LETHAL WHITE by Robert Galbraith

LETHAL WHITE

by

Robert Galbraith

            Lethal White is the fourth Cormoran Strike novel by J.K. Rowling, written under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym. Strike, a private investigator, and his junior partner, Robin Ellacott, are extremely busy after Strike was instrumental in catching the Shacklewell Ripper. In the midst of this, Billy, a mentally ill young man, ends up in Strike’s office claiming that he had witnessed the murder of a child. Shortly after, Strike is hired by Jasper Chiswell, the Minister For Culture. The Minister is being blackmailed by two men, the husband of the Minister For Sport and Billy’s older brother. Is this one case or two? Who is behind the various crimes and why?

            Rowling is the queen of character development, and Lethal White does not disappoint. From the upper-crust member of Parliament to poor, downtrodden mentally ill Billy, Rowling delivers a full panoply of interesting characters, replete with the complexities we have come to expect from her. But, the most interesting characters in the book are Strike and Robin. We are treated to the continued development of each character, as well as development in their personal and professional relationships.

In addition to the signature character development, Lethal White again delivers a wonderful, old-fashioned mystery that we have come to expect from the plots of the Cormoran Strike novels. And, this is a particularly complex, convoluted plot.

            It was wonderful to be back in Strike’s world. But, even after almost 650 pages, I hated to see it end and continued to think about the book long after I reached the end.