The Cuckoo's Calling

By: Robert Galbraith

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 15 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Published under a pseudonym, J. K. Rowling’s brilliant debut mystery introduces Detective Cormoran Strike as he investigates a supermodel's suicide in “one of the best books of the year” (USA Today).

After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, creditors are calling, and after a breakup with his longtime girlfriend, he’s living in his office.

Then John Bristow walks through his door with a shocking story: His sister, the legendary supermodel Lula Landry - known to her friends as the Cuckoo - famously fell to her death a few months earlier. The police ruled it a suicide, but John refuses to believe that. The case plunges Strike into the world of multimillionaire beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, and it introduces him to every variety of pleasure, enticement, seduction, and delusion known to man.

You may think you know detectives, but you've never met one quite like Strike. You may think you know about the wealthy and famous, but you've never seen them under an investigation like this.

Fast-paced and sharply drawn, this dazzling detective novel inspired Strike, the BBC crime drama series that has captivated millions of viewers worldwide.

©2013 Robert Galbraith (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Truly trying to get through it

Maybe the narrator, who has a great voice, is just too relaxing, or maybe the story isn't moving fast enough. I have nothing bad to say, other than as someone who usually flies through audio books I have to keep rewinding this one because I've fallen asleep or realized I've zoned out and need to re-listen.
I want to like this book, but it's starting to feel like a homework assignment to get through it. I've also found my eye straying to Audible looking for a faster moving replacement.
I admit I purchased it after the news broke that it was J.K. Rowling's pseudonym. Casual Vacancy isn't a favorite book, but I liked it well enough to read something new from her and did appreciate her character development. I'm still holding out hope, but I'm only half way through after two weeks of trying which is not a promising sign. I wish I had better news to report, I'm jealous of the reviewers who said they couldn't stop listening and loved it. I'd prefer to be in that group.

Just needed some time to get into it

So I bought this book (finally) after seeing it in stores for 3 years. I tried to listen to it for awhile, but couldn't seem to get past the first chapter or two without getting distracted and having to start over because I felt like I missed something. But I went on a cross country road trip alone, and not having any distractions helped me get the ball rolling and I genuinely enjoyed listening to this book, I think J.K. Rowling is brilliant as always, and I bought "The Silkworm" as well after finishing it.
The narrator was amazing as well, often you'll listen to a great book but the narrator kind of kills the momentum. Not so here.

Excellent listening experience!

Complex, intriguing plot enriched by the two main characters, Strike and Robin.
Both characters are well described and developed. They have become real people in my mind, and I look forward to the next time I meet them in another of Galbaith's books.
Hopefully, the next book will have R. Glenister as the narrator. His mellow voice, character creation, expressiveness, and pacing were the perfect dramatization of the novel.

Rated it an All Star Book!

What made the experience of listening to The Cuckoo's Calling the most enjoyable?

The book is so well written with an exceptionally good plot. Robert Glenister is absolutely brilliant as the narrator; adding much to the entire experience.

What other book might you compare The Cuckoo's Calling to and why?

The last book I enjoyed listening to this much was "Murder as a Fine Art." by David Morrell. Read by Matthew Wolf. The period and settings are nothing alike but the mysteries in both are top knotch.

Which character – as performed by Robert Glenister – was your favorite?

The main character - Cormoran Strike.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Anxiousness to find out what happened and who did it.

Any additional comments?

Repeating what several other listeners wrote. I knew nothing about this book but took a chance on it because of the great reviews. So glad I did because it was one of the most enjoyable audiobooks I've ever listened. too. Great voice changes from Robert Glenister made it a real find. The fact it is nothing like the Harry Potter books made it a delightful surprise. So well done. Bravo all around.

Good but not exceptional

The recent media coverage of this book made it sound like an amazing story. It was interesting if a bit long and the writing was good but it was not as good as I expected. I will read the next book if it continues with the main characters. There is a lot of room for growth with them. But there are better mysteries out there.

a real "page turner"

Would you listen to The Cuckoo's Calling again? Why?

Absolutely! The narrator's voice and the affectations he had for all the different characters was so engaging. The story was very good too; if there were pages, it would be a real page turner.

What other book might you compare The Cuckoo's Calling to and why?

I would think of it as a hybrid between Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Poirot (the 1970s'ish TV detective).

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

I haven't, but that is sure to stop! This narrator was amazing and I'm going to look for more books performed by him for sure. Great voice!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It didn't make me have an extreme reaction, but I was rapt with attention.

Just wow!

I knew this was a work by JK Rowling but I did not expect it to be this good. I kept wanting to listen. I cannot wait for the next installment. Here's to Cormoran and Robin! PS this plot twist reminds me directly of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by that genius Agatha Christie.

Great Story... AMAZING Narrative!

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

This book was a wonderful addition to my daily commute. Enough intrigue to keep you guessing, but of the terrifying gruesome variety that I tend to avoid. Very Sherlock Holmes-esque. The ending definitely left the door open for another book. I sincerely hope this is the start of a new series for JK Rowling errr I mean "Robert Galbraith"?

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

This is my first Robert Glenister performance. He was spectacular!

Columbo goes to London

If you could sum up The Cuckoo's Calling in three words, what would they be?

Gritty, witty, surprising

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not quite on the edge, but anxious for the next development

What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?

I thought he was excellent throughout. Voicing the parts was well done.

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

The conversations with the igly ducking girlfriend of the murdered model were poignant.

Any additional comments?

Rowling has built a solid detective story base. Lots of good tensions to explore in the new book, which I just downloaded.

Slow starting but ending great

There was a bit too much development early in this book. But it all came together nicely in the end.