Audiobook Review: Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike Novels) by Robert Galbraith

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
Series: Cormoran Strike Novels
Published by Hachette Audio on October 20, 2015
Genres: Suspense, Thriller
Pages: 497
Format: Audiobook

Cormoran Strike's assistant Robin Ellacott is in the midst of planning her already-delayed wedding, so when she receives a package at the office she automatically assumes it's one of the many things she's ordered for the event.  Instead, inside she finds the amputated leg.  The similarities to Cormoron's own amputation is uncanny, so the private detective begins his own investigation into the source.  He has a few people from his past who might be responsible.  His less than stellar relationship with the local police has Cormoran lacking in their abilities.  Yet when more women are brutally murdered, Cormoran must pick up the pace, especially when Robin seems to be one of the targets.

This is, by far, one of the most addictive series I’ve listened to in some time.  In this truly well-crafted thriller series, Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling) has crafted two incredibly endearing characters in Cormoran and Robin.  Though they couldn’t be any more different, this duo makes a great investigative pairing.  I was thrilled to see Robin branching out beyond her role of receptionist, getting involved in the investigative process itself.  I didn’t think it was possible to like her any more, yet learning of her past, the root of her interest in police work, made her an even more sympathetic and likable character.  Sure, she has poor choices in men and can’t seem to figure out which route her life is supposed to take, but one can’t be perfect, can they?

This is the third book in this series and, while the cases they are investigating are independent of those from previous books, I continue my recommendation that you read the books in series order.  There is quite a bit of character development that takes place in each title, you’ll get a more well-rounded experience in read the series in order.

While the print is great, I can’t recommend the audio enough.  Robert Glenister is a truly exceptional narrator, capable of successfully portraying the role of Cormoran and Robin, two completely different individuals, in both gender and tone.

Bottom line: this novel, and its predecessors, are truly remarkable reads, full of action, humor, compassion and heart-pounding intensity. Highly, highly recommended.