Prisoner of Azkaban-Ink Black Heart links, Part 2: Howlers, bombs and not falling over on purpose.

As I expected, once we got past the book introduction, there weren't as many clear connections between PoA and TIBH.  Notice, then that I was able to complete the blog series in only two parts, as opposed to the six I needed for PS-LW and the four for CoS-TB. 

The closest character parallel I saw was between Strike and Hermione. Strike  foolishly keeps pushing the limits of his bad knee and hamstring until he collapses and has to get treatment in the hospital for not just the stump itself but the stress-induced muscle spasms in both his leg and face. Hermione, by trying to take every subject Hogwarts offers, drives herself to the breaking point, culminating at the DADA final exam when she falls apart and fails to recognize the boggart, much less defeat it. By book's end, Strike has finally resolved to address the issues and take some steps to improve his health by losing weight and stopping smoking. Hermione decides to turn in the Time-Turner, drop Muggle Studies and Divination and take a normal schedule. 

Prisoner of Azkaban-Ink Black Heart links, Part 1: Interrupted birthdays and well-deserved vacations.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Career of Evil (Books #3 in their respective series) have one very clear over-arching connection: both stories involve a deranged filler out to kill one of our major protagonists. Of course, there are also some contrasts: in PoA, the identity of the "killer" is known (Sirius Black) but the popular belief about him is false (he is not actually a killer, but a wrongly convicted prisoner and he does not want to kill Harry, but rather to save him from the real killer, Peter Pettigrew). No one knows the identity of the man stalking and planning to kill "The Secretary" (Donald Laing) until the book's end, but everyone is 100% about his plans to murder Robin; he, unlike Sirius, is actually responsible for multiple other deaths as well. 

Will Prisoner turn out to also have major connections to The Ink Black Heart, Book 3 on the hypothesized second ring that closes the Cormoran Strike Series?  That remains to be seen.  Here, I am going to examine the "prologues of both books." This means the part literally labelled "Prologue" in TIBH, covering the Ritz and the aftermath of the missed kiss, Strike's New Year's Eve stakeout and taking up with Madeline, and Robin's trip to Zermatt. For Harry Potter, it is the first four, pre-Hogwarts chapters: Harry's birthday, the visit from Aunt Marge, his flight from Privet Drive via the Knight Bus after blowing her up and his subsequent three-week vacation in Diagon Alley. Obviously, I am taking a risk comparing four chapters each to start with, given that PoA has 22 chapters and TIBH 107. But, so far, the strategy of grouping the pre-Hogwarts segment with the pre-main-mystery section has served me pretty well.

The Ink Black Heart comes to a Grand Finale: Final wrap-ups and echoes.

I must say, I love the talk Robin has with Zoe nearly as much as I love the one with Rachel (and I really hope that the two of them eventually met and were able to support each other in the aftermath of the Drek's Game scandal). I would have loved some indicator in the Coda that told us what became of Zoe, because I am genuinely worried about this young lady at the end of the evening. She's lost her boyfriend, which has to hurt despite his criminal predation. She's lost access to Drek's Game, her major source of social support. And she is living in terror of Anomie trying to kill her. Robin, as a good psychology student, should have recognized that Zoe is at risk of another suicide attempt. given her history. This had me speculating: if Robin had thought to ask someone to check on her at the Z, who would she ask?  I can think of three possibilities:

• Mariam: Pro's: Zoe knows her and Mariam clearly has compassion for her, given the immediate job offer.  Cons: She would probably talk Zoe into moving into North Grove immediately, and, while that might be an improvement over her current hovel, I would worry about her staying there unless Nils and Pez are locked into chastity belts, and Bram shipped off to a high security boarding school Also, how would Miriam react to the news that Tim Ashcroft, clearly a pal and a regular North Grove visitor (and volunteer in the special needs classroom!) is a pedophile?
• Ilsa: Pros: Ilsa would be very compassionate to Zoe, especially since she is just coming off a case where she assisted another vulnerable young girl that had been manipulated by online "friends." She could certainly educate Zoe on the legalities of the situation and offer assurances that Zoe can in no way be held responsible.  Cons: Zoe doesn't know her and might not be too keen on opening the hotel room door to anyone, even if Jessica/Buffypaws sent them. 
• Vanessa: Pros: General bad-ass and someone you'd want on your side when dealing with either predatory or generalized arsehole men. Might be able to solve the problem quickly by going and arresting the guy. Cons: Again, Zoe doesn't know her. and she might be a bit to aggressive about her plans for Tim. 

Another thought I had this read-through:  I wonder if Zoe's amazing talent for art could get her a job on the Ink Black Heart movie? I'd rather see her drawn into the fold than Pez. 

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 94-100: Madz's swan song, Aeschylus, bad medical news, an awkward Facetime and a vastly inferior sofa.

I decided this blog post deserves its own epigraph. 

When she says she wants forgiveness
It's such a clever masquerade
She's so good with her stiletto
You don't even see the blade--  Billy Joel

Looking back at the Madwoman's attack at Denmark Street, I was struck by the description: 

Her silver high heels and short metallic dress suggested she'd come straight from a party or, perhaps, the launch of some book, album or beauty product; somewhere, at least, where people go to be seen, and photographed, and reassured they were important. 

Given that Mads will later text that she had just run into Charlotte, MiLady Berzerko was presumably there at this VIP event. I wonder what Charlotte said that set her off?  Mads must have told Charlotte pretty quickly after the breakup (Saturday evening) since Charlotte already knew on Tuesday (as seen on Strike's visit to Jago) and Mads turns up on Denmark Street on Wednesday. Could Charlotte have been gushing on how helpful Strike had been in getting her dirt on Jago? Or did she trash-talk her ex, going on about how he was a user and a gold-digger? Which would have upset Mads more? 

Considering Mads' wake-up present to Strike on the morning after Comicon, him saying that Charlotte was "gagging for him" was a little.... weird.

The mention of Landon Dormer is also interesting: evidence Charlotte was lying through her teeth to Jago about there being nothing between them-- and, of course, they will be a public couple by the time of A Running Grave. But this is Charlotte, so what else can we expect? In any case, the Denmark Street encounter goes badly, ending with Mads' stiletto heel implanted in Strike's bad leg, Strike literally crawling through a gutter, then her tearful begging for his forgiveness. Strike makes the smartest love-life choice we've seen of him to date and tells her to f*ck off. 

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 86-93: Bye-bye Charlotte, bye-bye Buffypaws and hello, Mads.

So, Strike and Robin return to London and to the Z Hotel near Denmark Street. Unlike the Marine Hotel of Whitstable, Robin does not enjoy her stay here, though Strike seems to find it an improvement over his drafty attic. Everyone arrives for a team meeting in the hotel cafe, and Midge brings the welcome news that the first Mrs. Jago Ross is going to file for sole custody of the daughters. Again, it seems a bit strange Strike didn't tell Robin that was part of the plan all along; she might have been less resentful of the case if he had just said, "If we can get evidence of abuse, we can both neutralize him and maybe persuade the girls' mother to go back to court to get them back with her full time." 

Strike also has the decency to thank the others for sticking with their business in the face of the terrorist threat. There is a bit of grumbling over the workload that Anomie is still imposing, but Strike, in what turns out to be very bad timing, assures them Robin will be in the moderator's channel soon. He also tells the team he plans to go see Jago Ross that evening, but gives no details.

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 79-85: Unexpected Echos to Career of Evil.

Ring structure predicts connections between The Ink Black Heart and The Silkworm, and there are certainly many. (See here,  here and here.)  But, during this mid-section of the book, lots of connections to Career of Evil start popping up, as well, enough that I once wondered if this book wasn't originally intended as #5 in the series. (see here, here, and here for more of my now-discarded 5-6 flip idea). The getaway at the Marine Hotel is Strike and Robin's first overnight away together since the  Travelodge of Barrow-in-Furness in Career of Evil, and is one of the more feel-good segments of the series, for everything except Strike's leg. Some highlights:

• Robin swapping keys with Strike so he can have the ocean view room.* 
• Strike dumping Madeline. 
• Robin's double-take and glance at the prosthesis as Strike tells her his leg "keeps moving of its own bloody accord."
• Robin having what must be the most productive three hours of her detective career, making the Fiendy = Penny Peacock = @rachledbadly = Rachel Ledwell connection and setting the groundwork to meet with Rachel in person through a new @stopanomie Twitter account. 
• What sounds like delicious food and Rioja wine in the hotel restaurant.
• The dining room also includes the "corrugated white coral" decor, the sun-bleached element I predicted would occur as the "dry albedo" element to the "wet nigredo" that was Troubled Blood.
• In the Book 7 midst of her misery at Chapman Farm, Robin would recall visiting seaside towns with Strike, "especially the dinner in Whitstable: the white coral on the mantlepieces set against the slate-coloured walls, and the sight of Strike laughing opposite her, framed against a window through which she watched the sea turning indigo in the fading light."

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 71-78. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

 

"Well, if everyone had your powers of observation and quick reactions, Mrs. Chauncey, our jobs would be a hell of a lot easier."

This police officer says it all. Pat shows her awesomeness not only because of her quick thinking with the parcel, but also with her observational skills, which rival the ones Robin showed when she got the severed leg. Robin echoed another CoE scene (Strike with Rona Laing's mother) when she fetched her a glass of medicinal port. 

But the fact that she has now faced physical danger alongside them, even though that is not an expected part of being an office manager, puts Pat on a similar footing to Robin, who had her own first life-saving and life-risking experiences in The Silkworm. She also connects with Strike as she shares about the death of her uncle in the Troubles: 

"Wrong place, wrong time. Hard to get your head around. Well, I don't need to tell you that."

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 65-70: Lots of Highgate and a bomb. Plus: when did Hartella learn the truth about Lord Drek?

This section includes three chapters that are almost entirely Robin's adventures in the Highgate area; between her tour of the cemetery, her visit to Northgrove, her drink with Pez and her surveillance at Zoe's place, she covers quite a lot of ground and suspects. There's also one brief moderating chat and of course, the bombing.  A few other tidbits tossed in include Robin's invitation to be a moderator, her failed attempt to let Hugh Jacks down easily and Nutley's update on Kea, which leads Strike to the accusations on Reddit. 

Chapter 65 opens with one of Strike's very useful summary emails, which help us readers keep track of the many suspects in a Robert Galbraith book. The first time I read his "We're running out of original suspects" line I thought maybe they should be looking at someone already eliminated and guessed that Anomie might be played by more than one person, though I assumed the persona had been a group effort from the start, not something recent. But, after all, if people can take turns being Buffypaws, why not Anomie? 

At the office reading this email, Robin, while making plans to visit Highgate Cemetery before the North Grove art class, gets the welcome invitation to become a moderator and the unwelcome reminder from Pat that she needs to call Hugh Jacks and make her disinterest clear. She makes that call from the Highgate courtyard while waiting for her tour. 

Regarding Hugh Jacks: If I were Robin, Cousin Katie's invitation to my next wedding would be contingent on proof that she has managed to set Hugh up on a date with one or more of the following: 1) Irene Hicks-- with the meal including lamb bhuna 2) Tempest 3) Yasmin 4) Mazu Wace 5) Matthew's Aunt Sue or 6) Kea, with her mom and Ozzie the Cockatoo as chaperones. I would include Marguerite among the choices but I don't think Robin ever met her. 

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 58-64: Was Edie originally killed on the Sleeping Angel?

Part four begins with a moderators' conversation that is especially interesting to re-read.  Morehouse is calling Paperwhite, fairly panicked because of his fears that Anomie has disposed of Vilepechora and that Vilepechora was not joking about Anomie using Bitcon to buy a taser and machete to kill Edie and Josh. I would love to know what was going through Gus's head at this; I doubt he was expecting Vikas to make the connection. Vikas could certainly have acted on his suspicions and contacted the authorities without consulting his online girlfriend, and then Gus would have been in quite a pickle. How fast did he have to think to have "Paperwhite" fear for her safety, and get Morehouse to agree to the wait and see approach?

Interesting that Paperwhite's suggestion that Morehouse "keep him sweet" is the same phrase Jasper Chiswell used about Geraint Winn in regard to his charity trustees. 

It is a little surprising to me that Strike was not more proactive when he realized the injured man was likely Halvening member  Algiz/ @Gizzard_Al. At the very least, I would have expected him to call Robin and warn her they both might be targets as soon as her name was released. He also could have alerted Murphy and possibly gotten help from him (and MI5's Angela Darwish) to prevent her name from being released at all. It might not have helped, but what did he have to lose?

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 51-57: Maddie has a fit and and Yasmin behaves stupidly. Film at 11.

The steady downward spiral of the Madeline-Strike pairing takes a steep downward turn at the night of  the jewelry launch, where Strike appears to be getting along better with Henry and his toking buddy/ Kosh disciple. Another check in the "good Mummy's boyfriend" column. While I doubt Strike and Robin will have kids of their own, I could see them getting roped into part-time caregiving for Martin and Carmen's baby. It doesn't seem like they are specially good candidates for parenthood; even devoted grandmother Linda seemed less than delighted at the news. We are also told that Martin is considering a career as a long-distance lorry driver; when tracking Angel's dad, Strike described this as a career ideal "for someone keen to avoid his parental responsibilities." which sounds ominous. It's a long shot, but if Strike and Robin find themselves in the position of Ted and Joan, I could see Strike being a good uncle and substitute dad. 

As with the introduction to the Wally and MJ Show, the introduction to Kosh lines that the boys provide to Strike will also prove useful to the case. Unfortunately, given Strike's break-up with Madeline, the boys will likely never find out how useful they've been.  I do love the humor of the moment when Strike replies "I wouldn't count on it" to the question of whether the Kosh strategies work, and Charlotte turns up about a page later. Exhibit A, boys. 

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 44-50. The one with all the companion animals.

This section begins with a bittersweet look at the circle of life as we join Robin in first grieving with Max as they say good-bye to Wolfgang,  then rejoicing with Ilsa over the pregnancy she has finally decided will stick around and which she has finally decided to share with Nick. 

This section also includes two very important out-of-town interviews: Robin's with ex-Worm, actor and pedophile Tim Ashcroft and Strike's with Spoonie Kea Niven. What I found fascinating about both interviews are the oblique references to the killer. First, Ashcroft reports inspiration for a character in a recent play from a young man who could only be Gus Upcott:

I actually based some of the character on one of the kids who used to hang around North Garden... you know that kind of hunched-up "don't look at me" teenagers get when they're growing into their bodies?...He had really bad acne, this kid,  and he always looked like he was trying to make himself look as small as possible.

Remarkable, Ashcroft's insight into the character also applies to the real Gus Upcott:

He's--well, he's pure evil, really, but in the play you go back and see him bullied and denigrated and..."

"Bullied and denigrated" sounds like life with father Inigo, does it not? This might be one of the few glimmers of sympathy for Gus that we see in this novel. 

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 38-43: Jessica meets Zoe; Strike takes a tumble.

 

Strike and Madeline's liaison in Chapter 38 is notable for three things.  First, and expected, Charlotte is sh*t-stirring, doing what she can to disrupt Strike and Madeline's relationship and arouse jealousy of Robin. Second, and more unexpected, we learn that throwing breakable objects was something Strike did during rows with Charlottes, something I had previously assumed was, like the physical aggression, exclusively Charlotte's MO. Third, we get further indication that this relationship is not especially good for Strike. Trying to avoid more discussion of Robin and Charlotte, he chooses to sleep in his prosthesis, further aggravating the already irritated skin of his stump. 

Strike and Robin's meet-up in Chinatown happened in Gerrard's Corner, a place I saw on my 2023 trip to London did not sample. Seeing Robin eat noodles gave me a weird feeling, knowing what her stay at Chapman Farm in the next book is going to do to her appetite for that particular food. Something similar happens when Strike passes on information from Wardle about how Philip Ormand's wife left him while he was still on the police force, given that Wardle will find himself in a similar situation the next year. Another connection to Lethal White comes up with the resurrection of Venetia Hall as an education-focused journalist. I wonder if Venetia will reappear in THM?

The Ink Black Heart, Chapters 32-37: Freemasons, Flavia and the Christmas pudding onesie.

We start this section with Robin still royally ticked at her partner, both for not telling her about Madeline and for adding the Jago Ross case to their books. Strike is continuing his physical and emotional breakdown with his stump getting progressively worse and feeling overstretched with both social and work demands.

Despite her irritation, Robin provides a printout on the Brotherhood of Ultima Thule, and she and Strike speculate as to whether this group could be a front group for the Halvening.  This leads me to consider a possible link to The Hallmarked Man. The first twitter header clue to the book's contents that we were given was a shot of the Freemason building on Great Queen Street in London. While the Freemasons are doubtlessly a more reputable bunch than the BOUT boys, there are also some dark sides, including associations with police corruption in the UK, and with the Mafia in Italy. Thus, we could have a leapfrogging echo between books 6 and 8 of a fraternal organization with a connection to some sort of past or present criminal enterprise. 

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 24-31: Will Charlotte further delay the Strike-Robin pairing? Plus: parrot ecology and what it tells us.

 

Today's selection has some of the fan favorite chapters of the book: Charlotte Campbell's visit to Denmark Street (25) , and Robin and Ilsa's dinner at Bob Bob Ricard (28).  For those whose top interest in the series is the slow brewing and inevitable romance between Strike and Robin, this chapters are among the most important of the series. It is also Charlotte's first appearance since her ominous text at the end of Troubled Blood:

  I don't think I've ever felt so envious in my life as I am of that girl Robin. 

Of course, it could be argued that Charlotte did the Strike/Robin Shippers a favor when she forced Robin to recognize that she was, in fact, in love with Cormoran Strike. But, as I have argued elsewhere, Charlotte is the Strike series counterpart to Voldemort, and here we see another similarity. Lord Thingy was calle the "greatest Legilimens in history" who could almost always tell when someone is lying to him." According to Strike, Charlotte has the counterpart Muggle talent:

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 16-23

Chapters 16, 18, and 19 show the transition to Strike and Robin being formally hired to investigate a case they are already very interested in. They have been fortunate enough to have this opportunity twice before, first in Lethal White, when Izzy brought them in to investigate her father's death (which gave Strike a reason to keep searching for Billy and investigating his story) and in Troubled Blood, when Shifty's Boss hired them to bring down Shifty. 

In 16, Strike calls Robin about the offer as she is tailing Groomer and Legs through the William Morris Gallery. This chapter is notable for Strike expressing his skepticism that the Halvening were responsible for the attacks on Edie and Josh. Chapter 18 is a relatively long chapter that introduces Grant "Grub" Ledwell and wife: the nickname is unnecessary to convince us they are a couple of money-grubbers, delighted to be cashing in on the creative property of the niece with whom they had had as little to do with as possible when she was alive. Robin's annoyance with Heather reminded me of her irritation with another woman delighted to eat at a fancy restaurant on someone else's dime: Tempest from Career of Evil.  In the end, this case has a lot of the feel of the original case in Lethal White, where Chiswell wanted them to dig up dirt on Jimmy Knight and Geraint Winn, so they can "fight fire with fire:" neutralize the blackmail with counter-blackmail; Maverick Films wants to subject Anomie to the same type of online harassment to which Anomie has subjected others.  In other words:

Those who live by the mob must be prepared to die by the mob.

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 8-15

I'm going to jump through the section in thematic groupings, rather than chapter-by-chapter. I will start off with the Madeline sections:  Chapter 8, Chapter 13 and a bit of Chapter 15.  Chapter 8 gives us a glimpse at Strike's sixth date with Madeline, at a fancy bar and jazz club called Nightjar. While Strike appears to be enjoying himself and giving things a chance, as he puts it, there are some early harbingers of doom in this relationship. 

• This bar, with its jazzy music and froofy drinks, does not seem to be Strike's style at all. He would prefer a beer, and leaves at the first opportunity. 
• The name "Nightjar" refers to a bird with a sinister (though undeserved) reputation. It is nocturnal, and has a odd, insect-like call and is seldom seen, leading to dark associations It was once believed to cause infertility and blindness to goats by sucking milk from their udders at night, and to carry a fatal disease to cattle. It is also called a "corpse bird" and was once believed by some to be the form in which the souls of unbaptized children were doomed to wander the earth for eternity. 
• She doesn't think about feeding him, forcing him to scarf down unhealthy McDonald's meals before meeting her, an indicator this relationship is not going to be a healthy one. 
• She's rude to the waitress. 
• They have little interest in or understanding of each other's professional lives. something that was also true of Charlotte. 
• Strike likes her better once she has some alcohol in her, something that was also true of Charlotte. 
• She has a need to "be seen" by the press and the rich and famous, something that was also true of Charlotte. Strike has a need to avoid that. We'll see later in Chapter 15 that this will be a recurrent problem. 

The visit to her home on Valentine's Eve (Ch. 13) wasn't much more encouraging, with Strike acknowledging to himself that he would rather spend the evening with Robin discussing the Ledwell/Blay knife attacks over a takeaway. Then there's this: 

Strike had arranged for a showy spray of orchids to be delivered to Madeline in the morning and was carrying a card for her in his rucksack. These were the things you did for the woman you were sleeping with if you wanted to keep sleeping with her, and Strike was clearly keen to keep sleeping with Madeline, for reasons both obvious and barely acknowledged. 

This is about as romantic as something you would expect from Michael Fancourt. Nothing about affection for her, let alone love, on what is supposed to be the most romantic of holidays. Contrast this to his later gift of Phyllis the Philodendron to Robin on her move-in day; a more-or-less spontaneous gift of a much cheaper plant, but one with genuine heart-shaped leaves and given for the right reasons: because he cares for her, wants her to have a something nice for her new apartment and and without any ulterior motive or expectation of sex. 

Despite his stated intentions to "give things a chance" Strike seems fully in his restaurants and brothels mode, except, since Mads keeps no decent food in the house, he's missing the restaurant part. 

The Ink Black Heart: Chapters 1-7

Looking at the start of The Ink Black Heart leads very naturally to the question of how The Hallmarked Man will begin, given the leapfrog pattern that is seen in this series. I was struck again by the multiple links with the start of Lethal White. These are the only two books in the series that come off of cliffhanger endings, and pick up almost immediately where the previous books left off. Both open with Strike and Robin at a social event in a swanky venue, specifically celebrating Robin and atypically away from their usual work setting. In both cases, Strike is trying to make up for something he regrets; in LW, he is apologizing for sacking her and trying to get her back; in IBH, he is trying to make up for his thoughtlessness in previous Christmas and birthday gifts. 

TRG ended, of course, with Strike's grenade-style admission of love for Robin, just moments before she is to embark on a weekend getaway with Ryan Murphy. In a way, this is a "make-up" situation as well; Strike regrets not "opening his f*cking eyes" earlier, before Robin began the relationship with Murphy. She departs, and Strike heads off for the Flying Horse. The question is, will The Hallmarked Man follow the same pattern, and pick up immediately?  

If so, many have predicted that Robin will ditch Ryan and track Strike to the Flying Horse (whose sign bears a winged white horse) for a clarification of the grenade he has just dropped, and that they will at last be forced to openly acknowledge their feelings for each other. The SE Files podcast based this speculation in part, on the epigraph for chapter 89 of TRG: 

A white horse comes as if on wings.

He is not a robber, he will woo at the right time. 

The appearance of a white horse not only links us to LW, but also to The Maid of the Silver Sea, the source for at least two epigraphs. As in LW and its epigraph source, Rosmersholm, the equine of MoSS is an agent of death, but solving its mystery ultimately allows the two protagonists of MoSS to move forward with their romance. For more on MoSS, see this wonderful essay by Bea Groves, and my own summary of the novel. 

And, of course, bonus points if our heroes spy a silver-haired man in the pub. 

So, will we see the Robin who abandoned the Flobberworm on the dance floor and ran after Strike to confirm his intentions, or the one who goes along with what is expected, unwilling to rock the boat? Or, as in LW, will we see both? Even if Strike and Robin do have it out at the start of THM, I don't think their issues will be resolved then. I think there will still be some drama and misunderstanding in their relationship for a book or two before they are finally united. Recall, Robin made the wrong decision at the wedding, and decided she had to give the Flobber-marriage a shot. And, Strike and Robin's relationship was screwed up for a while after the missed kiss at the Ritz. So, I am not expecting an early resolution. 

Review of the BBC's The Ink Black Heart, Part Four: The bombing and the finale.

 The fourth and final episode begins in the aftermath of Vikas Bhardwaj's murder, with Strike and Robin being harassed by the local cop for the skeleton keys. Amusingly, this fellow is depicted almost exactly as in the book, red hair, attitude and all. Happily, Angela Darwish (who is both older and taller than described in the book) shows up quickly. We get the pleasure of seeing Strike give Red a very snarky look as he exits. 

After our hereos leave Cambridge, there is major plot streamlining:  Robin immediately gets into Drek's game and opens a private chat with Paperwhite, intending to warn her she is likely next on Anomie's hit list. She gets as far as telling her that Anomie killed Vikas before being banned. Strike concludes that Anomie is monitoring private chats. 

They decide to contact Yasmin Featherhead, in hopes of getting her to warn Paperwhite of the danger Anomie poses. Interestingly, neither detective seems at all distressed about losing access to the game. 

The scene then jumps to the office on the next morning, where both Strike and Pat have arrived early. Strike is still limping, but without the cane he was using in Cambridge. After some small talk about tea, Pat begins opening a large cardboard box that has just arrived in the mail. As she gets out her letter opener to slit it open, the readers know what is coming.......

KABOOOOOM! 

If anything, the scene is more dramatic than in the book, given that in the TV office, the wall and door separating the partners' office from the main one are largely glass, not wood. And, given the size of the fireball, Pat would definitely have been a goner if she hadn't gotten away. 

200-day Hallmarked Countdown Read-along: The Ink Black Heart Schedule. Feb 15-April 5.

 

Hello fellow Strikers. 

The 200-day lead-up read-along for The Hallmarked Man starts this Saturday, Fen 15th. As promised earlier, here is the schedule

• Sat, Feb, 15:  Chapters 1-7
• Tues. Feb 18: Chapters 8-15
• Sat: Feb. 22: Chapters 16-23
• Tues. Feb 25: Chapters 24-31
• Sat. March 1: Chapters 32-37
• Tues. March 4: Chapters 38-43
• Sat. March 8: Chapters 44-50
• Tues. March 11: Chapters 51-57
• Sat. March 15: Chapters 58-64
• Tues. March 18 Chapters 65-70
• Sat. March 22: Chapters 71-78
• Tues. March 25 Chapters 79-85
• Sat. March 29: Chapters 86-93 
• Tues. April 1: Chapters 94-100
• Sat. April 5: Chapters 101-107

A gentle reminder that I have a full-time job and can make no promises that everything will stay exactly on track.  I reserve the right to deviate from the above, as fits my schedule. 

This is going to be a very low-key re-read, but I invite anyone to share any insights they have gleaned this time around, especially those that lead to The Hallmarked Man speculation. A

A reminder also that many people find it easier to subscribe and comment on the Substack version of this site. 

Ground rules:

1. Maintain courtesy and civility at all times. I reserve the right to remove any commentary I find derogatory or hurtful to another. Any Anomies will be blocked. 

2. Remain on topic:

• We are here to discuss the books. Mention of other Rowling works, the TV production or any other work of fiction should be relevant to the book under discussion. 
• Same goes for politics. Only Strike's and Robin's political activities are relevant. JKR/RG's do not matter, and neither do mine or yours. Only JKR's tweets regarding the books (e.g. Twitter header pictures that drop hints) should be discussed. 

3. Spoilers are a given for Strikes 1-7. Some readers prefer to avoid all spoilers, including cover blurbs and preview chapters. The Hallmarked Man spoiler warnings will be posted for anything more revealing than an epigraph. 

4. Have fun and allow others to do the same. 

Review of the BBC's The Ink Black Heart, Episode Three: OK, so Yasmin isn't the brains of the operation...

Bad-ass Barclay: Episode Three picks up at the scene of Barclay's motorcycle crash, with Philip Ormand checking out the scene, either to confirm Barclay is dead or to retrieve the phone he just threw in the river, it's not clear. In any case, failing to find Barclay, he apparently assumes the body has spontaneously combusted and  returns to his unlocked car, forgetting to check the back seat when getting in. Real winner of a cop, this one is. Barclay has managed to slip into the back seat, clotheslines Ormand from the back, and calls the police. I really enjoyed him getting a moment of action that he did not get in the book. This was definitely a step up from a plane ride to Scotland and a cup of tea at Nicole Crystal's. 

Fortunately, the police have also been doing their job and it seems Ormand would have found himself arrested soon, even if he hadn't tried to kill Barclay. His interrogation shows the police know about the false detention and the tracer on Edie's phone, as well as the fact that he had gotten possession of it after Edie was attacked and concealed this evidence from police. The attempted murder of Barclay is apparently just gravy. Puzzlingly, Ormand claims to have been passing information to Yasmin for "years"---  how long were he and Edie supposed to have been together, anyway?  Even more interestingly, Robin and Strike are apparently being allowed to watch the interrogation, live on camera, and are able to rule Ormand out as Anomie when the Gamemaster shows up to demand that Buffypaws attend Comicon.