C.B. Strike (TV Series) The Cuckoo's Calling: Part 1 (2017) User Reviews

What a Pleasant Surprise

[Warin_West-El · 9/10 · 19 June 2023]

I started watching this series right after I finished watching The Capture. What a pleasant surprise to find Holliday Granger was featured in both series.

And what was REALLY interesting is, this episode featured the same set of apartments featured in The Capture. (The lair where Frank Napier operated out of). In fact, the shots of people at the door of the apartment were mirror images of the ones in the other series.

And how about this: FINALLY a series where the main characters are not despicable, bitter decaying liars. That's a refreshing change. OF COURSE, it's early. Let's wait and see if the writers stay optimistic or try to drag the audience down into dark cynicism.

Hard to fault.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 4 August 2021]

Beautiful model Lula Landry is all set for a trip to Morocco, just prior to setting off, she falls from her building to her death, her family call in troubled Private Detective, Strike.

It's our first introduction on screen to Strike and Robin, I have read each book, and have to say huge credit to the production team for bringing to life a great book, in such style.

The story is a great one, who on Earth would want to murder the beautiful, and kind hearted Lula Landry?

The casting of Burke and Grainger was first rate, the pair are superb. I have always been impressed by Elarica Johnson who played Lula, she only gets a small part, but she's got something, real presence.

It's a great start, 9/10.

"Smarter than the average bear".Yogi and BooBoo return....

[ianlouisiana · 10/10 · 13 September 2017]

There is something remarkably ursine about Mr T Burke as Cormoran Strike, disabled(although don't let him hear you say it)Afghan war vet turned P.I. As he ambles round the streets off the Charing Cross Road in not - quite Soho he reminds me of a bear recently woken from hibernation,not yet entirely at home in his surroundings,however familiar. Not good - hearted enough to be Paddington,not innocent enough to be Winnie - the - Pooh,but savvy and smart - just like Yogi. His assistant,Miss H. Grainger,just recruited,is cute and clever,like BooBoo. Together they make relatively short work of their first case as a team involving the mysterious death of a model in Kensington Gardens. There is absolutely nothing original about "Strike:the cuckoo's calling". Detectives and their female secretaries have been common currency since at least "The Thin Man" series 80 years ago. The devil - if that's the word - is in the details. The casting is excellent,Mr Burke being the very antithesis of the smooth P.I..Not since "Public Eye"with the late Alfred Burke back in the sixties has a hero had such a shambolic personal and professional life disguising a keen intelligence. Miss H.Grainger- looking remarkably like a younger Drew Barrymore- is actually the more interesting character.Apparently in a fairly aimless relationship drifting towards marriage of its own volition,she is a soul crying out to be rescued and Strike may prove to be her knight in a scruffy overcoat. There are a lot of exterior shots and fortunately the locations are well - chosen,a West End of stark social contrasts. Miss T.Fitzgerald is outstanding as a troubled Socialite living in the same building as the murder victim. The first Cormoran Strike series is an unqualified success thanks to a coming - together of acting and directing talents as rare as planets being in alignment. From the opening titles - an "hommnage" to 60s detective movies to the original score a great deal of thought has been put into it and hopefully it will be as successful as it deserves to be.

One of the best detective series.

[systersister · 10/10 · 15 October 2020]

Great writing, acting and music. Tim Burke and Holliday Grainger are superb. I have seen all 4 seasons and they have the same quality in every episodes.

book is great , TV movie-not really

[michal-levandowski · 6/10 · 5 September 2017]

Book is a good read, relaxing story (crime), but the movie is slow and with no emotions, but I like the actress playing Robin, she was also good in My cousin Rachel. Book is a good read, relaxing story (crime), but the movie is slow and with no emotions, but I like the actress playing Robin, she was also good in My cousin Rachel