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Robert Galbraith
Justin Cronin
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2025
Career of Evil
Robert Galbraith
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
1/6/25 → 1/18/25
Robert Galbraith
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
1/6/25 → 1/18/25
Career of Evil is the third book in the ongoing Cormoran Strike series. When a woman's severed leg is anonymously delivered to his assistant, Robin, Cormoran suspects that someone from his past is targeting him. The only issue is that he has four suspects. While the police focus on one suspect that Cormoran feels is the least likely to be the perpetrator, he and Robin focus on investigating the others. But there are two issues. One is that each of the suspects is equally capable and has the motives to go after him. The other is that he suspects that they may be targeting Robin in order to get to him, and he fears for her safety as a serial killer stalks the streets of London.
First book of the year and a strong start to the year! I feel like the books in this series keep getting better and better. The first was alright, the second was good, and Galbraith/Rowling really hits her stride in this one. The mystery was well done, and she does an amazing job at keeping you suspicious of each of the suspects, even as there are reveals throughout the book. She also did a good job in maintaining the tension in the story, both with the serial killer plotline as well as the personal conflicts of Cormoran and Robin. Their characters really shine in this book. Cormoran is blinded by his emotions from people from his past resurfacing as well as his concern for Robin, which leads to him inadvertently endangering her by keeping her in the dark. Robin, meanwhile, desperately wants to prove that she is no longer defined by a traumatic event in her life, leading her to act more recklessly than normal. Additionally, her perspective as a woman leads her to have a different take on things than Strike, and I appreciate that the author showcases these concerns that men may be blind to or not consider. Both of the main characters' personal lives are depicted in such a believable, detailed way. I also liked the few chapters from the killer's perspective. They were really creepy, and the author did a great job in leaving little clues while also keeping the killer's identity hidden. I will say that ending this book on a cliffhanger was a jerk move, though! I immediately started the next book because of it lol.
First book of the year and a strong start to the year! I feel like the books in this series keep getting better and better. The first was alright, the second was good, and Galbraith/Rowling really hits her stride in this one. The mystery was well done, and she does an amazing job at keeping you suspicious of each of the suspects, even as there are reveals throughout the book. She also did a good job in maintaining the tension in the story, both with the serial killer plotline as well as the personal conflicts of Cormoran and Robin. Their characters really shine in this book. Cormoran is blinded by his emotions from people from his past resurfacing as well as his concern for Robin, which leads to him inadvertently endangering her by keeping her in the dark. Robin, meanwhile, desperately wants to prove that she is no longer defined by a traumatic event in her life, leading her to act more recklessly than normal. Additionally, her perspective as a woman leads her to have a different take on things than Strike, and I appreciate that the author showcases these concerns that men may be blind to or not consider. Both of the main characters' personal lives are depicted in such a believable, detailed way. I also liked the few chapters from the killer's perspective. They were really creepy, and the author did a great job in leaving little clues while also keeping the killer's identity hidden. I will say that ending this book on a cliffhanger was a jerk move, though! I immediately started the next book because of it lol.