The Silkworm: A Cormoran Strike Novel

By Robert Galbraith (a.k.a. J.K. Rowling)

While I’m always hesitant to give a book a five-out-of-five-star rating, upon finishing The Silkworm by J.K. Rowling, writing under the name Robert Galbraith, I realized it was time I stopped being silly and give due where it was...well...due.

Having gained some notoriety for solving the Lulu Landry murder, as related in the first Cormoran Strike novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, detective Cormoran Strike is hired by the wife of author Owen Quine to find the author after he’s gone missing. Quine, a writer of some note, but not a best-selling writer, has written a book, Bombyx Mori that, if published, will scandalize members of London’s publishing establishment. What starts out as a missing persons case turns into a murder investigation when Cormoran finds the author dead, in a brutally horrific scene, not unlike one painted with words, in his unpublished and scandalous book.

The Cuckoo’s Calling was the first book written by J.K. Rowling that I read, not having been interested in the Harry Potter books, although, I imagine, based on what I’ve read of hers now, that they’re quite good. The Cuckoo’s Calling was entertaining, so I delved into The Silkworm without much hesitation. Revisiting Cormoran and his reception/assistant, Robin, again proved to be a wonderful experience. J.K. Rowling has done a wonderful job of weaving her tale, spinning a murder mystery, while at the same time giving us further insights into Cormoran and Robin’s personal life. During the reading of The Silkworm – about half way through it – my Reader’s power cord that charged it died and I had to special order a new one that took two weeks to arrive, keeping me from reading further. When I was finally able to charge back up and get back into it, it was like I was revisiting some old friends; thus my five star designation for the book.

If you look hard enough, there are always a few things you could nick-pick about a book or movie you’re reviewing, but in the case of The Silkworm, I just had so much fun spending time with these characters that’s it’s pointless to do so, if the only purpose is to attempt to make myself look astute and critic-like. All in all, The Silkworm is an excellent read; and in saying that, I am also eagerly awaiting the next Cormoran Strike novel, which when released will jump to the top of my reading list.