Which fictional detective stars in J.K. Rowling’s Robert Galbraith crime novels?

Cormoran Strike is the fictional detective who stars in J.K. Rowling’s Robert Galbraith crime novels. He first appears in The Cuckoo’s Calling, published in 2013 under Rowling’s pseudonym.

Strike is a former Special Investigation Branch investigator who becomes a private detective in London. The series also follows Robin Ellacott, who begins working with Strike as a temporary secretary and develops into a central investigative partner.

The character’s name reflects his unusual background: “Cormoran” comes from a giant in Cornish folklore, while Strike is his family surname. The novels are contemporary detective stories rather than fantasy fiction, making the series distinct from Rowling’s Harry Potter books even though the same author created both.