Cormoran Strike - Book Series In Order (2024)

Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Publication Order of Cormoran Strike Books

Cormoran Strike Series

J.K. Rowling is an esteemed British author whose stories have delighted readers around the globe. She has a unique talent for creating characters that are relatable and engaging, as well as crafting stories that entertain and impart meaningful messages. Her writing has become a fixture in our culture, with the Harry Potter series selling over 600 million copies and being translated into 84 languages. The series has also spawned a huge media franchise with books, films and video games. Her first novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, was released in 2012.

In 2013, Rowling published a crime fiction novel, The Cuckoo’s Calling, under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. Despite only 1,500 copies being sold in hardback, discussion on Twitter revealed the author’s true identity and the book’s sales skyrocketed. This led to the Cormoran Strike series of detective novels being released, with six books so far. Rowling plans to write at least ten more.

Regarding the story of the series, it follows the case-files of the fictional British private detective Cormoran Strike and his secretary partner Robin Ellacott, as they work in and around London. The most recent release, The Ink Black Heart, was published in August 2022 and The Running Grave is set to be released in January 2023.

The first two Cormoran Strike novels have been adapted into a television series for BBC One, starring Tom Burke and distributed in the United States and Canada by HBO. Career of Evil, Lethal White, Troubled Blood and The Ink Black Heart have all been adapted into four-episode series that aired in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022 respectively. This popular series continues to thrill readers with its engrossing plots and captivating characters.

The Cuckoo’s Calling

On April 30, 2013, the mystery crime-thriller ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ was released by Mulholland Books. Written by JK Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, it was the first installment of the ‘Cormoran Strike’ series. It was met with great enthusiasm and went on to win the Los Angeles Mystery/Thriller Award that same year.

John Bristow walked into Cormoran Strike’s detective office, seeking help to investigate the death of his sister, the renowned supermodel Lula Landry. The police had deemed it as suicide, but John was certain it was something else. Strike then set out to explore the world of rich beauties, rock-star boyfriends, and desperate designers, as he worked to uncover the truth behind Lula’s death.

The Silkworm

On June 19, 2014, ‘The Silkworm’ was published. The second book in the ‘Cormoran Strike’ series, it was again written by J.K. Rowling as Robert Galbraith. It was nominated for the Specsavers National Book Awards Mystery/Thriller Award that year.

When the wife of missing novelist Owen Quine visited Cormoran Strike’s office, Strike began to unravel the secrets behind Quine’s mysterious disappearance. Strike soon realized that this case was unlike any other he had encountered, as Quine had recently completed a book full of alarming secrets about his acquaintances. When Quine was discovered dead in a brutal murder, Strike was determined to uncover the identity of the killer.

Career of Evil

October 20, 2015 saw the release of ‘Career of Evil’, the third novel in the Cormoran Strike series. Published by Mulholland Books, it was met with great enthusiasm from readers and was even nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller.

When a package containing a severed leg arrived at Robin Ellacott’s office, her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, was immediately suspicious. Believing one of four people from his past was responsible, Strike and Robin set out to investigate. As more horrific acts occurred, the two had to work to reveal the perpetrator and bring them to justice.

Lethal White

‘Lethal White’ was published on September 18th, 2018, through Mulholland Books. It was the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series, again written by Robert Galbraith. It was praised by critics and was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller.

Cormoran Strike was approached by Billy, a young man with a troubled past. He claimed to have seen a crime as a child, and Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott decided to investigate. As they searched through bustling London and a sinister manor house, Strike’s newfound fame caused complications in his professional and personal life with Robin. In the end, the case’s resolution provided them with a greater understanding of the truth.

Troubled Blood

‘Troubled Blood’, the fifth novel in the Cormoran Strike series, was published by Sphere Books on September 15, 2020. It was met with critical acclaim, and nominated for two Crime Writer’s Association Awards.

Cormoran Strike, a private detective, was visiting his family in Cornwall when he was approached by a woman asking for help finding her mother who disappeared in 1974. Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott took on the case, even though solving a cold case forty years old seemed unlikely. As they investigated Margot’s disappearance, they uncovered a complex case with tarot cards, a serial killer, and unreliable witnesses. In the end, they realized that even cases decades old could be life threatening.

The Ink Black Heart

‘The Ink Black Heart’ was released on September 21, 2022, published by Mulholland Books. It quickly climbed the charts, topping the UK Official Top 50 in its first week.

Robin Ellacott, a private detective, was approached by Edie Ledwell, who wanted help to discover the identity of an online figure called Anomie. Robin and her business partner Cormoran Strike decided to investigate, but soon Edie was found murdered in Highgate Cemetery. Strike and Robin then devoted themselves to uncovering the truth behind Anomie, navigating a complex web of online aliases and business interests. Ultimately, the case put their own lives in danger.

The Cormoran Strike Series

As a series it is a fantastic read for any fan of crime fiction. Rowling’s ability to craft compelling stories and create relatable and engaging protagonists is truly remarkable. Each book in the series is full of thrilling suspense and unexpected twists that keep readers hooked until the very end. With its unique and inspired style, the Cormoran Strike series is a must-read for anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

Book Series In Order » Characters » Cormoran Strike

2 Responses to “Cormoran Strike”

1. Veronica: 11 months ago

   Far & away my favourite series!

   Reply

2. Dottie: 1 year ago

   Just finished reading, The Ink Black Heart. Each book gets better and am looking forward to book 7.

   Reply

Harlan Coben is back. Or more specifically, Myron Bolitar is back!!! After 8 long years, everyone's favourite sports agent Myron Bolitar, along with his sidekick Win, is back with another mystery to solve. The 12th Myron Bolitar novel is out this month!

Order now at Amazon.

I often get asked by readers if they can donate to the site as a thank you for all the hard work. While I appreciate the offer – please support one of these great causes instead (list rotates monthly):
Reading Is Fundamental
Affirmations Community Center
Streetwise
Compassion International

Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
For more information on BSIO read the About Me page.

Are you a Jack Reacher fan? If so, you absolutely have to read the Peter Ash series by author Nick Petrie.

I recommend this series to anyone who has liked Jack Reacher, and everyone always replies thanking me for it. Nick makes my life easy. If you are a Jack Reacher fan, past or present, Check out this great series today.

Are you a fan of psychological thrillers? A big fan of authors such as Gillian Flynn? These are our most recommended authors in the thriller genre, which is my personal favourite genre:

1. B.A. Paris
2. Freida McFadden
3. John Marrs
4. Linwood Barclay
5. Lucy Foley
6. Megan Goldin
7. Peter Swanson
8. Ruth Ware
9. Sarah Alderson
10. Shari Lapena