*Spoilers spoilers spoilers* the running grave spoilers thread.. (Content warning - mentions suicide)

[EggTheParrot]

Just as the title says really.. spoilers ok in this thread. Let's keep the other one spoiler free??

Oh my god why is Robyn going undercover!

I loved Pat in this book. She is no nonsense, kind and very helpful to Will Qing (Sally) and Lin. My favourite part was when Will was chanting, and she told him to stop that and help her with the washing up. She and Dennis are always respectful, but they ground Will and bring him back to real, safe life.

I like Pat too. She reminds me of so many women I met when I first started working in the city. Older ladies who were generally secretaries or PRs who kept their bosses on the straight and narrow, defended them to the hilt and took no crap.

I think Pat was once described as looking ten years older than her age. Now we know why!

I have a theory that Pat is the new Dobby and will end up sacrificing herself for Strike/Robin.

I see Pat having a Molly Weasley moment "not my daughter, you bitch" and going full ninja on someone.

I could imagine her using her cigarette to burn somebody in a fight, allowing Cormoran to get the upper hand!

On recommendation from this thread I got the first Maeve Kerrigan book for Christmas… became obsessed and have read all the rest on kindle over the Christmas holidays! Desperate need to discuss - I’d be up for a separate thread…?

In terms of comparisons with Galbraith, my main thought is that Casey probably hadn’t planned the series arc (ie the relationship(s)) in the way that Galbraith clearly has with Strike and Robin as I think there are some plot holes/inconsistencies (tho perhaps only noticeable if you binge read 13 books in 10 days!). That said i absolutely don’t care and am dying for the next one in March (and please please let there be resolution in that one).

one question on the chronology for anyone who has read them - do you think The Outsider (the Rob spin off story), is meant to be AFTER the Close, or before? I can’t work it out/decide and it’s bothering me…

Yes @Zitouna go for a separate thread, I've got the first one and they are on my list to read, I can definitely imagine binging them shortly.

Done! Thread here for Maeve Kerrigan fans:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4978768-i-need-to-talk-about-maeve-kerrigan-spoilers

Do we know when we can expect the next book?

Think it's September 😀

Sorry thought you were talking about Strike!

Next Strike in September??!! Great news

I have also started on the Maeve Kerrigan. Slightly delayed as had a lot on.

Very much enjoying it so far so another thanks for the recommendation

@tempnameforadvice the next Maeve book is 13 March (not that I’ve pre-ordered or anything…)

Hello I'm late to this as I was waiting for the book to become available at the library. I've read it now so was keen to see if there was a discussion thread (not sure if it's too late to add to this one though).

I thought the section of Robin at the farm was fantastic, so tense and what a build up. Her escape was a brilliant read especially her rescue by Strike. That was the real climax of the story.

Like other posters I'm expecting there will be some delayed difficulties for Robin as she processes what she's been through. Would be interesting if we get to see some of the trials as we don't generally, and I feel there wasn't much pay-off regarding the villains getting what they deserved!

I thought the baby trafficking and also the whole mystery of Daiyu was a bit over the top in the end, reminded me of a horror film so a bit difficult to identify with it. Also a bit frustrating that the killer was so unguessable! I thought Daiyu was going to be still living in hiding or under an alias. Clearly falling for the red herrings there!

Loved the ending and looking forward to seeing what happens next after Strike's bombshell! This is the first one I had to wait for as I came to the series quite recently when they were all already out.

As for casting - I was picturing Kyle MacLachlan (from Twin Peaks and other things) as 'Papa J'. He's handsome but can do menacing very well and is the right kind of age!

I think she did give us a few clues. Abigail mentions the name of the town they are visiting Sheree in during the phone conversation as they are driving there, saying "never heard of it".

And Strike first meets her in the Forrester's.

I think there's also an important point about his biases the 'other way' in that her lodger does give him information but it is dismissed within the wider context (of him being an arse and she if having pulled herself up).

It's just there are so many clever false trails it's well hidden!

I did think surely the temple would have been part of police raids for evidence but I think getting Mazu was the best kind of therapy.

I do feel for Holliday Grainger when she has to play this one. It's going to be challenging!

Does anyone else hope that Robin will be the one to piece all the clues together and solve a case soon? It always seems that Strike puts it all together, and I can understand why in earlier books, but she is such a brilliant detective now she deserves that moment, in my opinion!

Yes to Kyle MacLachlan!!
Or Ciaran Hines.

@Calmdown14 I'll try to remember the little details like the Foresters when reading the next one! That's the trouble with a page-turner, I don't want to stop to think too long!

@blackbirdsinginginthenight yes that would be cool and would fit with Robin's progression in her career and at the agency.

I've always thought the murder Robin will solve is 'who killed Leda Strike'. I'm convinced that's one of the overarching storylines along with 'will they / won't they' that needs to be tied up.

Absolutely need to solve Lena’s murder. Maybe the last book.

Definitely.

JK has posted on Twitter that book #8 is complete!

and that she’s started drafting #9, which is especially exciting as I thought #8 was due to be the last.