ŷ������

Once again, left with post-novel depression as Robert Galbraith has published another well-written Strike/Ellacott novel. Boy was this a wild ride! I have felt each book in this series has grabbed my attention more than the previous one and leaves me craving another.

Set in 2011 (one year after Robin has begun working for Cormoran Strike and during the time of the royal wedding), the story opens with the ramblings of a serial killer who's identity is a mystery to the reader. Robin Ellacott has been sent a female severed leg in the mail and the dynamic duo decide to hunt down this killer while the police are heading in what Strike considers a dead end. Cormoran has 3 suspects in mind and they spend the entirety of the book bouncing back and forth all 3 while keeping us in suspense until the very last pages. Simultaneously, Robin and Strike's relationship takes a new turn as Robin and her fiancé take a break to decide if the wedding will take place at all.

I loved how the author really developed Strike and Robin's relationship deeper than both the previous novels together. I was just as engrossed in this aspect as I was in the suspense of the killer. There was a really nice twist at the end involving the identity of the killer which I did not see coming; honestly, she does a great job of keeping you from knowing who the killer is entirely until she wants it revealed. I really enjoyed how the chapters were structured by breaking up the story chapters with sections of the killer's private thoughts. This is by far one of my favorite books of the year and I am anxiously awaiting the fourth novel in the series!!!