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)

Brilliant mystery crime

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

The quirky and kindly relationship between the detective hero Strike and his ambitious assistant Robin.

What did you like best about this story?

The intriguing characters and fascinating plot.

What does Robert Glenister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robert Glenister's intellect and forensic knowledge of the great classics and mythology is evident throughout

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jealousy, greed and revenge in literary London

Any additional comments?

Strike is my hero for his extraordinary morality and immense bravery.

An absolute favourite.

My goodness I love this book. I reckon this was my 5th listen! A friend of mine has done it over a dozen times!
So engaging, such a subtle and intricate development of the narrative. Such great characters and wonderful narration.
Highly recommended, along with its predecessor.

Compelling reading!

Excellent narrative - intriguing plot, well read and compelling. Highly recommended. Great plot and lots of suspense. Fantastic author as always.

A good read made perfect by an outstanding narrato

Robert Glenister is an outstanding narrator who is able to give each character a distinctive voice. If someone is chuckling, you hear it, if someone is drunk, you hear it, too. Have him read more books, please -- and definitely any future Cormoran Strike novels.

A convoluted story

I was gripped by this story. Looking forward to reading more about Cormorant Strike and Ribin

Comoran Strike series are the best books I've read in decades.

I love the characters to start with. Each story builds on the last and developes the characters while giving a great crime puzzle to solve. The best!!

Another great mystery with Cormoran Strike.

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

The mystery is very well developed with unexpected twists. The setting in a writers and publishers milieu was very interesting. I love the flowing style of writing and the oftentimes moving emotions of the protagonist. Will he ever learn to deal with the damage done to him by his freakish ex and the in his mind, reoccurring scene were the IED explodes?

What did you like best about this story?

The way Cormoran Strike handles his cases and him being a veteran. The development of his assistant Robin also adds to the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The surprising ending and disclosure of the murder.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to but couldn't since it was a 17.16 hrs listen.

Any additional comments?

When can I read #3 ?

Absolutely brilliant

From a normal non reader. this book is absolutely brilliant and comes highly recommended .

Eccentric masterpiece

If you could sum up The Silkworm in three words, what would they be?

Eccentric, macabre, masterpiece

What does Robert Glenister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robert Glenister gives an excellent performance. His reading of the characters and various British accents are performed well. An enjoyable listen.

Any additional comments?

This surpasses The Cuckoo's Calling for mystery and intrigue.

Hurry up with book three!!!

What did you love best about The Silkworm?

Oh, only everything.

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

It's hard to single anything out as most memorable. The whole book is a pleasure from start to finish.

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

Robert Glenister is a fabulous narrator. In fact, if they ever make movies of these books, I hope he plays Strike. There isn't one characterisation that is not spot on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Is wanting to get back to listening to it as often as possible extreme?

Any additional comments?

I read the other day that J K Rowling (Galbraith) is planning a longer series than Harry Potter for Cormoran Strike. That makes me very happy.