Lethal White (Cormoran Strike #4)

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym for JK Rowling) is the forth book in the mystery series featuring Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott.

Cormoran is a private investigator based in London. He was military police until an explosion took part of his leg. Now he has a small agency that has been in the news a few times. His partner, Robin Ellacott, started as a temp. She was so helpful and showed a great brain and an interest in solving mysteries.

While Robin is out for her honeymoon, a man comes into the office who makes the temporary secretary nervous. Strike returns to the office to find Billy, who has a nervous twitch and has not bathed for a while. But his story is so detailed is seems credible.

Billy runs away before Strike can convince him to give them contact information. When Strike finds Billy's brother at an anti-Olympics meeting, the man is convinced that a government Minister sent him to harass him.

Then next day, that same Minister hires Strike to find out who is blackmailing him and to get some dirt on them to keep them quiet. Robin goes undercover in the Parliament. And she and Strike get a glimpse of what the upper classes do to each other.

Galbraith is a great writer and the main characters, Robin and Cormoran, are two of my favorites.

Galbraith, Robert. (2018). Lethal White. New York: Mulholland Books.

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 Silkworm (Cormoran Strike #2)

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith is the second book in the Cormoran Strike mystery series. Strike is an ex-Army private investigator who is doing better after the publicity of his last case.

Since Strike solved the mystery of the death of a famous actress, he is a popular choice for a private eye. He has numerous cases - mostly messy divorce or cheating cases. With the help of his secretary and assistant, Robin, he is doing well.

When the wife of author Owen Quine hires Strike to find her husband she is under the assumption that he is off finishing a book. While she doesn't have money to pay for Strike's services, she assures him that her husband's agent will pay. Besides, she is sure he is at a writer's retreat somewhere.

Owen Quine disappeared after turning in his latest manuscript. He thinks it is brilliant - others think he will be taken to court for libel. The book, Bombyx Mori, may give quite a few people motive for murder - if they have read it.

Cormoran and Robin have their work cut out for them on this case. Galbraith has created two great characters who readers will follow through many a strange and twisty mystery.

Galbraith, Robert. (2014). The Silkworm. 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.