Troubled Blood
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 15, 2020 |
| Founder | J. K. Rowling (as Robert Galbraith) |
| Products | Crime novel |
Troubled Blood is a crime novel authored by British writer J. K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. This book represents the fifth entry in the Cormoran Strike series and was published on 15 September 2020.<ref name=guardian> The story centers on private investigator Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott as they delve into the 1974 disappearance of Dr. Margot Bamborough. The narrative addresses themes such as transformation, grief, and shifting perspectives on feminism.
Upon its debut, Troubled Blood achieved bestseller status and earned the Crime and Thriller Book of the Year Award at the British Book Awards. Additionally, it has been adapted for television in the Strike series.
Plot
Taking place between August 2013 and October 2014, Troubled Blood begins with Strike visiting his terminally ill aunt in Cornwall. During this visit, he is hired to investigate the nearly four-decade-old vanishing of Margot Bamborough. The detective agency run by Strike and Robin has grown to include three contract investigators alongside an office manager; however, both partners face personal difficulties: Strike deals with familial obligations, threats from his ex-fiancée regarding suicide, and the shadow of his famous rock star father, while Robin navigates divorce proceedings, post-traumatic stress disorder, and instability in her private life.
Dennis Creed, a convicted serial killer currently imprisoned, was the primary suspect in Margot’s disappearance. Margot’s daughter Anna and her wife engage Strike’s firm for a year to seek fresh leads. As they juggle ongoing investigations, progress is gradual while they locate witnesses and individuals connected to the case. During this time, Joan passes away; Robin finalizes her divorce after her ex impregnates another woman; Charlotte attempts suicide but survives due to Strike’s timely intervention. Tensions within the agency escalate, culminating in a contract investigator being dismissed for inappropriate conduct toward Robin.
In August 2014, despite the clients terminating their contract prematurely, Strike and Robin continue their pursuit. Major developments include finding Margot’s elusive patient Steve Douthwaite, obtaining statements from Margot’s final receptionist, and receiving authorization for Strike to question Creed at Broadmoor Hospital. This interrogation uncovers remains of another victim, offering closure to that family. Further inquiry leads to discovering Margot’s body and identifying Janice Beattie—a nurse at Margot's practice—as the perpetrator. Janice had been administering poison to patients over many years after Margot suspected her involvement in several deaths.
The arrests generate substantial media coverage centered on Strike and Robin, causing both to temporarily relocate to evade reporters. The novel concludes with a celebration of Robin's 30th birthday, where Strike presents meaningful gifts and they dine at the Ritz, contemplating how to balance professional goals with personal relationships.
Main
- Cormoran Strike – A private investigator with minor celebrity status due to his famous rock star father and high-profile cases; a military veteran.
- Robin Ellacott – Strike’s partner in business; trained in criminal investigation and a survivor of assault.
- Margot Bamborough – Physician who disappeared in 1974.
- Anna Phipps – Adult daughter of Margot Bamborough and Roy Phipps.
Suspects and witnesses
- Dennis Creed – A serial murderer currently confined to Broadmoor Hospital.
- Nico "Mucky" Ricci – A former criminal and proprietor of a strip club, presently residing in a nursing facility.
- Luca Ricci – Son of Nico Ricci, involved in London's criminal underworld.
- Gwilherm Athorn – An individual with mental illness who asserts responsibility for Margot's death.
- Roy Phipps – Margot’s spouse in 1974; a haematologist who subsequently wed Anna’s former nanny.
- Cynthia Phipps – Previously Anna’s nanny and now married to Roy Phipps.
- Paul Satchwell – Photographer and Margot’s former romantic partner.
- Joseph Brenner & Dinesh Gupta – Medical doctors and partners at Margot’s general practice.
- Janice Beattie – District nurse employed at Margot’s practice.
- Irene Bull & Gloria Conti – Reception staff working at Margot’s surgery.
- Steve Douthwaite – Patient registered with Margot.
- Wilma Baylis – Cleaner responsible for Margot’s home and practice premises.
- Oonagh Kennedy – Long-standing friend whom Margot intended to meet before vanishing.
Other
- Matthew Cunliffe – Robin's estranged spouse; their marriage ends in divorce within the narrative.
- Charlotte Campbell Ross – Strike's former girlfriend, now married and mother of twins.
- Lucy – Cormoran Strike’s younger half-sister on his mother’s side.
- Lucy’s sons: Luke, Jack, Adam.
- Ted Nancarrow, Joan Nancarrow, Dave "Chum" Polworth, Al Rokeby, Prudence Donleavy, Jonny Rokeby, Bill Talbot, Nick Herbert, Ilsa Herbert, Max Priestwood, Pat Chauncey, Sam Barclay, Saul Morris, Kim Sullivan, and "Shanker" – A network of extended family members, friends, colleagues, and associates linked to Strike and Robin, engaged either personally or professionally during the investigation.
Background
Following the book's publication, Rowling characterized its primary themes as revolving around "change, loss and absence," with an exploration of the evolving nature of feminism. She revealed that the character Dennis Creed draws partial inspiration from real-life killers Jerry Brudos and Russell Williams.
Reception
In its debut week, Troubled Blood sold 64,633 copies, securing the position of the UK’s best-selling book and achieving the highest first-week sales for any Galbraith novel—almost twice that of its predecessor, Lethal White. It retained the top spot in week two with an additional 25,430 copies sold. The novel was honored with the Crime and Thriller Book of the Year Award at the British Book Awards in May 2021 and earned nominations for two Crime Writers’ Association accolades: the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and Gold Dagger awards. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal featured it among their 'Best Books of 2020: Mysteries'.
Critical feedback was largely favorable though varied. Commentators applauded the depth of characterisation, emotional intensity, and narrative craftsmanship. The Daily Telegraph recognized compelling characters but remarked on its considerable length; The Guardian found it absorbing yet lengthy; The Sunday Times described it as a significant addition to the Strike series; while The Wall Street Journal labeled it "formidable entertainment." The Washington Post praised Rowling’s assured narrative voice, and The Scotsman highlighted her evident enjoyment in writing. Conversely, USA Today regarded it as a "laborious read" compared to earlier entries in the series. Stephen King commended Rowling as "a wonderful storyteller and a gifted stylist."
Some media outlets expressed concerns over the depiction of a male antagonist disguising himself as a woman to murder women, interpreting this as transphobic—especially in light of Rowling’s prior statements on transgender topics. Critics pointed to harmful anti-trans stereotypes and suggested the story implied suspicion toward men in female attire. However, defenders argued that accusations of transphobia were unfounded since Dennis Creed is only one among several suspects and that the novel does not delve into transgender issues politically. Analysts cautioned against drawing conclusions from limited reviews, emphasizing that there is no indication Creed identifies as transgender.
In other media
The novel Troubled Blood was transformed into the TV series Strike, featuring Tom Burke in the role of Cormoran Strike and Holliday Grainger portraying Robin Ellacott. Production commenced in February 2022.