The Silkworm

The Silkworm, by Robert Galbraith, 455 pages

In this second book of the Cormoran Strike series, Strike is approached by a famous novelist's wife, who says that he is missing.  And missing he is, until Strike finds his graphically mutilated corpse in a scene right out of a book- a book that the author wrote.  This book is full of intrigue, mystery, reasons to hate Robin's fiancé and then reasons to understand their relationship a little more, and a cast of characters who are all frustrating and sympathetic at the same time. 

The Cuckoo's Calling

The Cuckoo's Calling, by Robert Galbraith, 455 pages

In this first of the Cormoran Strike mysteries, the reader meets Cormoran Strike- a private eye who has fallen on hard times- and Robin, the eager new temp that he didn't ask for and can't afford to pay.  Already the reader wants to know more about what led them both to this moment, but the action begins without pausing long enough to wonder fully.  Strike is approached by the brother of a famous model who committed suicide- only he insists that she was murdered.  This one literally kept me wondering until the ultimate "unveiling" scene.  The characters are well-formed and interesting, and the story is one that keeps you reading.  This is one mystery series that I would be inclined to keep reading.