Who is the central detective in J.K. Rowling’s Strike crime novels?

Cormoran Strike is the central detective in J.K. Rowling’s Strike crime novels.

The series presents Strike as a private investigator based in London. He is a former Special Investigation Branch investigator who left military service after losing part of his leg in Afghanistan. That background shapes both his investigative skills and the physical challenges he faces.

Strike’s professional and personal partnership with Robin Ellacott is a continuing thread. Robin begins as his temporary secretary and develops into a highly capable investigative partner. Their relationship is central to the series, although Strike remains the title character and primary detective.

The novels are published under the name Robert Galbraith. The first is The Cuckoo’s Calling, which investigates the death of model Lula Landry. The character should not be confused with detectives from other crime series, such as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.