J.K. Rowling

The downside of a short commute, is that I don't really have the time any more to read books - I barely make it through my copy of The Economist in a week. So this is the first fiction book in almost 3 years...

This episode is a bit slow, without major dramatic side plots and action sequences (until the very end). Might this could be a bit tougher to make a movie out of than some of the previous ones. Many flash-backs, much time is spent to tie up loose ends and work in some historic context and background.

It is now undeniable that you-know-who is back. People are starting to disappear or die, but the dark-side's struggle for power is still at the level of covered action. There is a general sense of malaise and paranoia - kind of like the mood in the US in the years after 2001. In order to appear in control, the ministry is arresting and locking up people at random.

Dumbledore is passing on the conclusions of research on to Harry in a series of private lessons, through which it becomes clearer what Harry is really up against and what he is supposed to do once we get to the 7th and final book. At least some rough outline of a plan.