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The Running Grave

posted a year ago by ClementinaSpur (1201)
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Oh. My. Word. This book. THIS BOOK!!!!! I'm about a third of the way in after just 24 hours, and that's saying something because it's another cinder block of a book. I cannot stop reading. I can already tell it's going to eclipse Career of Evil as my favorite, and pretty much hands down will be the BEST of the whole series thus far. It's good because it's got the angst of Career of Evil but times a million. I'll even say that this is shaping up to be one of the best books I've ever read period. It's a master class in plot, pacing, suspense, characterization, just everything.

Okay, I'm all in my feels with what's unfolding in this book. I did a bad thing out of an inability to wait patiently and read a few parts later in the book as well as the last chapter. All I can say is if RobertJK GalbraithRowling doesn't finish Book 8 like yesterday, I will lose my mind from the wait and anticipation. Also, I heard that Bronte Films might film The Ink Black Heart and The Running Grave back-to-back. This had better be true because the scenes from this book are GOLD and need to be seen ASAP! That is assuming the TV show doesn't mess with perfection and leave something important out!

One more thought -- The Running Grave makes The Ink Black Heart suffer even more in my opinion. It's almost shocking these two books are juxtaposed next to one another. There is no comparison in the quality of the story.

Back to reading...

[–] ClementinaSpur (1201) a year ago

No spoilers zone here since a TV adaptation has not aired yet. I will only say three words about The Running Grave. WHAT. A. RIDE.

It's a masterpiece of contemporary fiction. Unlike all the other Strike books before, this one isn't just a crime detective novel. It's psychological horror. Career of Evil came the closest of the others to going into horror territory, but I digress. My sleep was disturbed if I read it too late. The situation that one character is in crawls into the psyche and won't let go. I was right there feeling the anxiety. I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel this nervous. It's anxiety-inducing, but I don't say that as a caution. I'm saying it as a sign of how absolutely amazing the writing is.

I have read over 5,000 pages of Strike and Robin in the last six months which has to be millions and millions of words. I can narrow down those millions to the eight greatest words in the whole series because of what transpires just before and just after--"And in the BMW, Strike saw her coming." Just typing that out gives me the feels all over again.

I firmly believe that the plot and characters in The Running Grave are a commentary on a seemingly unrelated conglomeration of groups, sects, and mindsets now in our society. I'll explain more later after the TV adaptation. Or just read the book and draw your own conclusions.

The Running Grave -- 10 stars out of 5. Whenever I'm exposed to anything that is top shelf quality be it TV, movie, book, etc. I think about it for a long, long time after. I can't shake it. I don't think I'll ever shake this one. The TV adaptation of this is going to be 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.