Robert Gailbrath, aka J. K. Rowling, came out with her latest novel Cuckoo's Calling a few months back. Before I dive into a review on the book, let me start out by saying: it's nothing like Harry Potter. But, needless it is written a very thrilling, captivating way. One of the things I'm very intentional about in these reviews is telling you a synopsis, Christian perspective, but I don't want to ruin the plot or the ending for you. So, without further adieu, let's dive in!!!!
The Cuckoo's Calling is JK Rowling's second novel written for adults, the first novel being a Casual Vacancy. This novel centers around the mysterious death of supermodel Lula Landry as she fell out of her second story apartment window to her death on a cold January night. The police rule Lula's unfortunate death as a suicide, and the case is quickly dropped from there. However, that doesn't sit well with Lula's half-brother John Bristow. He believes that Lula was pushed, and that her death was in fact no accident. John Bristow is convinced that Lula was murdered. So, he sets out to hire a private detective Cormoran Strike. Strike a detective down on his luck and feeling a major financial pinch, reluctantly agrees to take the case. He even accidentally hires a secretary from a temp agency, Robin, even though he really can't afford to pay her much of anything. Strike and Robin set out to try and prove Bristow's assumption and as he begins to look at the major suspects: the troubled boyfriend, the angry film producer, the rapper who moved below her who had trouble with the law, and the jealous friend, Strike finds a case that is truly twisted, surprising, and down right dangerous. What they find will make your jaw drop!
That is a brief overview of the book. I will say I was glad I read it, but I don't know if I would read it again. The character development is good, but I don't know if I would say great. JK Rowling brings in some characters really quickly, and it leaves the reader asking where did they come from? She also could develop more characters which she mentions but doesn't give much time in the story such as Robin's fiancee, Strike's ex-lover, and even John Bristow's brother Charlie. But, overall I would say the quality of writing and the story is very good. It's a great page-turner, easy read, and I love hearing British terms for things such as a cell phone is called a mobile. The highlight is the end of the story, a truly great surprise ending:). Which won't be revealed here:) I would give it 3.5 stars out of five.
In terms of a Christian world view, I would say the book had some major areas that Christians need to be aware of and take a look at. Surprisingly, the book was not very sexually explicit at all. It did mention a few cases of unmarried people living together, which in our day and time can be a very gray area for folks. My folks raised me to be against it, but that is not me saying if you live or have lived with a boyfriend/girlfriend or whomever you're a bad Christian. There are many things to consider if you are, but please note that the Bible is very clear about the dangers of sex outside of marriage. One of the main struggles I had with the book though was the language. There was a lot of profanity in the book, and that did bother me. I would say that is probably the main reason why I won't read it again. All of the profanity is unnecessary, and it goes against directly what Paul is telling us in Philippians 4 saying that we as Christians need to look for and cling to things that are pure, noble, trustworthy, true, holy, etc. If profanity bothers you in a book then this is not the book for you. I give it 2 out of 5 stars for my Christian/family friendly book.
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