Top Ten Tuesday: Reasons Why I Love…

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s topic is Reasons Why I Love…

I’m doing Reasons Why I Love the Cormoran Strike Series.

I just started rereading this series in preparation for the release of book five, Troubled Blood, later this year and I was instantly reminded of how much I loved it! Here are some of the reasons why, in no particular order…

1. Robin. Yep, I’m putting Robin first. She is hands-down one of my favorite fictional characters. Not only do I relate to her, but she’s one I really, really want to see succeed and come out on top.
2. Strike. Obviously, Strike. He is such a mystery, quite thickheaded (at least when it comes to Robin) but you can’t help but admire his strength and intelligence.
3. Atmosphere. These books are moody and mysterious and I love it. London (and its surroundings) are the perfect background for Strike and Robin’s sleuthing.
4. Storytelling. I haven’t read a fair amount of crime fiction but I am so impressed with the quality of storytelling in each of these books so far. The crimes, the coverups, Strike following the trail, all are so perfectly interwoven. The narration is just perfection in my opinion.
5. Clear Timelines. I mean, you wouldn’t expect anything less from a crime novel would you? But what I love specifically is that present day events are acknowledged in these stories. I like having a definite timeline in whatever I’m reading and following along with Strike and Robin’s story, even in the past, with references to big events, make it seem all the more real.
6. Representation. These books contain characters from all walks of life, abilities, and backgrounds. The representation I appreciate the most is of Strike being not only a veteran but disabled, and struggling financially. I don’t think that is always acknowledged in books, and it very much adds to his character seeming like a real person when he is, for example, figuring out how much to spend on a meal since he has to make all his money stretch, or when he finds himself stranded and having to call a cab because he physically can’t walk on certain streets that are only able-body friendly. It really gives you pause while you’re reading.
7. Matthew. I’m adding Matthew because he is the perfect character you love to hate. Seriously, he is the worst. Were we not all thrilled to pieces at the end of book four when Robin finally made her decision? I’m pretty sure I threw my book in the air with glee. Still, it was fun hating him for so many books. (Wonder if he’ll still be a prominent character in future books? I suspect yes.)
8. Will-They-Won’t-They. This is perhaps one of my favorite tropes. Strike and Robin are perfect. If you don’t agree, the keep those opinions to yourself thank you very much!
9. Series. Knowing there will be at minimum ten books in this series make me deliriously happy.
10. BBC Strike. The miniseries that is following the books has been amazing to watch. It follows the books very closely and it’s so fun seeing the stories come to life onscreen.

That was a lot.

What did you come up with for your list this week? Tell me in the comments or drop a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post so I can go check it out!

P.S. Happy birthday to my brother!! 😀