The third Strike novel starts with the delivery of a leg to Strike’s office, freshly butchered from a young woman. While trying to figure out who sent the leg, Strike and Robin delve into a whodunnit based on trying to track down some enemies from Strike’s past who might have done this. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that this killer is focussed on Robin as much as Strike, and she’s his partner in being under threat as well as trying to solve the mystery.
Again, I wouldn’t say more on the plot, but this was basically everything I wanted.
Item 1 – a new Rowling book, which would be unputdownable and twist and turn. Check!
Item 2 – proper character development of Robin, acknowledging how interesting and flat out brilliant she is, while also explaining how she got this way and her backstory. Serious CHECK, with an added whoa – while the book gives loads of detail on Strike’s past career and enemies, it is Robin that I want to know more about, that I want to see acting and whose thought process I admire, including her determination and drive for the right thing.
Item 3 – well, I never would have asked for that shudderingly detailed litany of horrible criminals, getting away with so much for years due to the terror they inspire and their charm, but I couldn’t look away from their awfulness. I’m sorry (spoilers) that all don’t get their comeuppance. Laing’s attack on his former wife still makes me squirm. Check, for a story that stays with you.
I just finished it this afternoon! I will read ANYTHING just to get the interactions between those two. So good.