I'm glad this 4th installment of the series didn't go darker than the last. In fact, I was pleased it wasn't even as dark. This was another 22 hour book, excellently narrated by Robert Glenister that had me looking for excuses to go for a drive (the car is where my husband and I do all our audio book listening). ( )

Decent well-written mystery novel, but also nothing special. In the previous novels I kind of liked the story of their personal lives. In this one it was all a bit uninteresting. It's clear that galbraith wants to add some extra tension between Robin and Strike. It's a pity that it is done so obviously and unconvincingly. ( )

When a troubled you g man named Billy asks Coromandel Strike to help hi. Investigate a crime he witnessed as a child, the private eye is left deeply troubled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed and cannot remember many details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, he bolts from his office in a panic.
Trying to get to the bottom of Billy’s story, Strike and Robi Ellacott-once his assistant, now a partner in the agency-set off on a twistin trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside. ( )

3.5

I enjoy this series quite a bit but this mystery got a little convoluted for me. (Maybe because I was reading the critical details right after running a marathon?) still, the big picture made sense to me and I still like reading about the personal side of Strike & Robin. There are a couple clues that I’m still not 100% sure I caught/understood.

I wouldn’t mind learning more about some of the other employees too. ( )

Good book, but nothing new. I don't plan to stay committed to a series where the characters and style are simply rehashed. ( )