The Cuckoo's Calling

Robin begins the novel as Strike’s temporary secretary, and she earns a permanent position with him because of her superior initiative and intelligence. Robin is pretty, “tall and curvaceous, with long strawberry-blonde hair that rippled as she strode briskly along, the chill air adding color to her pale cheeks” (12). She is recently engaged to her long-time partner, Matthew, and is searching for employment while working as Strike’s secretary. Little is known about her background, although she does mention that she studied psychology before dropping out of university. She also confesses that she has a secret desire to become a private detective.

Robin quickly distinguishes herself through her quick thinking and initiative. She impresses Strike several times, doing everything from anticipatory research to uncovering information about Strike’s witnesses. She not only serves Strike and their investigation but also fulfills a piece of herself that has always wanted the adventurous life of a detective. Robin even saves Strike’s life when she intercedes during John’s attack, having had the foresight to stay behind despite Strike’s orders to leave. These instances all showcase a positive escalation in Robin’s behavior. She takes more risks to solve the case, and in doing so cements herself as a vital part of Strike’s detective work. This is rewarded by her final job offer, a physical manifestation of her success in detective work. While Robin’s career is made certain, it is made so against Matthew’s preferences, leaving the stability of her relationship unclear.

John is Lula’s adoptive brother, and he hires Strike to solve the mystery of Lula’s death. However, John is Lula’s murderer; he killed his brother Charlie decades earlier in addition to killing Rochelle to cover his tracks. Upon their introduction, Strike describes John as rabbit-like, with large front teeth and glasses that contrast his expensive, tailored clothing. John plays the part of a concerned older brother who only had Lula’s best interests in mind, seeking her murderer so that he may bring peace to his family. However, he truly hired Strike in hopes that he would accuse Jonah of murder, allowing John access to Lula’s full inheritance.

By the end of the novel, the reader learns that John is guilty of three murders and embezzlement from a client. This reinforces both that he has a history of violence and that he has never tried to grow as a person. Instead, he has lashed out at those around him, committing heinous crimes to enable his own preferred lifestyle. John is most easily described as jealous, motivated by his desires: He killed Charlie out of a desire to be the favorite child; he embezzled money out of his desire for financial gain; he killed Lula out of joint desire to live her life of luxury and mitigate his past crimes; and he killed Rochelle out of a desire to keep his involvement in Lula’s murder a secret, showing that he is not driven by logic but by want. Strike further reinforces during his monologue that John is luckier than he is intelligent, for many of the aspects of his crimes were mitigated by happenstance. For example, Bryony’s dyslexia prevented her from realizing Lula’s will was meant for Jonah, not John, successfully hiding John’s motive. John’s overconfidence in his own abilities results in him being caught by Strike, allowing a satisfying conclusion.