'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling

http://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/culture/2014/06/25/review-the-silkworm-by-robert-galbraith/

Hello all- another blog post that has been left lingering in the drafts section far too long...

So my commute to work was saved by the sequel to The Cuckoo's Calling also by Robert Galbraith.

We all know how J.K. Rowling's pseudonym was revealed with the first book, so let's move on from that excitement already and just look at the book for what it is- simply brilliant.

This book follows Comoran Strike and Robin once more as they investigate the disappearance of an author Owen Quine. As they go further they realise that his disappearance is based around the unfinished novel Bombyx Mori (latin for Silkworm, hence the title) and the characters that were involved in its creation.

I don't want to give too much away, because the twists and turns of the plot line were great fun to read. Galbraith is amazing at revealing just enough information to keep you reading without it being entirely predictable. Also, as with most sequels, both Strike and Robin get their own characters developed far more. Strike no longer appears like the stereotypical isolated he-man, but a full character with friends and thoughts beyond his case. His apparent 'use' of the new character Nina suggest that he's got a bit more going on- it certainly stops this novel being repeating the prequel.

Similarly, Robin gets far more stage time- her relationship with Matthew, her fiancee is explored- especially in the triangle between them and Strike- but not to the extent that it slows down the story. You get to visit her home town and follow her as she looks into what she really wants in terms of working with Strike and the impacts that it has on her impending marriage. All in all, these characters are a bit more people-like than vehicles for a story.

The book certainly has a pace to it- but at times I did get lost in all the characters. As with most Crime novels that don't involve serial killers, new characters were always part of the new case. This one in particular involves a wealth of characters that are each well established, but still I was able to confuse them from time to time. I blame the early starts to my fuzzy head.

However, living in London this summer made this book great fun- Galbraith is great at dropping in landmarks and locations that aren't the usual tourist fare of London literature- a highlight for me was passing through one of the tube stops that was referenced as I was reading it. It certainly made the descriptions come alive. Also, the presence of diverse female characters was amazing. To be honest, the diversity of the characters was great, considering the numbers was impressive- I think the setting of the literary world certainly helped in giving a platform for it.

An amazing read, especially if you are a born londoner or part-timer like me.