Troubled Blood Cormoran Strike Book 5 | JK Rowling as Robert Galbraith | Cliff Note Books
“Troubled Blood” is the fifth novel in the Cormoran Strike series, written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. In this installment, private detective Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott take on a cold case involving a missing woman named Margot Bamborough, who disappeared without a trace in 1974.
The story begins with Strike being approached by Margot’s daughter, Anna Phipps, who requests his help in finding out what happened to her mother. Margot, a general practitioner, went missing after leaving her practice one evening, and her disappearance has remained unsolved for decades. As Strike and Robin delve into the case, they discover that it was previously investigated by a corrupt police officer, who was later convicted for unrelated crimes. This fact complicates their investigation, as they must sift through the original, flawed police work to uncover the truth.
As they dig deeper, Strike and Robin find that Margot’s disappearance may be connected to a notorious serial killer, known as the “Leather Apron,” who was active around the same time. They interview witnesses and suspects, including former patients, colleagues, and friends, to piece together a clearer picture of Margot’s life and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
While working on the case, both Strike and Robin face personal challenges. Strike is dealing with the aftermath of his complicated relationship with his ex-fiancée, Charlotte, while Robin is navigating her divorce from her unfaithful husband, Matthew. These personal struggles test their partnership, but they ultimately continue to support each other both professionally and personally.
As they investigate Margot’s disappearance, Strike and Robin uncover numerous secrets, lies, and betrayals that have been hidden for decades. They face numerous obstacles and setbacks, but their determination ultimately leads them to the truth. In the end, they solve the mystery of Margot’s disappearance and bring closure to her family.
“Troubled Blood” is a complex and suspenseful novel that explores themes of family, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The relationship between Strike and Robin continues to evolve, with their partnership growing stronger as they face new challenges together.
CHARACTERS
- Cormoran Strike: The protagonist, a private detective and former Royal Military Police investigator. Strike is a skilled and determined investigator, known for his ability to solve complex cases. He is dealing with the aftermath of a complicated relationship with his ex-fiancée, Charlotte.
- Robin Ellacott: Strike’s partner and fellow investigator. Robin is intelligent, resourceful, and empathetic, making her a valuable asset in their investigations. She is navigating her divorce from her unfaithful husband, Matthew, while working alongside Strike.
- Margot Bamborough: The missing woman at the center of the cold case that Strike and Robin are investigating. Margot was a general practitioner who disappeared without a trace in 1974, leaving behind a husband and a young daughter.
- Anna Phipps: Margot Bamborough’s daughter, who hires Strike and Robin to investigate her mother’s disappearance. She is desperate for answers and closure after decades of uncertainty.
- Dr. Gupta: A former colleague of Margot Bamborough, who provides valuable insights into her life and relationships. He is one of the many witnesses and suspects interviewed by Strike and Robin throughout the investigation.
- The “Leather Apron”: A notorious serial killer active around the time of Margot’s disappearance, who is suspected of being involved in her case. The connection between Margot and the “Leather Apron” forms a crucial part of the investigation.
- Charlotte Campbell: Strike’s ex-fiancée, who continues to be a source of emotional turmoil for him. Their complicated history is further explored in this novel.
- Matthew Cunliffe: Robin’s soon-to-be-ex-husband, with whom she is going through a contentious divorce. Their separation affects Robin’s personal life and her work with Strike.
QUOTES
- “You couldn’t disentangle the good from the bad in a person; life didn’t work like that.”
- “He had learned from bitter experience that the end of a case was not always a neat resolution.”
- “The sea was such a potent and powerful presence that it felt like a third character in their conversation.”
- “People didn’t alter their essential natures, Strike thought, however much they might want to, or try.”
- “She had thought her divorce would be her lowest point, but now she felt as though she were sinking lower still.”
- “Some people are just better at hiding their demons, aren’t they?”
- “It’s the living who make ghosts of the dead.”
- “You’re only as sick as your secrets, as they say”
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: The novel begins with a flashback to 1974, depicting the night when Margot Bamborough, a general practitioner, disappears without a trace.
Chapter 2: The story shifts to the present day, where Strike and Robin celebrate the one-year anniversary of their detective agency. Their partnership has grown stronger, and they have become more successful in their field.
Chapter 3: Anna Phipps, Margot Bamborough’s daughter, approaches Strike with the request to investigate her mother’s disappearance. Intrigued by the cold case, Strike agrees to take it on.
Chapter 4: Strike and Robin start their investigation by examining the original case files and learn that the initial investigation was led by a corrupt police officer, complicating their task.
Chapter 5: Robin goes undercover to gather more information about Margot’s life and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Chapter 6: Strike interviews Margot’s former colleagues, friends, and patients, trying to piece together a picture of her life and uncover any potential leads.
Chapter 7: Robin and Strike discover that Margot’s disappearance may be linked to a notorious serial killer active at the time, known as the “Leather Apron.”
Chapter 8: Meanwhile, both Strike and Robin face personal challenges. Strike struggles with lingering feelings for his ex-fiancée, Charlotte, while Robin deals with the emotional toll of her ongoing divorce from Matthew.
Chapter 9: As their investigation continues, Strike and Robin begin to uncover a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that have been hidden for decades.
Chapter 10: Strike and Robin develop a plan to delve deeper into the case, using their unique skills and partnership to uncover the truth behind Margot Bamborough’s disappearance.
Chapter 11: Strike and Robin delve deeper into the investigation, re-interviewing witnesses and suspects from the original case to identify any inconsistencies or missed leads.
Chapter 12: Robin goes undercover again to gather more information about Margot’s personal life, hoping to find clues to her disappearance.
Chapter 13: Strike and Robin learn more about the “Leather Apron” serial killer and consider whether his connection to Margot’s case is genuine or merely coincidental.
Chapter 14: Strike interviews one of Margot’s former patients, who reveals a crucial piece of information that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Chapter 15: Robin faces a difficult moment in her personal life as she deals with the aftermath of her divorce from Matthew, which affects her work and relationship with Strike.
Chapter 16: Strike and Robin begin to uncover some surprising connections between the people in Margot’s life, raising questions about their motives and involvement in her disappearance.
Chapter 17: The investigation leads Strike and Robin to question the accuracy of the original police work, as they find more evidence of the corrupt officer’s mishandling of the case.
Chapter 18: As they retrace Margot’s last known movements, Strike and Robin visit the location where she disappeared, hoping to find new clues or insights.
Chapter 19: Strike’s personal life becomes more complicated as he deals with the fallout from his relationship with Charlotte, affecting his focus on the case.
Chapter 20: Despite the challenges they face, Strike and Robin remain determined to solve Margot’s case, uncovering new leads and connections that bring them closer to the truth.
Chapter 21: Strike and Robin obtain a decades-old recording of a psychic, who claims to have information about Margot’s case. They debate the credibility of the psychic’s claims but decide to follow up on the lead.
Chapter 22: The investigation leads Strike and Robin to examine the potential involvement of Margot’s husband, as well as her ex-lover, in her disappearance.
Chapter 23: Robin continues to face personal challenges, as her relationship with her family becomes strained due to her divorce from Matthew.
Chapter 24: Strike and Robin follow up on the psychic’s claims and discover new information that could potentially change the direction of their investigation.
Chapter 25: Robin goes undercover once more, this time to gather information about the ex-lover’s possible motives and connections to Margot’s case.
Chapter 26: Strike interviews a key witness who reveals a crucial piece of evidence that could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Chapter 27: Strike and Robin’s partnership faces tension as they deal with the emotional fallout of their personal lives while trying to focus on the investigation.
Chapter 28: The investigation leads them to explore the possibility that Margot’s disappearance may have been connected to her work as a general practitioner.
Chapter 29: As they examine the many layers of the case, Strike and Robin begin to question whether Margot’s disappearance was an isolated incident or part of a larger conspiracy.
Chapter 30: Despite the mounting challenges, Strike and Robin’s determination to solve the case remains steadfast, as they continue to piece together the puzzle of Margot Bamborough’s disappearance.
Chapter 31: Strike and Robin delve deeper into Margot’s past, uncovering more secrets and potential motives for her disappearance.
Chapter 32: Strike interviews a former colleague of Margot’s who provides new insights into her character and personal life.
Chapter 33: Robin’s personal life remains a source of tension as she navigates the fallout of her divorce from Matthew and struggles with her feelings for Strike.
Chapter 34: The investigation leads Strike and Robin to reexamine the original case files, revealing further inconsistencies and clues that were previously overlooked.
Chapter 35: As they continue to question Margot’s acquaintances, Strike and Robin learn more about the intricate web of relationships and betrayals that surrounded her life.
Chapter 36: Robin faces a dangerous situation while working undercover, testing her resolve and commitment to the case.
Chapter 37: Strike’s personal life takes a turn for the worse when he receives distressing news about his family, complicating his focus on the investigation.
Chapter 38: The pair begin to narrow down their list of suspects as they uncover more evidence pointing towards the potential involvement of someone close to Margot.
Chapter 39: Robin and Strike start to consider the possibility that the truth behind Margot’s disappearance is more complex than they initially thought.
Chapter 40: As their investigation progresses, Strike and Robin’s partnership is tested by the emotional toll of their personal lives and the challenges they face in solving the case.
Chapter 41: Strike and Robin begin to narrow down the list of suspects as they uncover additional information about Margot’s personal life and relationships.
Chapter 42: Robin’s dedication to the case is put to the test when she faces a dangerous situation while working undercover.
Chapter 43: Strike deals with the emotional turmoil caused by his family’s issues and his complicated relationship with his ex-fiancée, Charlotte.
Chapter 44: Robin and Strike continue to pursue new leads, focusing on Margot’s husband and her ex-lover as potential suspects in her disappearance.
Chapter 45: The investigation leads them to explore the possibility that Margot’s disappearance was linked to her work as a general practitioner and the secrets she may have uncovered.
Chapter 46: Strike interviews a key witness who provides crucial information that could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Chapter 47: Robin’s personal life remains a source of tension as she copes with the aftermath of her divorce from Matthew and her growing feelings for Strike.
Chapter 48: Strike and Robin begin to piece together the puzzle of Margot’s disappearance, with their partnership and skills as investigators proving invaluable.
Chapter 49: As they uncover more connections between the people in Margot’s life, Strike and Robin start to question the motives and involvement of those closest to her.
Chapter 50: Despite the challenges they face, Strike and Robin remain committed to solving Margot’s case, uncovering new leads and evidence that bring them closer to the truth.
Chapter 51: Strike and Robin discover new information about the possible involvement of a local criminal in Margot’s disappearance, leading them to pursue this new lead.
Chapter 52: Robin’s undercover work puts her in a precarious situation, testing her skills and dedication to the case.
Chapter 53: The investigation takes an unexpected turn when Strike and Robin learn of a possible connection between Margot’s case and a similar disappearance that occurred years prior.
Chapter 54: Strike’s personal life remains complicated as he deals with family issues and his ongoing feelings for his ex-fiancée, Charlotte.
Chapter 55: Robin and Strike interview a key witness who provides crucial information about Margot’s past, revealing potential motives for her disappearance.
Chapter 56: The pair continue to explore the possibility that Margot’s disappearance was connected to her work as a general practitioner and the secrets she may have uncovered.
Chapter 57: As they uncover more connections between the people in Margot’s life, Strike and Robin question the motives and involvement of those closest to her.
Chapter 58: The investigation leads them to a significant breakthrough, bringing them closer to discovering the truth behind Margot’s disappearance.
Chapter 59: Robin’s personal life remains a source of tension as she grapples with the emotional fallout of her divorce from Matthew and her growing feelings for Strike.
Chapter 60: Despite the challenges they face, Strike and Robin’s partnership and determination to solve the case remain unwavering, as they work to bring closure to the mystery of Margot Bamborough’s disappearance.
Chapter 61: Strike and Robin follow up on the connection between Margot’s case and a similar disappearance, leading them to question if the cases are related or if the similarities are a coincidence.
Chapter 62: Robin’s undercover work yields vital information about the criminal they’ve been investigating, providing them with a new line of inquiry.
Chapter 63: The pair delve deeper into Margot’s past, uncovering more secrets and potential motives for her disappearance.
Chapter 64: Strike’s personal life takes a surprising turn when he receives unexpected news, further complicating his emotions and relationships.
Chapter 65: As they continue to explore the possibility that Margot’s disappearance was connected to her work as a general practitioner, Strike and Robin uncover additional evidence pointing to a potential conspiracy.
Chapter 66: The investigation leads them to confront one of the primary suspects, revealing shocking revelations about their involvement in Margot’s disappearance.
Chapter 67: Robin’s personal life remains a source of tension as she navigates her feelings for Strike and the emotional aftermath of her divorce from Matthew.
Chapter 68: Strike and Robin experience a breakthrough in the case, bringing them closer to the truth and unraveling the complex web of relationships and motives surrounding Margot’s disappearance.
Chapter 69: As the investigation reaches its climax, the personal and professional lives of Strike and Robin become increasingly entwined, testing their partnership and resolve.
Chapter 70: In the final stages of the investigation, Strike and Robin confront the truth about Margot Bamborough’s disappearance, bringing closure to the case and the people affected by it.
Chapter 71: With the truth about Margot’s disappearance finally revealed, Strike and Robin work to gather the necessary evidence to support their conclusions.
Chapter 72: Robin and Strike confront the person responsible for Margot’s disappearance, leading to a tense and dramatic confrontation.
Chapter 73: In the aftermath of the case’s resolution, the people affected by Margot’s disappearance begin to find closure and healing.
Chapter 74: Strike’s personal life takes a more positive turn, as he reconciles with some of his family issues and gains a clearer understanding of his feelings for Charlotte.
Chapter 75: Robin’s personal life also starts to find balance, as she comes to terms with her feelings for Strike and her new life following her divorce from Matthew.
Chapter 76: As the investigation concludes, Strike and Robin reflect on their partnership and the strong bond they’ve formed while working together on difficult cases.
Chapter 77: The impact of their work on Margot’s case leads to new opportunities and challenges for Strike and Robin, both professionally and personally.
Chapter 78: As “Troubled Blood” concludes, Strike and Robin look ahead to the future, ready to face new mysteries and challenges as a united and formidable team.
In the final chapters of the book, the investigation into Margot Bamborough’s disappearance comes to an end, with Strike and Robin discovering the truth and bringing justice to those affected. Their personal lives also reach a turning point, as they find a sense of balance and newfound understanding of their own emotions and relationships.