C.B. Strike

I have just watched 'The Cuckoo's Calling'. This is a great take on the hard on his heels private investigator gets an opportunity story. JK Rowling's content is as well written as a John Grisham/Agatha Christie with the added frisson of cool London locations and culture. I particularly like the casting of Tom Bell as the rough-round-the-edges sleuth and the engaging Holliday Grainger as his ever so capable assistant; they are both so watchable. I look forward to the next series (and for any critics of this series yes I am perfectly happy to overlook any plot holes).

Based on the books by Galbraith (pen name of JK Rowling of Harry Potter fame).

The books (as books often can) delve more deeply into characters and backstory. That said, the balanced focus between Strike and Ellacott and their cases, provides a fairly complete picture of two star-crossed would be lovers who navigate their own relationship while solving crimes. It's a grim version of the "will they or won't they" trope made popular in the 80's.

Season 6 (or 4 if you're looking at HBO MAX's different numbering approach as opposed to the original BBC schedule) was well worth the wait. I found the plots much easier to follow, and there were fewer confusing side plots.

The two leads, Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger, are well cast and very believable.

The crime stories, like in the books, have one or two too many twists and turns to follow easily. So this isn't your typical paint-by-the-numbers detective show. You have to be engaged while watching or you'll miss a lot.

My wife finds some of the casework occasionally too grisly, but she is drawn back to Robin's and Cormoran's tortured romance.

The acting is top notch, with only a few brief supporting roles hitting sour notes. The slowly developing background on Strike and Robin is compelling and leaves you anxious for the next episode.

Highly recommend.

Excellent cast, dynamic story line, unique cinematography all combine for an outstanding series. The nonexistence of over the top completely impossible special effects is refreshing. It's intelligent and sophisticated in it's execution. There is no quick fix to each case, yet the writers don't drag the story along simply to fill time and episodes, instead time is utilized efficiently and very effectively creating a great deal of intrigue and suspense which will keep you up at night to watch an episode instead of going to bed. A definite must watch series.

'Strike: The Cuckoo's Calling' is on the Poirot-Marple-Midsomers branch of the mystery tree with its irresistible stars in the lead roles, its slow but never time-wasting character developments, its high-on- thinking and low-on-physical-violence story, and its beautiful camera work. If you like all of the above features and a good, escape-for-an- hour mystery, please watch this. J.K. Rowling wrote the book and I'm glad that the British television peeps had the great good sense to bring this to us as beautifully as they did. I hope they make more.

Holliday Grainger lights up the screen. She is one of the best actors I have ever seen. She conveys so many moods and emotions with slightest glance.

Also, I enjoy the story. It is my cup of tea.