Book two in the Cormoran Strike series is a ride that hit particularly well with me. Continued on from The Cuckoo's Calling are the same tarnished London world and twisted supporting cast. There are secrets and well-formed turns that far outstrip Galbraith's first outing and in-depth conversational games that not only elevate this novel but hint toward exciting chapters to come.

Strike and Robin continue to be the highlight, though Robin obviously the all-star. Her bright and refreshingly common nature reaches off the page and makes me feel for her in ways that are profound where I'm concerned.

The relationships between existing characters evolve in unpredictable but satisfying ways, while the mystery at the story's core kept me guessing up until the final pages. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a grounded detective novel that grows beyond the formula we all know so well.