CAREER OF EVIL by Robert Galbraith

CAREER OF EVIL

by

Robert Galbraith

            Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are back in Robert Galbraith’s third Cormoran Strike mystery, Career of Evil. As I thoroughly enjoyed Galbraith’s first two classic who-done-its, The Cuckoo’s Calling (see review, January 27, 2017) and The Silkworm (see review, February 12, 2017), I was very excited to reunite with Cormoran and Robin in Career of Evil.

            I think of Career of Evil as the “Blue Oyster Cult” mystery, as the chapter epigraphs are drawn from the rock group. The book, like the group, runs to the dark. And, I think that Career of Evil is the darkest Galbraith novel yet.

            In Career of Evil, there is a serial killer and severed body parts. After Robin receives a severed leg, it becomes clear that she is in the killer’s crosshairs. Can Cormoran find the killer before the killer can reach Robin?

            The plot is engaging, convoluted, and very scary. As I have stated before, however, it is Galbraith’s masterful character development that wows me every time, and Career of Evil does not disappoint. In addition to further fleshing out the main characters, Cormoran and Robin, Galbraith shows us more of their backstories. In addition, Career of Evil shows the development in Cormoran’s and Robin’s relationship, both professionally and personally.

            At the end of the book, J.K. Rowling included a note along the lines that this was the book she enjoyed writing the most and that Robert Galbraith is her “private playground”. This feeling comes through in Career of Evil. Although the Cormoran Strike series is a high quality classic who-done-it in and of itself, there is a sense in Career of Evil of the fun and freedom that I envision Rowling experiencing.

            Cormoran Strike is growing and developing at an incredible pace – and so is my love of Galbraith’s series. I cannot wait for the next installment!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED