The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith has received overall positive acclaim, praised for its engaging and intricate plot, realistic dialogue, and well-developed characters, particularly detective Cormoran Strike. Critics appreciate the detailed London setting but note that the story’s pace can be slow at times. Some feel the book is formulaic within the mystery genre.

A reader who enjoys gritty detective novels and complex characters will find The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith captivating. Fans of Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep will appreciate its intricate plot and engrossing narrative.

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith, set in modern London, follows war veteran-turned-private detective Cormoran Strike and his new secretary Robin Ellacott as they investigate the apparent suicide of young model Lula Landry, whose adoptive brother believes she was murdered. Their inquiry, involving interviews and gathering evidence, uncovers hidden truths, leading to a shocking resolution. This novel contains depictions of substance use disorders, violence, warzone-related trauma, racism, and emotional manipulation, and references mental health conditions, suicide, sexual assault, and financial manipulation.

Mysterious / Dark / Gritty / Suspenseful / Challenging

- The Cuckoo's Calling is the debut mystery novel by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, initially published in 2013 before Rowling's authorship was revealed.
- The novel received positive reviews for its compelling plot and character development, and after Rowling's identity was made public, sales reportedly surged by over 150,000%.
- Time magazine listed the book as one of the top ten fiction books of the year in 2013, highlighting its classic detective novel style.

Robert Galbraith

Adult

Novel

Cormoran Strike

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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The Cuckoo's Calling Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Cuckoo's Calling Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Prologue and Part 1

The Cuckoo's Calling Prologue and Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 The Cuckoo's Calling Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 The Cuckoo's Calling Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 The Cuckoo's Calling Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 and Epilogue 

The Cuckoo's Calling Part 5 and Epilogue  Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Cuckoo's Calling Character Analysis

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Themes

The Cuckoo's Calling Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Cuckoo's Calling Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Cuckoo's Calling Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Cuckoo's Calling Essay Topics

The Cuckoo's Calling

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Cuckoo's Calling?

Reading Age

Book Details