Paromjit's Reviews > The Ink Black Heart

This is Robert Galbraith's (JK Rowling) latest in London based private detectives, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott series. As many of you will be aware, a short read this is not, this is one for those who love being deeply immersed in a book, here particularly in a online runaway YouTube success and its accompanying world of fans and obsessives of Edie Ledwell and Josh Blay's offbeat cartoon set in a cemetery, The Ink Black Heart. The cartoon has spawned a similarly popular offshoot Drek’s Game, created by the anonymous Morehouse and Anomie. A distraught, frantic and exhausted Edie, having attempted suicide, turns up at the agency offices, meeting Robin, wanting them to discover the real identity of Anomie, who has led a vicious and hateful online campaign targeting her.

Robin listens to her, but despite feeling sympathy, she is forced to turn Edie down, the agency is overladen with cases, the agency's popularity has risen with their past successes, and she feels they lack the necessary cyber expertise, and recommends other agencies. However, Robin is later horrified to learn that Edie has been tasered and stabbed to death at Highgate cemetery, with Josh left in intensive care facing a shocking life changing future. She follows the story, and pleased when the agency is offered the case by Edie's agent, and representatives of those wanting to make a film of the cartoon. Strike and Robin's inquiries are exacerbated by a shortfall in staff, they have recently taken on Mancunian Midge and Dev Shah, but with their other cases, they are stretched far too much in a dangerous, complex and twisted investigation.

Under the spotlight is the ongoing will they/won't they relationship, Robin and Strike now have a strong and valued established relationship, but both are so committed to their work that they are wary of risking what they have, it remains to be seen whether they will cross the line in the future. What is a delight is to observe a Robin shining in a investigation, she proves to be more than equal to Strike professionally, although she is to find that going to the aid of others brings terrors and dangers she could not have forseen. This was a wonderfully engaging read, touching on the perils of being online for women and girls, the toxic abuse, the paedophiles, the right wing extremists, incels and other predators. Robin and Strike have to wade their way through a litany of lies and deceptions before the truth is uncovered. This is a great series that will appeal to those who love the crime and mystery genre.