Lots of readers figure out the killer on this second book. There are some clues that are easier to “click”, unlike the other mysteries in this series. For me, it was the strong acidic smell on the crime scene, which I knew could give someone respiratory problems, at least for a while.

The tough thing to figure out is the book, though.

Part of the joy of crime fiction for me is trying to solve the crime. It would ruin it if I already knew whodunnit. If an author plays fair, it’s extremely rare for me not to solve it long before the characters, but when I do occasionally miss the truth, it makes me really happy to have been tricked. I then enjoy thinking back on the clues and seeing what I missed that I should have picked up on.

I also figured out who the killer was, but I honestly never felt that any of the other characters were developed enough to be a plausible alternative; the only other option was >!the wife, or possibly if the daughter had done it accidentally or something, but I can’t see JKR writing something like that because of the social implications.!<

would it have been possible to pick up the clues.

This is where I have fun rereading mysteries. Picking up on the foreshadowing layered into the story. Seeing what I may have missed when first reading. Knowing who done it doesn’t distract from the story, it just makes the nuggets and hints more fun.

There are a few Agatha Christie novels where she gives you enough clues to know that it’s any of these five or so people, but usually nothing that will rule out any of those five. Kind of a strength of her writing. You can just imagine her revelling in messing with the reader …

If I remember correctly, Cormoran Strike #3 really gives you the clues you need to pin the baddie … In Cormoran Strike #6 you’re given plenty of options, plenty of evidence, and in my case, actively want to look deeper into it. Kind of feel like the author was more comfortable with that novel than any of the earlier ones and just enjoyed writing the twists and turns.