An overblown whodunit by Galbraith, nom de plume of one J.K. Rowling, pitting Robin Ellacott and Cormoran Strike against a murderous online troll. Funny you should ask. I’m with him right now in a crowded London bar. But we’re also in 2015. https://t.co/6gzc1rleCY In hospital afterwards, Strike tells Robin that her name has been added to the office door, which brings her to tears, and that he has broken up with Madeline. Robin, who believed he was still dating Madeline, reveals she is now dating the officer, Ryan Murphy. After she leaves, Strike reflects that he may have missed his chance to date Robin. The plot, in which a woman is killed after being accused of various prejudices, particularly transphobia, [13] drew comparisons to Rowling's real-life previous controversial comments surrounding transgender people, leading to allegations of self-insertion. [14] Rowling denied the claims that the book was inspired by her own controversies, stating, "I had written the book before certain things happened to me online". [15] [16] [17] Flavia Upcott – Katya and Inigo's highly intelligent 12 year old daughter. She is treated poorly by both parents and is instrumental in helping Strike and Robin solve the case.

Inigo Upcott – Katya's husband, a gifted musician forced to retire due to myalgic encephalomyelitis. Self-centered and belligerent, he is emotionally and psychologically abusive to his wife on whom he cheats compulsively, and to his son Gus. Inigo attempts to vicariously live his dreams of being a famous musician by forcing Gus to endlessly practice the cello. Paperwhite – A moderator who is in an online relationship with Morehouse but is later revealed to be a fake account of Anomie.Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie’s true identity. But with a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts to navigate, Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches their powers of deduction to the limits – and which threatens them in new and horrifying ways . . . VanHoose, Benjamin (31 August 2022). "J.K. Rowling Says Her New Book About Celeb Deemed Transphobic Was Not Based on What 'Happened to Me' ". People . Retrieved 2 September 2022. Robinson, Nathan J. (31 August 2022). "J.K. Rowling's New Novel Shows Why Having an Editor is Important". Current Affairs . Retrieved 31 August 2022. Charlotte Campbell Ross – Strike's neurotic and narcissistic ex-fiancee, a beautiful socialite and supermodel. Ryan Murphy – a benign local CID officer called to the agency for Robin's account of her meeting with Edie Ledwell. He develops a romantic interest in Robin.

J.K. Rowling's new book, about a transphobe who faces wrath online, raises eyebrows". NPR.org. 31 August 2022 . Retrieved 31 August 2022. After Strike and Robin visit The Ritz for Robin's 30th birthday, Strike attempts to kiss Robin; she evades the kiss. Feeling rebuffed, Strike starts a relationship with Madeline, an acquaintance of his ex-fiancée Charlotte, a relationship he keeps secret from Robin. Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike become drawn into the quest to uncover Anomie’s true identity. But with a complex web of online aliases, business interests and family conflicts to navigate, they find themselves threatened in new and horrifying ways…Rachel Ledwell – Grant's daughter and cousin to Edie. She is the moderator Fiendy1 in Drek's Game and is able to provide vital information to Robin on who the co-creator Morehouse is. Vilepechora and LordDrek – Oliver and Charlie Peach, members of the Halvening and moderators who compile a dossier purporting to prove Anomie is Edie prior to her death. They provide this dossier to Hartella. Strike and Robin find themselves embroiled in a case that stretches their powers of deduction to the limits.’ We can now guess, since reading the book, that this “crowded London bar” was likely to have been the Ship & Shovel. It’s the only crowded bar where Strike goes alone in the book. There are so many people there that he even trips over a handbag.