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Original poster

Who's got their copy of Robert Galbraith's (JKR) latest?

163 replies

ParmaVioletTea · 03/09/2025 19:13

Just picked mine up from my local bookshop. And my local Waterstone's had a whole window full of the book, with a special half-price offer.

I have started reading it; slipping into another story of characters who feel like old friends.

(Heretical opinion: I think Ms Rowling is a better writer in the Strike series than Harry Potter, but she still needs an editor.)

OP posts:
Civilservant · 05/09/2025 12:22

Started a ‘spoilers allowed’ thread on Hallmarked Man in the books section!

Cattywillow · 05/09/2025 12:20

I got mine the day it came out. I was so early at the store they had to cut open the pallet for me. 😂 read it in three days flat. Will give it a couple of days then listen to the audiobook which I’ve already downloaded. I’ve read/listened to all the books in the series multiple times and am slightly obsessed. Loved every minute reading this one but it felt different somehow to the rest. A bit more rushed maybe? 🤷‍♀️Lethal White is still my fav.

abathofmilkwithladydi · 05/09/2025 12:15

What was the gift? Am desperate to know!

JustSpeculation · 05/09/2025 12:09

Finished. I enjoyed it as well. There were times I had to go back and ensure the "all characters...are fictitious" disclaimer was still there.

DialSquare · 05/09/2025 11:46

EsmeWeatherwaxHatpin · 05/09/2025 06:28

I’m going to have to change my reading habits as I can’t read this in bed. It’s too big 🙈. I always forget.

I love her world building but yes, an editor would help as she does duplicate occasionally and close together and it could be tighter. Not that it will take away from my enjoyment as you can just tell she really feels her characters.

Some writers don’t. She does. I think she can see them as people. Not many manage that.

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Memoryhole · 05/09/2025 11:46

Feejoah · 04/09/2025 22:36

I've almost finished it! I'm really enjoying it. I spotted JKR's wee gift ❤️

Wasn’t it delicious ?

LizzieSiddal · 05/09/2025 11:34

EsmeWeatherwaxHatpin · 05/09/2025 06:28

I’m going to have to change my reading habits as I can’t read this in bed. It’s too big 🙈. I always forget.

I love her world building but yes, an editor would help as she does duplicate occasionally and close together and it could be tighter. Not that it will take away from my enjoyment as you can just tell she really feels her characters.

Some writers don’t. She does. I think she can see them as people. Not many manage that.

I use a pillow to place the book on, so I don’t have to hold it with two hands.

EsmeWeatherwaxHatpin · 05/09/2025 06:28

I’m going to have to change my reading habits as I can’t read this in bed. It’s too big 🙈. I always forget.

I love her world building but yes, an editor would help as she does duplicate occasionally and close together and it could be tighter. Not that it will take away from my enjoyment as you can just tell she really feels her characters.

Some writers don’t. She does. I think she can see them as people. Not many manage that.

TeaHagTeaBag · 04/09/2025 23:31

I'm listening, about 6 hours to go. I love JKR with all my heart but this one is too convoluted for my peri addled brain. I am finding it much funnier than the previous books though, especially Strike's mental asides.

FlorisApple · 04/09/2025 23:19

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FlorisApple · 04/09/2025 23:19

Me! I was so fortunate yesterday; it said on the web that the local shop didn't have it in stock yet, but I just had an inkling they might be putting it out, and not wanting to leave my sick son at home long and go to the shop further away, I quickly dashed in; couldn't find it on the shelves anywhere, but noticed them about to unpack it, sitting on a trolley! Success! Loving it already!

Radiatorvalves · 04/09/2025 22:44

I picked it up today and then put it down…. Massive book (just under 900 pages). I will read it but probably on kindle. I love the series but have thought some books would benefit from ruthless pruning.

KioraKiora · 04/09/2025 22:39

Just finished. Another absolute masterpiece. I think I actually stopped breathing at points!

God I fucking love JKR.

bluebirdy3987 · 04/09/2025 22:38

ooo thank you. Just ordered it!

StrikeForever · 04/09/2025 22:37

Me, I’m loving it!

Feejoah · 04/09/2025 22:36

I've almost finished it! I'm really enjoying it. I spotted JKR's wee gift ❤️

lechiffre55 · 04/09/2025 22:11

Got it on Audible yesterday.
I have no idea when I will get around to listening to it, I just wanted more than anything to show support for JKR. Numbers are very important to decision makers. I wanted to spend some of my own money adding a +1 to the release window for JKR's latest book. Voting with my wallet. I bought the Harry Potter game on Steam when it came out at full price. Not got around to playing it, don't know if I ever will, but wanted to vote with my wallet. Got Graham Linehan's book in physical print signed + on Audible. Good listen. Bought both to vote with my wallet. I'm going to keep voting with my wallet every single chance I get.

Grammarnut · 04/09/2025 21:50

Scout2016 · 04/09/2025 21:24

I read the first and enjoyed it until the big reveal at the end about Who Dunnit. I don't mind a twist but it just felt far too clever for the sake of it, if that makes sense.

Anyway, are they all like that please? I'm inclined to try the next but not if she does that again. My friend told me not to think of them as crime novels but that just seems odd advice!

The Cuckoo's Calling is not the best. The next one, The Silkworm' is very good (and has a most sympathetic portrait of a TiF in it) - I was not much struck by Lethal White, however, which I think is 4th in the series. Troubled Blood is very good and the TV adaptation did it poor justice and completely removed the subplot about the prostitute who has an 'arrangement' with one of the doctors at the surgery where a murder victim works. It is also a powerful indictment of the idea that 'sex work is work'. There is a bit about child prostitution in (I think) Kosovo and some vicious gangland based sexual violence (which the TV series did include).

Shortpoet · 04/09/2025 21:49

Scout2016 · 04/09/2025 21:24

I read the first and enjoyed it until the big reveal at the end about Who Dunnit. I don't mind a twist but it just felt far too clever for the sake of it, if that makes sense.

Anyway, are they all like that please? I'm inclined to try the next but not if she does that again. My friend told me not to think of them as crime novels but that just seems odd advice!

My favourite one is Troubled Blood if that helps. Just the character development and the cold case they solve is just wonderful.

Grammarnut · 04/09/2025 21:46

The Strike books are much better than Potter. But I agree, JKR needs an editor who knows where to cut.

Scout2016 · 04/09/2025 21:24

I read the first and enjoyed it until the big reveal at the end about Who Dunnit. I don't mind a twist but it just felt far too clever for the sake of it, if that makes sense.

Anyway, are they all like that please? I'm inclined to try the next but not if she does that again. My friend told me not to think of them as crime novels but that just seems odd advice!

Memoryhole · 04/09/2025 20:23

Just finished it. Loved it.

Original poster
ParmaVioletTea · 04/09/2025 00:13

The last one was pretty intense. JKR really made that world of the cult feel very real. I think her experiences over the last few years informed the way she created the atmosphere and thinking of the cult.

OP posts:
Tygertiger · 03/09/2025 21:13

I always listen to the RG books on Audible as I love Robert Glenister’s narration. I had this one on pre-order and as soon as I’ve finished my current listen I’m diving in. I can’t wait. I loved the last one so much I listened to it twice and still felt bereft when it ended!

serialgrannie · 03/09/2025 21:07

Got mine from Waterstones today. Happy to report that they had a table with lots of copies in the centre of the store. I’ve read the first few pages and am already hooked. Thank you Jo.