5 star rating based on quality not name

I was lured into the first Cormoron Strike story by the many estatic reviews - and I just loved it. Here was a really interesting main character living and working (rather haphazardly) in the slightly old fashioned London in which I have lived in and loved for years. When I found out that Robert Galbraith was in fact J K Rowling it made no difference to me one way or the other - although I could see why JKR had chosen anonymity. Having so looked forward to this 2nd instalment I was horrified at the appalling reviews and so appealed to my sister and niece who were physically reading the book for an honest view before I spent a credit and downloaded. 'Absolutely great' they both said - and absolutely great is the audible version. I have been listening to 'The Silkworm' until my ears have buzzed (I listen on headphones most of the time). Yes it's a somewhat bizarre plot and yes I did spot who-dun-it but that does not detract in any way from a thoroughly inventive story, great characters and however many hours of enjoyable listening. I cannot help but feel that our national pastime of shooting down anyone successful has come into play here. Go download you won't regret it!

35 people found this helpful

Not great

Having devoured the Cuckoos Calling (prior to the reveal!) with great relish, I eagerly anticipated this book.
The narrator Robert Glenister did a masterful job and I very much enjoyed the reunion with the main characters Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacot. However that's pretty much all I enjoyed.
I didn't like the setting in the world of publishing but I think the main problem was the pompous posturing with the names of the suspects and I almost gave up before anyone had even been murdered! I felt that things began to almost veer into the realms of Harry Potter but I persevered with it and things seemed to get back on track.
I would only give this book 3 stars and hope that the author has had her revenge on the publishing world and doesn't lose the plot again.

16 people found this helpful

Glenister does his level best with this one but...

I much enjoyed the previous Cormoran Strike book (Cuckoos Calling). This one also has quite a good mystery with nice clues of various kinds scattered through the book - some of them 'real' (events observed) and others more inward (e.g. the ideas and nature of a book written by the murder victim). That was an interesting idea and could have made a great story but…

The motivation and final resolution are not strong. There is also a lot of gruesome S-M stuff in the story, and in the story-within, which is somehow toe-curlingly embarrassing in a way that other authors manage to avoid in this type of fiction (c.f. various scandi-noir). The burgeoning romance really lacks subtlety (this was so much better in the first book). And the whole thing is set in a world of literature, critics and editors about which I think the author has too-strong emotional views of her own. And it is long and very repetitive (a lot of description about the hero's missing leg and prosthesis for example) and all that detail is not always internally consistent, even within-scenes.

All could have been improved enormously and probably redeemed with some serious and stringent editing. But this author doesn't seem to like editors very much.

The reading is great and Glenister does a great job with pace, voices and mood.

47 people found this helpful

Robin and Strike, book 2

Would you listen to The Silkworm again? Why?

Yes, in the fullness of time, because I enjoy the central characters, Robin and Strike, and the way their histories and lifestyles are believably depicted, and their relationship is developed for the reader largely via their separate internal thoughts. The author is very strong at creating colourful, distinct characters whose actions are always true to the inner landscapes they keep hidden but the reader knows well.
As with all good mysteries, I enjoy the way the author weaves clues throughout the book and the minor characters' actions keep you guessing.

Would you recommend The Silkworm to your friends? Why or why not?

I would. Although Robert Glenister's narration takes a while to get used to and he falters on changes of accent very occasionally, overall it is well done, and he performs the dialogue very well. If anybody read/listened to the first Strike book and enjoyed it, they will no doubt want to find out what happens next in the lives of Cormoran and Robin.

What does Robert Glenister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He performs the dialogue brilliantly, getting across emotions, grudging sentiment and evasiveness of characters particularly well. The accents are generally believable, and he plays the humour of various scenes in Strike's office nicely.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoy the switches between Robin's perspective and Strike's, and the snowy car journey out to Devon is a good example of this - we see Strike's admiration of Robin increase along with Robin's own self-esteem - it's a nice passage which cements their budding professional partnership, respect and friendship even under incredible pressure. I found myself desperately hoping Robin would make the train in time (even feeling that her engagement is surely doomed - I didn't want it to fall out under the horrible circumstance of missing her mother-in-law to-be's funeral!) which surely shows how I have connected to and warmed to the character, something that doesn't happen with every book you read.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to a third book, hopefully with a more exciting mystery - I wasn't invested in the Quine murder in quite the same way I found myself hooked on the mystery of Lula's balcony drop in the first book. Ultimately, I am really enjoying the two central characters and want to read more of their Christie-esque sleuthing.

4 people found this helpful

Not as good as the first book

I was a little disappointed with this book...the story was nowhere near as good as the first Strike book. I don't know If I found it confusing or boring, but I found myself replaying parts again and again...I think this was due to boredom...the story didn't hold my interest and my mind would wander and I'd lose the plot. I didn't really like the characters and didn't care what happened to them, all in all a bland book with no real depth, and no intrigue, but well narrated.

19 people found this helpful

Meeehhh

The problem with writing a thriller nowadays is that the seasoned reader knows to suspect everyone and expect the unexpected. This leaves the writer with the problem of having to have a unique twist or two (plot) and/or writing so well that the reader will follow on a convoluted journey (narrative) which they can easily circumvent by reading the last chapter. The plot was ridiculous and over-complicated and the narrative was - well, not well enough written to hold my attention. And so very, VERY long!

It went on for so long that I even started to get a bit fed up of Robert Glenister's voice - and I'm a huge fan.

Not absolutely awful but if this had been written by an unknown writer it would never have been published.

8 people found this helpful

Lightening strikes twice

Cuckoo's Calling was brilliant, The Silkworm if possible even better. Really interesting characters drawn with complex humanity and depth. Setting of London in winter was really evocative. The writing brilliantly matched with a reader of huge talent. One could almost believe it was a dramatisation such were his variety of voice changes. Only down side were the uneccesary Latin quotes and chapter introductory snippets. A trivial issue though, c'ant wait for the next Strike episode.

21 people found this helpful

Excellent

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's a great well crafted mystery with interesting character storylines too.

Have you listened to any of Robert Glenister’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes. This performance was just as excellent as the other one I have heard. Great character performances. RG is the best audio artist I have heard.

15 people found this helpful

Gripping, fascinating and very very likeable.

What did you like most about The Silkworm?

Strike continues to unfold into an incredibly stubbly character, sullied and brilliant. Also the storytelling and description is a powerful whirlpool.

Any additional comments?

I just loved this book, a great sequel... Really looking forward to Book 3!

6 people found this helpful

very disappointed

After waiting so long for the release what a disappointment. This book is so slow and so long and so boring by the end I didnt care one bit who dunnit, I was just glad it finished. I've only ever turned a book off once before(the bat by jo nesbo) but this on several occasions was nearly my second. The narrator was excellent and just as well. Apart from the two main characters you just couldn't care less about any of the others. I could rant on in detail but already wasted over 17 hrs on this book.

33 people found this helpful