Troubled Blood

Winner of the Crime and Thriller British Book of the Year Award 2021

Private Detective Cormoran Strike is visiting his family in Cornwall when he is approached by Anna Phipps, seeking help in finding her mother, Margot Bamborough, who vanished mysteriously in 1974. Taking on a cold case is a first for Strike and, with it being over forty years old, the odds of solving it seem slim. However, his intrigue compels him to accept this challenge, adding to the plethora of cases already handled by his agency alongside his determined partner, Robin Ellacott.

As the duo digs deeper into Margot's disappearance, they navigate through a web of complexities, including enigmatic tarot cards, a potential psychopathic serial killer, and unreliable witnesses. All the while, the partners must manage their professional relationship's growing tension, Robin’s tumultuous divorce, and the unwelcome attention she receives from some men.

In their pursuit of the truth, Strike and Robin uncover that old cases can still hold deadly consequences, proving that time does not always heal old wounds. The investigation becomes a labyrinthine quest that tests their resolve and detective skills.

A breathtaking novel, Troubled Blood is the fifth instalment in the Cormoran Strike series. Robert Galbraith masterfully creates a thrilling, intricate tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending suspense with finely developed characters and an emotional narrative.

Praise for the Strike series:

"One of crime's most engaging duos" Guardian

"Magnificent" Sunday Times

"Finely honed, superbly constructed" Daily Mail

"Terrific" Daily Express

"A blistering piece of crime writing" Sunday Times

"The work of a master storyteller" Daily Telegraph

"Unputdownable" Daily Express

"Highly inventive storytelling" Guardian

"Superb... an ingenious whodunnit" Sunday Mirror

"Come for the twists and turns and stay for the beautifully drawn central relationship" Independent

"Outrageously entertaining" Financial Times