Strike, a disgruntled former soldier and amputee from the Afghanistan conflict, runs a largely unsuccessful private investigation agency. Recently thrown out by his rich fiancé, he is sleeping in his office with debts piling up. An old friend contacts him and pays him to investigate the death of his sister who fell from her balcony but was it suicide or was she pushed?
A young ‘temp’ is sent by an agency to work for Strike for two weeks. Efficient and keen in taking part in the investigation, she puts the office in order and takes charge in helping Strike put his life together. Between them they solve the mystery of the woman’s death, involving homeless shelters, rich rock stars and wealthy, selfish Londoners.
Mixed reactions from our group but we had a great discussion about British, American and Australian detective fiction. Not as well written as the Harry Potter series, with too many facts and tries too hard to create adult fiction.
Next month’s book is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, a refugee now living in Australia. An illegitimate teenager from Herat is forced to marry after a family tragedy.
Meg Dillon