The Silkworm: Chapters 7-9: Our first looks at Liz Tassel and Kathryn Kent

"No, or I'd've bloody well asked them, wouldn't I? You're the detective, you find him!" 

Is it just me, or is Leonora a bit rude here, considering Strike was willing to take this case on with no guarantee of payment?

I also found it interesting that Strike chose to get one of Quine's books---  and apparently one of his worst, The Brothers Balzac--- at this stage of the investigation. While he knows that Quine's disappearance is linked to the controversy surrounding his latest manuscript, there is no indication yet that that the contents of Bombyx Mori itself could be a clue, let alone the contents of a book published some twenty years earlier. This seems to be an effort to "get into the head" of the victim---  much like when Strike reviewed Lula Landry's emails in CC, and Robin sampled Margot Bamborough's favorite perfume and music in TB. Except, Strike doesn't even know he is a victim yet

Re-reads are often notable for the new insights you see in the killer interviews and all the clues that jump out at you. l was struck this time by how dark and disgusting Liz Tassel's office was. Between the puking dog, the shabby decor, the abuse of her staff---  they both are literally having to clean up after her very sick dog--and the hacking cough, it should have been clear there was something really off about this organization from the get-go. While Strike sees the pictures and the dog bed as indicating sentimentality in this Dragon Lady, in retrospect, even Old Beau is being mistreated. 

Liz is quite open about the fact that her cooperation with Strike is for her own benefit, since she much more concerned about restring her own reputation. And has Strike ever had an interviewee who was courteous enough to express a death wish for the victim on the way out?

Lady Ottoline Morrell, the subject of the blue plaque outside, is well worth reading abut. Liz Tassell probably has dreams of being the Lady Ottoline of her day, with intimate relationships with respected authors and the ability to inspire their works. Interestingly, Aldous Huxley's first novel, Chrome Yellow contains a thinly disguised caricature of Lady Ottoline, which apparently drew her ire when it was published. 

Just as an aside, the historical plaques on London homes are very interesting to see if you are touring.  My favorite was one on the house where Benedict Arnold lived out his days, which refers to him as an "American patriot." 

And notice that Strike never goes back to Leonora to tell her Liz is refusing to pay. 

Strike goes back to his bread-and-butter work, tailing Miss Brocklehurst, the first job for the client who will eventually become known as Two Times. It seems that, at this time, the team is not using code names for clients.

Strike decides to detour to Kath Kent's house, where he peruses Robin's wedding invitation while waiting for her to show up. It is interesting that Strike apparently resembles Quine in silhouette. The most important takeaway from this encounter is "Pippa's going to f*cking kill you"---  which, of course, she attempts, three times. 

Next time: Drinks with the Flobberworm and Roper Chard!