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’ve enjoyed all of the previous Cormoran Strike books, and it was great to go back to the characters and the world. Given the author, it is unsurprising that these are beautifully written. Highly recommended.
The NYT in its review of LETHAL WHITE describes the novel’s private-eye protag, Cormoran Strike, as “strangely charismatic,” a term that might apply to the tale itself. At 650 pages it’s a sort of Escher-sketch when compared to hundreds of less challenging Etch A Sketch whodunits, and at the end the resolution of countless plot threads, multicolored herrings and too many character names to remember without a chart is a conceptual roller-coaster ride. Still, Galbraith’s (J.K. Rowling) relentless attention not only to the plethora of possible crimes and suspects, British locales, rites of social class and regional accents, but also to the honestly-drawn and often painful complexities of attraction, love affairs and marriage brings the characters, particularly gruff and ungainly war-amputee Strike, eerily to life.
This is the 4th in the Cormoran Strike series. I’ve enjoyed all of them. Only complaint I have is that it’s too wordy like John Grisham novels. Otherwise it’s a great story line that is very well written to keep you wondering until the very end. The author does a fantastic job of weaving several stories into one. I kept wondering what the title meant and then eventually it all came together. I also really enjoy the interaction between Cormoran and Robin. This series is a well written mystery with wonderful characters that you can picture in your mind. Well done! Looking forward to reading the next one when it comes out.
This whole series keeps me guessing. I even bought the first 3 videos. Go JK, er, um, Robert Galbraith! It wasn’t me who blew your cover.
This exciting page turner, starts where the last book left off, with Cormoran racing to get to Robin’s wedding, but stumbling in a little too late. Robin is furious, when she finds out that Matthew had deleted Cormoran’s messages from her phone, but a misunderstanding between the two of them, keeps their relationship strained and professional, until two different clients come to their agency for help. The fame brought more clients, but also has made Strike more visible to the public, a definite drawback to his chosen profession, so Robin, now a partner, gets more street time and they have to hire help. As the investigations intertwine, both must also deal with personal issues, which they are reluctant to share. Best read in order.
Convoluted plot. Tough to follow. You may like it, I didn’t
I’m here for the fantastic “will they / won’t they”.
Lethal White was one of my most anticipated novels of 2018 and it did not disappoint! After catching a serial killer both Cormoran and Robin are recovering both physically and emotionally, their new partnership strained and a little uncomfortable. When Cormoran receives a visit from a disturbed man insisting he saw a girl being strangled when he was young he’s intrigued. He casually makes a few inquiries and through this mystery he and Robin start to repair their friendship.
Why is Cormoran Strike, the ex-military amputee who drinks a bit too much such a great hero? Through his current and past relationships we see how emotionally stunted he can be hiding from his own thoughts at times by having another pint. Robin’s relationship with her fiancee/husband Matthew offers the reader a comparison and allows us to see Comoran’s strengths. As Robin navigates her tumultuous new marriage I wallowed in what should have been’s between she and Strike. It was only the intricately wrought mystery that diverted my attention and allowed me to put those bitter feelings on simmer. What is it about these two characters that make me want them to be together so much?
There were many twists and turns to this mystery. What started with the young disturbed man in Strike’s office turned into political subterfuge. Without giving anything away I will say that I was surprised at the who dunnit and went back and forth through that journey of discovery trying to figure out how and when Strike figured out what was going on because I sure as hell didn’t figure it out!
If you love British crime mysteries you need to read this series. It gets better with each book and the tension between Cormoran and Robin keep you coming back for more. Will they ever get their relationship figured out? Who knows? But I sure do enjoy watching them tiptoe around their feelings for each other. Oh, and the mysteries are great too! For those of you who don’t know this, Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J. K. Rowling. It’s amazing that the same person who wrote the Harry Potter books wrote these novels. She’s one talented lady!
Engrossing but overly long
NEVER a dull moment. J.K. Rowling aka Robert Galbraith is a master at character development and presenting a wonderfully complicated mystery. You must read the books in sequence. This is #4. I eagerly await each release.
A Series author of Harry Potter writes a great deceive series for adults also. Check the 3 books out! Mystery with a noir atmosphere. Don’t miss these!
4th book in the Comoran Strike series does not disappoint! Action packed with Strike and Robin solving yet another mystery, both past and present!
Fantastic book! I’ve recommended the series to anyone who would listen and this latest installment was well above par. The plot was imaginative and intriguing and each character stood out with their own voice. And the relationship development kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for book five!
Very good storyline and character developement. The 4th installment in the Cormoran Strike series.
As with all books in the series, the principal characters are engaging and I care about them. The settings are gritty and the players flawed and real. Particularly like the audio versions because of excellent reader.
I’m absolutely hooked on this series – always a sign when you can’t leave a book down and I’m mentally rooting for Strike and Robin since last time… looking forward to the next one already.
Be prepared to read in one sitting.
I love this whole series.
She’s done it again. I can see this one as a Masterpiece Mystery series…
Love the characters and their adventures. Clever plot lines, Can’t wait to read another in this series.