The Hallmarked Man

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Discuss what you liked most and least about the book. Did it meet your expectations? Why, or why not?

2. Describe your reaction to the dynamic between Strike and Robin in The Hallmarked Man. Did you find their unspoken tension effective, frustrating, or both? How does it compare to the evolution of their relationship in earlier books in the series, such as Career of Evil or The Silkworm?

3. The Strike novels and the Harry Potter series share an author, although they are targeted at different genres and reader demographics. In what ways, if any, does The Hallmarked Man echo elements of the Harry Potter books?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The novel explores how past trauma shapes present choices. Did any character’s struggle with their history resonate with your own experiences?

2. Robin grapples with balancing a demanding career and the possibility of family life, reflecting a common modern tension. Have you ever felt pressure to choose between professional ambitions and personal commitments? How did you navigate it?

3. Strike’s reaction to his meeting with Rokeby forces him to reconsider long-held beliefs about his family. Have you ever had an experience that reshaped your understanding of your own family history or changed a narrative you once accepted as fact?

4. The interactions between Strike and Robin illustrate how easy it is to misread others’ intentions, especially when strong emotions are involved. Have you experienced a misunderstanding that significantly affected a relationship or decision in your own life?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Social capital plays a key role in determining who is protected and who is left vulnerable in the narrative. How does the novel challenge or reinforce familiar narratives about privilege and accountability in British society?

2. Galbraith’s depiction of sex trafficking, exploitation, and grooming connects the plot to global patterns of abuse. Does the novel’s exploration of these issues feel grounded in real-world realities? Why or why not?

3. The tension between journalistic freedom and media manipulation emerges through characters like Dominic Culpepper. How does the novel comment on the modern media landscape, including issues of privacy, sensationalism, and deliberately orchestrated smear campaigns?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The unidentified body in the silver vault serves as the catalyst for the novel’s central mystery and a symbol of social disposability. How does the shifting identity of “William Wright” influence the novel’s commentary on class, power, and vulnerability?

2. The symbolism of jewelry appears repeatedly throughout the narrative, from Robin’s charm bracelet to the ruby necklace Griffiths gives his victims. What do you think these gifts express about the varied motives behind gift-giving?

3. Galbraith has stated that Jane Austen is one of her favorite authors. How does The Hallmarked Man reflect the influence of Austen, particularly in its exploration of unspoken desire, social constraints, and miscommunication, when compared to novels such as Persuasion or Emma?

4. The final image of Strike trying to save the goldfish that bears his name is both humorous and symbolic. How do you interpret this moment in terms of Strike’s emotional growth, his relationship with Robin, and the broader notions of hope and self-reckoning?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine a spin-off or sequel centered on one of the novel’s secondary characters (e.g., Decima Mullins, Rena Liddell, or Jade Semple). Write a paragraph describing the premise of that story. What themes would you want to explore, and why?

2. Create a collage to represent the novel (in the vein of Robin’s charm bracelet). What items or images will you include and why?