Troubled Blood - *Spoiler-laden discussion*

[EllacottObsessive]

Setting this up for Strike and Ellacott fans to talk about spoilery things.

scent samples arrived, Narciso being tested today. I don't dislike it, but I'm not sure it's really me. Haven't smelled the others yet, as I don't want to confuse myself. Might have to do the fragrance finder as if I were Strike, see what that turns up .

Really loving how we are all getting into this book by smelling nice. Lit crit at the perfume counter. I am totally here for this.

Have I got it right that in all five books it is Strike who finally makes all the pieces fit together to identity the killer? Not that Robin doesn't help him find the pieces, but the detective genius has always been Strike's so far? And if so, would it change anything vital if it were Robin who got it, and made Strike work for the answer, just as Strike does her?

I'm thinking it through, and yes, think you're right. I'm tired, though. But yes, I think I'd like to see that dynamic play out.

@EllacottObsessive

I'm thinking it through, and yes, think you're right. I'm tired, though. But yes, I think I'd like to see that dynamic play out.

I suppose that could be seen as part of Robin’s learning curve, couldn’t it? Strike’s been doing this a lot longer. I’d like to see that play out too.

I’m re-reading Cuckoo & bits keep popping out at me -
‘Frolicking coyly as she gazed out at him through a shower of petals, her enormous breasts draped in white, she was as unlike a real woman as... the obese man with the ponytail who was working the pumps behind the bar’,
‘A fan site called LulaMyInspirationForeva.com, run by a person of unknown sex’.

Empress I appreciate her subtle grip on reality.

I've been thinking back to various novels which have detective duos - and there are not too many - and it's hard to think of those in which both detectives take part equally in coming to the solution. I'd have to read back some of the Laurie King, Elly Griffiths and Elizabeth George books to check, though. (I don't like any of those as much as I like the Strike novels, of course.)

I can understand how it has worked so far for Robin and Strike, as she is very obviously the junior partner in experience. I agree it would be interesting to see a storyline in which Robin gets the solution before Strike, or in which they disagree and Robin is proved right, just as a development of her character in skills and experience. I wonder how Strike would deal with it, though - he does like to do a little bit of enigmatic showing off when he finally gets it.

Oh to have the confidence of two young blokes to talk utter bollocks on their podcast:

open.spotify.com/episode/3PtCfTyT2sBjBPvWgKQwx4?si=xuxmVQTcStq95ZPTy00QZQ

This makes our own dear Clara look even better, if that were possible.

@parentalhelpline

Empress I appreciate her subtle grip on reality.

I've been thinking back to various novels which have detective duos - and there are not too many - and it's hard to think of those in which both detectives take part equally in coming to the solution. I'd have to read back some of the Laurie King, Elly Griffiths and Elizabeth George books to check, though. (I don't like any of those as much as I like the Strike novels, of course.)

I can understand how it has worked so far for Robin and Strike, as she is very obviously the junior partner in experience. I agree it would be interesting to see a storyline in which Robin gets the solution before Strike, or in which they disagree and Robin is proved right, just as a development of her character in skills and experience. I wonder how Strike would deal with it, though - he does like to do a little bit of enigmatic showing off when he finally gets it.

The equality of the sexes in detective duos is pretty hard to find.

The only one I can think of - off hand - is Sean King and Michelle Maxwell in David Baldacci's "King & Maxwell" series about the two former Secret Service agents who set up as private detectives.

I loved the King and Maxwell adaptation and it was cancelled on a bloody cliffhanger. I was so peeved.

Holy shit, that podcast.

"We can't pronounce Galbraith or Cormoran and we're a bit intimidated by a book longer than a slim paperback, we don't do any research beyond reading the book because we had it on the shelf and we make asinine comments, complain that there are no rooftop chases or global conspiracies and obviously do the obligatory lies about the content of Troubled Blood and Rowling's views.'

I mean, shit. I was baffled as to why my podcast was taking off, but if this is my direct competition, it makes so much more sense.

Their verdict was - for a long book(!!!) they didn't feel bored, and for a genre they have no real interest in they thought it was good, but they think all that background detail about Robin's life was pointless.

Knew you'd love it

Lunde Is that series by Baldacci good? His books borrow very well in my library service but I've never read them.

Thanks for the summary of the other podcast... Don't think I'll bother trying to overcome my disembodied voices issue for that! Her life isn't relevant?! That's literally what half the story is!

I liked Flowerbomb when I first put it on this morning, but as it's dried, I'm less keen I think. It seems a bit "old lady" on me. I'll rotate back to Narciso tomorrow

I've just re-listened to TB and I'm still slightly confused by how, exactly, Strike worked out who the killer is. A combination of things, I think, but can anyone summarise, please?

Sorry, knee deep in Silkworm research atm, so brain a bit addled. But yes, combination of things iirc. I'll have to reread (oh, the struggle) to summarise and I don't have time today.

I started to think perhaps I might quite like to own some perfume for when I want to pretend like I'm a proper actual grown up woman & not just a mum... Then I discovered that L'Absolu seems to have been discontinued. Ah well, that saves me spending ridiculous amounts of money on something I'll probably change my mind about & never use!

Does anyone want to join my criminal gang? I'm planning on heading to JKR's house & stealing her computer so I can find out what happens next. I'm not really, just in case that's not clear...!

Thanks, EO!
I've just re-listened and re-read all of them...nearing the end of TB and I'm bereft!!

I agree that a sneak raid on JKR's files would scratch an itch. I'm loving fanfic, some of which is really excellent, but I am dying to know if she is going to give us Robin's birthday meal the night after the Ritz. I might be prepared to beg, actually.

I'm going to be really cross if the next book doesn't pick up exactly where TB left off, or it at least needs to have some very detailed flashbacks.

If we don't get some info about what goes down at the Ritz, I will sulk.

God, those last two pages are like crack cocaine on a reread, aren't they?

Yup! I've got it on Kindle & have it set to continuous scrolling so I'm not sure what's on the last 2 pages but I just read the last scene again & managed to get all the way to "If they’re strong enough to cover up the smell of that car, they aren’t fit for human inhalation" before I started grinning enough that DH asked what I was reading! It's such a perfect scene!

Yeah, pretty much there on in. I mean the text flirting earlier in the chapter is worth the price of admission alone. But everything on the last two pages, from choosing the perfume to hugging by the flowers and both remembering the wedding hug, to the kissing of the stubbled cheek and then that final paragraph (which I am going to pronounce emphatically is Strike's decision to stop dicking about pretending he doesn't and shouldn't want her ) is just pure feelings. I loves it, I do.