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The Cuckoo's Calling  By  cover art

The Cuckoo's Calling

By: Robert Galbraith
Narrated by: Robert Glenister
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Publisher's summary

Published under a pseudonym, J. K. Rowling’s brilliant debut mystery introduces Detective Cormoran Strike as he investigates a supermodel's suicide in “one of the best books of the year” (USA Today).

After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, creditors are calling, and after a breakup with his longtime girlfriend, he’s living in his office.

Then John Bristow walks through his door with a shocking story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry - known to her friends as the Cuckoo - famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.

Fast-paced and sharply drawn, this dazzling detective novel inspired Strike, the BBC crime drama series that has captivated millions of viewers worldwide.

©2013 Robert Galbraith (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Featured Article: The 20 Best Mystery Audiobooks to Entertain Your Inner Sleuth


Looking for the perfect audiobook to keep you engrossed and engaged during your next long drive, weekend chores, or a long work day? Look no further than this list of puzzling, mind-bending mysteries that will have you holding on to every word as the narrator pulls you in on the search for clues. We’ve narrowed this wide-spanning genre down to 20 of the best mystery audiobooks we’ve heard so you can get to listening and searching for answers.

Editor's Pick

Warning: will cause a fierce attachment to fictional characters and an inability to press pause
"The Cuckoo’s Calling is a masterfully written gritty detective story that hooks you and refuses to let go until its pulse-pounding conclusion. J. K. Rowling (writing under a pseudonym) shows off her literary range in this compelling thriller. The only good thing about finishing this one is the three more equally unpauseable Cormoran Strike thrillers that are ready to listen to and get lost in."
Catherine H., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Cuckoo's Calling

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    22,337
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Story and naration

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I did not stop listening to this story, except to sleep. It was very hard to figure out and interesting all the way through.

What does Robert Glenister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robert Glenister infuses the story with very clear and believable voices.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

FANTASTIC reader!!

If you could sum up The Cuckoo's Calling in three words, what would they be?

easy good fun

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not on the edge of my seat, but I was always happy to return to this book.

What does Robert Glenister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is one of those readers (Timothy West is another) who manages to bring the characters to vivid life. I actually think I would have missed a great deal if I had read the book!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

JK Rowling doesn't disappoint!

What did you love best about The Cuckoo's Calling?

The story, the characters. So real so full. JK Rowling has a gift for getting her characters right on. they are so likable and so believable at the same time.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

For sure. there is no way to guess ahead at who did the deed. but there are other interesting side story that follow along the main crime story line as well.

What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?

clear, easy to understand. great distinction between the different English dialects. Love the Yorkshire!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Ending!

This was a good book that keeps you guessing until the end. The narrator was easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I’m hooked!

Being new to this author and narrator, I was unprepared for the wild ride through C B Strike’s adventures as a most unconventional private detective. Initially, I had difficulty keeping all the characters straight, but that sorted out soon enough. The narrator was top notch, clearly voicing each character with highly believable nuance and personality. Looking forward to listening to more in this series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Writing, Too Many F-bombs

This was an intriguing and well-told story. Strike is a genius and Robin is likeable. I can appreciate the desire for realistic dialogue, but 500+ F-bombs is just excessive. I'm a HS teacher, so I hear vulgarity constantly. I like to avoid it when I can.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable from start to finish

Enjoyable from start to finish.
I couldn't stop listening and I cannot wait to start book 2.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Officially hooked!

The plot and details are fantastic and keep you guessing. So many intriguing characters and Robert Glenister is a true talent!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Chewing gum for the brain

Enjoyed this book. A little predictable, but . . .good characters and great narrator. Good enough to listen to the next book in series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hooked on the cuckoo

Nothing is as satisfying as finding a character you're dying to read more about. Cormoran and Robin are that for me. Quirky, fun, scary, current...I loved this book set in London.

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