Lethal White is the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series from the international bestselling author Robert Galbraith.
“I seen a kid killed…He strangled it, up by the horse.”
When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike’s office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously … child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. 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 both a gripping mystery and a page-turning next instalment in the ongoing story of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott.
I’d waited for 2 years for the next installment in the Robin and Cormoran Strike mystery and Lethal White definitely did not disappoint. A big book and an original, engaging mystery!
I’ve finally made my way through all four books of the Strike series that are currently available (someone please tell me book 5 is coming soon because i’m already in withdrawal). Lethal White is now my second favorite of the four books only after the first. Where books 2 and 3 seemed to lag, this one kept the pace at high octane throughout and even when I thought I knew who the suspect was I couldn’t take a second of a break from the story because I had to plow on and know what happened in the personal lives of the two main characters. Let’s face it, I’m a sucker for a great thriller but throw in this tortured love affair that’s been brewing between Strike and Robyn and I’ll be glued to every page until the bitter end. Unlike some reviews I’ve seen, I truly enjoyed the way this one ended and would have been happy if that was the true end to the series where I could fill int he blanks of where they go from here myself. Knowing that Rowling/Galbraith has even more planned for this wonder duo is just icing on the cake.
Great characters, interesting plot and a style that makes it very easy to read. I would read long portions of this book in one sitting which is not typical for me. Highly enjoyable.
This starts out weirdly, the comes full circle. Really like the characters. Really enjoyed the book.
The fourth installment of the Cormoran Strike detective series did not disappoint. Robyn Ellacott is now Cormoran’s partner in the business, but their personal lives are far from straightforward. Cormoran is battling his new found fame as a private investigator and Robyn tries to hide her post-traumatic stress as their new cases set them on a trail of secrets and lies that leads through the corridors of Parliament, to the seedy backstreets of London and the homes of the rich, with danger not far behind. A well-written, gripping mystery, I can’t wait for the next one!
So…I’m giving Lethal White a four-star review but that does not take away from the fact that I absolutely love, love, love this series. I adore the Strike/Robin romantic pairing. For me, Rowling/Galbraith brings this ‘love affair’ to life, with a subtlety I find very gripping. I actually, enjoy all the Robin/Matthew guff- that’s the writer in me, I guess. I will say that I wanted more of a culmination to the drama within their relationship, but I supposed we’ll have to wait until book 5.
What made the book a 4 star read was that the final reveal was just a bit blah for me. It took me a while to realize we were even fully there and then I was just like…hmm…intriguing, but is that it? The book was quite lengthy, so much engaging detail and I just expected there to be more to it.
Overall, I adore the way Rowling/Galbraith brings it all together, makes everything connect. I’ve said this before and will say it again-listen to the audiobook! The narrator is superb and brings a whole new life to the story and characters. It’s also a lot easier to keep track of all the material the author covers. I truly adore this series!!
JK Rowling, writing as Robert Galbraith, is used to people giving her plenty of space to develop a story. In this case, she took too much space and time. I forgot most of the beginning by the time I got to the end. However, I did end up with the impression that the clues fit and were quite complex.
My speed-reading wife finished the book in a quarter the time it took me and loved it. So, if you’re one of those book-inhalers, this is the book for you. Otherwise, Ms. Rowling needs an editor with backbone. It could’ve been a great story cut in half. And it would’ve been the same story cut in half.
All the negatives aside, Ms. Rowling is still the best writer out there today. (After me, of course.) She put in some keen insights into relationships that, even though the bogged the story down, were beautifully written.
No one writes the way Galbraith/Rowling does. You really care about these characters. Beautifully and insightfully written, very long but fine with me.
This series of books written by J.K. Rowling under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith, has been a wild ride and the fourth of the series was no exception. It was also informative about several points I had no idea existed, including the reason for the title of the book. IF you want to know what it is, read the book. It also revealed a few current events that occurred during the writing of the book and a comment or two about other authors. Cormoran Strike is a very unusual character and a likeable one, despite his frequent grumbling and his failure to realize he is falling for his partner, Robin. Robin, who started out as his secretary and developed into a partner is the perfect fit to Comoran in almost every way, especially in his investigations. I definitely recommend this book and the rest of the series.
Read 7.30.2019
I always forget how long a 600+ page book takes to listen to; especially when you are buried up to the neck in other books and NetGalley Arc’s and the audiobook for said book comes in after a HUGE wait and so you just have to take the audiobook and try and squeeze the book in SOMEWHERE. It was SO. WORTH. THE. SQUEEZE.
I love these books. I sure hope she writes a 5th one. I am SO not ready to be done with Cormoran and Robin. I want to see Robin grow as a person and I want to see Cormoran trust people more. I am NOT ready to never read a story about them ever again.
Great book and series. FANTASTIC narrator. Sigh. It is just SO. GOOD.
This starts out weirdly, the comes full circle. Really like the characters. Really enjoyed the book.
I love Cormoran’s stories…..longing for the Next!
The genius of J.K. Rowling in play in the Cormoran Strike series. I cannot wait for each book to come out. I am carrying the characters of Cormoran and Robin with me and await anxiously to know what’s next for them. I especially love the slow build and development of their relationship and cannot wait to see how Rowling bring them together finally (because she has to, right? I’m rooting for them :))
I like the characters the best.They are kind of quirky, and each of the main characters are trying to reach a self imposed goal. They are smart, yet very human. The interactions between them are so interesting. The story is solid and fun to read. I want moe!
Part 4 in this series.
Billy is visiting Strike in his office with a strange story about a child being killed years ago.
Billy is Psychotic, but Strike can’t get the story out of his head. He starts a case.
During this investigation he comes in contact with a minister who hires him, because he is being blackmailed.
A search during which Robin goes a few times undercover. Strike and Robin working together to find the truth.
The friendship between Strike and Robin was a bit less for a while, but during this book it becomes better and better again.
While the relationship between Robin and her husband Matt becomes less and less, thankfully.
Fantastic read, lots of pages, but that doesn’t matter.
I almost couldn’t stop reading.
You can read this book as a stand alone, but why? The other books in this series are great too.
Not the formulaic mystery at all! Great characters. Depth.
sorry Rowing. you are not a thriller writer. it is a romance in a thriller thin skin. bore
Galbraith aka JK Rowling brings all her world- and character building genius to mystery fiction. But I read it for the romance she’s developing through the four book (so far) series. If you like slow, slow, SLOW development of a relationship, check it out.
Good fun and great characters
The best Cormoran Strike book yet!