The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

     The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym of J.K. Rowling's) is a tale of the suspicious suicide of famous model Lula Landry. Cormoran Strike, private detective, is hired by Landry's brother John Bristow three months after Landry's fall to her death. With occasional assistance from the newly engaged Robin, his temporary secretary, he's to determine whether or not Landry's death was, in fact, suicide or murder. Strike is a war veteran, rough around the edges and hard on his luck but very real and easy to relate to.

     From homeless acquaintances to superstar model coworkers and clothing designers, we're meeting characters, suspects and witnesses from all walks of life. It would seem every character has something to hide or that they'd rather not say regardless of how helpful it would be in the investigation of their former friend or family member's death. Most interesting of all are the people who are afraid of being reprimanded for crimes or scandal unrelated to the suicide/murder but whose true details and admissions stand in the way of Strike's successful investigation. What will it take to get them past their barricades and speaking the truth so necessary for justice?

Author J.K. Rowling

     Throughout the novel it's up to the reader (and Strike) to take everyone's account, decide what's true and what's false and how exactly everyone's story plays together. In a most delicate case seeming most like suicide, we're along for a ride of mystery, excitement and scandal. If you're like me, you won't have an easy time of putting the book down as things come together. During the final hundred pages or so, I felt as if I were flying with an ever-increasing momentum towards a stunning conclusion.

     You can check out The Cuckoo's Calling from your local library. You can also purchase it on Amazon for your Kindle, as a hardcover or audiobook. Don't forget to follow J.K. Rowling on Twitter (@jk_rowling)!

Kill Your Darlings by Max Allan Collins

 

     A mystery author at the gloomy end of his career, or so it seems, is ironically found drowned in his hotel bathtub the night before the 1984 Bouchercon, or Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Convention, in the grand city of Chicago.

     Having personally been in Chicago on holiday for approximately the last ten chapters (of nineteen) in this book, I supremely enjoyed being able to visualize the locations and venues described in the book. The main character, a mystery author from Iowa named Mallory, has a certain clumsiness about him I find endearing. His idol, the possibly murdered but nonetheless drowned, Roscoe Kane created a macho detective named Gat Garson who Mallory is accused of wanting to embody on several different occasions. However Mallory's lack of impulse reactions and too-perfect timing bring him short of that prize...thankfully.

Author Max Allan Collins

     It was refreshing to read a novel from the perspective of a character who was far from perfect, who was honest with himself and aware that there were talents far beyond his own. He simply loved writing and the world of mystery - and certainly found himself enveloped in his Chicago adventure. 

     Kane kept quite the company, making several possible suspects in the drowning that was made to look accidental. An obnoxious, large and loud ex-wife, a weak, over-dramatic widow, a gay son who only recently made amends and, of course, the greedy publisher seeing little more than dollar signs at every corner.

     I won't spoil or give away any clues, but I will say the book ended with a bang! I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and excitement of the conclusion to this enthralling mystery.

     Check out Kill Your Darlings by Max Allan Collins from your local library or find it on Amazon for your Kindle (Prime members borrow for free), as an old-fashioned book or audiobook. 

Road to Perdition by Max Allan Collins: My First Graphic Novel

Road to Perdition by Max Allan Collins is, as you might have guessed, the graphic novel that inspired the Dreamworks film by the same name starring Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin. It tells the tale of Michael O'Sullivan, a family man who works for mafia-involved Mr. Looney. Michael is known as the archangel of death to people near and far or "the angel" for short. When one of Michael's two sons, Michael O'Sullivan Jr. witnesses his father and Looney's son Connor kill a group of men, Connor tells his father, Mr. Looney who gives a sealed envelope containing Michael's death-sentence to be delivered to his would-be murderer in exchange for forgiveness of all debts.  Looney had allegedly only ordered the death of Michael that night but Connor, on his own initiative visits the O'Sullivan home in the night killing all who were home which were his wife and youngest son. Luckily Michael O'Sullivan Jr. wasn't home yet but he unfortunately walked in to find his mother and brother dead. This is just the beginning.

The rest of the graphic novel tells the tale of father and son on the road, running from Looney's men. Finding that Al Capone's allegiance still remains with Looney, Michael is forced to avenge the death of his family on his own with Michael O'Sullivan Jr. alongside. Michael Sr. is a noble man but his son puts it best when he says his father was no saint but he also wasn't a butcher.

Tyler Hoechlin as
Michael O'Sullivan Jr.

One of the most precious parts of the film to me was the fact that the son never had to murder. He held a gun several times and nearly killed Jude Law's character, Harlen (an assassin hired by Nitti, Capone's man, at the approval of Looney) before his father stepped in and saved his son the lifetime burden. In the graphic novel however, Michael Jr. saves his father's life by killing a man intending to do the same to Michael Sr.

Another major difference between the film and graphic novel would be the fact that Jude Law's character, Harlen, doesn't even exist in the graphic novel. I loved his character in the film and how he tracked the O'Sullivans throughout the story but sorely missed his presence and demeanor in the book.

Jude Law as Harlen, the assassin
from the film Road to Perdition

The adaptation from book to film was, aside from previously mentioned major differences, very impressive. I hadn't realized how graphic novels were similar to films until I found myself engrossed in the "rat tat tats," "bam bam blams," and the fast, thrilling story line of outstanding art and character. When reading a traditional novel, detail is the jewel - graphic novels, however, play to the imagination, the reader's interpretation of art stills and a dynamic story line.

This was my first graphic novel experience. Having previously thought graphic novels and comics were for men and women enthralled with the pleasures of their youths, I must admit how sorely mistaken I was. Graphic novels span all ages, imaginations and interests. I'm glad I took a ride on The Road to Perdition and I hope you will too.

film images property of Dreamworks and Twentieth Century Fox