Lethal White by Robert Galbraith is the fourth book in the Cormorant Strike series. In this outing, it's 2012, London is gripped with Olympic fever and Strike is having to deal with a certain notoriety following the case he and Robin solved in the previous book. Then, Billy, a troubled young man asks for Strike's help to investigate a terrible crime he thinks he witnessed as a child - but before any real details can be gleaned, he bolts from the office. Not long after, Strike is contacted by a government minister who is receiving disturbing threats, and Robin Elliot - his former assistant and now partner in the business - goes undercover in Westminster. What appear to be two different cases seem to have a common link in the form of Billy's brother. But was there a crime all those years ago, or just the mixed up memories of a disturbed mind ... and what has that got to do with the minister? Strike and Robin are a great pairing, but their relationship is strained at the beginning of the book - with Robin now married to Matthew and Strike seeing someone. However, as the various cases in the book develop, so do their private lives and both end up in a different place to where we started. This is such a well written book, with twists and turns and characters full of vim and vinegar, whose dialogue is sharp and realistic. We also see class and privilege being explored and exposed for the unsavoury situations they create in society. The relationship between Strike and Robin is very well observed and the reader cannot help but root for them - both in their work and personal life. There is bravery in the face of pain and danger and the ending is immensely satisfying. Even though it is a long book, I almost didn't want it to finish and I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next!
My STAR rating: FIVE.
Length: 784 print pages.
Price I paid: free, borrowed from my husband.
Formats available: print, unabridged audio download, ebook.
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