The Silkworm

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***


'Teems with sly humour, witty asides and intelligence ... A pleasure to read' TIMES

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Now a major BBC drama: The Strike series

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives - so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before . . .

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.

*** 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 chapter opens with Cormoran Strike paying a visit to Sarah Shadlock, the wife of Owen Quine, the author of the bestselling mystery novel "Bombyx Mori." Strike learns that Quine has been missing for over a week, and Sarah is increasingly worried.

Real example:

"Sarah was a well-preserved woman in her late thirties, tall and thin, with the sort of striking looks that had once been much in demand for print advertising."

Chapter 2

Strike agrees to take on the case and begins investigating Quine's disappearance. He interviews various people, including Quine's literary agent, his editor, and his daughter, Leonora. Strike uncovers some inconsistencies in Leonora's story and begins to suspect foul play.

Real example:

"Leonora sat down opposite him. She was a bony young woman in her early twenties, with thick, brown hair worn loose and a narrow, clever face. Her clothes were more bohemian than Strike had expected: a loose, flowing skirt and a faded T-shirt."

Chapter 3

Strike continues his investigation and discovers that Quine had been working on a new novel, "The Silkworm," which contained thinly veiled attacks on several prominent literary figures. Strike believes that this may have been a motive for Quine's disappearance or even murder.

Real example:

"Strike walked slowly around the room, inspecting the manuscripts. The Silkworm was a doorstopper, a sprawling epic running to over six hundred closely typed pages."

Chapter 4

Strike and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, follow various leads, including interviewing the literary figures targeted by Quine in "The Silkworm." They encounter resistance and threats, but they eventually uncover a link between Quine's disappearance and a mysterious woman named Tatjana.

Real example:

"Tatjana was the Russian-born owner of a small art gallery in North London. She was a tall, striking woman with long, dark hair and a strong, Slavic face."

Chapter 5

Strike and Robin confront Tatjana, who admits to having a relationship with Quine. However, she claims that he is still alive and has gone into hiding. Strike remains skeptical and continues to search for Quine's body.

Real example:

"Tatjana nodded slowly. 'He was a good man. A kind man. And he was afraid—very afraid.'"

Chapter 6

The investigation intensifies, and Strike and Robin uncover a web of secrets and lies surrounding Quine's disappearance. They eventually find his body, dismembered and left in various locations around London. The case takes a dark and dangerous turn, and Strike and Robin must race against time to find the killer before they become targets themselves.

Real example:

"On the foot of the bed was a large plastic bag, similar to the one in the alleyway. Strike moved towards it, and Robin followed him. Inside the bag were Owen Quine's missing hands."

Chapter 7

Strike and Robin confront the killer, a deranged literary critic named Donald Laing, who had been obsessed with Quine and had killed him out of jealousy and revenge. They manage to apprehend Laing and bring him to justice, but the case has taken a heavy toll on them both.

Real example:

"Laing was sitting in a chair, his head in his hands. He looked up as Strike and Robin approached, and his eyes widened in terror."