The Silkworm

Cormoran Strike, Book 2

By: Robert Galbraith

Narrated by: Robert Glenister

Length: 17 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Now a major BBC drama: The Strike series.

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, she just thinks he has gone off by himself for a few days - as he has done before - and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realises. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were published it would ruin lives - so there are a lot of people who might want to silence him.

And when Quine is found brutally murdered in bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any he has encountered before....

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, The Silkworm is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant Robin Ellacott.

Please note: This audiobook contains explicit language

2015, CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger, Short-listed

2015, US Audie Awards, Winner

2015, Audible Sounds of Crime Award at Crimefest, Winner

2016, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, Long-listed

©2014 Robert Galbraith Limited (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

“A damn good read … It’s a book to gulp down, and although Rowling may now be a bona fide Olympic-opening-ceremony-level celeb, the skill with which this book is written tells you as much as its subject-matter does that writing is the core of her life. 5 stars.” ( Telegraph)
“A pacey detective story… a tightly stitched updating of the classic tale of the dishevelled but brilliant private dick, smattered with references to 19th-century French literature and pre-Levenson sleuthing tactics, alongside well-realised characters... moreish” ( Independent)
“‘Strike felt a sudden weariness wash over him. What was this mania to appear in print?’ But no such question arises about JK Rowling’s second career as a crime writer. She’s really hitting her stride here.” ( Evening Standard)
“‘Writing as Robert Galbraith has been a pure joy,’ Rowling has said. So has reading him…. The last line of The Silkworm, which will lift the hearts of readers who have come to love its deeply sympathetic characters, offers the prospect of more of that joy both for her and for us.” ( USA Today)
“Astutely observed, well-paced and full of Rowling's trademark acerbic wit, The Silkworm thoroughly engages as a crime novel. But it might be even more enjoyable to read between the lines in search of what Rowling has to say about fame, publishing, and the modern writer's life.” ( People)
“Why is ‘likable’ the first word that comes to mind upon finishing The Silkworm? Surely, that has something to do with Rowling’s palpable pleasure in her newly chosen genre (the jig may be up with her Robert Galbraith pseudonym, but the bloom is still on her homicidal rose) and even more to do with her detective hero, who, at the risk of offending, is the second husband of every author’s dreams.” ( Washington Post)
“Rowling’s fans will find the novel - which isn’t in stores until next Thursday - worth the wait.” ( Daily News)
“ The Silkworm is a deeply satisfying work of crime fiction, more complex and darker than its predecessor. Yet Rowling has a lot of fun, too, especially in her knowing depiction of the incestuous worlds of publishing and the media. She also brings London to life in all its grimy glamour” ( The Australian)

"One of the most unique and compelling detectives I've come across in years." (Mark Billingham on The Cuckoo's Calling)

"Just once in a while a private detective emerges who captures the public imagination in a flash. And here is one who might well do that... An auspicious debut." ( Daily Mail on The Cuckoo's Calling)

"The novel is the work of a master storyteller." ( Daily Telegraph on The Cuckoo's Calling)

" The Cuckoo's Calling reminds me why I fell in love with crime fiction in the first place." (Val McDermid)

a good old detective

What did you love best about The Silkworm?

just very nice, good characters, great story. I enjoyed every minute! I can't wait for nr 3...

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes, the clues were nicely hidden..

Have you listened to any of Robert Glenister’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

yes, both were very good

As always Absolutely great!

As always Absolutely great! Really enjoyed ever moment till the end. Awesome Connor wait for more!

The second in this series did not disappoint

Book One, The Cuckoo’s Calling, deftly, convincingly, introduced detective Cormoran Strike and his offsider, Robin (of course). The Silkworm smoothly continues this narrative and with a new ‘case’, though referring to, and building on, the previous one.

This time, the contrast between Robin’s unwavering decency, echoed ponderously by her tedious fiancée, and Cormoran’s life-induced cynicism and capacity for the self sacrificing pursuit of social and legal justice, is further underlined by characters who take these two to the seamy, low life, indecent under-belly of society.

This side of life got to be bit much for me! I’m not a fragile flower: I was just edging on the bored because involving the reader in vile humans can edge towards the gratuitous – and Galbraith was coming pretty close to that line, much closer, I suggest, than in Book One.

But nothing would deter me from following the lives of these two detectives, who were more interesting.

The book was structured with the skill of a consummate and successful author (AKA Rowling).

The reader, Robert Glenister, complemented the material flawlessly: his acting was superb.

Bring on the next book in the series.

Dont hire this detective!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The softer side of Cormoran came through reluctantly.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book, in particular the complexity of the lead character. His ability to mismanage himself, hiss relationships and his disability was frustrating and also endearing, but he was certainly able to think creatively to solve crimes.

Love it!

Wonderful narrator and awesome story!! Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery!

RG does a superb job again.

Strike and Robyn are wonderful main characters. The dialogue throughout is fascinating and, along with the gripping mood of the book, makes it hard to put down. The narrator is brilliant. Loved it!!

Pretty much perfect

Rowling is at the top of her game, and reintroduces us to some already well-established characters and adds more to them as we go. She's a natural storyteller, plain and simple, and she does so with smooth and seemingly effortless skill.

The narrator is absolutely flawless. His characters never jar, he never over-eggs his narration and always gives them detail and definition without 'acting' them out.

The 'whodunnit' story is set in the world of publishing and you know Rowling is an expert witness in telling us what it's like there.

Thoroughly recommended.

This is turning out to be a great series

What made the experience of listening to The Silkworm the most enjoyable?

I liked the story and the characters. Strike and Robin make a great team and I am looking forward to more books and see their work evolve.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silkworm?

I think the most memorable part was when Strike entered the house and found the body.

Which character – as performed by Robert Glenister – was your favorite?

Strike was my favorite, but that is understandable, since he is the main character. Another good charcter was Christian Fischer.

Well worth it

Good audiobook, a worthy follow up to the Cuckoo. Can't wait for the next one.

A fantastic audiobook

Skillfully written, gripping and entertaining. An absolute joy to listen to from beginning to the end.
Characters and plot that keep you wanting to read/ hear more.
A delight!