Career of Evil (A Cormoran Strike Novel, 3)
A disturbing package leads Detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott to investigate four dangerous murder suspects in this "magnetic" British mystery (Michiko Kakutani, New York Times) that inspired the acclaimed HBO Max series C.B. Strike. When Robin Ellacott opens an unexpected delivery, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman's severed leg. Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but just as alarmed. He suspects that four people from his past could be responsible -- and any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality. With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike has essentially ruled out, he and Robin take matters into their own hands and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them . . . Career of Evil is the third in J. K. Rowling's highly acclaimed series featuring private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. A fiendishly clever mystery with unexpected twists around every corner, Career of Evil is also a gripping story of a man and a woman at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives.
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Community Reviews
The best one in the series yet. Cormoran Strike's assistant, Robin Ellacott, is sent a severed leg in the mail. The only problem is Strike knows three men who would send him a severed leg. This book was dark, brooding, fast-paced, and exciting. The tension was high and gratifying. The subject matter is, admittedly, deeply disturbing, however, and I wouldn't recommend going to bed without looking at some kittens first. But damn. This was the first of her books where the killer really took me by surprise and left off on such a cliffhanger. I literally don't know how I'm going to wait for the next book. I loved it and I am already aching for more.
4/4.5 stars!
I really enjoyed this book a lot, probably more than the first two books. JK Rowling is definitely getting into her mystery writing chops as she goes on in the series. I found the mystery intriguing and I was drawn into the web of all the suspects and their various depravities. I'm super interested in forensic psychology and the worst sort of crimes, so having all of these sketchy suspects was something I really found facinating.
I also really enjoyed the further development of Robin and Strike's relationship, especially with them struggling against their feelings towards each other (which is undoubtedly continued in the next book). I thought I would be frustrated with Robin going against Strike's orders, since I usually tend to get annoyed at characters who do that kind of thing and act Gryffindor-ish, so to speak, but I actually didn't find that I felt that way, which was a nice relief because I hate when I end up annoyed at the main character for something that most people would praise.
Finally, I enjoyed the fact that Strike kind of screwed up because of his own prejudices. If he hadn't had those suspicions about his stepfather because he was already determined to hate him, then maybe things could have turned out differently. Although he obviously managed to solve the case and all that, it was really interesting to read about how even Strike can be blinded by his own issues which he is determined to ignore/pretend are solved and behind him.
My main issue with the book ended up being all the chapters from the killer's POV. I did enjoy some of them, but after a while, they kind of became super repetitive and didn't really add anything to the narrative. Like, we get that he's a misogynistic asshole, no need to keep hammering that in. I wish we could have gotten more from his point of view behind that after the first few bits.
Otherwise though, definitely a great read, and I've already started the next one!
I really enjoyed this book a lot, probably more than the first two books. JK Rowling is definitely getting into her mystery writing chops as she goes on in the series. I found the mystery intriguing and I was drawn into the web of all the suspects and their various depravities. I'm super interested in forensic psychology and the worst sort of crimes, so having all of these sketchy suspects was something I really found facinating.
I also really enjoyed the further development of Robin and Strike's relationship, especially with them struggling against their feelings towards each other (which is undoubtedly continued in the next book). I thought I would be frustrated with Robin going against Strike's orders, since I usually tend to get annoyed at characters who do that kind of thing and act Gryffindor-ish, so to speak, but I actually didn't find that I felt that way, which was a nice relief because I hate when I end up annoyed at the main character for something that most people would praise.
Finally, I enjoyed the fact that Strike kind of screwed up because of his own prejudices. If he hadn't had those suspicions about his stepfather because he was already determined to hate him, then maybe things could have turned out differently. Although he obviously managed to solve the case and all that, it was really interesting to read about how even Strike can be blinded by his own issues which he is determined to ignore/pretend are solved and behind him.
My main issue with the book ended up being all the chapters from the killer's POV. I did enjoy some of them, but after a while, they kind of became super repetitive and didn't really add anything to the narrative. Like, we get that he's a misogynistic asshole, no need to keep hammering that in. I wish we could have gotten more from his point of view behind that after the first few bits.
Otherwise though, definitely a great read, and I've already started the next one!
I finally caught up on all of the Cormoran Strike novels (when IS the next one???) and, while this one was rather brutal, it was still wonderfully good. Again with the audio book because the narrator is just phenomenal.
We know Robin - Strike's secretary/partner in the detective agency. She's marrying Matthew (whom no one likes) and is caught up in wedding planning when she's asked to sign for a package outside of the agency. She hurriedly does, assuming it's the disposable cameras she ordered for the reception, and goes into the office.
Well, folks, it turns out that package contained a human severed leg.
With a horrifying scream, we begin our mystery.
Strike has 3 men in mind who could have - and would have - sent the leg. That really tells you the kind of life he leads, right? If I was sent a body part, I'd be hard-pressed to think of 1 person who would do that.
Noel Brockbank - child rapist who Strike clobbered when he arrested him, resulting in brain damage and seizures but, unfortunately, not stopping his pedophilia.
Donald Laing - another horrible person Strike met in the military who tortured and held captive his own wife while raping other women.
Jeff Whitaker - Strike's step-dad who, more than likely, killed Strike's mother. Another absolutely horrible person. I could smell his odor coming from my iPod.
Strike and Robin set out doing what they do best but this killer is still getting the best of them. More body parts are sent and, suddenly, London realizes it has another Jack the Ripper on their hands.
There is a great amount of detail in this novel, including finally delving into the past of Robin and Strike. My heart broke for them both and I was actually worried for a bit that this killer would get the best of them.
Fantastic series! Please, JK, write more!!
We know Robin - Strike's secretary/partner in the detective agency. She's marrying Matthew (whom no one likes) and is caught up in wedding planning when she's asked to sign for a package outside of the agency. She hurriedly does, assuming it's the disposable cameras she ordered for the reception, and goes into the office.
Well, folks, it turns out that package contained a human severed leg.
With a horrifying scream, we begin our mystery.
Strike has 3 men in mind who could have - and would have - sent the leg. That really tells you the kind of life he leads, right? If I was sent a body part, I'd be hard-pressed to think of 1 person who would do that.
Noel Brockbank - child rapist who Strike clobbered when he arrested him, resulting in brain damage and seizures but, unfortunately, not stopping his pedophilia.
Donald Laing - another horrible person Strike met in the military who tortured and held captive his own wife while raping other women.
Jeff Whitaker - Strike's step-dad who, more than likely, killed Strike's mother. Another absolutely horrible person. I could smell his odor coming from my iPod.
Strike and Robin set out doing what they do best but this killer is still getting the best of them. More body parts are sent and, suddenly, London realizes it has another Jack the Ripper on their hands.
There is a great amount of detail in this novel, including finally delving into the past of Robin and Strike. My heart broke for them both and I was actually worried for a bit that this killer would get the best of them.
Fantastic series! Please, JK, write more!!
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