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SPOILER ALERT Hallmarked Man (Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott)

803 replies

Civilservant · 01/09/2025 13:44

Spoiler thread for posters who have read or listened to The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith (J K Rowling) and would like to discuss it!

OP posts:
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RobinEllacotStrike · 10/09/2025 12:44

Zimniy · 06/09/2025 16:03

How on earth did you work that out? I was, for once, completely blindsided! Do you have a crystal ball?

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I had an inkiling when we were first introduced. About halfway through I was convinced that there was a person hiding in one of the crates. Then the "small bloody footprint" & the plethora of short male characters confirmed for me who the murderer was, though I had no idea how or why.

RobinEllacotStrike · 10/09/2025 13:20

outofofficeagain · 09/09/2025 10:34

Yes, Brexit was TRG, so this Christmas must be Christmas 2016, into 2017, you're right.

Unlikely to be locked down together then!

I predict the last chapter of the last book will have a reference to Wuhan .......

outofofficeagain · 10/09/2025 13:40

RobinEllacotStrike · 10/09/2025 12:44

I had an inkiling when we were first introduced. About halfway through I was convinced that there was a person hiding in one of the crates. Then the "small bloody footprint" & the plethora of short male characters confirmed for me who the murderer was, though I had no idea how or why.

Show quote history

I guessed the silver was still in the vault behind the cupboards 🏅

RobinEllacotStrike · 10/09/2025 13:47

Thoughts I need to express after finishing the book last night -

  • the merciless death of Father Ted (was there an oblique nod to Glinner there?);
  • the meeting with Rokeby was so sudden & so marvellous - I got really teary;
  • Robin has so much trauma to acknowledge & deal with;
  • the bracelet that Robin adores, is bowled over by and then she hides it away - like she hides her true self & feelings from everyone;
  • Fat Matthew & the double vodka drinking heavily pregnant woman were unexpected;
  • I need confirmation that Strike actually saw the DNA results & didn't take Bijou's word for it (I'm re reading slowly now);
  • The Decima/Rupert thing was unexpected & horrific;
  • I loved all the reappearances of Strikes former lady friends - Ciara, Nina, Magdelen;
  • Kim Porter made everyone tense - me included;
  • Wardle coming on board was fantastic & he will continue to be a massive asset to the Agency;
  • not enough Midge/Pat/Barclay;
  • Why did Strike take the hidden hallway cameras down (outside the office installed in TRG)?

I did think Strike was being manipulative - his whole reason to take the case was to get access & closer to Robin. He was also very focused where Robin was far from it. And everytime Strike got close to being honest with Robin something came up for her, and he was there for her. So while Strike was being focused & shady, he still put Robin's needs first. Contrast with Ryan who was also being manipulative & super shady but always put his own needs/wants first and rode roughshod over Robin & her needs. It was always about what he wanted. Strike might have fucked up but he was putting Robin first. Whereas Murphy "succeeds" by putting himself first knowing Robin is stuck in "be kind" mode which is rendering her helpless in her trauma and increasingly vulnerable to Ryan's love bombing & his projected vulnerability. Plus Ryan seems so bloody whiney to me - Robin will soon get "the ick" for sure if she hasn't already.

As ever we are reminded by JKR, when we are motivated by "be kind" to consider who we are being "unkind" to in that decision - both sides of the same coin.

One thing I love about Strike books (and Potter I guess) is how well they stand up to a reread, and more is revealed every time.

I disagree that she needs an editor - its the little extra details that really brings everything to life & makes the books & characters so rich. Gimmie more!

RobinEllacotStrike · 10/09/2025 14:00

RoseAndGeranium · 09/09/2025 22:52

Ok, I have a question. Has anyone else ever been in a real life will-they-won't-they sort of situation and found themselves looking back on it with fresh eyes after reading these books?! I was in 'friendships' of this kind at least twice. One of those I think was mostly a question of timing. The other I eventually wrote off as him just not being very interested. But then one night in bed after reading one of these novels I found myself thinking about it and suddenly wondering about a few things that happened between us, and now I'm not so sure. It doesn't matter it was almost 20 years ago, I'm happily married, and so (as far as I know) is the man I was then in love with but for about an hour I felt weirdly sad about it. Which goes to show, I think, how well J K Rowling does it, and I just wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience.

Actually as someone with unresolved trauma that has affected realtionships etc all my life I find this aspect of the whole series very difficult.

One of the thoughts I had last night about the whole Strike/Robin love was this really does play into unrealistic romantic expectations. Just like those of us of a certain age have actually had to disreagard & unlearn the "knight on a silver charger" and "Disney princess" myths we were thoroughly (and unhelpfully) groomed with in our childhoods, I do find the "best friends in unspeakable love" narrative a load of bullshit. As the Realtionships board had told me over and over, if a man fancies you he will let you know.

But I am prepared to overlook this as its probably a reaction that is personal to me, and everything else is so good.

TheHallmarkedMan · 10/09/2025 16:55

I figured out the killer when they went to his house and Strike noticed a Belgian souvenir.

Original poster
Civilservant · 10/09/2025 17:05

Agree about that @RobinEllacotStrike although if you disliked the friends in love trope THAT much your username might be different!

I’ve always thought that if the ‘friendship’ includes romantic/sexual attraction from one or both people, especially if it’s that way right from the start, it’s a different type of friendship.

OP posts:
Woompund · 10/09/2025 17:39

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 10/09/2025 11:29

Oh, and as a real detective, I was upset that she used the term Breaking and Entering which is an Americanism as far as I'm concerned (we would just say burglary)
Also in Strike's police interview the interviewing officer said he'd waived his right to silence, or similar, which is a glaringly odd thing that a police officer would never say!

There was another term about waiving his right to a solicitor when we he was being interviewed as a witness; you're not entitled to free and independent solicitor when you're a witness/victim although you can bring your own if you want to.

Just.. odd language Smile

I'm sure one of the police officers said 'press charges' too which does my head in. These are the kinds of things an editor should pick up.

Woompund · 10/09/2025 18:10

Civilservant · 10/09/2025 17:05

Agree about that @RobinEllacotStrike although if you disliked the friends in love trope THAT much your username might be different!

I’ve always thought that if the ‘friendship’ includes romantic/sexual attraction from one or both people, especially if it’s that way right from the start, it’s a different type of friendship.

One thing that was glaringly obvious was that Robin and Strike are NOT best friends and Robin doesn't have the good female friends she needs. She can't discuss her relationship issues or feelings about Strike with Ilsa, Vanessa is busy with her baby and there are so many things unsaid between R and S that best friends is miles away from what they are. They have elements of amazing friendship but Robin needs a proper conversation with a woman she trusts who knows her. Or she needs mumsnet!

outofofficeagain · 10/09/2025 20:15

I’m listening again on Audible.

When Robin is arguing with her Mum she accuses her of still wanting to be the person she was after the rape.

She says ‘I’m not still in that bloody stairwell’

Another reason why Strike could have chosen his location more wisely.

QueenMabby · 10/09/2025 20:54

I shall be really disappointed if Robin and Murphy break up due to his infidelity or similar. That’s just Matthew 2.0. I want Robin to acknowledge to herself what she wants and to end it with Murphy for her own reasons and not because of something being done to her.

RoseAndGeranium · 10/09/2025 21:51

outofofficeagain · 10/09/2025 20:15

I’m listening again on Audible.

When Robin is arguing with her Mum she accuses her of still wanting to be the person she was after the rape.

She says ‘I’m not still in that bloody stairwell’

Another reason why Strike could have chosen his location more wisely.

I thought it was a look back to the moment Robin followed Strike out of her wedding and she walked down the stairs and he back up and then they hugged.

outofofficeagain · 10/09/2025 22:05

No she was raped in the stairwell of her university

RoseAndGeranium · 10/09/2025 22:37

outofofficeagain · 10/09/2025 22:05

No she was raped in the stairwell of her university

Yes, I got that. But I thought it more obviously echoed the scene from Robin’s wedding.

Cattywillow · 11/09/2025 07:01

I love all the stairs/ steps. They symbolise progress, overcoming obstacles. Moving up signifies moving into the future, down to the past. Their first ever encounter is on the stairs. She is climbing up out of her past, he knocks her off her feet and she almost falls back down but he catches her, pulls her up to where he is, so she can join him in doing what they both love. When they hug on the steps at her wedding the steps even out their heights so they are eye to eye. This is when they come together as equal partners in the business and it’s also the moment they each realise they love one another. The steps outside the Ritz harks back to that because they are surrounded by flowers etc. they walk down them together and then almost kiss. Now we have her running down stairs, back to the past while he waits on the stairs. She needs to climb them (actually or
metaphorically) to meet him, but she’s not ready yet. She needs to make more progress. I’d love for it to finally happen at his flat, Robin climbing the stairs up to find him, making the effort.

The stairwell where she was raped suggests the bottom of the stairs. The past that she’s trying to climb out of.

RoseAndGeranium · 11/09/2025 07:40

Cattywillow · 11/09/2025 07:01

I love all the stairs/ steps. They symbolise progress, overcoming obstacles. Moving up signifies moving into the future, down to the past. Their first ever encounter is on the stairs. She is climbing up out of her past, he knocks her off her feet and she almost falls back down but he catches her, pulls her up to where he is, so she can join him in doing what they both love. When they hug on the steps at her wedding the steps even out their heights so they are eye to eye. This is when they come together as equal partners in the business and it’s also the moment they each realise they love one another. The steps outside the Ritz harks back to that because they are surrounded by flowers etc. they walk down them together and then almost kiss. Now we have her running down stairs, back to the past while he waits on the stairs. She needs to climb them (actually or
metaphorically) to meet him, but she’s not ready yet. She needs to make more progress. I’d love for it to finally happen at his flat, Robin climbing the stairs up to find him, making the effort.

The stairwell where she was raped suggests the bottom of the stairs. The past that she’s trying to climb out of.

Top post.

Buffypaws · 11/09/2025 07:41

Indeed

Magi84 · 11/09/2025 08:44

Cattywillow · 11/09/2025 07:01

I love all the stairs/ steps. They symbolise progress, overcoming obstacles. Moving up signifies moving into the future, down to the past. Their first ever encounter is on the stairs. She is climbing up out of her past, he knocks her off her feet and she almost falls back down but he catches her, pulls her up to where he is, so she can join him in doing what they both love. When they hug on the steps at her wedding the steps even out their heights so they are eye to eye. This is when they come together as equal partners in the business and it’s also the moment they each realise they love one another. The steps outside the Ritz harks back to that because they are surrounded by flowers etc. they walk down them together and then almost kiss. Now we have her running down stairs, back to the past while he waits on the stairs. She needs to climb them (actually or
metaphorically) to meet him, but she’s not ready yet. She needs to make more progress. I’d love for it to finally happen at his flat, Robin climbing the stairs up to find him, making the effort.

The stairwell where she was raped suggests the bottom of the stairs. The past that she’s trying to climb out of.

This post absolutely nails it. Superb.

SquishyGloopyBum · 11/09/2025 09:55

Who do we think the phone call was from at the end? No message left. Could it have been Robin? Or too obvious?

I was really less interested in the murder in this one. Found it very hard to follow all the characters. Was very invested in the strike/robin stuff though.

Cattywillow · 11/09/2025 10:31

SquishyGloopyBum · 11/09/2025 09:55

Who do we think the phone call was from at the end? No message left. Could it have been Robin? Or too obvious?

I was really less interested in the murder in this one. Found it very hard to follow all the characters. Was very invested in the strike/robin stuff though.

Robin would call mobile surely. Maybe Rokeby? He may not have Strike’s mobile yet. Or the start of a new case.

outofofficeagain · 11/09/2025 10:41

One of my predictions is that something will have happened to Rokeby - it could have been a journalist asking for a comment, or someone phoning to tell him.

Rokeby dying when there was only a half reconciliation, and Robin accepting Murphy's proposal would destabilise Strike and drive them further apart for book 9.

Cattywillow · 11/09/2025 10:45

outofofficeagain · 11/09/2025 10:41

One of my predictions is that something will have happened to Rokeby - it could have been a journalist asking for a comment, or someone phoning to tell him.

Rokeby dying when there was only a half reconciliation, and Robin accepting Murphy's proposal would destabilise Strike and drive them further apart for book 9.

Oh gosh I hope not! 😢

zipmedown · 11/09/2025 10:56

How was griffs ‘daughter’ posting pictures from her interrailing holiday if she was buried in the basement?

RaspberryRipple2 · 11/09/2025 11:10

zipmedown · 11/09/2025 10:56

How was griffs ‘daughter’ posting pictures from her interrailing holiday if she was buried in the basement?

I think Strike said they were reverse image searched as other peoples photos with her super-imposed on them.

NotMyRealAccount · 11/09/2025 11:49

It took me a little bit of head-scratching to make sense of Chloe's back story, but I think I was reading quite fast by then.

The recurring staircase theme, yes! Something I'd have spotted when fresh out of school and accustomed to pulling symbolism out of stories, but failed to recognise after decades of just going for characters and a plot and skipping over subtexts.