What is the name of the detective at the centre of J.K. Rowling’s crime novels?
Answer
Cormoran Strike
Cormoran Strike is the detective at the centre of J.K. Rowling’s crime novels.
Strike is a private investigator and former military policeman who first appears in The Cuckoo’s Calling, published in 2013 under the name Robert Galbraith. He operates in London and often works with Robin Ellacott, whose development from temporary secretary into investigative partner is a major thread across the series.
The character’s name reflects his Cornish background: Cormoran is associated with Cornish legend, while Strike is his surname. He is portrayed as physically imposing and as having lost part of one leg during military service in Afghanistan.
The books belong to the crime-fiction genre rather than the fantasy genre of Harry Potter. Their cases involve suspicious deaths, missing people, and professional or family secrets. Television adaptations of the novels were produced under the title Strike.