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when Cormoran finds the author dead, in a brutally horrific scene, not unlike one painted with words, in his unpublished and scandalous book.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.

Hitler’s Niece: A Novel

By Ron HansenFOUR out of FIVE Stars

Adolf Hitler.

The name alone is abhorrent – and, he's not alone. Let’s add Rudolf Hess, Herman Goring, Ernst Hanfstaengl, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels to the list. We could go on and on, but that’s not necessary, as some of those abhorrent names don’t populate the pages of Ron Hansen’s excellent, fact-based-fictional tale of Adolf Hitler and his obsession with his niece, Geli Raubal, born to his half-sister. On September 18, 1931, Hitler and his niece argued, and that night she was reputed to have committed suicide, using Hitler’s gun.

At the time of her death, Hitler had yet to solidify his power in Germany, although he was well on his way. As such, rumors spread that Hitler had in fact murdered his niece, a young woman of 23 with whom he had developed an unhealthy obsession. The mystery of Geli’s untimely death is just one brutal, bloody chapter in Hitler’s life, of which there would be many – exceeding horrors any man or group of men should have been able to commit.

In Hitler’s Niece, Ron Hansen explores this relationship, giving voice to Hitler’s niece, a woman who is generally forgotten to the ages. He also gives voice to all of the men mentioned above and a few more, exploring the insanity that was Adolf Hitler. Through Geli’s eyes, we see the power the man gained for himself, and how it shaped a man who, under other circumstances, might have been seen as being social awkward and strange. Hanson takes us on a journey from Geli’s birth, to her death, and posits her views on her controlling Uncle, whom she longed to escape from, and who was her downfall.

Despite carrying on with Eva Braun and marrying her in the end, Hitler always acknowledged that Geli Raubal was the only woman he ever loved, and while it hasn’t been conclusively proven that he murdered her, one imagines Hanson’s presentation of what happened, is probably closer to the truth than he imagined.

Hitler’s Niece: A Novel is an excellent, compelling, shocking and disturbing read. Any time I read a book on Hitler and his inner circle, I can’t help marvelling at how disturbing each of these individuals were, and wondering how a confluence of events in history could have brought them all together and awarded enough influence and power that their actions will forever remain a blot and blight on the history of humankind.

If for nothing else, read Hitler’s Niece, as whether it’s accurate in the heart and spirit of the events or not, it gives a young woman a voice and reminds us that at one time, she lived, laughed and loved in her own way, despite the insanity that eventually surrounded her.

Thanks To Noveltunity Readers for Voting Tripping on Tears their July 2014 Noveltunity Book Club Winner

One of the great things the Internet has given us is the ability to make whatever creative desire afflicts us available to an audience that would have been harder to access in different times. But it’s not always about the artist, the musician or the author, but also the audience they hope will embrace them and their work will entertain.

Much like today’s indie authors, today’s readers have an opportunity to finally express themselves. Reading no longer needs to be a solitary adventure, but one a reader can share with their friends and other like-minded individuals. It is a relationship of mutual passion for the written word and the worlds and characters both can bring to life. A character may first live in the mind of an author, but from then on can only thrive and continue to exist in the minds of readers; often outliving their creators.

It is with great appreciation and respect that I thank those Noveltunity Readers who voted for Tripping on Tears, selecting it as the July 2014 Noveltunity Book Club Winner. It was entirely unexpected yet a terrific honor. Thank you.