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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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    22,328
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    10,298
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Story
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    19,651
  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
    3,188
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    480

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

Too long...

I really wanted to love this novel but unfortunately found it boring and it took so long to get into - like 6 hours. The last 3 hours of the book were the most enjoyable but the climax was pretty lame.

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

Nothng crazy about this Cuckoo!

This book is INCREDIBLE! I love the author's style of writing and the narrator's many voices makes this riveting and dramatic. I have not even finished reading it and I wanted to review it because that is how strongly I feel about it. I would listen to this narrator and this author again in a minute! I can't wait for another piece of work from this author and I plan to seek out other work from this narrator to enjoy. Read this - you won't be disappointed, I guarantee it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • AM
  • 12-28-15

I liked this a lot...

This was my first Cormoran Strike/Galbraith novel and I am hooked. I like the writing, the performance, the characters and even the story. I can't wait to read the next.

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

Intelligent, layered and absorbing

I bought this after the news broke that Galbraith was a pseudonym for JK Rowling. I'd loved all her Harry Potter books (despite my advanced years) and knew she'd write well in any genre. Not to brag. . .but I was dead on! This book is far from the standard murder mystery. The protagonist, Strike, is the usual strong, silent type (wish he was more of a wise-cracker!) but with a twist. His inner demons, his wreck of a private life, are more subtle, real and convincing than the usual. The second protagonist, the receptionist/apprentice, is a brilliant idea and allows the author a different perspective from which to develop Strike. The reader does a wonderful job with all the male voices. . .why are audiobooks never read by two readers, with a second for the voices of the other sex? Well, never mind. He does a great job with what he has. JK, keep 'em coming!

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

Enjoyable detective novel.

Much enjoyed this one. The detective is an interesting character and there's more to tell there. recommend.

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

Too much language, great story, fabulous performance

Loved the story and the characters! Loved the performance! Hated all the vulgar profanity. Why can't a book be written for adults that doesn't have to contain massive amounts of offensive language? Quit insulting my intelligence!

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

I'm glad this is the first of a series.

It's a brilliant mystery with a fascinating protagonist. His supportive heroine and their PI Agency have a future I can't wait to read about or listen to. Robert Glenister performed this story with exceptional quality.

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

Surprising!

Can't say enough good things about this novel. I'm totally sucked into the CB Strike series and am eagerly awaiting the release of installment IV next month. JK Rowling continues to surprise and delight me- especially in this deviation from HP (and I'm the biggest of HP nerds). It was barely recognizable as her writing but contained all the detail, plot development, and character depth that I've come to love from her work. 10/10 stars, would recommend. Get hooked today.

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

Enjoyed

Although I didn't love the narration of this, I enjoyed the story and have purchased the next in this series.

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

Excellent

The BEST narration of an audio book out there. Bravo! (And J.K. Rowling, please
finish the series soon! It’s my favorite!)

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