Troubled Blood is the fifth outing in Robert Galbraith’s series showcasing Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, partners in a detective agency. For those who don’t know, Robert Galbraith is a penname for J.K. Rowling. The Galbraith books are for adults.
Strike and Robin are both struggling with complicated personal lives. Strike’s aunt, who raised him, is terminally ill. He is not getting along with his sister. His ex-fiancee isn’t leaving him alone even though she is now married and the mother of twins. On the other hand, Robin is going through a divorce and is busy fending off the unwanted attention of one of their agency’s newest detectives. To add to this load, the two main characters have complicated feelings toward one another.
Their newest case is actually an old cold case. They are hired by the daughter of a woman who disappeared forty years earlier. Her mother was never seen again, and her body was never found. The investigation into this case has multiple leads involving a crime syndicate, a serial killer, and a cast of suspects and witnesses—known of whom can be believed. Complicating the matter, the lead detective who was in charge of the case a had mental breakdown, leading him to use astrology as his main investigative tool.
This novel moves at an unhurried pace. Most of the suspects and witnesses are elderly. This combination gives the book the flavor of a cozy old-fashioned mystery while still keeping up with the current times. The author has the ability to weave intricate plots with highly colorful characters who come alive for the reader. A long but satisfying read.