Don’t expect any kind of impartial review of this book — I love these characters so much that there’s no chance I’m going to be objective. This review will likely contain spoilers for the first three in the series, so be warned!
“Sometimes, acting as though you’re all right, makes you all right. Sometimes you’ve got to slap on a brave face and walk out into the world, and after a while it isn’t an act anymore, it’s who you are.”
Lethal White has two main plotlines: Strike investigating a possible murder that may have occurred years ago, and the ongoing will they/won’t they between Strike and Robin. So, the murder: a young man named Billy, obviously very troubled, comes to Strike’s office to report a murder. A murder he may have witnessed as a child, but every one around him has always denied. Intrigued, Strike tries to get more information but Billy takes off. The report sticks in his mind, however, and while trying to find Billy, Strike attracts the attention of some very powerful men.
Meanwhile, Robin and her fiance get married, although neither of them seems particularly happy about it. Robin is still struggling with the aftermath of her attack, and mostly refusing to ask for help. And Matthew is useless and occasionally cruel. Robin has become a partner in the agency, however, and she and Strike work this case together.
This book focuses a lot on Robin, which I loved, and gives us incredible insight into how she’s living and coping with the memories of the attack. She’s such a well-written character, so very human, and while I occasionally wanted to shake her and say “Tell Strike EVERYTHING”, it also makes perfect sense within this world that she refuses to ask for help. The murder mystery part was interesting, too — I love watching the investigation unfold. But these books have really become all about the two main characters for me, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
