Career of Evil
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 20 October 2015 |
| Founder | J.K. Rowling (as Robert Galbraith) |
| Products | Crime novel |
| Parent | Sphere Books |
Career of Evil is a crime novel authored by British writer J.K. Rowling, published under the alias Robert Galbraith. This book serves as the third entry in the Cormoran Strike detective series and was released on 20 October 2015 through Sphere Books. The series continued with subsequent titles: Lethal White (2018), Troubled Blood (2020), The Ink Black Heart (2022), and The Running Grave (2023).
Plot
Following the murder of a woman, Robin Ellacott—who works full-time as both investigator and secretary for private detective Cormoran Strike—comes under threat from an unidentified attacker. Strike, who is navigating a budding romance with radio host Elin while still harboring feelings for Robin, faces conflict as Robin’s fiancé Matthew disapproves of her detective work.
Robin receives a disturbing parcel containing a severed female leg accompanied by a note quoting the Blue Öyster Cult track "Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)." Recognizing this song as a favorite of his deceased mother Leda, Strike suspects someone connected to his past. He narrows down four possible suspects linked to his history in the SIB:
- Terrence "Digger" Malley, a criminal known for sending body parts through the mail, currently imprisoned after Strike anonymously testified against him;
- Noel Brockbank, a Gulf War veteran and convicted serial paedophile who blames Strike for personal losses;
- Donald Laing, formerly with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment, dishonorably discharged and incarcerated following Strike’s arrest for domestic violence charges;
- Jeff Whittaker, Strike’s stepfather and primary suspect in Leda’s fatal overdose, acquitted but still viewed with suspicion by Strike.
Dissatisfied with the police's exclusive focus on Malley, Strike and Robin initiate their own inquiry. They examine years’ worth of unusual letters stored in their 'nutters' drawer,' including correspondence from a young woman who once sought Strike’s assistance to amputate her leg due to body dysmorphia. They fear the severed leg may be hers.
Main characters
Cormoran Strike – Afghanistan war veteran and former SIB investigator, honourably discharged after losing half of his right leg in a bomb explosion.
Robin Ellacott – Strike’s assistant and former secretary who recently completed a criminal investigation course funded by Strike.
Donald Laing – Scottish ex-soldier from the Borders region who first encountered Strike during military service.
Noel Brockbank – Ex-major from Barrow-in-Furness with service in the Gulf War and Bosnia; long-standing adversary of Strike.
Terence "Digger" Malley – Professional criminal affiliated with the Harringay Crime Syndicate.
Jeff Whittaker – Step-father to Strike and widower of his mother, Leda.
'Shanker' – Former flatmate of Strike’s who provides assistance to Strike and Robin in exchange for payment.
Eric Wardle – Police detective inspector initially leading the severed leg investigation; maintained friendly relations with Strike but left following his brother’s death.
Roy Carver – Successor to Wardle; detective inspector involved in the Lula Landry case who harbors resentment toward Strike.
Matthew Cunliffe – Robin’s fiancé and accountant who remains skeptical about her relationship with Strike.
Reception
Christobel Kent, writing for The Guardian, characterized the novel as "silly yet entertaining," commending its intricate storyline and assured narrative structure that captivates the audience.
On 30 May, Career of Evil earned a place on the shortlist for the Theakston Old Peculier award recognizing the crime novel of the year.
Sequel
In March 2017, Rowling disclosed on Twitter that the upcoming fourth installment would be titled Lethal White.
By 23 March 2018, she confirmed that the manuscript for Lethal White had been finalized.
Television
The book series was transformed into a television adaptation for BBC One, beginning with The Cuckoo's Calling, which was announced on 10 December 2014. Rowling took on the role of executive producer through her production company Brontë Film and Television, collaborating with Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts. The three episodes were written by Ben Richards (The Cuckoo’s Calling) and Tom Edge (The Silkworm and Career of Evil). Direction duties were handled by Michael Keillor, Kieron Hawkes, and Charles Sturridge respectively, with Jackie Larkin as producer.
In September 2016, Tom Burke was selected to portray Cormoran Strike, followed by the announcement in November 2016 that Holliday Grainger would assume the role of Strike's assistant, Robin Ellacott.