Please, someone, edit these books! 3.5/5 stars.
The blurb: When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman’s severed leg.
Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible – and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.
With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, 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…
My take:
If you’re unfamiliar with my mixed feelings towards books 1 and 2 of this series, here are my reviews of The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm.
I’m pleased to report that there are a couple of ways in which Career of Evil is an improvement on its predecessors. With the first two books, I was irritated that the mysteries were impenetrable right until the end when we finally get some idea of what the heck is going on. This isn’t any fun for the reader because it feels like we’re being shut out rather than carried along as part of the investigative team. Thankfully, Career of Evil is much more inclusive of its readers because it begins with Strike setting out his four clear suspects and then working to eliminate/incriminate each of them. This made motive and connections between events and suspects clearer. I actually managed to figure out bits of what was going on this time!
We also get more Robin, which can never be a bad thing. And, in general, making this case personal to Strike and Robin was a good move. After 2 books we now care enough about them to be invested in their personal safety and so putting them in jeopardy is great for building tension.
But my largest issue still remains. Once again, the book is far too long. In fact, I think this book had more unnecessary length than the first two. There were whole sections I thought could have been cut to move things along more quickly without losing anything crucial in terms of plot, characterisation or drama.
So, if the next book is a snappy 400 pages or less, I think I’ll stick with the series. If only because I’m now so invested in Robin’s happiness I want to know what happens next for her. Personally, I’m still hoping Matthew – the devious little weasel – has an unfortunate accident!
Overall: this series continues to entertain and is becoming increasingly involving and inclusive of its readers. I’d still say to get them from your library though… just in case they’re not for you!
Claire Huston / Art and Soul
Art and Soul 
Interestingly, I thought this was the weakest of the three for the exact opposite reasons. I enjoyed the huge twists at the end of the first two, spending time afterwards thinking about the small clues that I’d missed. I didn’t like that I’d pretty much guessed who it was in this one, although I did keep changing my mind!
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I kept changing my mind between 2 of the suspects until fairly near the end, although I was rather pleased I’d spotted one earlier on 🙂
Still can’t stand Matthew. As I say, if he gets pushed down a large hole in book 4 then I’ll queue up to read it 🙂
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I definitely agree with you about Matthew! I suppose I did enjoy the satisfaction of guessing correctly too 🙂
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Thanks for reviewing these – I was wondering whether to give them a go!
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I would definitely give them a go if you like detective fiction, but maybe get them from the library just in case 🙂
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I did not read the entire review as i have’t read the book yet but I have similar feelings to you on the first two books. The Silkworm was an improvement ans seeing your comment about thi being better makes me excited to finally read it. I’m curious to see what’ll happen to Robin 😀
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It’s definitely worth reading because Robin gets much more “screen time”. In fact, I’d say half the book is from her point of view, which is a nice change 🙂
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Great review Claire. I have the fist book though I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I will adjust my expectations when I do 🙂
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Thank you!
They are good (as you’d expect from J. K. Rowling), but I do think the biggest problem they have is being too long. I hope you enjoy them 🙂
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More Robin can only be a plus. When I received my book, I was quite surprised to find it quite big. Now I know I was right to suspect some cutting here and there would do good to the story.
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It definitely would! It would make a good book great. Such a shame no-one went at it with the red pen
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I guess it is difficult to cut anything written by J.K Rowling 🙂
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Avoiding this review for now, but it doesn’t look good for the third one in this series… I have the second lined up to read this month anyway.
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It’s ok! 🙂 Mostly I took stars off for it being SOSOSOSO long again.
Lots of Robin in this one, which is great 🙂
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At least that’s something to look forward to 🙂
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