Book Report: The Silkworm

9. Robert Galbraith (aka J. K. Rowling), The Silkworm (2014) (6/29/24)

I really enjoy the main protagonist of this series of PI stories, Cormoran B. Strike, and his right-hand woman, Robin. I read the first book just a few months ago. I had (I'm pretty sure) watched all three seasons of the TV show that are available on MAX (there are six seasons altogether, but MAX hasn't caught up yet), but... the beauty of a forgetful brain! I had totally forgotten every darn detail of this story. So the book was fresh and fascinating!

I rewatched the two-episode television rendering of this 450-page book this evening. It involves the gruesome murder of a writer of "magical brutalism"—i.e., the publishing industry. Various characters were deleted, others were abbreviated. And surprisingly, the telling clue as to who the actual perpetrator was—well, I think it was created for the TV version. Because it made more sense than I recall the book making. And I just finished the book yesterday, so...

But overall, it was a fine read. Sometimes, anything with a plot (like a murder mystery), a good lead character (like Strike), a bit of emotional turmoil (like Strike and Robin and her fiancé Matthew), and a satisfactory conclusion (especially one that involves punctuation!) is all I need. But Galbraith/Rowling really is a very good writer. 

I'm already looking forward to the next installment in the series.