Robert Galbraith Books In Order (Cormoran Strike)
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If you’re drawn to compelling detective fiction, exploring the books by Robert Galbraith in order is the perfect way to follow Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott’s thrilling investigations from the very beginning. What many readers don’t immediately realize is that Robert Galbraith is actually the pseudonym of J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. Under this pen name, Rowling stepped into the world of modern crime fiction, crafting a series that blends classic whodunit mystery with contemporary grit and emotional depth – making it a favorite among crime readers worldwide.
Key Takeaways: Robert Galbraith Books In Order
Latest + Upcoming Robert Galbraith Book Releases
- The Running Grave – 2023
- The Hallmarked Man – 2025
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 – 2023
- The Hallmarked Man – 2025
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
Private Detective Cormoran Strike is approached by a desperate father seeking help to rescue his son, Will, who has vanished into the clutches of a secretive religious cult in rural Norfolk.
On the surface, the Universal Humanitarian Church appears to be a peaceful organization dedicated to creating a better world. However, as Strike delves deeper, he uncovers a dark web of sinister practices and unexplained deaths lurking beneath the church’s polished exterior.
To save Will, Strike’s determined business partner, Robin Ellacott, goes undercover, embedding herself within the cult’s inner circle. But as she becomes entangled in their insidious world, Robin must confront unexpected dangers and personal sacrifices that push her to the limits of her endurance.
The Hallmarked Man
In The Hallmarked Man, Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are drawn into one of their most intricate and unsettling cases yet. When a dismembered body is discovered in the vault of a London silver shop, the police assume it belongs to a convicted armed robber. But Decima Mullins is certain otherwise—she believes the remains are those of her missing boyfriend, the father of her newborn baby. Desperate for answers, she turns to Strike and Robin, setting the pair on a trail that quickly twists far beyond a simple case of mistaken identity.
As they dig deeper, the mystery grows increasingly labyrinthine. The silver shop sits beside Freemasons’ Hall and specializes in rare Masonic silverware, hinting at hidden connections and secrets. With multiple missing men who could fit the body’s description, and dangerous forces lurking in the background, Strike and Robin must navigate a case that is as perilous as it is complex. At the same time, Strike finds himself grappling with feelings for Robin that he can no longer ignore—even as her relationship with policeman Ryan Murphy complicates matters further. Richly atmospheric and emotionally charged, The Hallmarked Man pushes both the mystery and the characters’ personal arcs to new levels.
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.
Who Is Robert Galbraith?
Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym used by J.K. Rowling for her adult crime fiction series. After the massive success of Harry Potter, she chose this alias to explore darker, contemporary mysteries without the weight of expectation. Rowling reportedly selected the name as a nod to Robert F. Kennedy (whom she admired) and an imaginative childhood fascination with the name “Galbraith.” The true extent of her involvement as Galbraith was revealed in 2013, leading to a surge in popularity for the series.
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Galbraith Books
In what order should you read Robert Galbraith’s 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?
Seven have been published so far, with the eighth installment (The Hallmarked Man) scheduled for release in September 2025.
Why did J.K. Rowling publish under a pseudonym?
She wanted to write crime fiction anonymously and see how her work would be received based on its own merit, not her fame.
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
If you’re starting your journey through the books by Robert Galbraith in order, you’re in for a gripping ride. The series masterfully combines atmospheric settings, intricate plotting, and richly human protagonists. Whether you’re a seasoned mystery reader or a J.K. Rowling fan branching into a new genre, this series offers a satisfying blend of emotional stakes and cerebral detective work – making it a must-read in modern crime fiction.
📚 Did You Know?
When The Cuckoo’s Calling was first released, it sold modestly – but after Rowling’s identity was revealed, sales skyrocketed.
