The Running Grave
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founder | J. K. Rowling (pen name Robert Galbraith) |
| Products | Crime novel |
The Running Grave is a crime novel authored by British writer J. K. Rowling under the pen name Robert Galbraith. It represents the seventh installment in the Cormoran Strike series and was published on 26 September 2023.
Plot
Sir Colin Edensor enlists the services of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott to assist in rescuing his son Will from the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC), an entity suspected of cult-like behavior. Strike remembers residing at Chapman Farm in Norfolk—once a commune and now the UHC’s headquarters—during his youth. His sister Lucy discloses that she suffered abuse there. To gather information and secure Will’s extraction, Robin infiltrates Chapman Farm undercover. Former adherents recount the harsh indoctrination methods employed by the cult, including starvation and sexual exploitation.
At Chapman Farm, Robin encounters key figures within the UHC: its founder Jonathan Wace; his wife Mazu, implicated in Lucy’s abuse; and Becca Pirbright, connected to a deceased former member under suspicious circumstances. Strike probes into several unexplained deaths linked to the UHC, such as numerous suicides and the 1995 drowning of the Waces’ daughter Daiyu, who is venerated as the "Drowned Prophet."
Robin eventually locates Will, who has fathered a child named Qing with a young woman called Lin but resists her attempts to establish contact. Jonathan’s son Taio exhibits inappropriate behavior toward Robin, complicating her mission amid the church’s rigid sexual codes. The group employs fabricated supernatural phenomena and metes out severe punishments to dissenters. Robin uncovers Polaroid images showing youths wearing pig masks engaged in sexual acts, which she manages to smuggle out to Strike. The grueling conditions at the farm take a toll on her physical and mental well-being.
Meanwhile, Strike grapples with his feelings for Robin, who is currently involved with police officer Ryan Murphy. He declines communication from his ex-girlfriend Charlotte despite her claims of illness but later learns of her suicide. Strike interviews ex-UHC members and witnesses connected to Daiyu’s death but encounters dead ends.
After narrowly avoiding sexual coercion by Taio and Jonathan Wace, Robin earns the confidence of Emily Pirbright, who reveals that Daiyu did not actually drown. A confrontation with Will about his mother’s demise leads to violence; subsequently, Robin is subjected to forced immersion and confinement before tending to a dying child named Jacob. Pressured again into sexual compliance, she escapes alongside Strike. They report Jacob’s condition to authorities, but the church suppresses the incident.
In retaliation, the UHC accuses Robin of abusing Jacob. As she recuperates, Robin and Strike interview Cherie Gittins, who maintains that Daiyu drowned but then takes her own life shortly thereafter. Will flees with his daughter but initially avoids reconnecting with family or speaking out against the UHC; he later agrees to assist in rescuing Lin. He discloses that Jacob died following Robin’s escape. Therapy sessions expose the church’s "Divine Secrets," which include sexual abuse of vulnerable women, concealed deaths buried on the farm, and an extensive child trafficking scheme involving unregistered births.
Strike and Robin collaborate with law enforcement for a raid on Chapman Farm. At a London temple, Robin confronts Becca while Strike accuses Abigail of killing Daiyu out of jealousy and staging her death with coercion from Cherie and others. During this confrontation, Robin discovers Mazu hiding with an abducted infant and uncovers Daiyu’s actual fate alongside Becca’s prolonged manipulation.
Following the church’s downfall, Jonathan Wace is taken into custody; Becca remains devoted to the now-discredited UHC. Will reunites with Lin and his family; they rename their daughter Sally in memory of his late mother. Strike meets Charlotte's sister Amelia seeking closure after Charlotte's passing. As Robin prepares for travel with Ryan Murphy, Strike subtly expresses his love for her.
Main
- Cormoran Strike – A private investigator with a modest level of fame, partly owing to his famous rock musician father and involvement in high-profile investigations. A war veteran who lost one leg, he is currently concentrating on enhancing his well-being by shedding weight and transitioning from smoking cigarettes to vaping.
- Robin Ellacott – Initially Strike's assistant and now his business associate, she has formal training in criminal investigation. Having survived an assault, she is presently working undercover within a cult.
Recurring
- Pat Chauncey – The agency’s office administrator, formerly a heavy smoker who has switched to vaping.
- Sam Barclay – A proficient contract investigator hailing from Scotland.
- Michelle "Midge" Greenstreet – Once a police officer with Greater Manchester Police, now a contract investigator renowned for her baking talents.
- Dev Shah – Investigator contracted by the agency.
- Charlotte Campbell Ross – Strike’s neurotic ex-fiancée and socialite, whose mental state deteriorates further throughout this series.
- Lucy – Strike’s maternal half-sister, mother to three sons, who uncovers a disturbing secret about their childhood community.
- Ted Nancarrow – Uncle to both Strike and Lucy, exhibiting early symptoms of dementia later confirmed as Alzheimer's disease.
- Prudence Donleavy – Strike’s paternal half-sister who works professionally as a therapist.
- Nick Herbert – An old schoolmate of Strike’s, currently practicing as a gastroenterologist.
- Ilsa Herbert – Nick’s wife and legal professional; Strike and Robin serve as godparents to their son Benjy.
- "Shanker" – An underworld contact raised by Strike’s mother, providing assistance to Strike and Robin in exchange for payment.
- Eric Wardle – Detective Inspector in the police force who shares intelligence with Strike.
- Ryan Murphy – CID officer romantically involved with Robin, creating tension between her and Strike.
- Fergus Robertson – A journalist who occasionally supplies information to Strike.
Other characters
- Clive Littlejohn – A reserved subcontractor who previously worked for a competing agency.
- Sir Colin Edensor – A retired civil servant who employs Strike’s agency to investigate the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC) and recover his son.
- Will Edensor – Colin’s autistic son residing on the UHC farm, separated from his family.
- Kevin Pirbright – Ex-member of the UHC preparing a revealing exposé before dying from a gunshot wound.
- Louise Pirbright – Kevin’s mother still living on the UHC farm.
- Becca Pirbright – Kevin’s sister and a senior enforcer within the UHC hierarchy.
- Emily Pirbright – Another of Kevin’s sisters with a lower rank in the church structure.
- Jonathan Wace – The manipulative founder and leader of the UHC, known by followers as "Papa J."
- Jennifer Wace – Jonathan’s first wife who drowned during the 1980s.
- Mazu Wace – Jonathan’s formidable wife and co-leader of the UHC; resided on the farm when it functioned as a commune before arrests related to child sexual abuse occurred.
- Daiyu Wace – Daughter of Mazu who drowned at age seven; venerated within UHC teachings as the "Drowned Prophet."
- Taio Wace – Jonathan’s son and prominent UHC enforcer.
- Jiang Wace – Another son of Jonathan with a lower standing within the church compared to his siblings.
- Cherie Gittins (also known as Carine Makepeace) – Allegedly accompanied Daiyu swimming prior to her drowning; departed from the church shortly afterward.
- Abigail Glover – Daughter of Jonathan and Jennifer; currently employed as a firefighter.
- Patrick – Abigail’s lodger and London Underground driver.
- Barry Saxon – Friend to both Patrick and Abigail; also a Tube driver who witnessed aspects of Abigail's past involving the church.
- Alex Graves – Church member who committed suicide by hanging following abduction; canonized as the "Stolen Prophet," left money to Daiyu while claiming paternity disputed by Papa J.
- Dr. Zhou – Physician affiliated with the UHC running an external clinic that provides alternative medical treatments.
- Noli Seymour, an actress, and Giles Harmon, a novelist—both members of the UHC.
- Ralph Doherty, former member who left the church; his wife Deirdre accused Jonathan Wace of abuse; their children Lin and Niamh have complicated connections to the church farm community.
- Additional notable figures include former members, witnesses connected to Daiyu’s drowning, legal associates linked to Strike, clients tied to the church, and various individuals involved in the operations of the UHC.
Reception
The Running Grave achieved sales of 50,925 copies during its initial week in the UK, securing the number one position on the UK Official Top 50 book sales chart.
Joan Smith, writing for The Times, commends Rowling's "remarkable endurance" in the face of "harsh criticism" and her "deep compassion for marginalized individuals." Jake Kerridge from The Daily Telegraph awarded the book 3 out of 5 stars, describing it as "among her most compelling work to date," while expressing concerns about its overall length. Laura Wilson of The Guardian mentioned that although the novel might benefit from some "careful editing," she found it to be "an engaging and, for the most part, captivating experience."