Lethal White

A Cormoran Strike Novel

By: Robert Galbraith

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 22 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

An unsettling cold case investigation ensnares Cormoran Strike and his partner in a web of dangerous secrets in this #1 New York Times bestseller, the inspiration for HBO Max's acclaimed series C.B. Strike.

When a troubled young man named Billy asks Cormoran Strike to help him investigate a crime he witnessed as a child, the private eye is left deeply troubled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott—once his assistant, now a partner in the agency—set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward. His newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been; Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much trickier than that.

The most epic Robert Galbraith novel yet, Lethal White is “addictive, murderous fun” for British mystery lovers and crime fiction fans alike (Vox).

©2018 Robert Galbraith (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"[Narrator] Robert Glenister has peopled Strike's world with a huge cast that is convincing, horrifying, and funny. Here, as Strike and his partner, Robin, sort out the murder of Britain's awful culture minister, Jasper Chiswell (pronounced 'chisel'), the many greedy, snobbish, cruel faces of evil are human, but the plot and performance are pure magic." (AudioFile)

"Rowling's wizardry as a writer is on fulsome display in Lethal White (3.5/4 stars), a behemoth of a novel that flies by in a flash. This is a crime series deeply rooted in the real world, where brutality and ugliness are leavened by the oh-so-human flaws and virtues of Galbraith's irresistible hero and heroine."—USA Today

"At times you might feel as you did when reading the Harry Potter books, particularly later in the series, when they got longer and looser. You love the plot, and you love being in the company of the characters, and you admire the author's voice and insights and ingenuity, and you relish the chance to relax into a book without feeling rushed or puzzled or shortchanged.... Long live the fertile imagination and prodigious output of J.K. Rowling."—The New York Times

"If you love the intricate, character-driven mysteries written by Tana French and Kate Atkinson, then chances are good that you'll enjoy the ones by Robert Galbraith. . . . Robert Galbraith knows how to tell a story every bit as deftly as does J.K. Rowling. Cormoran Strike, who lost a leg in Afghanistan, may limp painfully through much of the book, but the tale being told never misses a step."—Joyce Sáenz Harris, Dallas Morning News

Can't Get Enough of Robert Glenister doing Strike

I am a huge fan of this series, but I don't care nearly as much about the mysteries as I do about the relationship between the main characters, Robin & Strike. I LOVE this narrator, Robert Glenister, and love how he does the voice of Strike. I don't want to watch the BBC show and have that impression of Strike sullied! Also, Glenister avoids the campy, mocking singsong that so many male narrators use when they portray women. He does all the voices and distinct accents (the author often calls out the dialect, so you really notice him switching from Cornwall to Yorkshire to London, etc) so well. He deserves an Audie.

Okay, to the point: the mystery story is as good or better than the earlier mysteries in this series. I enjoyed the various bad guys and clues, and the political overlay of the London Olympics. I loved the Billy character and the unreliable witness element he brought. But what we all want to know is, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ROBIN & STRIKE?

No spoilers, but the book gives you enough of the two of them to keep you on the hook. I can't say anything else. I'll get the next book for sure.

PS: Don't read these books out of order. Start with the first in the series.

Best 22 hours of the last week

This is my favorite series and I am already dreading the long wait for the next installment. My only consolation is knowing it will be worthwhile. The 22+ hours spent listening to this narrator play out the story have been the highlight of my days, although I'd never let on to my children about that. I've watched the TV series and am, again, dreading the wait for the next season.

The Best In the Series

It feels like I have waited forever for this book number four. The naration is absolutely outstanding -- just like the other three books. I am already listening to the book again. The only criticism I have is now I have to endure another excruciating wait for book number five.

Narrator is Wonderful - too bad about the book

The superlative acting skills and amazing vocal range of narrator Robert Glenister make this novel seem way more interesting than it actually is. After a few chapters of slug-like plot development, I realized that it was Glenister's voice and not the author's words that were holding my attention.
The book's protagonists – a male-female detective duo -- spend half the book earnestly pursuing a bunch of bad guys while struggling to hide their mutual attraction. (Positively Victorian. Yawn and Yawn)
It's no exploration of emotional paralysis like "Remains of the Day." It's just a poorly executed set-up that's been executed brilliantly many times before.
Oh for the teasing banter of the crime-solving Thin Man couple or the tough talking sexual tension between Bogey and Bacall.

That Robert Glenister, he could read the IRS tax laws aloud and fog up my glasses.

J.K. can really write

This series is so fantastic, I sometimes think I should get the Harry Potter books as well. It's so odd: when I read the summary and reviews, I always think the books won't really interest me, but in 5 minutes or less I'm sucked right in. These are real keepers.

Engrossing and compelling

It's the kind of book that involves your whole mind and body. I see the scenes rolling in my mind as I listen and sometimes realize I've been holding my breath. I had to make myself stop listening to attend to mundane activities such as eating, sleeping, work and relationships.
I will sheepishly admit that I rarely choose audiobooks of this length and was afraid I might be tempted to fast forward through parts, but Lethal White balances between the engaging main characters' lives and the enthralling set of mysteries they investigate. I relished every minute and, like other reviewers, look forward to the next novel.
If you haven't read the first three books in this series go ahead and buy this one. Then take audible up on that lovely offer to buy discounted credits as you'll be wanting to buy those first three asap.

Ready for the next one now!

Worth waiting for—but I hope we don’t have to wait so long for book 5! Robert Glenister is amazing and brings Strike and Robin to life as perfectly as if they were real people. I missed them both immensely while waiting for this book. While Matthew continues to be a complete jerk, the tension in the perfectly imperfect relationship between Robin and Strike, added weight to the case they’re working on. Every word is woven perfectly in JKR style. She is so gifted in this genre I wish the series would not end. Fantastic addition to the set!

Repetitive Romance with a Touch of Crime

Galbraith needs an editor. I understand this book is over 650 pages in hardback. There's enough story for 400. There's very little crime fiction in this book, the preponderance is romance. Even the romance gets stale after a while. Galbraith sets up several situations and introduces side characters that go nowhere and don't contribute to the story. Any number of authors could have interwoven these multiple plots without getting bogged down with romance that doesn't rise above the level of teenage angst, especially in a book of this length. I looked forward to this book. Next time I'll wait and read a few reviews before I purchase.

I'm soooooo glad it's the same narrator.

I'm soooooo glad it's the same narrator, he is great! I am so excited for to listen to this book. I'm just afraid to finish it and have nothing good to listen to next!
*update: Awsome book. Highly recommend. When is the next one coming out?

Going in the wrong direction

I've gotten increasingly frustrated with this series. I love a good, long procedural, and that's why I've kept listening, but now it's just getting ridiculous.

(minor spoilers) A few of Robin's actions can only be explained by her being stupid. She's totally miserable with her fiancee and he treats her terribly, yet she stays with him. Why?? And why write that character so one-dimensionally in the first place? Robin finds herself attracted to Strike, even though she's young and attractive and he's a slob. I'm fine with characters (even protagonists!) being slobs, but I don't know of a single twentysomething woman who would be attracted to someone who is not only significantly older but who also willfully neglects his health, chain smokes, refuses to do physiotherapy even though that makes both their jobs harder, and doesn't even wash his clothes. All I can think about is how bad he must smell. So the idea that she and all these other women would be attracted to him is weird. And why does every woman attracted to Strike have to be gorgeous, anyway? One thing I'll say for JK Rowling: she writes convincingly as a man. A man who doesn't like or understand women. So well done, there.

Also: why on earth add any romantic element to this relationship, anyway? They worked fine as colleagues. I loved the idea of him being a professional mentor to her even despite their differences, and that he could care deeply about someone even if there was no sexual attraction. Now THAT is all too rare in fiction. Why not develop the cool thing about their relationship instead of going down the tired old path of forbidden romance?

As for the mystery itself: it's the usual rambling, detailed sort of thing you would expect. It could have been tighter, but honestly, I was too bothered by the way the book portrayed Robin to pay much attention to the story.