The Silkworm

By: Robert Galbraith

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 17 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Private investigator Cormoran Strike must track down a missing writer - and a sinister killer bent on destruction - in this "wonderfully entertaining" mystery (Harlan Coben, New York Times Book Review) that inspired the acclaimed HBO Max series C.B. Strike.

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home. But as Strike investigates, he discovers that Quine's disappearance is no coincidence. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published, it would ruin lives - meaning that almost everyone in his life would have motives to silence him. When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, Strike must race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before...

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in J. K. Rowling's highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant, Robin Ellacott.

©2014 Robert Galbraith (P)2014 Hachette Digital

Nailed it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silkworm?

For me the very last scene was the most memorable. Spoiler alert! As a hopeless romantic I was hoping to find any signs from either Strike or Robin throughout the book that there is any interest in a romantic way and I was thrilled with the simplest of gestures in the last scene <3

Any additional comments?

Rowling upstaged herself in this sequel which brings numerous new layers to the story of Cormoran Strike, the hero we are already familiar with and who jumps into murder solving from the get go, excluding thoughts of sympathy for his physical and financial condition that were prevalent throughout the first book.

The new murder is premeditated, well executed and there are no leads or suspicions until the very end, which kept the mystery escalating and finally reached a exhilarating climax. In that Rowling does not disappoint yet again. If you are looking for an easy read, this is not the book for you. There are many details that you have to be attune to in order to get the full picture.

Lastly, the one thing I absolutely loved about this book is the slowly building relationship between Strike and Robin. There is nothing sexy about it, yet it pulls you into it as they start to get to know each other better. As I hopeless romantic, I consumed every tiny sign of personal interest shown by either party and kept hoping for more.

Overall, great job!!!

Galbraith Strikes Again

Just as good as the CooCoos Calling, if not better! Love the characters and the relationship between Strike and Robin. Can't wait for the next installment!

Getting a foothold

JKR is finding her feet in this genre. As adept a writer as she is, one can only imagine that she will get better with each addition to the series. The murder in this one I found particularly gruesome. A word of advice: don't listen to those sections while eating! Robert Glenister is a well-chosen reader. May be a new fav for me.

I love the CB Strike books!

I love all of the books about Strike but this one is particularly good because I didn't guess who did it before the end.

Long, good story,

This was well written and interesting. As an audible book it is well worth the money as it is long and keeps you engaged. I'm glad I listened to it, I"m not sure I would have stayed with it in written form. Narration is well done.

Very good - less satisfying than Cuckoo's Calling

Any additional comments?

Another great lesson in how an author can create wonderful characters. This story was less compelling than the previous work but still a very entertaining read. At the risk of sounding like Mozart's royal critic "too many notes" there just seemed to be too many characters, too many suspects. Perhaps less would have been more in this case.

Snappy, entertaining, and suspenseful

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

Robert Glenister was excellent in the Cuckoo's Calling and is even better in the Silkworm. Does an amazing job of the various characters.

Any additional comments?

Really excellent, snappy, intelligent, yet easy listening. Smooth and clear enough to follow while jogging or cooking but still makes your brain work! An excellent audiobook.

True Excellence

This second installment does not disappoint. Galbraith/Rowling masterfully builds on the characters from the first book while also building a twisted tale that had me guessing. I had everything in front of me, yet repeatedly cycled through the suspects without ever coming to the right conclusion. Anyone who reads mysteries and often spots "whodunnit" three pages in knows what a treat it is to ride the mystery to the end. I know there's one more book, I can only hope there are still many more to come.

Robert Glenister is absolutely outstanding. Please let him always be Strike.

Detective Strike Strikes Again for Justice

Where does The Silkworm rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among Mysteries it stands alone. Very original. Creative Characters. Literary content exudes throughout the story. Love Strike, his character, his conversations, the way he thinks through things. Love the evolution of secretary's role. Suspenseful ! You never know who done it until the very end. The descriptive writing is lovely. Loved the literary captions before each chapter.

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

Yes! The suspense is subtle at first and then builds up until he determines who the killer is.

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

His lovely British Accent.

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

No. Just loved the way it is written.

Any additional comments?

Keep them coming Robert Galbraith. Love Love Love Detective Strike.

Hooked.

Would you listen to The Silkworm again? Why?

By the end of the novel, every plot twist, suspicion and question is tied neatly into an intricate bow. I would listen again just to fool myself into believing that I 'knew it all along.'

What did you like best about this story?

If this series ever became a movie, I would insist Robert Glenister be the voice-over for whichever burly man cast as Cormoran Strike. He embodies the character so well and still manages to voice the female parts beautifully. And that's something else to note about the story-- The characters are so finely developed and real and I love that Robert Galbraith (AKA J.K. Rowling) often inserts a very strong, intelligent woman as a leading role.

The novel is captivating from start to finish. Couldn't turn it off.

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

I have not heard Robert Glenister before but was pleased to find he continued reading the series and might seek out more books with his narration.

Any additional comments?

A must-read for mystery-lovers and fans of J.K. Rowling.