The Cuckoo's Calling | review

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Much like The Bourne Triology this is a story worth experiencing more than once. Even though this is a detective story, I'm curious to know whether I pick up the hints now that I have learned how it all connects in the end. Could I have seen it all coming or did Galbraith keep all the knowledge to himself and his private detective, leaving no real clues for the reader? From previous experiences with the author I'd like to say that the hints are there, but cannot know for sure as this is not a fantasy children's book.

I gave this 4/5 stars on Goodreads but not really because of the plot which actually was not as thrilling as I had first hoped. Not once was I so wrapped up in the story, so caught up in suspense that I could not put the book down. Plot-wise it deserves 3 stars, not 4. The reason behind the fourth star is the understanding of people and of the setting. Galbraith understands humans, understands their quirks, their nature, the many layers of a personality and this makes the story so good. I kept reading because I got caught in a setting painted by words, because I could not believe that Lula was dead either. She felt so real, they all did. Sometimes I found myself longing to google Guy Somé to see his designs or research Lula to finally see her stunning beauty. She felt so real, and I continuously hoped she had not died, that I would get to meet her by turning the pages.
Although there were a lot of characters involved they were easy to tell apart due to this fundamental understanding of human beings. They had individual ways of speaking; dialects and vocabularies; and this proved to be not only entertaining but also very helpful.
     Also the whole London atmosphere was described so clearly but so seemingly absentmindedly that it made the experience feel much more real and more natural. I have never been to London but the whole city noise felt so close; the double-decker buses driving past each other, the constant rush of cars and people talking and shouting.

Quite the book. Some loose ends were not satisfactorily dealt with but I suspect the next books in the series will continue from where this one left off, and I will definitely go right back to the London atmosphere with its fascinating people and surprising characters.
But until then I will end this with the words; go read it.