Hot off finishing the TV series we review the latest installment of Cormoran Strike in Lethal White.
Lethal White – the blurb
When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike’s office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.
Trying to get to the bottom of Billy’s story, Strike and Robin Ellacott – once his assistant, now a partner in the agency – set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.
And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike’s own life is far from straightforward: his newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been – Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much more tricky than that . . .
For reference
Having read all of Galbraith’s previous books, when Lethal White finally made its debut on TV I decided to boost book number 4, Lethal White, to the top of my TBR pile. I read it at the same time the TV show aired and I’m pleased I did as the programme by itself was quite difficult to follow. I found the book plugged a lot of gaps and helped to cement the characters in my mind.
The book was clearly needed for reference as the plot was quite complex (something Galbraith/Rowling admits to at the end of the book). A strangling that took place years ago, a Minister being black mailed for something only now illegal, and a political movement fighting the Olympics all seem unrelated. At times it was difficult to see where it was all going but Galbraith does his best to pull it all together.
Olympic gold
Where Rowling has always shined is her characters and whilst I could have taken or left the support crew in Lethal White it was Strike and Robin that I loved reading about the most. Galbraith manages to walk the fine line between will they/wont they perfectly without it ever feeling like dead plot.
I also really liked reading about the Olympics, a reference that was completely removed from the TV series, Reading Strike watching the opening ceremony and throw aways such as the post boxes being painted gold had me reminiscing and Galbraith evoked that time of joyfulness and pride at being British perfectly.
Repetitive strain
What did start to grate slightly though was the constant references to Strike’s missing leg and his ‘sore stump’. We are 4 books in now, we are well aware of his circumstances and whilst I do appreciate it would cause some difficulty and pain stalking through woods at night I don’t need reminding in every chapter. The book was 650 pages and at times it felt like every one of them. A reference or two could easily have been removed without any enjoyment being lost. It was also slightly disappointing to see the book culminating (slight spoiler) with violence against Robin. Next time lets have her rescuing Strike.
I won’t be rushing to read the next book (Troubled Blood out this month) but I will watch the TV series as I do like the pairing of Burke and Grainger. I’m not saying I won’t ever return to the writing of Galbraith but it’s not often you get me saying I will watch the programme beforehand.