The Cuckoo's Calling

By: Robert Galbraith

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins

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

One little problem...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cuckoo's Calling to be better than the print version?

No.

What did you like best about this story?

the suspense, the characters, everything.

Which character – as performed by Robert Glenister – was your favorite?

Robin.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's too long for that, but a few binge sittings, yes.

Any additional comments?

Really liked the performance, with one exception. The actor totally misread one character--Evan Duffield. From the book it's clear that he's posh and snooty, yet this actor chose to give him, inexplicably , a working class accent. Huh?

Loved it

Great story. Fabulous narrator. That's says it all and I like being brief so now I'm filling in words before I can go listen to Silkworm.

Mesmerizing!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Altho' it often take a bit to get into a new writer, I found the story kept me interested and wanting more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Cuckoo's Calling?

I loved Robin. I really thought the story would be more about her and was surprised to find she was his "muse".

What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?

I loved his voice as Strike.

Enjoyable listen.

Great narration and decent story.
Surprised at ending. Main characters were well drawn and likable.

Great fun , wonderfully narrated

I was given this audio book as a gift for Christmas and I loved it. I appreciated the light touch of the author, the interesting character portrayals, and the fun of a good mystery. I heard that "Robert Galbraith" would be writing a series, and I can't wait for the next installment. Strike and Robin need to go on to another adventure.... please!

The narrator was wonderful. Mr. Glenister is going to be up there with my favorites from now on.

Found the storyline to be rather slow developing

I did appreciate the colorful character development and behind-the-scenes information about the characters but I found the general flow of the story to be very slow in development. I struggled to stay invested in the storyline but did eventually finish the book. I found the explanatory monologue at the end to be a little cliché but what is needed to explain the details of the string of events.

Monotonous Story

What did you like best about The Cuckoo's Calling? What did you like least?

The narrator tone and accent was enjoyable and the characters were engaging and likable.
The story was simple, one dimensional and lacked intriguing plot twists. Just a private eye questioning a seemingly endless list of witnesses. No intrigue.

What do you think your next listen will be?

It certainly won't be any more by this author.

Have you listened to any of Robert Glenister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was The Cuckoo's Calling worth the listening time?

Not worth the time–I did not finish it.

Any additional comments?

Boring, not much happens.

enjoyed this book

I enjoyed the book, the narrator was great. Going to get the second book and get started

An enjoyable detective story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has well developed characters,

What did you like best about this story?

I have not listened to or read many crime or detective books. My favorite fiction book prior to this has been Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. The story did not reveal "who dunno it"early on, if indeed there was a culprit, but kept me guessing until the climactic end when the puzzle pieces were woven together very well. I particularly liked the various characters in the story, the fashion industry environment and the way the individual character stories all came together satisfactorily without breaking credibility.

Have you listened to any of Robert Glenister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have not listened to other books performed by Mr. Glenister.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction. I commonly listen to books while I work out on the exercycle in the health center. I did laugh out loud a number of times. As the climax of the story came together I found myself on aux in 'driveway moments" and on earbuds while working around the house because I abandoned my routine as I "could not put it down".

Any additional comments?

I hope J. K. Rowling plans a second book with Cormoran Strike to continue with his detective work! Fun that the entire book is written sprinkled with current British slang and culture.

Just okay.

I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn’t. This book was all dialogue and no action. As someone else put it, I felt like I was sitting in a court room listening to a person a witnesses question about a case. I really liked Robin’s character but felt she was under utilized.