Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

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Career of Evil by Robert Galbriath



Fan Girl moment and Disclaimer: I love JK Rowling. I always have. This series of hers written under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym is pretty damn good and it keeps getting better. This is the third book in a series of detective novels written about Cormoran Strike. You don’t have to read the preceding novels to enjoy this one. Career of Evil is an intense story and one that I immensely enjoyed. So now to the review.
                The last thing Robin Ellacott was expecting to receive in a package on the way into the office was a woman’s severed leg and yet that is exactly what she got. The leg was cut in a way that reflected Cormoran Strike’s missing limb. Now Strike is not only worried about his assistant Robin’s safety but also about his business. After the other two high profile cases he had recently solved, the two had steady business, even if neither was making very much money. Now with the recent press from the leg, they were down to two clients. Strike has a feeling that whoever sent Robin the leg was trying to send him a message. The search is on and as much as he fears for Robin’s safety he trust her and her ability. As the body count rises around them the pressure to find the person behind this, before he can hurt someone else, mounts.
                Let me start by saying that Cormoran and Robin are highly likeable, imperfect, struggling characters that are really well developed. Both of them are beautifully layered and full of depth. They feel so real. They have a certain chemistry that exists throughout the entire novel. There is also a sexual tension there but it is extremely subtle and adds a certain depth to their relationship. There is so much between them that is genuine and that comes from a strictly platonic place but there is also something else that Galbraith won’t let us put our finger on just yet but it is there lingering none of the less. Cormoran and Robin are great vehicles for these detective novels. They are average people trying to make a living with interesting details laced throughout their past. They are set against the back drop of London and the imagery created is masterful. I love vivid imagery and descriptions. This novel had all of that. 
                But let us not forget that this is a mystery novel and a hefty one at that. With the narrative changing from that of our Cormoran and Robin to that of the psychopath finding pleasure in hacking up women, the seriousness of the situation is palpable. Robin is in danger. This person has it out for Strike and this is personal. With a few guys to choose from the heat is on. I was kept on my toes throughout the pages. I was constantly going over the information provided to try and decipher who this man may be from the subjects being presented. It would suck to be hated so much that you had a list of people who wanted to harm you and those around you but Strike takes it all in stride.

                All in all I give this novel 5 out of 5 stars. I have already fangirled out for you but I still will say that this was an incredible novel. I love the high intensity and the high stakes. I loved the personal lives that were trying to interfere so fervently with the case and dangers at hand. I loved the tension. Not only that but Galbraith can sew a story and leave breadcrumbs but yet shock you. This was well done. I am (im)patiently waiting for the next one. 

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