What is Cormoran Strike’s occupation in J.K. Rowling’s crime novels?

Cormoran Strike is a private detective in J.K. Rowling’s crime novels.

Strike first appears in The Cuckoo’s Calling, published in 2013 under Rowling’s pseudonym Robert Galbraith. He operates a private investigation agency in London and takes on cases that often involve missing people, murder, and powerful or complicated clients.

Before becoming a private investigator, Strike served in the Special Investigation Branch of the British Army. He lost part of one leg during military service in Afghanistan, a detail that shapes his daily life and the practical challenges he faces in the stories. His military background also contributes to his investigative skills.

Robin Ellacott becomes central to the agency and develops from temporary secretary into a highly capable investigative partner. The novels are crime mysteries rather than Harry Potter fantasy, although they share the same author. The television adaptation is titled Strike in the United Kingdom.