The Silkworm
Cormoran Strike, Book 2
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The Silkworm
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Narrated by:
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Robert Glenister
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By:
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Robert Galbraith
About this listen
Now a major BBC drama: The Strike series.
When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.
But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives - so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.
And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before....
A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.
Please note: This audiobook contains explicit language
2015, CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger, Short-listed
2015, US Audie Awards, Winner
2015, Audible Sounds of Crime Award at Crimefest, Winner
2016, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Long-listed
©2014 Robert Galbraith Limited (P)2014 Hachette AudioEditorial reviews
A work of crime fiction from a master writer, The Silkworm is Book 2 of the Cormoran Strike series, written by Robert Galbraith and with a captivating narration by English actor Robert Glenister. The literary genius of its author comes through in this suspenseful thriller audiobook with a plot weaved with unexpected turns and characters the listener will truly empathise with. Detective Cormoran Strike is hired to solve a mystery but it’s not the clean work of a hired assassin as first suspected, it’s of a cold-blooded, vicious killer. This book keeps you captive until the final word. Available now from Audible.
Critic reviews
“A pacey detective story… a tightly stitched updating of the classic tale of the dishevelled but brilliant private dick, smattered with references to 19th-century French literature and pre-Levenson sleuthing tactics, alongside well-realised characters... moreish” ( Independent)
“‘Strike felt a sudden weariness wash over him. What was this mania to appear in print?’ But no such question arises about JK Rowling’s second career as a crime writer. She’s really hitting her stride here.” ( Evening Standard)
“‘Writing as Robert Galbraith has been a pure joy,’ Rowling has said. So has reading him…. The last line of The Silkworm, which will lift the hearts of readers who have come to love its deeply sympathetic characters, offers the prospect of more of that joy both for her and for us.” ( USA Today)
“Astutely observed, well-paced and full of Rowling's trademark acerbic wit, The Silkworm thoroughly engages as a crime novel. But it might be even more enjoyable to read between the lines in search of what Rowling has to say about fame, publishing, and the modern writer's life.” ( People)
“Why is ‘likable’ the first word that comes to mind upon finishing The Silkworm? Surely, that has something to do with Rowling’s palpable pleasure in her newly chosen genre (the jig may be up with her Robert Galbraith pseudonym, but the bloom is still on her homicidal rose) and even more to do with her detective hero, who, at the risk of offending, is the second husband of every author’s dreams.” ( Washington Post)
“Rowling’s fans will find the novel - which isn’t in stores until next Thursday - worth the wait.” ( Daily News)
“ The Silkworm is a deeply satisfying work of crime fiction, more complex and darker than its predecessor. Yet Rowling has a lot of fun, too, especially in her knowing depiction of the incestuous worlds of publishing and the media. She also brings London to life in all its grimy glamour” ( The Australian)
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What listeners say about The Silkworm
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- De Plume
- 11-05-16
Just as good the second time
I didn't love the first or second Galbraith books, but The Silkworm is pure brilliance. The performance is equally spectacular.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SharonJen
- 07-14-14
Really enjoyed - as good as last
Interesting characters and enjoying watching the detective get off the ground.. I'm sure there will be more and I'm waiting..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-06-18
Love it!
Good story, excelent narrator. However, the quotes in the beginning of each chapter did not add anything to the story
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MiA
- 07-16-14
what a great book
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
yes, the book is great
What did you like best about this story?
The surprising ending and disclosure of the murder.
What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?
The narrator is absolutely flawless. His characters never jar, he never over-eggs his narration and always gives them detail and definition without 'acting' them out.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
The 'whodunnit' story is set in the world of publishing and you know Rowling is an expert witness in telling us what it's like there.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-19-24
brilliant
absolutely brilliant , a very good read, writes in such a way that you can never guess who did it until the end
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-15-15
Loved it!
Had me gripped until the end!
I hope there is more coming in this series.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sally j landers
- 07-12-15
Books books books
Next please , highly entertaining. Glenister is perfect and my son knows to leave me alone if the Strike stories are in progress . Dinner just arrives later !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Marius
- 08-28-14
As only JK Rowling can
Would you consider the audio edition of The Silkworm to be better than the print version?
Most definately
Who was your favorite character and why?
Comoran - He is real and I can relate
What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?
The best Narrated book I have listened to. He makes JK Rowling's story comes to life like not many others can.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
Classic detective story
Any additional comments?
When is the next one
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- jeroen kolkman
- 11-14-14
a good old detective
What did you love best about The Silkworm?
just very nice, good characters, great story. I enjoyed every minute! I can't wait for nr 3...
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
yes, the clues were nicely hidden..
Have you listened to any of Robert Glenister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
yes, both were very good
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lindo smith
- 02-10-23
As always Absolutely great!
As always Absolutely great! Really enjoyed ever moment till the end. Awesome Connor wait for more!
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