Cormoran Strike

As a thirty-five year-old veteran-turned-private detective, Cormoran Strike is the main character of Robert Galbraith's novel, "The Cuckoo's Calling." When the novel begins, Strike is heavily indebted to his rock star father named Rokeby. Strike also has a half-sister, Lucy, who is happily married with three children. Both Strike and Lucy are illegitimate. Strike is also coming off a tempestuous, fifteen year relationship with an almost-fiancee, Charlotte. Strike's detective business is in the gutters as well, for Strike has only one client. But the morning that Robin Ellacot becomes his secretary, things change. John Bristow arrives, tasking Strike with solving the murder of his sister, Lula Landry.

Over the next few weeks, Strike and Robin become friends as well as partners in deducing that John is actually Lula's murderer. Strike ultimately ends up taking on Robin full time, and is able to put his emotional past with...