Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike, #3) in Pick-a-Shelf

Jun 20, 2015 D.G. rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, reviewed, audiobook

**3.5 stars**

That ending, that ending. It wasn’t the reason why Career of Evil was just 3.5 stars for me but it didn’t help. Maybe because I figured out the killer by chapter 51, the other weaknesses of the book came flaring back to life. There was just too much meandering and Robin wedding drama for my taste.

(At this point, I figure I shouldn’t use my usual disclaimer when reviewing this series: this is not like Harry Potter, etc. etc. You should know by now.)

The book starts when Robin receives **3.5 stars**

That ending, that ending. It wasn’t the reason why Career of Evil was just 3.5 stars for me but it didn’t help. Maybe because I figured out the killer by chapter 51, the other weaknesses of the book came flaring back to life. There was just too much meandering and Robin wedding drama for my taste.

(At this point, I figure I shouldn’t use my usual disclaimer when reviewing this series: this is not like Harry Potter, etc. etc. You should know by now.)

The book starts when Robin receives a package with a human leg (yikes!) No one is more surprised than Robin when Strike produces 4 suspects. Stubbornly, the police focuses on only one of the suspects and pretty much ignores the other three, which gives Strike the opportunity to investigate.

Career of Evil has many chapters from the killer’s POV. When this first happened, I was terrified for Strike and the people he loved. I thought this guy had a plan and he hated Strike with a passion so I feared for his sister, his nephews, his friends and Robin of course. But even though sending the leg was meticulously planned, the rest of the killer’s actions weren’t. He was described as an “opportunist” which seemed at odds with the leg sending. To me, it seems you are either a planner or an opportunist so the way he went about “making Strike pay” didn’t make much sense to me.

Strike’s investigation meandered somewhat – I imagine this is the way real investigations happen, where you don’t find anything for a while and have to just keep pushing. Although we learn a lot about the suspects and their heinous acts, nothing is discovered that tilts the investigation one way or the other. I figured out the identity of the killer because I went about it from another angle – if I had focused on what Strike was doing, I wouldn’t have had a clue what happened.

There’s a lot of focus on Robin in this book. We discovered the reason why she dropped out of University, why her job means so much to her and learn more about her relationship with Matthew. The book is set two months before her wedding and there’s a “will she marry Matthew” sub plot throughout the book. Matthew is not a fan of Strike and her working for him, so there are lot of fights between the two of them. One surprising development (for me at least) was the discovery that there are feelings between Strike and Robin. You may wonder…how didn’t you know? Because I never assume that a main character in a mystery series will automatically get a love interest. Maybe I should have realized there was something with the way they were so careful around each other, not getting too personal. Now, there’s nothing concrete going on but there was a definite a leap in their relationship both personal and professional (they had their first big fight and everything.) She’s not his secretary anymore but his partner.

Strike continues to be a compelling character, hairy belly and all, but if he doesn’t stop eating, smoking and drinking the way he did in this book, he won’t have to worry about the villains “doing him in” because a heart attack or a stroke will. I wonder what are the author’s plans about this because he can’t continue this way.

I didn’t like the end because I had hoped that plot point was going to be finished, but it’s clear that it will go on for at least a couple of more books. After thinking about it, I understood why the author went that way, but I still had a big WTF moment at the end. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.

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Feb 16, 2018 Jenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018-cover-to-cover

I really enjoy this series. Strike is an awesome private investigator. He finds himself in all kinds of difficult situations. And Robin makes an excellent sidekick. But that ending? God, that was terrible. I almost tossed the book across the room. Can you say sequel? Just to find out if they reconcile. And If Strike pills himself out of hock. I’d also like to mention - I hate Matthew and I always will, the ignorant bastard.

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Jan 20, 2017 emily rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery-and-crime, audiobook, detectives-and-private-eyes, 2017, whodunit, problematic-authors

Wooooowwwww this was good. Really, really good; where the second one lost me a little bit, this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not predict where it was going at all, either the building and culmination of the murders or the way they would affect Robin and Strike's interpersonal relationships. I rejoiced when Robin and Matthew broke up, but oddly, was also satisfied when they got back together-- I think it shouldn't be that simple for Robin, who clearly has a lot of hea ...more

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Jul 07, 2016 Rachel N. rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, read-in-2016, england, private-detective, mutilation, serial-killer

Robin Ellacott is sent a leg in the mail and Cormoran Strike is convinced the sender has to be one of three men from his past. The press coverage of the leg causes the business to lose all but two of its clients so Robin and Strike try to keep the business afloat while trying to track down the three potential suspects. Robin's wedding to the obnoxious Matthew is also fast approaching (I really want her to dump him). We are given much more of Robin's backstory which I enjoyed. There are a few cha ...more

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Dec 25, 2024 Tien rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, by-the-month-24

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. Even as I take some time to catch up with series I enjoyed; I took a remarkably longer time with this because of... the size! Why do these books have to be so thick?! As much as I enjoyed the mystery; I did get quite a bit impatient and actually made myself read 50 pages a day or thereabouts until today wherein I just had to finish. I was just too close to the end and can feel the triumph of the finish line already.

I liked both Cormoran and Robi ...more

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Jan 07, 2017 Joanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: series, 2017

#3 in the Cormoran Strike series is just as good as the first two. The relationship between Robin and Strike continues to grow as she gets a bit more confident in her position. The mystery aspect was good too-even when you know whodunnit, there is still a bit of a surprise. I'm definitely looking forward to #4 and to the BBC series. ...more

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Jul 22, 2018 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, audio, 5-or-4-stars-standout

Wow, this book is scary, gross, and gratuitous, but with masterful characterization and jaw-dropping mystery plotting. The reader is constantly yanked around by the nose—brilliant detective work and outcome. Too bad the time we spend with the killer is so horrifying. I can’t quite decide whether the author was going for shock value, therapeutic release, or a soapbox, but I also can’t deny how thoroughly into the story I was. I’m a little disturbed with myself. Now I cannot wait for book 4! Reall ...more

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Aug 09, 2016 Jennie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016-reading-challenge

This was the tiebreaker for me in the Cormoran Strike series. I didn't enjoy the first book but loved the second book. After thoroughly being drawn in by this third book, I'm firmly on board with following Cormoran and Robin on any future adventures. ...more

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Mar 02, 2025 Britt Lovelady rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoy this series about an army veteran detective, Cormoran Strike, and his assistant/partner, Robin. In this book, Robin receives the severed leg of a woman in the mail and Strike quickly realizes it’s one of three men from his past who is out to get him. While the mystery aspect is enjoyable, my favorite part of this series is the relationship between Strike and Robin. Good plot/mystery, and the characters are realistic. Overall, I give this a B-.

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Jun 20, 2016 Kate rated it it was amazing

I seriously love this series! And it isn't just because of JK Rowling (though I will admit that I read it first because of that). I love both Cormoran and Robin. They are great. I love the mysteries. I don't solve them in advance, like in cozies. Just all around a great series and I cannot wait for the next one. But seriously, that ending sucked. ...more

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Jul 17, 2022 Melissa Stebbins rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When Robin is sent the leg of a murder victim, Cormorant and Robin must investigate multiple psychopaths from Cormorant's past while navigating their complicated personal lives. ...more

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