What was J.K. Rowling’s first published novel under the name Robert Galbraith?

The Cuckoo’s Calling was J.K. Rowling’s first published novel under the name Robert Galbraith.

The crime novel was published in April 2013 and introduces private investigator Cormoran Strike. Strike is hired to investigate the death of Lula Landry, a famous model whose death was initially treated as suicide. Robin Ellacott joins his office and becomes an important part of the investigation.

The book was initially released as the work of an unknown former military investigator named Robert Galbraith. Rowling’s authorship was revealed later in 2013 after a linguistic analysis was reported publicly. Her representatives confirmed that Galbraith was a pseudonym.

The novel is often described as a detective story with a detailed London setting. Its publication demonstrated Rowling’s ability to write successfully in a genre distinct from children’s fantasy, while later books continued the Strike series.