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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
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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GREAT LISTEN

I listen to books while I am designing shoes at work... this one had great imagination and the narrator was fantastic.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow if you read one detective book this year this has to be the ☝️

This is a book that will intrigue you delight you and stay with you. The author has delivered not just a book, but a world. Miss it and you will miss one of your listening experience. There are no cliched character. These are people as reAl as your next door Neighbor

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Loved the characters

The story, characters and narrator were all outstanding. I've read the second and third of this series, and can't wait for me.

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Not what I was expecting

I got this book on sale and wasn't expecting to like it that much. Right off the bat, I was irritated that a famous author such as JK Rowling would write under a pseudonym, and a male one at that! In this day and age why does any woman think she needs to hide behind a man (even if it is just a fake name). Anyway, the book is great, and I'm not even a Harry Potter fan.
This is a great start to a murder mystery, crime fighting duo. Love the setting (in London), love the PI Cormoran Strike. It kept me guessing, and I loved that too. I have put the rest of the series on my Wish List.

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We're not in Hogwarts anymore.

It is a unexpectedly good read. Makes me very happy that this is only the first of many CB strike books.

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Great story.

I enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling. It’s a great piece of detective work by Robert Galbraith and Robert Glenister is a superb narrator.

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Riveting story, excellent reading

No lag time in this book. Every chapter has it’s own drama, culminating in a surprising conclusion. My only disappointment was with the speed all the facts, some of which were revealed for the first time, were presented at the end. Narration perfectly conveyed strength and nature of protagonist . I want to see what next happens with this pair!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Another mystery

This would have been a fun read if it hadn't gotten so liberally salted with the f-word. Reminded me of Shakespeare and Hathaway mysteries on PBS (much cleaner). The detective, Cormoran Strike, is called in to solve the apparent suicide of a British supermodel. He develops a bit of a side-kick in a temp secretary who showed up for a week's work. Robin so loved the work over the grind of HR or other temp assignments, that she started looking for ways to stay on and Strike was appreciative. Both have love interests but still.... I won't read any more in the series because of the language, but I enjoyed the plot and the narration. Excellent, Mr. Glenister.

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

muggle mad eye

a great mystery where you will continue to guess the culprit until the very end. if you want to read a private eye story where a young muggle mad eye moody teams up with a muggle Hermione, this is it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Miind-boggling creativity

The actor's voice and diverse character voices unbelievable
I thought I was listening to dozens of actors. The intricate mystery kept me guessing until the end. Truly great storytelling!

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