Robert Galbraith Books In Order (the entire Cormoran Strike series!)

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If you’re planning on reading the Cormoran Strike series, then this complete list of all the Robert Galbraith books in order will help you sort them out.

Because, at the moment, all of the books Robert Galbraith has written are part of the Cormoran Strike series.

Will Robert Galbraith write any other series? Only time will tell. For the moment, it’s all Cormoran Strike.

In case you don’t know, Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling, the mastermind behind the creation of Harry Potter. If the Harry Potter world isn’t enough, J. K. Rowling has also carved a notable niche for herself in the realm of crime fiction under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

If you haven’t yet delved into her gripping detective series, it’s high time you do, as the Cormoran Strike books consistently leave readers eagerly yearning for the next installment in the series.

This series encompasses everything aficionados of detective and crime fiction stories crave: a tenacious private investigator grappling with personal challenges, a delicate balance between personal lives and the intricacies of solving cases, and mysteries that artfully twist and turn, ending in a satisfying “aha!” moment.

Latest + Upcoming Robert Galbraith Book Releases

  • The Ink Black Heart – 2022
  • The Running Grave – 2023

Complete List of Robert Galbraith Books In Order

Here is a list of the books in publication order and also the suggested order in which you read them.

I’ve also provided a short synopsis of each book below the list.

  • The Cuckoo’s Calling – 2013
  • The Silkworm – 2014
  • Career Of Evil – 2015
  • Lethal White – 2018
  • Troubled Blood – 2020
  • The Ink Black Heart – 2022
  • The Running Grave – September 26, 2023

Robert Galbraith Books In Order With Summaries

The Cuckoo’s Calling

In the aftermath of a life-altering injury suffered in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike finds himself teetering on the edge as a struggling private investigator.

With just a solitary client and mounting debts, coupled with the recent end of a long-term relationship, Strike’s circumstances force him to live in his cramped office. However, everything changes when John Bristow enters his office, bringing with him a startling story.

John’s sister, the renowned supermodel Lula Landry, known affectionately as the Cuckoo, plunged to her death months ago, an incident ruled as suicide by the police. Refusing to accept their verdict, John implores Strike to unravel the truth.

This compelling case thrusts Strike into the opulent world of wealthy beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, exposing him to every variety of temptations, seductions, and delusions known to humanity.

In The Cuckoo’s Calling you’ll meet Cormoran Strike, a detective unlike any you’ve encountered before, and witness the unveiling of the lives of the rich and famous like never before under the scrutiny of this investigation. With its breakneck pace and intricately crafted characters, this mesmerizing detective novel served as the inspiration for “Strike,” the acclaimed BBC crime drama series that has enthralled millions of viewers across the globe.


The Silkworm

When the renowned novelist Owen Quine mysteriously vanishes, his distressed wife seeks the assistance of private detective Cormoran Strike.

Initially, Mrs. Quine assumes her husband has taken a solitary retreat, something he has done in the past. Her only desire is for Strike to locate him and bring him back home. However, as Strike delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a chilling truth—Quine’s disappearance is not a mere coincidence.

Unveiling a manuscript that contains scathing and venomous portrayals of nearly everyone in Quine’s life, Strike realizes that if this damning novel were to be published, it would shatter lives and leave numerous individuals with strong motives to silence the author.

Tragically, Quine’s lifeless body is eventually discovered in a grotesque murder scene, presenting Strike with a race against time to decipher the sinister intentions of an unparalleled killer—one unlike any he has encountered before. The Silkworm grips readers’ attention with its enthralling plot twists at every corner. It serves as the second installment in J.K. Rowling’s highly acclaimed series, featuring the indomitable Cormoran Strike and his steadfast young assistant, Robin Ellacott.


Career Of Evil

Detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott are thrust into a harrowing investigation when a chilling package arrives.

Unveiling a severed leg, Robin is horrified by the gruesome discovery, while Strike, although not entirely caught off guard, is equally disturbed. He becomes convinced that four individuals from his checkered past may be responsible for this heinous act—and any one of them is capable of perpetrating sustained and unspeakable brutality.

With the police focusing their attention on a suspect Strike has effectively ruled out, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, delving deep into the dark and twisted realms inhabited by the other three potential culprits. However, as more horrifying acts unfold, time rapidly slips away for the determined duo.

This clever mystery has unexpected twists lurking around every corner, keeping readers on edge. Moreover, it delves into the personal and professional crossroads faced by a man and a woman whose lives are intricately entwined.


Lethal White

Cormoran Strike is faced with a perplexing case when a troubled young man named Billy seeks his help in investigating a crime he witnessed during his childhood.

Despite Billy’s evident mental distress and hazy recollections, there is an undeniable sincerity to his story that deeply troubles the private investigator. However, before Strike can delve further into the matter, Billy abruptly flees from his office in a state of panic.

Determined to uncover the truth behind Billy’s claims, Strike and his partner-turned-associate Robin Ellacott embark on a convoluted journey that takes them through the labyrinthine backstreets of London, into the clandestine inner circles of Parliament, and to a beguiling yet ominous manor nestled deep in the countryside.

As they navigate this intricate investigation, Strike’s own life becomes increasingly complicated. His newfound notoriety as a private detective forces him to abandon his former clandestine approach. Furthermore, the dynamics of his relationship with Robin, now an indispensable asset to the agency, grow more fraught and intricate, surpassing the boundaries of their professional partnership. With its compelling blend of addictive suspense and dark humor, Lethal White is one of Robert Galbraith’s most ambitious novels to date.


Troubled Blood

Private Detective Cormoran Strike finds himself engrossed in a compelling new case while visiting his family in Cornwall.

A woman seeks his assistance in locating her mother, Margot Bamborough, who mysteriously vanished in 1974, leaving behind unanswered questions. Undeterred by the daunting challenge of a cold case that spans four decades, Strike’s curiosity is piqued, and he takes on the investigation alongside the numerous other cases he and his partner, Robin Ellacott, are currently tackling.

Meanwhile, Robin herself grapples with a turbulent divorce and unwelcome advances from unwanted suitors, all while wrestling with her own complex emotions towards Strike.

As Strike and Robin delve into the enigma surrounding Margot’s disappearance, they find themselves embroiled in a web of intricate complexities. The case unfolds with tantalizing leads that involve tarot cards, a chilling serial killer, and witnesses whose trustworthiness is questionable at best. They soon discover that even cases long past can harbor deadly consequences, forcing them to confront the perilous depths of the human psyche.


The Ink Black Heart

Private detective Robin Ellacott is taken aback when an agitated and disheveled Edie Ledwell barges into the office, desperate to speak with her. Edie, the co-creator of the beloved cartoon series “The Ink Black Heart,” is being relentlessly harassed by an online persona known as Anomie. Determined to uncover the true identity of this tormentor, Edie implores Robin for help.

Initially dismissing the case as beyond their agency’s scope, Robin thinks little of it until she stumbles upon a shocking headline a few days later. Edie has been brutally tasered and murdered in the eerie setting of Highgate Cemetery, the very place that served as inspiration for “The Ink Black Heart.”

Now, Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike find themselves entangled in the quest to unveil Anomie’s true persona. As they navigate a labyrinth of online aliases, tangled business interests, and familial conflicts, the duo faces a relentless challenge that stretches the limits of their deductive prowess. Moreover, their pursuit places them in newfound and chilling danger.

The Ink Black Heart is a gripping and ingeniously crafted mystery, showcasing Robert Galbraith’s unparalleled storytelling prowess.


The Running Grave

The book summary of The Running Grave is not yet available!


Cormoran Strike Series TV Adaptations

If you already enjoy the Cormoran Strike book series, you may want to catch one or all of the TV adaptations of this series.

The Cuckoo’s Calling, The Silkworm, Career Of Evil, Lethal White, and Troubled Blood have all been adapted from books to television.

FAQs About Robert Galbraith Books In Order

In what order should you read Robert Galbraith books?

The books should be read in the order of publication, which is the order that they are listed above.

Is there a 7th Cormoran Strike novel?

Yes, the 7th Cormoran Strike novel is due to be published on September 26, 2023, and it’s titled The Running Game.

How many books will there be in the Cormoran Strike series?

The author has stated that she has planned to write a total of 10 books in the Cormoran Strike series.

You Might Also Enjoy Some of These Books

If you’re totally into mystery or thriller books similar to these Robert Galbraith books, then you might also enjoy some of these authors and books.

Robert Galbraith Books In Order – Conclusion

For enthusiasts of crime thrillers, detective fiction, and murder mysteries, J.K. Rowling’s Cormoran Strike series is an absolute must-read. Written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, these novels offer a rollercoaster of excitement, complete with interesting characters, enthralling storylines, and suspenseful cliffhangers that will keep you reading well into the night.

If you’re reading these books, I sure hope my handy list of Robert Galbraith books in order will help you sort out which order to read them in.

As an added bonus, if you prefer to listen to your books rather than read them, the entire series is on audiobook and features the mellifluous narration of English actor Robert Glenister.

And speaking of audiobooks – do you prefer to listen rather than read? You can try an audiobook free trial here along with a few other things.

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