Goodreads Ireland discussion

This is the spoiler for thread for our August monthly read of 2013, The Cuckoo's Calling.

I look forward to discussing this novel in greater depth with you all.

Declan. :)

I wrote in my general review that I felt this book was too long. Like Declan, I would have liked more of Robin. I really enjoyed the scene in the upscale boutique where she got loads of information out of the sales clerks.
I sympathized with Strike's physical pain, and wondered what kind of prothesis he supposedly had. I know nothing about artificial limbs, but am curious what kind of research Rowling did on the topic.

I really enjoyed the book, but like Barbara and Declan, I do think it could have been shortened just a bit. Having said that, though, the novel absorbed me during a long flight, and I loved it for that! Part of my enjoyment was completely subjective. Last year when I was in London, I was wandering and happened upon Denmark Street. I thought it was such a cool street--so many instrument stores and quirky little shops. I could easily imagine Cormoran having an office there and stepping out to have a smoke. I like how Rowling provides some backstory for Cormoran and Robin, but doesn't provide readers with everything they might want to know. I'm guessing (probably not a stretch) that she'll craft a series out of this novel. I'd like to see more action in future novels, such as Robin's investigations, rather than having most of her detecting reported back to Strike. I usually don't figure out "who dunnit," but in this case, I had a strong suspicion about halfway through the book--so it didn't have the usual twists and turns and red herrings for me--but I still enjoyed it very much. For a good crime or mystery series, I think the most important thing is for the author to create characters readers would want to follow over a number of books, and I think Rowling clearly did that here. (No surprise there, either!)

I'm pretty much in total agreement with you, Cathleen. The real appeal and charm of this book was all about the main characters, (or maybe I should have typed the main character and Robin???).

In terms of this novel I think it would have been important for Robin to report back to Strike; not because I believe in micromanagement, but because I think seeing how she enjoyed Strike's rather pleased and impressed responses showed Robin's growing enthusiasm, which I found infectious. I felt it gave the book the the kind of light-hearted appeal I'd normally associate with early afternoon crime dramas.

I'm wondering whether or not Rowling had a relative or family friend who is/was an amputee, Barbara. There were quite a few men who were amputee war veterans living in Dublin when I was a child, including my grandfather. As they were mostly WWII vets, I can only imagine that these men were a much more common sight in the UK. I'd expect with a second book almost in the bag with might just find out how much research, if any, she did for that part of the novel.

Declan wrote: "I'm pretty much in total agreement with you, Cathleen. The real appeal and charm of this book was all about the main characters, (or maybe I should have typed the main character and Robin???).

In ..."
That's great that there's another one planned. Now--the next question is--who will play Strike and Robin in the BBC series? They'll certainly plan on a tv or movie series, won't they?

Talk started for a movie a couple of days after Rowling was revealed as Galbraith.

I think Ray Stevenson would have made a good Strike, but he might be about ten years too old for it. He's 6"4', and quite well built. I'm not sure he's famous enough for the role, though. He's one of those actors whose constantly referred to 'that guy from...' I actually had to check his name before I typed it. I remembered him as Ray Stephens.

I think Robin might a up-and-coming actress. If she were more pivotal in this novel then maybe I could see an established actress in the role.

Since Jack Reacher you can't joke like that anymore, Allan. It's like the Harry Potter kids and Voldemort or Actors and Macbeth. You'll just jinx it.

Allan wrote: "They'll probably get Tom Cruise to play Strike-Susan would just love that, seeing as she thinks he did such a great job as that other large hero whose name escapes me!"

Tom Cruise is not the right physical type. More of a Liam Neeson, but younger, type.

Declan wrote: "I'm pretty much in total agreement with you, Cathleen. The real appeal and charm of this book was all about the main characters, (or maybe I should have typed the main character and Robin???).

In ..."

Living in the Washington DC area, and not far from the Walter Reed military hospital, it is not unusual to see Iraq and Afghan war vets who are amputees. IED's are responsible, and I can't remember if Strike was a victim of one of those.

I'm tempted to reread that passage, but I think it might have been an IED. I remember the scream to stop the vehicle and then an explosion.

Thinking more about it, she does end the book with Strike visiting an amputee hospital. There's an ideal place to learn about it.

I was thinking more about the abundance of pages and I think that the novel could have done without the Strike's history with Charlotte. It didn't add much to the story except pages, as far as I'm concerned.

Declan wrote: "I'm tempted to reread that passage, but I think it might have been an IED. I remember the scream to stop the vehicle and then an explosion.

Thinking more about it, she does end the book with Str..."

One technique often used in crime novels, tv and movies is that instead of detailing each and every interview blow by blow, the detective simply reports what he/she learned talking to person a, b, or c. There are a few times Robin reports like this, and I think it should hsve been used more with strike. As I said previously, the interviewing seemed endless at times.

That certainly would have helped, Barbara. I can't see any reason why the interviews with Kolovas-Jones and Wilson needed to be included, nor can I see why the cleaner's testimony needed to be garnered first-hand. Maybe Rowling was just trying to increase the pool of potential killers? Kolovas-Jones never really spoke again, after that, but he always seemed to be portrayed as a slightly shady character.

Just finished the book last night, I found it hard to get through but I did still enjoy the book to a certain extent.

I'm not used to saying what I've thought on books apart from I liked it or didn't but I have to agree with what others have said here.

The main parts of the book I liked were the interactions between the two main characters and I wished there was more of Robin in the book because it was the parts between her and Strike that I enjoyed the most.

The secondary characters, there isn't many of them that I was to fond of, but none of them were giving much time in the book outside of when they were needed for interviews. I think that's one of the thinks I disliked is the small cast of characters to grow attached to.

Until the last third or so of the book I wasn't really into finding out what happened it was only when things started to feel like they were warping up did I finally start to care for the actual story of the book and want to continue to read and find out more.

In saying these things though I understand the pace and of the book along with how much time each characters got would be part of the crime genre (I think, I only have this book to base that on) and maybe I just find the genre doesn't offer enough to my reading tastes.

However overall I did enjoy the book for what it was and liked the last third along with the 2 main characters quite alot.

Also on the note of actors to play roles in a movie I think the following would work well looks wise, at least for what I imagine they look like.

Strike : John C. Reilly (He has the hair)
Robin : Elisabeth Moss (When she has dark hair)
Lula : Zoe Saldana
Evan : Cillian Murphy

Autilian wrote: "Just finished the book last night, I found it hard to get through but I did still enjoy the book to a certain extent.

I'm not used to saying what I've thought on books apart from I liked it or did..."

I love the actors you suggested and think Zoe Saldana is a brilliant choice!

I like that list of Characters, Autillian, but I'm not sure Reilly would be big enough. I think his size is necessary for a good portrayal. He's quite a big, intimidating guy, but he's a teddy bear under it all. I'd hate to see another miscasting like Tom Cruise in Jack Reacher.

Finding someone to fit strike was quite hard, most of the other actors I liked were quite old like Jeff Bridges and Strike's hair doesn't leave many actors either. I agree I wouldn't like to see some generic casting like Cruise, Wahlberg and there ilk.

I do think Ray Stevenson would be good, but with Rowling's name attached to the film I think they'd want a household name.

Although I do think Moss would be good as Robin, I'd like to see Andrea Riseborough in the role. She's probably quite similar to Moss in the types of roles she usually plays, but I have my own biases as to why I'd prefer her.

It would be nice if they got unknown actors for all the roles in the movie, not many of the actors were quite well known before there roles in harry potter that I can remember at least for the major roles, all be it that was probably because they were child actors.

Maybe. I can at least see unknown and lesser-know actors in most roles, but not Cormoran. He dominates the novel, even when held against Robin. It would be a great coup for an actor to land that role.

Autilian wrote: "Finding someone to fit strike was quite hard, most of the other actors I liked were quite old like Jeff Bridges and Strike's hair doesn't leave many actors either. I agree I wouldn't like to see so..."

Mark Wahlberg would be the right age and physical type, but I can't imagine him faking an English accent. The best he can do is to smooth out his Boston accent, but to tell the truth it's always there. In this clip, the more intense the conversation gets with Conan, the more it comes out :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c_H3p...

I polished off the book last night. It was incredibly easy to read and took very little time. Her writing style is pretty simple and effective, which is good because anything more difficult wouldn't have fit the theme of light and entertaining. It read a bit like a younger person's novel, trying to act like a more adult novel but then I'm not sure I'm not imprinting that idea because of who was writing it. I have to be wary here.

I'm in agreement with the majority that it seemed too long for what it was and ultimately some of the characters were unnecessary. I also feel the ending was a spectacular fail, in terms of it being a crime novel and ruined the effect of it all. In these ways it failed. I mean really (and ENDING SPOILER WARNING for anyone who might be only 2/3's through) but having Bristow as the killer? Having him...pointlessly re investigate the death even though he was away and clear, especially after having killed Charlie before and also gotten away with it? He'd know not to rock the boat but have patience and hold out against any suspicion surely? That was a major let down for me. It just seemed a flimsy premise. Personally, half-way through the novel I was getting restless, with some of the oddball remarks Strike suggested had more meaning than they eventually did, and seriously hoped that it had been a suicide all along. That would have created a vacuum of interest for the reader I suppose, even though for its characters it would have been massive. Imagine if Strike continued to struggle financially, that Robin wasn't so assure of her love for the crime world? Either that or it meant nothing and they stumbled into another case by accident or something to that extent. So really for me, the "crime" element was pretty poor.

Saying that though; Rowling has a flair for making charming British settings and equally as charming little friendships. They're cute and warm, and you want them to be happy and I respect that a great deal, also agreeing with everyone that Robin was great. I would be excited to read more about her and Strike. I was frustrated that sometimes Rowling merged their perspectives in a single chapter. We'd start seeing it from Robin's view point but suddenly we'd be in Strikes frame of mind. I think this came from me having read Game of Thrones though, where each chapter is set to one character and be damned the reader if they can't keep up with what's happening around them. It just works better the other way.
Dunno why Robin couldn't have been the wounded detective and Strike the country lad, coming to the big city? I don't think Rowling writes men that well and dunno why she's afraid to have women leads? Maybe she did in the Casual Vacancy, I dunno...it sounded shite that book so never bothered with it.

Oh also (I promise I'll shut up after this, pinky promise), for all the talk about casting selections and what not. Uh, why bother? Maybe try and do some animation? I think the book would be quite good if done in the animated style. It's not just for kids dammit :P Plus I think British animation should be on the up? Great chance for it anyways, if somebody could grow some balls in the industry and make a bloody play for it.

so i finished the book and enjoyed it , i agree with the comments that there was a lot of padding similar to what was in Order of Phoenix.
The one part i did guess was the loan Strike had and the person ringing was from his father.
You could see he was well used of been asked about his father yet i felt it still irked him.
The interaction between Robin and Strike was great and I wonder will we get some POV from her in the Second novel.

Re a movie i think it would make tv show more than a feature film.
Autilian,I like your suggestions Reilly is one of my top but he would have to gain a bit of weight for the role perhaps Brendan Gleeson.

Cillian for Evan was just perfect suggestion .
For playing Lady Bristow I think Dame Julie Andrews. Idris Elba would be interesting to see as Guy Somé
myself and someone else think Domhnall Gleeson as John the look of innocence and tortured.

If there not slightly too old either Sir Michael Caine or Sir Anthony Hopkins for Tony Landry

@Niall. RE: Gender of main characters. I never understood why the Hogwarts books were headed by a male lead (I have my suspicions, though) as the typical young and young-adult reader is female, and readers like their main characters to be as relatable as possible, but in this book I think Rowling was just playing to people's expectations with Strike's character. This is probably why Robin's character is included so centrally, even is she doesn't seem particularly important at this stage.

@Gavin. I think in the next book we'll see Robin learning the trade of PI work, building on her aptitude. I'd dare say it'll be one of the main themes of the book.

I've liked most of the suggestions for the movie casting, but I think Wahlberg is too small for Strike and Elba too big for Guy Some.

I never gave Tony Landry any though, but now that it's raised I think Terence Stamp would be a good casting.

Thinking again Elba may be to old . Forgive me it's been a while since I read TCV but wasn't there a female POV . Ya think that will be part of the next book since she has the knack already . I think we may see more of Strike's family since there was heavy mentions

Declan wrote: "Since Jack Reacher you can't joke like that anymore, Allan. It's like the Harry Potter kids and Voldemort or Actors and Macbeth. You'll just jinx it."

@Allan, how could you even joke about Tom Cruise? I just read the advanced copy of the new Reacher book and sobbed a little just thinking of him.
I am sorry I am behind in this discussion. I had a breathing problem (trachea tube) and ended up in the hospital for two days. Unlike Allan, I let my posting get behind. Sorry :(

I hope you're feeling much better now, Susan. You're absence was noticed and you were missed. :)

Barbara wrote: "Allan wrote: "They'll probably get Tom Cruise to play Strike-Susan would just love that, seeing as she thinks he did such a great job as that other large hero whose name escapes me!"

Tom Cruise is..."

I think Charlie Hunnam would be perfect. He's British and stars in one of my favorite shows "Sons of Anarchy", ashow about a central Calif. motorcycle gang. The first time I heard him speak in an interview, I was shocked. I had no idea that he was American. His accent was that good. And we know he can play tough after all he is a leader of a motorcycle gang.

Declan wrote: "I'm tempted to reread that passage, but I think it might have been an IED. I remember the scream to stop the vehicle and then an explosion.

Thinking more about it, she does end the book with Str..."

Couldn't diagree more, Declan. His relationship with Charlotte adds a different dimension to him. I think it added another layer to him.

I just loved the comments about the book being too long. If you want to read a mystery writer who writes LONG books try Ekizabeth George and her Inspector Lynly series. They're about 600 pages and could easily be edited.
I liked Robin and Strike's relationship but if there are more books, you can see it played out. Robin will end up studying private detection, break up with her fiancee and have a relationship with Strike. It feels almost like a TV series.

I actually wasn't a fan of the Charlotte passages, Susan. With Stirke's family history and his tour with the SIB, I thought that this gave him enough of a back story to justify his angst and his inner turmoil.

RE: The Future of Strike's and Robin's relationship; I think it's pretty inevitable, and there'll be a lot of readers who'll continue reading for the satisfaction of seeing them pair off.

Susan wrote: "Declan wrote: "Since Jack Reacher you can't joke like that anymore, Allan. It's like the Harry Potter kids and Voldemort or Actors and Macbeth. You'll just jinx it."

@Allan, how could you even jok..."

@Susan, I hope you're feeling better and everything's sorted out with your breathing. That must have been a great concern.

These ideas about who could play what role are a lot of fun to think about. And--since it's a foregone conclusion that they will have a tv series or movie--maybe GR Irelands should have a contest for casting the roles :)

Autilian's idea of Zoe Saldana for Lulu is stuck in my head. I'll always picture Lulu now as Zoe. She would be perfect for that role.

The film makers would likely never do it--but I imagine Strike as a very big, bearlike man, not handsome at all in the conventional sense. His physical size was emphasized so much, but I can't think of an actor who appears that tall/big. I'll have to look up Charlie Hunnam; I'm not familiar with him.

@Allan, the episodes in NI were awful. Even I knew it was crap. The thrust of the show in central Calif. is great though. I know all the towns they talk about and they are quite realistic. I love the addition of Jimmy Smits to the cast. It's lovely to see Katy Segal being so different than Peg Bundy. I thought her rape should have won her an Emmy. I don't know why I like the series so much but I do.
@Cathleen, Charlie Hunnam dirties up nicely. After all he is quite believable as head of a very mean motorcycle gang.

Susan, hope you are feeling better!

I don't love the book, but the casting discussion has been intriguing. Let me throw out a dark horse for Strike- how about Alfred Molina? He's pretty big and he was impressive in Frida. Think about it!

@Allan, are you sure you're on vacation? You haven't missed a step.
@Mo, I think Alref Molina is way too old to play Striker. He would have been good about 30 years ago.

I hope Strike and Robin don't get it on, Moonlighting was ruined when Maddy and whatshisface got it together:-)

Littlemissmuffet wrote: "My thoughts on the book- (possible spoilers ahead!)

I think Rowling's skill in writing lies in her ability to write realistic and interesting characters. The personas of the beautiful models, the ..."

I think there were far too many potential dunnits, that I never really cared about who it actually was. On the rare occasion I read murder-mysteries I enjoy looking for the fatal faux pas that leads to the undoing of the murderer, but I don't think I tried, at all, with this book. I was more preoccupied with the fleshing-out of Strike and Robin's characters, but I did also feel that there was a lot of padding. Wilson, the security guard gave nothing away in the initial interview in the cafe, nor did Kolovas-Jones. Wilson only revealed useful info during Strike's visit to the apartments, which was also padded out with the cleaner's unnecessarily, painfully long interview. All the while K-J hung around in the background just close enough to be a plausible suspect to the reader yet totally uninteresting.

I agree fully about the ending. I think Rowling didn't want us to have enough time to become truly suspicious of John Bristow. Which is also why I suspect Lula's brother was slowly revealed to towards the end, rather then in any kind of dramatic incident.

RE: Alfred Molina, Charlie Hunnam and Strike and Robin "getting it on." (Wink wink)

I think Molina is too old and in spite of Hunnam's ability to carry off a biker, I think he's a little too fresh-faced. Strike is a big, burly, war-wounded, pube-headed grouch. Someone like that would tend to look part and carry their baggage in their appearance.

If Strike and Robin eventually do get together, it'll be the last thing that happens in the series. That's not to say there won't be any dalliances in the meantime; just enough to make things awkward around the office, strained between Robin and Matthew or give Strike something to think about when he inevitably considers patching things up with Charlotte.

Remember, you heard it here first. :)

Vaughan might be good. He certainly has the stature I'd imagine for Strike. He might be a little old, though, and I wonder how his English accent would hold up.

Matt Damon's Strike would be nothing like the book's, I think. A good actor, but a bad choice.

Lol!

I'm trying to imagine Damon with Strike's pube hair. Now there's an interesting image.

Littlemissmuffet wrote: "I don't really agree there were too many- there was only about 5 potential killers.
I don't read many murder mysteries, so maybe I just enjoyed navigating all the twist and turns?!

Re- actors for..."
Vince Vaughn fits the physical type perfectly. He's really big and usually lumbers about :) I can not imagine him with anything other than his usual, half-awake, slightly sarcastic American voice. It would be a test of his acting chops, for sure!

I'd would be a massive outside bet for Vaughan to get the role, but I'm struggling to think of someone. There have been a lot of British Army dramas over the past few years. I wouldn't be surprised if the actor to play Strike was lifted directly form one of them.

Going by my previous comment, I did a quick google search and found a show called Strike Back with Sullivan Stapleton and Richard Armitage who are 6" and 6"1' respectively. A little short, maybe, but they could easily look the part. Especially Stapleton.

Owen is good. He might be a little too old, but at this stage if we don't pick someone soon, we won't begin shooting before the end of the year.

I'm going to jump back in and nominate Tom Hardy this time.

With this image I think he could pull it off, he is also big enough and around the right age.

ya Tom Hardy did creep up on me also with him being british helps as well. And he's no stranger to putting on a few pounds for a role

@LMM. There's already a page on Goodreads for Cormoran Strike 2.

You know, Declan, the guy who plays Jack Driscoll in Single Handed might be a good choice. He's kind of big and lumbering and he makes you root for him.
Have you seen Sons of Anarchy? Charlie Humman can look very beat up. Still, now my vote is for the Driscoll actor.

Susan wrote: "You know, Declan, the guy who plays Jack Driscoll in Single Handed might be a good choice. He's kind of big and lumbering and he makes you root for him.
Have you seen Sons of Anarchy? Charlie Humma..."

Owen McDonnell is his name , but would be be able to do a London accent or will the Galway irish one be pommet. He'd have to fairly ' put on the pounds ' so to speak