I find it very difficult to read stories of assault and sexual violence against women, but I love Strike and Robin so I really wanted to continue the series.

The detailed descriptions of the attacks really put me off, so for the second half, I skipped the chapters from the killer's point of view. I think this contributed to the ending feeling a bit limp, but I wouldn't have finished it otherwise.

Spoiler
I also feel Robin's background which was revealed in the book was a bit lazy, falling into the common trope where in order to develop a woman's character she must be raped. Obviously a huge proportion of women have terrible experiences of this nature, but I feel giving every female character this background is shallow.

I don't know how I feel about the book to be honest - the topic was just so grisly and unpleasant to read that I can't exactly say I enjoyed it, but I did finish it, and I look forward to reading the next one which will hopefully be more readable.