is true to itself and her overall storyline must have been created at the beginning to have so seamlessly come together. The Harry Potter series is one of the most well-written, most exciting series I have read. If you have only seen the movies you are missing out.

Rowling, J.K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter #6)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling is the sixth book in her Harry Potter series.

Before the beginning of Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the evil Lord Voldemort and his band of Death Eaters are beginning to cause more trouble. Due to a prophesy Harry knows that he will have to play a large role in the eventual face off with Voldemort.

This year along with regular classes and Quidditch, headmaster Albus Dumbledor will try to prepare Harry for his future battle. Harry is sure that one of his classmates is working for the Death Eaters but no one seems to believe him.

Rowling's continued narrative keeps illustrating how brilliantly she set up the series. There are clues along the way that prepare characters and readers for what is to come. Harry Potter is the most well written series ever written for young readers.

Rowling, J.K. (2005). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling is the fifth book in her Harry Potter series.

In Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry there will be many changes. Even before school starts the story turns darker. Harry and his Muggle cousin Dudley are attacked by dementors and Harry has to use magic to save them - it is illegal for underage wizards to use magic outside of school.

Now Harry will be brought before the Ministry of Magic to decide if he will be expelled from school for breaking the law. In the meantime, Lord Voldemort is gaining strength and his followers have rejoined him.

Before the end of the book Harry and his friends will be faced once more with a task that would make adults weary. But in spite of their need to defend themselves, this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is less than helpful.

Rowling is a brilliant writer. Upon a second reading, readers will pick up clues and nuances that were missed the first time around. If you have only seen the movie version of Harry Potter you have no idea what you are missing!

Rowling, J.K. (2003). Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth book in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series.

In his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry and his friends will have some changes. After decades, the Triwizard Tournament - a tournament between magical schools - will be held at Hogwarts.

Just before school starts, Harry joins Hermionie, Ron, and the Weasleys to go to the Quidditch World Cup. After the match there are signs that Lord Voldemort is gaining strength.

So continues the lives of Harry and other wizards as an evil force begins to regain power. Before the end of this volume, Harry will once again face He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Rowling is a great writer. So many things that slide by the reader the first time around - when the outcome of the series is still unknown - jump out on a second pass, showing just how brilliantly the series was crafted. Read it again!

Rowling JK. (2000). Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling is the third book in the Harry Potter series.

Harry is about to begin his third year at Hogwarts, but for now he is still stuck with the Dursleys - his non-magical relatives. They do not want him to do anything related to magic - including his summer homework. When they lie to a visiting relative about Harry being in a school for criminal teens, he cannot take it anymore.

Harry runs away from the Dursleys. He catches a ride on the night bus and spends the rest of his summer in Diagon Alley. At the same time, all over the magical and muggle news is a story of a prison break. Sirius Black has escaped from prison and is so dangerous that the Ministry of Magic has placed guards around Hogwarts.

A re-reading of Rowling's series will point out clues along the way that finally lead to the outcome of the series - proving just how brilliantly the Harry Potter story was crafted. Read it again!

Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York: Scholastic Press.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and covers Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a summer of being back with the Dursleys, Harry is ready for school to begin. But before he can return he is visited by a small creature who begs him not to go back to Hogwarts. This creature has been stealling all of Harry's mail and making Harry feel as if his friends had forgotten him.

Once his is back at school, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are back together studying magic. But strange happenings begin to occur. And soon the school is not as safe as it once was.

Rowling brilliantly continues Harry's time at Hogwarts with more advance writing along with the more advanced magic Harry and his friends are learning. The Chamber of Secrets is dark for a kids' book, but will delight readers of all ages. If you are a fan of the movies - read the books. They really are quite good.

Rowling, J.K. (1998). Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling is the first book in the Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter is living a dreary life with his aunt, uncle and cousin when he finds out that he is a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

He goes from being ignored or picked on to being a legend. He is the only person to have survived the evil wizard Voldemort's death curse. But Harry knew none of this - he thought his parents died in a car crash, not standing up to evil.

Now Harry, with his new best friends Hermione and Ron, will learn the ropes at Hogwarts.

This first book, on re-reading, is even better than the first time. Upon a second reading, readers will discover the brilliance of JK Rowling. She set things up in the first book that will play out through the series.

Revisit this great series. It is totally worth it.

Rowling, JK. (1997). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic.