1. What do you think of Cormoran Strike What are his secrets...and
what drives him in the dogged pursuit of the Truth?
2. What makes Lulu Landry's apparent suicide suspicious? Lulu's
character is gradually revealed and the story progresses. What kind of
person was she?
3. How does the author portray the culture—and the characters—of worlds
of fashion world and the very rich?
4. Using a hard-bitten investigator assisted by an young, ambitious
"Girl Friday" is a classic detective-story trope. What do you think of
Robin Ellacott? What does her character bring to the story?
5. Good mystery writing leads readers astray with red-herrings. Who were
you first suspicious of?
6. Does the fact that the book was penned by J.K. Rowling affect you
view of it? "In speculating as to why J.K. Rowling might have written The
Cuckoo's Calling under a pseudonym, the New York Times wrote,
"Ms. Rowling may well have felt that the reaction, both critical and
commercial [to Casual Vacancy, her first effort after Harry
Potter], was distorted by her fame." Why do you think she felt
compelled to use a pseudonym? If you've read her Harry Potter
books, do you detect any similarities, either in style or structure?
7. Were you surprised by the ending? Or did you see it coming? Why...or
why not?
8. It appears that Strike may be part of an ongoing series. Will you be
reading more of his escapades?