Steven McCall

Really enjoy this series, loved the last three novels… However, in this novel Strike loses his cool. His annoying stalker-like obsession for the woman he can’t have isn’t even believable (for fans) because THE STRIKE OF PREVIOUS NOVELS wouldn’t disintegrate so drastically, wouldn’t jeopardize their business partnership, and wouldn’t treat Robin so badly whenever his agenda goes awry. He’d punch anyone else behaving like that towards her. Btw, is it just me, or DOES STRIKE LOOK LIKE GUY GARVEY in your imagination too? I saw a fantastic Elbow concert in Philadelphia (Sep 2025) while reading this book. Going to re-read some short, cozy Maigret novels now, try to shake off this 8th Strike novel.