Book Review: If you enjoyed The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm is even better: meatier, more intense, a great leap forward. While that first book was a solid, page-turner, this one sinks its teeth in and doesn't let go. I read the last 100+ plus pages in a single sitting (actually I was in the tub -- got quite pruney). The crime is more lurid and involves a libelous unpublished manuscript. The characters: publishers, authors, agents, and others are real and each is a story. The mystery this time is even more raveled. We share more of Strike's and Robin's lives, and I'll just say that weddings are involved. Yes, you read that right. Once again, it is all very English, very London. On every detailed page Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling, natch) shoves the reader into the next page, willing or not; I was willing and if not for having to live life, I would've read The Silkworm in a single gulp. Expect the unexpected. Just to limit the gush, I'll share my few quibbles: first the plot had a little bit of stereotyping that I found unfortunate, but maybe I could excuse that as Strike baiting a witness. Robin seemed a little more insecure or needy than expected, but she was going through a rough patch. And although I did not guess the perp, some of the ending was predictable and more like a typical detective novel (this is J.K. Rowling, after all) than the highs I found in the rest of the book. But those are minor and practically invisible compared to the joys of the rest of the careening ride. The Silkworm was great and now I'm required to read Robert Galbraith's third book, Career of Evil. Can't wait. [4.5 Stars]
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