I read this very quickly (as opposed to the first in the series, which I read on audiobook) and I am sad it is over. I like the characters of Cormoran and Robin very much, although (with the exception of random friends and relatives of Cormoran, whom he roped in for particular tasks,) no one else was very likeable. It is cool that Robin turns out to be such a crack driver and I like what the author is doing with the relationship between her and Cormoran (although if she doesn't ditch Matthew in the next book I might have to take matters into my own hands).

The plot was a bit complicated and I had to keep referring back to the synopsis of "Bombyxx Mori" to try to keep things straight. There were slightly too many male characters who had something to do with publishing and I was only just beginning to get them straight by the end. On that note, what purpose does the character of Christian Fisher serve? (I would have edited him out).

The last few chapters where Cormoran and Robin knew who did it, but didn't tell the reader and therefore had to have very cryptic dialogue was not ideal. Still, lots of fun and I think I am going to get the audiobook and listen to it again. ( )

In this 2nd book of the series the main characters continue to be interesting and quite likable. The crime gets more attention in this one, and it's not pretty.
Warning: Do not read before bedtime, unless you enjoy nightmares. :-) ( )

I like the characters. They are actually more interesting than the plot. ( )

Private Detective Cormorant Strike must track down a missing writer-and a sinister killer bent on destruction.
When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days-as he has done I. The past.-and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home. But as Strike investigates, he discovers thatQuine’s disappearance is no coincidence. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published, it would ruin lives-meaning that almost everyone I. His life would have motives to kill him. When Qui e is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, Strike must find the ruthless killer. ( )

Crime