INTRODUCTION: Let me begin by saying I love J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. When I read the Harry Potter series I kept thinking “J.K. Rowling should write mysteries. She is really good at them.” I mean just look at the Potter books!! So many hints and clues and links. I felt Rowling was a natural mystery writer.
I’m so glad she proved me right. 🙂
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OVERALL: A good, twisted mystery that will keep you wondering who dun it to the end. I was wrong, or rather, partially right, BTW.
POINTS: Rowling writes good mysteries. Never forget it.
PITFALLS: Hmmm… See Female Characters.
FEMALE CHARACTER(S): Well huh. I know that Rowling considers herself a feminist and gave us a GREAT heroine in Hermione Granger (plus many others) so it sometimes surprises me at how sexist the female characters seem to be. And yet, the main heroine Robin, is a great driver and wants a career she can throw herself into. That’s cool. But she also set up as a possible interest for the hero. I would like for there to be a woman in the books who wasn’t young and beautiful and yet still a good person. Just a thought there.
I was disappointed to read that one of the characters was described as a big woman who clearly couldn’t entice any man to be with her so she just had a career and was a bitter person. Uh, what? Look I’m a big woman and I have a wonderful hubby and career and I’m not bitter. Even if I were single, so what? I just found that too stereotypical and hurtful. We big girls, and guys, are deserving of love too. I know that Rowling does not discriminate against size or looks – just read her interviews – so I guess it strikes me as odd. Oh well. I’ll still read the next books in the series.
CULTURAL PITFALL(S): See Female Characters and Racial Bechdel Test.
HIGH POINT(S):
1.) Celebrity Status. Ms. Rowling knows quite a bit about the celebrity status. She is a huge celebrity herself yet maintains strict privacy. Her writing feels authentic in discussing the rich and famous circles. However I have no idea if she is correct or not as I do not run in those circles. However, the situations and characters seem authentic.
2.) Whodunit. I thoroughly enjoyed how the main character knew who did it, worked with others to prove it, and the reader was left wondering. Rowling knows how to drop hints and clues and still leave you guessing. As I wrote in the introduction, I was only partially correct in selecting the guilty party. Was still very impressed at the murder method.
3.) Happy Rowling Ending. Rowling has a way of wrapping up a story with some joy thrown in. There a
BECHDEL TEST (Website): 3 of 3. Well done, J.K.
RACIAL BECHDEL TEST (Website): Don’t know. Rowling is not a racist woman so hey, the characters could be any color. Race is rarely specified that I am aware of so let your imagination run wild.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Robert Galbraith – The Silkworm
CELLULOID WORTHY: Oh yes. I’m surprised they haven’t started filming the first book “Cuckoo’s Calling.”
LION PAW PRINTS: 3 of 5. I will read anything by Galbraith (Rowling).
LINKS:
Chick Flicking Reviews 
I’m relieved to read this – I was beginning to think I was imagining things with regards to the female characters in this! It wasn’t picked up in any other reviews I’ve come across (so far), but the fact that every female character is either needy, shrill, desperate or bitter – or all! – forced me to give up on this book about half way through. I was mildly curious to discover who the killer was, but enough to meet yet another woman desperate to jump into bed with a grouchy dude whose hair resembles pubes!
LOLOL!!!!! Love your comments. I hope JK breaks out of this for the next book. Thanks for your feedback too!