The Silkworm | Cormoran Strike Book 2 | JK Rowling as Robert Galbraith | Cliff Note Books
“The Silkworm” is the second novel in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling). The book follows private detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, as they investigate the disappearance and murder of a controversial novelist.
Summary:
Cormoran Strike is hired by Leonora Quine to find her missing husband, Owen Quine, a novelist known for his provocative and divisive work. Owen has recently completed a manuscript called “Bombyx Mori” (The Silkworm), which features thinly veiled and unflattering caricatures of his friends, family, and associates, causing a scandal among those who have read it. Leonora believes that Owen has gone into hiding due to the backlash from the manuscript.
As Strike and Robin delve into the case, they discover that Owen’s disappearance is far more sinister than they initially thought. Owen’s mutilated body is found, staged to mimic the gruesome death of the protagonist in his manuscript. It becomes clear that Owen’s murder is connected to the content of “Bombyx Mori,” and the list of suspects includes those who were portrayed unfavorably in the book.
The investigation takes Strike and Robin through the London literary scene, as they interview Owen’s agent, publisher, editor, and fellow authors. Each of these individuals has a motive for wanting Owen dead, making it difficult to identify the true killer. As they unravel the complex web of relationships, rivalries, and grievances surrounding Owen, Strike and Robin face numerous obstacles, including professional jealousy, personal vendettas, and the machinations of the publishing industry.
Meanwhile, Robin’s personal life becomes increasingly strained. Her fiancé, Matthew, is resentful of the time she spends working with Strike and the dangers she faces as part of her job. Despite these challenges, Robin remains committed to her work and her partnership with Strike.
In the end, Strike and Robin successfully solve the case, revealing the murderer to be a surprising and unexpected figure. The resolution of the case cements their partnership and reputation as skilled detectives, leading to new opportunities and cases for their detective agency.
“The Silkworm” is a compelling and intricately plotted mystery that explores the dark side of the literary world, as well as the evolving professional and personal relationship between Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacot
CHARACTERS
- Cormoran Strike: A former military police officer turned private detective, Strike is the central protagonist in the series. With his keen instincts and investigative skills, he takes on the case of the missing and murdered author, Owen Quine.
- Robin Ellacott: Strike’s assistant and eventual partner, Robin is a resourceful and intelligent investigator in her own right. As she becomes more deeply involved in the case, her personal life with her fiancé, Matthew, becomes increasingly strained.
- Owen Quine: The controversial novelist whose disappearance and murder drive the plot. Quine is known for his provocative work, and his latest manuscript, “Bombyx Mori,” has caused a scandal among those who have read it.
- Leonora Quine: Owen Quine’s wife, who hires Strike to find her missing husband. Leonora is a prime suspect in the case due to her husband’s infidelity and the unflattering portrayal of her in “Bombyx Mori.”
- Elizabeth Tassel: Owen Quine’s agent, who has a contentious relationship with her client. As one of the people portrayed negatively in “Bombyx Mori,” she is a suspect in the case.
- Michael Fancourt: A successful author and a friend of Owen Quine, Fancourt becomes a suspect due to his rivalry with another writer and his own portrayal in “Bombyx Mori.”
- Jerry Waldegrave: The owner of the publishing house that published Owen Quine’s works. As another person portrayed negatively in “Bombyx Mori,” he is also a suspect in the murder.
- Daniel Chard: The editor who worked with Owen Quine on his novels, Chard is also a suspect due to his portrayal in “Bombyx Mori” and his professional relationship with the author.
- Katherine Kent: An aspiring writer who had a relationship with Owen Quine, Katherine becomes a suspect due to her connection to the author and her portrayal in “Bombyx Mori.”
- Matthew Cunliffe: Robin’s fiancé, who becomes increasingly resentful of the time she spends working with Strike and the dangers of her job. His disapproval creates tension in Robin’s personal life.
QUOTES
- “When a woman is murdered, the husband is always the likeliest suspect.” This quote reflects the initial suspicion cast on Leonora Quine, Owen Quine’s wife, after his disappearance and murder.
- “Writers are different,” he told her. “They have very thin skins and they remember everything.” This quote highlights the sensitive nature of the literary world, which plays a crucial role in the mystery surrounding Owen Quine’s murder.
- “They want you to be a genius and a good bloke, and they can’t bear it when you’re not.” This line speaks to the expectations placed on successful authors and the challenges they face in maintaining their public image.
- “You have to take risks if you want to find out what people are really like.” This quote demonstrates Strike’s investigative philosophy and his willingness to take risks to uncover the truth.
- “There are always loose ends in real life.” Strike acknowledges the imperfections of real-world investigations compared to the tidy resolutions found in fictional detective stories.
- “You should never trust a writer. They always remember things differently.” This quote emphasizes the unreliable nature of memory and the way writers can manipulate the truth in their work, which is a recurring theme in “The Silkworm.”
- “It’s not the dead who suffer, it’s the living.” Strike expresses his sympathy for the survivors of a tragedy and the emotional toll it takes on them.
- “We all create a narrative based on what we think is important.”
Joanne Rowling, better known by her pen name J.K. Rowling, is a British author, philanthropist, and screenwriter, most famous for creating the Harry Potter series. Born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, Gloucestershire, England, Rowling always had a passion for writing, and she began working on the Harry Potter series during a delayed train journey from Manchester to London in 1990.
J.K. Rowling published her first novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (known as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the United States), in 1997. The series went on to become a global phenomenon, selling over 500 million copies worldwide and translated into more than 80 languages. The Harry Potter franchise also includes successful film adaptations, spin-offs, and theme parks.
After completing the Harry Potter series, Rowling decided to explore different genres of writing. In 2012, she published “The Casual Vacancy,” a contemporary adult fiction novel that dealt with social and political issues in a small English town.
In 2013, Rowling released “The Cuckoo’s Calling” under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The decision to write under a pen name was motivated by her desire to publish a work without the hype and expectations associated with her famous name. She wanted to receive honest feedback and have the book judged on its own merits, rather than being compared to her previous work.
However, her identity as Robert Galbraith was revealed shortly after the publication of “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” when a law firm associated with her inadvertently leaked the information. Despite the revelation, Rowling continued to write the Cormoran Strike series under the Galbraith pseudonym, with five novels published in the series as of September 2021.
Writing as Robert Galbraith allowed Rowling to explore new genres, styles, and themes in her work, showcasing her versatility as a writer beyond the world of Harry Potter.
SUMMARIES
Chapter 1: Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are working on a minor case involving a stolen painting when they are approached by Leonora Quine to investigate her husband Owen Quine’s disappearance.
Chapter 2: Strike learns about Owen Quine, a controversial novelist who has recently completed a scandalous and offensive manuscript called “Bombyx Mori.” Leonora believes Owen has gone into hiding due to the backlash from the manuscript.
Chapter 3: Robin’s relationship with her fiancé, Matthew, is strained due to her dedication to her work with Strike. Matthew disapproves of her choice to work as a private investigator.
Chapter 4: Strike begins his investigation by talking to Owen Quine’s agent, Elizabeth Tassel. He learns about the impact of “Bombyx Mori” on those portrayed in the book and the possible motives they might have for harming Owen.
Chapter 5: Strike interviews Owen’s mistress, Katherine Kent, who is also an aspiring writer. She provides more information about Owen’s personality and behavior before his disappearance.
Chapter 6: Strike and Robin search Owen’s writing studio and find a draft of “Bombyx Mori,” which they take with them for further examination.
Chapter 7: Strike meets with Michael Fancourt, a successful author and friend of Owen Quine. Fancourt shares his opinions about the literary world and the people who may have wanted to harm Owen.
Chapter 8: Strike and Robin analyze “Bombyx Mori” and identify the real-life individuals portrayed in the book, realizing that the list of potential suspects is long.
Chapter 9: Robin interviews an employee at a café frequented by Owen Quine, gathering information about his habits and relationships with other patrons.
Chapter 10: Strike talks to Jerry Waldegrave, the owner of the publishing house that published Owen’s works, who expresses his disapproval of “Bombyx Mori” and his concern about the impact it will have on the publishing house.
Chapter 11: Strike meets with Daniel Chard, the editor who worked with Owen Quine on his novels. Chard shares his perspective on Owen’s behavior and their professional relationship.
Chapter 12: Robin’s personal life becomes more strained as her fiancé, Matthew, continues to express his disapproval of her work with Strike.
Chapter 13: Strike interviews Pippa Midgley, a former student of Owen Quine, who reveals that she was also portrayed unflatteringly in “Bombyx Mori.”
Chapter 14: The investigation takes a darker turn when Owen Quine’s mutilated body is discovered, staged to mimic the gruesome death of the protagonist in his manuscript.
Chapter 15: Strike and Robin visit the crime scene and begin to piece together the evidence, realizing that Owen’s murder is connected to the content of “Bombyx Mori.”
Chapter 16: Strike interviews Joe North, a writer who was mentored by Owen Quine, and learns about the rivalry between Owen and another writer.
Chapter 17: As the investigation continues, Strike and Robin face challenges and obstacles from the literary world, including professional jealousy and personal vendettas.
Chapter 18: Strike speaks with Detective Inspector Anstis, who is leading the official police investigation into Owen Quine’s murder. Strike shares his insights and knowledge of the case, but the two do not always see eye to eye.
Chapter 19: Robin interviews Nina Lascelles, an employee at Roper Chard Publishing, who provides more information about Owen Quine’s interactions with other authors and publishing staff.
Chapter 20: Strike meets with Andrew Fancourt, Michael Fancourt’s son, who is a potential witness to Owen Quine’s movements before his disappearance.
Chapter 21: Robin continues to deal with the tension in her relationship with Matthew, who becomes increasingly resentful of the time she spends working with Strike.
Chapter 22: Strike interviews Alison Cresswell, the wife of Jerry Waldegrave, and gains more insight into the dynamics of the publishing world and the people connected to Owen Quine.
Chapter 23: Strike meets with Orlando Quine, Owen and Leonora’s intellectually disabled daughter, in an attempt to learn more about the family’s relationships and potential motives for murder.
Chapter 24: Strike and Robin visit a printer connected to Owen Quine’s publisher, where they learn that multiple copies of “Bombyx Mori” were printed and distributed, potentially broadening the suspect pool.
Chapter 25: Robin goes undercover at Roper Chard Publishing’s Christmas party to gather information and observe the interactions between the suspects in the case.
Chapter 26: At the party, Robin encounters Michael Fancourt, who shares his thoughts on Owen Quine and the scandal surrounding “Bombyx Mori.”
Chapter 27: Strike interviews Aileen Quine, Owen’s sister, who provides additional insight into Owen’s relationships and character, as well as their family’s history.
Chapter 28: After a confrontation with Matthew, Robin is temporarily distracted from the case, but she remains committed to her work with Strike.
Chapter 29: Strike and Robin follow a lead on a taxi driver who may have driven Owen Quine on the night of his murder, further narrowing down the timeline and suspects.
Chapter 30: Strike learns more about the rivalry between Owen Quine and Michael Fancourt, shedding light on potential motives for Owen’s murder.
Chapter 31: Strike interviews Christian Fisher, a writer who was mentored by Michael Fancourt, and learns more about the literary world and its rivalries.
Chapter 32: Strike visits Liz Tassel again and confronts her about the inconsistencies in her story, making her a more likely suspect in Owen Quine’s murder.
Chapter 33: Robin conducts research on some of the authors connected to the case and discovers that one of them may have plagiarized a portion of Owen Quine’s work.
Chapter 34: Strike and Robin continue to narrow down the list of suspects and revisit the events leading up to Owen Quine’s murder, piecing together a clearer picture of what may have happened.
Chapter 35: Strike interviews another person portrayed negatively in “Bombyx Mori,” adding further complexity to the case and the list of potential suspects.
Chapter 36: Robin faces more tension with her fiancé, Matthew, who remains unsupportive of her work with Strike.
Chapter 37: Strike and Robin go back to the crime scene to reexamine the evidence, discovering new clues that could help them identify Owen Quine’s murderer.
Chapter 38: Robin interviews Pippa Midgley again, who provides more information about Owen Quine’s actions before his disappearance, further refining the timeline of events.
Chapter 39: Strike speaks with Alison Cresswell again, who reveals more details about the relationships between the various suspects in the case.
Chapter 40: Strike and Robin follow another lead, which brings them closer to discovering the truth behind Owen Quine’s murder.
Chapter 41: Strike and Robin continue to examine the evidence and piece together the truth about Owen Quine’s murder, discussing the motives of the various suspects and the timeline of events.
Chapter 42: Strike identifies the murderer and decides to confront them, devising a plan to catch them in the act and reveal their guilt.
Chapter 43: Robin assists Strike in executing the plan, putting herself in danger to ensure they can prove the murderer’s guilt.
Chapter 44: The murderer is revealed, and their motives and actions are explained. The plan succeeds, and Strike and Robin are able to apprehend the culprit.
Chapter 45: With the case solved, Strike and Robin reflect on their investigation and the complex web of relationships and motives they unraveled.
Chapter 46: Robin’s personal life takes a turn as she faces a critical decision about her future with Matthew, which is influenced by her work with Strike.
Chapter 47: Leonora Quine is informed of the murderer’s identity, and she grapples with the reality of the situation.
Chapter 48: Strike and Robin begin wrapping up their involvement in the case, tying up loose ends and ensuring justice is served for Owen Quine’s murder.
Chapter 49: The murderer faces the consequences of their actions, and the various characters impacted by Owen Quine’s murder and the investigation attempt to move on with their lives.
Chapter 50: Strike and Robin continue their work as private investigators, their partnership strengthened by their experience solving the complex and challenging case of Owen Quine’s murder.
Chapter 51: Robin resolves her personal issues and makes a decision about her future with Matthew, coming to terms with the impact her work with Strike has on her life.
Chapter 52: The novel concludes with the various characters reflecting on the events of the investigation and the revelations that emerged from it.
Chapter 53: Strike and Robin look forward to their next case, their professional relationship solidified and their skills as private investigators sharpened by their experience solving Owen Quine’s murder.