The Ink Black Heart

I love the Cormoran Strike series, and I found this to be the weakest book of the saga. I didn't enjoy the style of writing and couldn't get into the plot. However, I suggest you power through this read, because the following book -- The Running Grave -- is a masterpiece!

I listened to audible version and fast forwarded through the endless text conversations. Will not purchase a hardcopy. Otherwise, it's another great story from Robert Galbraith.

Story still good and I love this author but I absolutely HATE the abundant use of text. I pray this is not an up and coming thing for writers to do. Of all the Strike novels, this was the least loved.

I was genuinely engrossed this entire book. The characters are displayed masterfully, and even tiny bit characters have distinct personalities you can tell apart at a glance. All the Twitter and moderator instant message conversations felt incredibly true to life. Most authors are either good at plot or character, but this book has both. Literally every chapter had me guessing someone new as the killer. Also loved the developments between Strike/Robin, and the honest portrayals of their pitfalls as human beings. My one complaint about the Strike books in general is that everyone’s faults are so on display (no matter the character) that I’m often left feeling a bit depressed about humanity as a whole. The other reviews for this book are clearly by people who went in wanting to find problems with it, so they found them. Despite their claims, this book is NOT pro-alt right; the alt-right are portrayed very clearly as bigots and villains. The book explores how both the political left and right have gone to extremes. As shown by the cartoon show (The Ink Black Heart) being deplored as both “too PC” and “problematic” depending on who’s doing the complaining. So what if the plot is inspired by her life experiences? That’s what authors do. And if writing a book over a thousand pages long is a “lazy cash grab”, then my gosh, what does it take to be productive?