JK Rowling's "Comoran Strike" series doesn't really get as much attention as it deserves.
Part of this is probably because there's no magic, dragons or Hermione in them. Another reason is probably because it's in a niche genre that not many people pay much attention to (gritty crime fiction set in London). And the fact that the crimes so far have generally focused on the fucked up crimes of a bunch of grotesque perverts probably doesn't help things.
And you know, I get that to some extent. The sense of wonder that the Harry Potter books fostered is not something that these books, by their very design, will ever be able to reproduce. That turns a lot of people off and I can thus understand why these things aren't flying off the shelves the way Potter did.
But still, that doesn't change the fact that the Strike books represent some of JKR's strongest writings to date. Career of Evil in particular is extremely well plotted, with a character arc seamlessly integrated into a three-pronged mystery that unfolds beautifully. It's gruesome, particularly the short chapters told from the murderer's perspective, but it all still ties together spectacularly.
So let's go ahead and discuss Career of Evil and its primary features. Spoilers ahead.
1) Robin x Strike
Robin probably has the biggest role in this book so far. The partnership with Strike is cemented at this point, as is her taking an active role in the investigative parts of the business. The relationship between Strike and Robin has been carefully and artfully plotted out in ways that the Harry Potter romances (fuck off Ginny) never were.There's a steady and gradual shift in emotions between the two of them that drifts towards a romance, but never seems to make it there.
Rowling here I feel is showing how she's completely in command of her audience. As readers, we're made to very badly want Strike/Robin to happen. But the unwavering reality of the situation is that them getting together would be a tad ridiculous. You can't imagine a functioning detective agency where the lead detective is dating his partner.
By keeping them on that razor line between professionalism and following their hearts makes the relationship develop slowly but surely, with self-denial on both sides. They clearly have feelings for one another, but they can't act on said feelings for some very solid and realistic reasons. The blindness Robin shows when she goes back to Matthew (fuck off Matthew) is that much more frustrating for the reader because we know that.
I don't think Strike will so much as kiss Robin until Book 6 or 7, but the inevitable pay off will be incredibly sweet. The readers are made to be hungry for it and by the time it happens it'll be a breath of fresh air. That's really just brilliant writing and Rowling deserves to be commended for it.
Now if only she'd done as good a job with relationships back during the Potter days...
2) JK Rowling knows how to keep a mystery going.
Career is great because the three primary suspects are laid out before us right from the get-go and builds a case against all of them in equal measure without giving matters away. She even gives us those murderer-perspective chapters and somehow manages to not give away the game.
From the get-go, I wasn't thinking Brockbank could be it. I mean, the guy is a pedophile and there was no mention of the murderer guy taking a moment to molest a little girl in his murderer chapters. I went back and forth between Laing and Whittaker for most of the novel, mainly leaning towards Whittaker until Robin got herself knifed.
I completely did not see the Fireman thing coming. It seems obvious in retrospect, but of course all of JKR's books have that quality.
Well played, Ms. Rowling.
3) JK Rowling really likes exploring grotesque and dark stuff.
All three of the suspects in this series are loathsome misogynistic perverts that deserve to be put down. A child molester, a wife beater and a... however the fuck a person would describe Whittaker. This paints a picture of a world filled with horrific people lurking in the shadows waiting for the opportunity to knife someone for some scarcely understandable reason. It certainly doesn't make me want to visit London any time soon.
Nevertheless, we do seem to see in JKR a woman who doesn't seem to have an overwhelming amount of faith in humanity. In the HP books, the majority of Wizards end up kowtowing to the Voldemort-controlled ministry. It boils down to a handful of good people having to fix everything. In the Casual Vacancy, meanwhile, you had no good people whatsoever. Just assholes and their victims.
In Strike's world, it really seems like everyone but Robin and Strike are living in blissful ignorance and that the police are proud fools. The average human being, at least in Rowling's telling, really is a bit of an incompetent and selfish jackass.
And you know, I find that kind of interesting.
Anyhow! Overall impression: Superb book. Looking forward to the next one, Ms. Rowling.
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