The Silkworm

Cormoran Strike is war veteran turned private detective. Gruff, intelligent, and persistent, Strike is deeply observant and morally grounded. He’s often physically hampered by his prosthetic leg but mentally sharp, using intuition and logic to cut through emotional fog and manipulation. His ability to detach from social niceties and focus on detail allows him to spot inconsistencies others overlook. This outsider status is physical and emotional. He often views relationships with caution and maintains a guarded interior life, which contrasts with the theatrical chaos of the literary world he’s investigating.



Throughout the novel, Strike also functions as a lens through which the reader evaluates ego, ambition, and performance. His military background and working-class sensibility give him a skeptical view of the self-importance that surrounds authorship and publishing. His discomfort with praise, refusal to chase fame, and refusal to coddle clients all highlight his integrity. He can be dismissive, overworked, and at times emotionally insensitive, especially regarding Ellacott. These tensions make him a complex and enduring protagonist.

Robin Ellacott is Strike’s assistant and an aspiring detective. Competent, empathetic, and ambitious, Ellacott is trying to reconcile her growing love for investigative work with her fiancé’s disapproval.