Plot or Premise

A co-creator of a popular online comic comes to Robin and Strike for help with someone who is harassing her online, days before being murdered.

What I Liked

I love the premise, with the online community, and the picture perfect depiction of some of the people in the chat room and how “dramatic” are their individual behaviours and reactions to mild suspicions and events. I don’t know if people who are not versed in online communities would find it relatable, or accessible, but I loved it, even if it breaks the fourth wall a bit. But more importantly, the scene at the end of the previous book with Cormoran and Robin out for her birthday is continued at the start of the book, and actually leads to the possibility of a kiss. And by the end, there’s a few opened eyes, if not at the same time.

What I Didn’t Like

Again, Rowling really needs an editor to take out the endless, mindless side quests. Again, long periods of time with almost nothing happening, and clocking in at more than 2x the original one in the series. I had hoped we were done with Charlotte in the previous book, but no, she’s back and causing boring crap.

The Bottom Line

Great view of an online community and the passions run deep