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

Amazing Characters

I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read the book before now. I used my next credit to buy the second book before even finishing the first.

I loved getting to know Strike and Robin. I can’t wait to listen to this again to catch all the little details. I do pride myself on usually figuring things out ahead of time and I wasn’t able to call a single thing. I was entertained and highly recommend the story for any listener that wants and intriguing mystery with lots of character development and a slow build to a final, chaotic climax.

One of the BEST. Both story and performance.

Would need 6* to be accurate. So many times a good book is ruined by the performance. Robert Glenister fades into the background and magically you are living this story. My husband complained that this book has delayed several meals.... so I guess I’ll have to give it 5* 😊
Greedily Downloading the next book now!
Thank you, Robert Galbraith! You’ve got a new groupie.

Sexy murders for the treadmill

If you could sum up The Cuckoo's Calling in three words, what would they be?

Vanity Fair Murders

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

Yes, the plot moved at a good pace that kept me interested in listening and wanting to know more.

What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?

Nice, smooth voice - and a real feel that the timber of his voice fits the actual physical description of the main character - deep, masculine, etc.

Excellent Listen

I can't always understand British readers, but this performance was so clearly spoken that I had no trouble at all. Even Cockney phases were perfectly clear to me. Made a great story even more enjoyable.

Great language

I enjoyed listening to it. reminded me of the classic detective stories. very well writteb- didn't have to struggle through bad English. will purchase the next books in the series.

Boring - but stuck with it

This book really got more praise than it deserved. There is very good writing and character development, but there's no excitement or intrigue. NONE! I did love the characters and I decided to stick with it. The last 2 hours are really good and since I like the characters so much and the last 2 hours were so good I decided to buy the next book in the series.

You don't necessarily have to read this book before reading books 2 and 3. But if you want the history on Strike's business and how he meet Robin - go ahead and work your way through this book.

Contemporary detective story, EXCELLENT read.

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

Hell yeah.

What did you like best about this story?

The progression of the story was just the right pace, and the Protagonist was witty and entertaining through his faults.

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

Nope.

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

Laugh a lot, the author has very subtle descriptive humor.

Any additional comments?

Damn Good story, liked the proffessional relationship Strike had with his receptionist. This story definitely deservers a listen, the Reader does an excellent job of personifying characters.

Loved the narrator

The narrator brought this book to life for me. The voice he uses for the protagonist fits the character like a glove fits a hand. Roberts or should I say JK writes amazingly I will be reading the next book in the series and I hope she keeps the series going. I never read Harry Potter but this, I would read every one.

Not as good as Career of Evil, but still great.

Corcoran Strike and Robin are fascinating, well-developed characters. Narration is top notch. Plot was a little far fetched for me or I would've gone 5 stars.

Great reader and great story.

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

Galbraith writes really well -- great characters, great story and wonderful use of language. The reader is outstanding.