Like most people, I imagine, I only picked this one up after the big reveal that it was written by our dear JK Rowling in disguise. I loved The Casual Vacancy, and with that in mind, this book did not disappoint. It was similarly gritty, with Rowling's trademark characterization and plot skillzzz. 
 The story centers on private detective Comoran Strike, who happens to be missing part of his right leg, and his investigation into the apparent suicide of a supermodel. He does a lot of interviewing and pulls out some badassery to get to the bottom of things. The ending is not what I expected but for that reason I loved it. Endings are another strength of hers. 
 I have to confess that the interviews got a smidge frustrating for me--not because I was uninterested, but because I felt a little shut out of the process. Not much is revealed about Strike's thought process beyond his actual questions and certain things he notices about the witness, until we get allllllll of the details at once. I'm not sure if this is really a criticism or just something I felt I had to say because I loved the way it was all revealed at the end and I don't think I would have respected the book so much if I knew where we were going. So I kind of think it was a smart choice, plot-wise. I guess it just speaks to my own tendencies as a reader to want to know everything. 
 I should also mention Robin, who is Strike's secretary-turned-partner(ish). I loved her right up front, before I even knew whether I liked Strike. She's got some serious guts and spunk. (I am desperately trying not to compare her to Hermione, but that's where my mind keeps going.) 
 Anyway, I love Strike. (And okay, I have to say it: I couldn't help but picture him as a combo of Hagrid and Dumbledore, which is about the greatest thing since both of those characters.) I can't wait to read more about him.