Career of Evil

Synopsis

***The 7th novel in the Strike series, THE RUNNING GRAVE, is coming in September 2023. Pre-order now and be the first to read it***

'Deliriously clever' GUARDIAN

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Now a major BBC drama: The Strike series

When a mysterious package is delivered to Robin Ellacott, she is horrified to discover that it contains a woman's severed leg.

Her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, is less surprised but no less alarmed. There are four people from his past who he thinks could be responsible - and Strike knows that any one of them is capable of sustained and unspeakable brutality.

With the police focusing on the one suspect Strike is increasingly sure is not the perpetrator, he and Robin take matters into their own hands, and delve into the dark and twisted worlds of the other three men. But as more horrendous acts occur, time is running out for the two of them...

A fiendishly clever mystery with unexpected twists around every corner, Career of Evil is also a gripping story of a man and a woman at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives. You will not be able to put this book down.

*** The latest book in the thrilling Strike series, TROUBLED BLOOD, is out now! ***

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PRAISE FOR THE STRIKE SERIES:

'One of the most unique and compelling detectives I've come across in years' MARK BILLINGHAM

'The work of a master storyteller' DAILY TELEGRAPH

'Unputdownable. . . Irresistible' SUNDAY TIMES

'Will keep you up all night' OBSERVER

'A thoroughly enjoyable classic' PETER JAMES, SUNDAY EXPRESS

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Purple House

* Cormoran Strike, a private investigator and former military police officer, is hired by the wealthy Donsted family to locate their missing son, Leo.
* Strike visits Leo's home, the Purple House, and meets the suspicious and uncooperative Edwards family, who have been living there for the past year.

Chapter 2: The Man with the Tattoo

* Strike investigates the Edwards family and uncovers a connection to a notorious criminal, Rufus Stamp.
* He discovers a tattoo on Stamp's arm that resembles a symbol linked to a murder that Stamp was suspected of committing.

Chapter 3: The Ice-Cream Van

* Strike and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, delve into Stamp's background and learn about a series of murders involving young women, dating back several decades.
* They follow a lead to an abandoned ice-cream van, which they believe was used in the murders.

Chapter 4: The Fourth Victim

* Strike and Robin investigate a possible fourth victim, Lula Landry, who disappeared around the same time as Stamp's other victims.
* They interview Lula's friends and family, discovering a connection between Lula and Leo Donsted.

Chapter 5: The Letter

* Strike receives an anonymous letter claiming to be from the killer, who taunts him and warns him of consequences if he continues his investigation.
* Undeterred, Strike and Robin analyze the letter for clues.

Chapter 6: The Suspect

* Strike and Robin identify Rufus Stamp as the prime suspect in Leo Donsted's disappearance and the murders of the young women.
* They gather evidence linking Stamp to each of the crimes.

Chapter 7: The Trap

* Strike and Robin set a trap for Stamp, using Leo Donsted as bait.
* However, the plan goes awry when Stamp becomes suspicious and attacks.

Chapter 8: The Rescuer

* Robin intervenes when Stamp threatens to harm Strike.
* She uses her skills as a former therapist to calm Stamp down and defuse the situation.

Chapter 9: The Confession

* Stamp confesses to the murders, revealing that Leo Donsted was an accomplice and that they were trying to cover up their crimes.
* Strike and Robin arrest Stamp and bring the case to a close.

Chapter 10: The Aftermath

* Strike and Robin reflect on the case and its toll on their lives.
* They vow to continue working together and fighting for justice for the victims.