Radical Feminist Witch 😁- possible spoiler for Strike

[EllacottObsessive]

Something a bit light hearted for you all. I'm reading Troubled Blood. I've just read something that could possibly be a spoiler, so bear that in mind, but I had to share it because it made me laugh and think of the troublesome women that knock about these parts.

Strike says "Radical Feminist Witch?" and Robin replies "Sounds quite cool when you say it, but I don't think he meant it like that."

I like to think that Robin Ellacott, if she actually had any interest in something other than detective work, would definitely be at least a lurker in the nest of vipers/radicalisation portal, given that she thinks it's kind of a cool thing to be called!

@Deltoids1

I wouldn’t describe them as bleak or gruesome. They’re intelligent crime thrillers with warm, complex protagonists. I love that Strike has a disability and it’s not airbrushed over. There’s a lot of things going on but essentially they’re bloody good stories.

Yes deltoids! It’s so refreshing that the pain & difficulties that go with being an amputee are not glossed over but described

Also because strike has a disability he’s often reliant on Robin to do the physical stuff as opposed to rushing in to ‘save the damsel in distress’

Thanks both, I’m going to give The Cukoo’s Calling a go

@Offtothedogs

Troubled blood was one of the most satisfying books I've read for a long long time, for all the reasons mentioned above. I've read it 3 times now. JKR's writing is just getting better and better.

Me too Offtothedogs. It's a real tour de force. It's one of those rare novels that I'll read again - I know that at times I missed some of the depths as I focused on the plot. It was so enjoyable.

It's the world of private investigation, so the settings for the stories are often sex and murder. But honestly, I don't cope with bleak and gruesome, and it's fine. As others have said, the heart is very much the relationship between Strike and Robin, and it's so beautifully crafted - both people who faced hard things and find mutual respect. None of that cliche romantic movie antagonism-turning-to-love shite. Both real people, who don't always get it right, but are both very likeable.

There’s also a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bit where Strike says he doesn’t want to go to Starbucks. I know it will have been written long before they teamed up with Mermaids but still

I’m sold!

@EmpressJKRowlingSpartacus

There’s also a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bit where Strike says he doesn’t want to go to Starbucks. I know it will have been written long before they teamed up with Mermaids but still

I laughed. I think he is my favourite fictional man.

And he's written by a woman. 😂🤣😂

I also had physical reactions as I was reading. It’s brilliant. I wish I could find the time to go back and re read them all again.

Oh fuck it, I might do it anyway.

And SHL- total mumsnetter. We love you JKR.

Saw an interview with her about the Strike series and how the next book will be different, in that TB is about older people looking back, and the new story will focus much more on younger people. I wonder if it's going to be a blistering excoriation of cancel culture and involve Strike doing a sweary rant about fuckwittery on Twitter?😂🤣😂

Didnt JKR describe Strike as an analog man in a digital world? When he gets drunk in CC he laments the loss of love letters "who's going to keep fucking emails?" would he even know what twitter is?

but Im totally here for him discovering it and having a massive sweary rant

He'll know what it is. You don't need to use Twitter to see the toxic influence it has. Crikey, I've a got a whole plot forming in my head 🤣😂🤣

I loved that line so much too...tempted to read it again!

@EllacottObsessive

It's so worthwhile to read the books too. I really like the adaptations, and the books have SO much more in them. I'm particularly impressed with her use of The Fairie Queen, tbh.

Bit of a stumbling block for me , Mr Spenser. You see , he was granted large estates here . He took part in a massacre of 500 prisoners. Then he appropriated a few legends. That aside I'm enjoying the book. Tightly plotted like all JK stuff. Great knowledge of London's history and geography. And a touch of the occult.

But not occult in the sense so often used in books of this type, where a supernatural element is actually given oblique credence, which I liked. At most, there's a jungian psychology angle. It just adds to the richness.

(I'm not a Spenser fan, tbh, bit flowery for my taste, I just like the way she's used the quotations as signposts to what is going on, and the contrast of flowery poetics with the down to earth characters is very engaging.)

Well I've just finished it and loved it. I didn't really enjoy The Casual Vacancy so I didn't bother with the Strike series.

However, due to the situation JKR has found herself in, I wanted to show support so bought the first Strike. I have now read all of them and really enjoyed them.

I used to live near Masham and stayed at Swinton Park in the summer (where Robin had her wedding reception).

I laughed out loud at the Benny from Crossroads bit - how does she know that? It's true, too!

I've been dying for ages to talk about the ending of Troubled Blood, which I think is really significant, but obviously I can't because it would involve spoiling it for everyone who hasn't read it.

@RoyalCorgi

I've been dying for ages to talk about the ending of Troubled Blood, which I think is really significant, but obviously I can't because it would involve spoiling it for everyone who hasn't read it.

Start a new thread with a big spoiler warning at the top?

Ooh yes please @RoyalCorgi 😁

JK is DEFINITELY a mumsnetter. I love to think that we could be chatting to her at any point. Love you Jo!!

I love the Strike books. Just literally finished the latest a few minutes ago.

The biggest strength for me, apart from the central relationship, are the way the characters are drawn and the conversations. They are so realistic and totally absorbing.

Let's also not forget the humour in the books. There are some very funny laugh out loud moments, ironic humour and dry sense of humour.

We got the full gamut of misogyny in the latest book: inappropriate colleague, woke progressiveness, dv, MRA, violent rape and torture.

Yes to a thread with spoiler alert, please! Like Popper, I couldn't get on with The Casual Vacancy (none of the characters was sympathetic, tbh) and I hadn't touched the Strike series, thinking they would be grim or grisly. It was only when all the nastiness started that I hunted down and bought the first as a gesture of support for JKR whose writing meant so much to my DC as they grew. Now I've read to the end and can't wait for vol. VI! I rate the series alongside/a smidge above Susan Hill's Seraillier series and even above the late PD James. Best of all, there is more to come!

Does anyone know when the next Strike book is due to be published?

I am going to be one of the people camping outside the bookshop to grab a copy the very second that it's on sale.

Please start a thread to discuss spoilery goodness. I am totally here for it. Pls link, too...

Yes, I would like a spoilery thread too.

I feel bereft now that I've finished. I might have to resort to fanfiction to get my Strike/Robin fix.

Have I remembered rightly that the actors are primed to film this last book?