Book Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Cormoran Strike – Book 1

Book summary by chapter of The Cuckoo’s Calling. Includes spoilers from the initial fall to the end of the book. Truth didn’t leap from the balcony—it seeped through the cracks of memory: as snow blanketed Mayfair, a family’s empire rotted from within. Cormoran Strike unravels the lies buried in grief, only to find the killer was never a stranger—it was the brother crying for justice. The Landry case closes, but the echo of her fall still haunts every corner of London.

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott standing before an urban cemetery at sunset, in a scene of mystery and reflection – Chapter-by-chapter Summary - The Cuckoo’s Calling

Introduction – The Cuckoo’s Calling

The snow didn't just blanket Mayfair—it buried the truth beneath layers of fame, lies, and legacy. In The Cuckoo’s Calling, the first installment of the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith, Lula Landry’s body crashes to the pavement like a fallen icon—and with her, the illusion of a perfect family begins to shatter.

Through a gripping chapter-by-chapter structure, each voice contradicts the next. While the media feeds on suicide rumors and fashion drama, detective Cormoran Strike digs into the raw underbelly of grief, joined by Robin Ellacott—a temp secretary whose arrival is accidental, yet fated. The Landry case becomes more than just an inquiry—it’s a slow, relentless unearthing of a truth no one wants revealed.

Because the fall was only the first sound. To understand how it all begins and how every mystery unfolds from this one, start with the full guide: Reading order of the Cormoran Strike series ➤

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Reading Order ➤

Chapter Navigation

• Chapter Prologue Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The deadly fall of supermodel Lula Landry

• Chapter 1 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin’s arrival at detective Cormoran Strike’s office

• Chapter 10 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Boxes, memories, and a final farewell

• Chapter 20 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – A children’s party and a clue in a DVD

• Chapter 30 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Deleted photos and digital secrets

• Chapter 40 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Freddie Bestigui’s indirect confession

• Chapter Epilogue Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Jonah Agyeman, the inheritance, and a new beginning

Chapter Prologue Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The deadly fall of supermodel Lula Landry

On a snowy winter’s early morning, the body of Lula Landry, a famous supermodel, appears in the street after falling from the balcony of her luxurious Mayfair penthouse. The scene turns into a media spectacle: journalists and photographers crowd in front of the building, documenting every corner while the police keep the area cordoned off. The white tent set up on the sidewalk hides the corpse, whose brutally mangled image contrasts with the sparkle of her sequined blouse. Inspector Roy Carver, impatient and annoyed, clashes with the young and charismatic officer Eric Wardle as they both wait for the ambulance to arrive. The news eclipses wars and politics, spreading across media around the world. There is speculation about an argument with her boyfriend, drugs, and a possible witness that is later discredited. In the end, everything points to suicide, and the press launches moralizing commentary about her fall until the media silence replaces the initial frenzy.

THREE MONTHS LATER

FIRST PART

Chapter 1 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin’s arrival at detective Cormoran Strike’s office

Robin Ellacott begins her most unforgettable day with a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Matthew in Piccadilly Circus, a perfect moment crowned with a sapphire ring. That morning, still floating on happiness, she goes to her first day of temporary work as a secretary, not knowing that the agency has assigned her to a private detective’s office. After getting lost among London’s construction works, she arrives at the indicated number and is almost knocked aside by a beautiful, furious woman who rushes out. Upon going upstairs, she discovers the sign: “C. B. Strike – Private Detective,” and she feels electrified, realizing she is facing a secret opportunity she has dreamed of since childhood. But before entering, she is barreled into by a burly man who accidentally pushes her toward the stairwell. It is Cormoran Strike himself, who saves her at the last second, thus beginning a working relationship marked by confusion, pain… and a mysterious shared destiny.

Chapter 2 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Cormoran Strike in ruins and an unexpected secretary

Cormoran Strike, newly separated, bruised and ruined, did not expect to find a temporary employee when he arrived at his office. He has just suffered a devastating fight with Charlotte, his ex-girlfriend, and sleeps in his office surrounded by debts and despair. After accidentally running into Robin, he tries to apologize while assessing the cost she represents for his fragile finances. Despite his initial intention to reject her, his tiredness and Robin’s courtesy convince him to keep her for a week. Locked in the bathroom, he reflects on his personal downfall, the breakup with Charlotte, and his desperate financial situation. While she settles in, he, embarrassed, hopes she won’t discover the disaster of his professional life: no clients, no income, and his whole world on the brink of collapse. Robin’s unexpected presence becomes a small respite amid the chaos, although Strike does not yet know it, her arrival will change much more than the routine of that office.

Chapter 3 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The Bristow Case: a job from the past

Robin announces the arrival of a client, John Bristow, a neat-looking lawyer with a nervous demeanor. After an awkward exchange, he reveals that he was the brother of Charlie, a childhood friend of Strike who died in an accident. Bristow wants to hire Strike to investigate the death of his adoptive sister, Lula Landry, the supermodel who fell from her balcony three months earlier. Although the police deemed it a suicide, Bristow insists it was murder. He supports his theory with testimonies like that of Tansy Bestigui, a neighbor who heard an argument moments before the fall. He also mentions CCTV footage showing an unidentified man. Though Strike doubts Bristow’s sanity, a note written by Robin confirms his identity and story. In tears and desperation, Bristow hands over an envelope of evidence. Despite ethical reservations, Strike sees an opportunity: money to survive and perhaps, something resembling justice.

Chapter 4 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Justice, money, and the start of a dangerous investigation

While Robin pretends to be an experienced secretary in front of Alison, Bristow’s girlfriend, she overhears the tense argument through the wall. Alison, cold and skeptical, insists Lula committed suicide and that John should accept it. Inside the office, Bristow defends himself, pleading for justice for his sister. He mentions details from the day she died: a phone argument with Lula, his visit to their mother’s house, a contract with designer Somé, and Lula returning home alone after a public fight with her boyfriend Evan Duffield. Despite his doubts, Strike gives in to emotional and financial pressure and takes the case. Bristow pays generously upfront, both by check and in cash. Robin, a witness to it all, observes the strange bond between the lawyer and the detective. With Lula Landry now a media symbol and a world full of secrets surrounding her, the case promises to test Strike’s integrity and skills from day one.

Chapter 5 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The pink threat and Strike’s escape to the pub

Strike, grateful for Robin’s efficiency, is surprised to see her taking more initiative than any other worker sent by Temporary Solutions. When she hands him a pink card with kittens, he discovers it’s a death threat, but dismisses it as a common occurrence in his line of work. Robin insists he should take it seriously, but he downplays it and leaves her in charge of the office while he goes out. Aware of the chaos in his life and feeling the physical toll of his prosthesis, he heads to the Tottenham pub. There, between beers and reflection, he replays his recent breakup with Charlotte and the reality of being homeless. He recalls moments from the army, thinks about his debts, and plans how to move forward with the Landry case. He calls his friend Anstis for police contacts and gets a key number: Officer Wardle’s. Thus, he begins rebuilding his network of resources for the investigation that is just beginning.

Chapter 6 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin brings order and discovers Strike’s secret life

With Strike gone for hours, Robin takes advantage of her solitude to celebrate her engagement and buy bridal magazines. After a happy break, she returns to the office, cleans up, organizes, and finds traces of previous employees. The phone rings with calls confirming her boss has more names than she imagined. Among file cabinets and folders, she finds threat letters and confidentiality agreements and decides to sign one, feeling a quiet bond with the job. Then she discovers Strike’s backpack, realizing he sleeps there and is going through personal hardships. Moved, Robin leaves at the end of the day, pleased with her work. Meanwhile, Strike returns at night, sets up a folding bed in the office, and eats instant food, recalling with resignation his army days and life with his mother. He ends the day reviewing obsessive notes on the Bristow case, reflecting—between physical and emotional pain—on Charlotte, their breakup, and the need to keep going.

SECOND PART

Chapter 7 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Articles, theories, and the figure of the Runner

While Robin reads a scathing article about Lula Landry, Strike arranges photos in the office. Melanie Telford’s column, though critical, mentions an anonymous friend who met Lula in rehab, a detail that strikes Strike as a source outside the usual celebrity circle. Robin suggests investigating the girl further, allowing her to feel useful and valued. They review photos from the funeral: they identify Ciara Porter, Evan Duffield, Guy Somé, and John Bristow with his adoptive mother. They also notice a floral tribute from Deeby Macc, a rapper who, in a video, claims “the press killed Lula.” The investigation leads them to question Lula’s alleged story about her biological mother, Marlene Higson, whose reality appears very different. Strike begins to see that Robin is more than just a temporary secretary, while she, though engaged, is increasingly thrilled by the case and her role in the investigation.

Chapter 8 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Walking Mayfair and new theories about the crime

Strike invites Robin to walk the path of the supposed killer, the “Runner,” from Alderbrook Road to Kentigern Gardens. They observe security cameras, keypad-protected entrances, and balconies difficult to reach. Robin offers useful ideas, suggesting the killer might have already been inside the building. Strike finds that more plausible than someone slipping in from the street during a brief lapse in security. Together they examine the alley behind the building, and Strike confirms that getting in that way would’ve required gear and planning. Limping over cobblestones, he feels limited by his prosthesis. He reflects on Bristow, the obsession with the Runner, and the possible racial and family tensions behind his theory. Though they still seem unsure it was murder, Robin is captivated by the process. The walk solidifies their dynamic as a duo: Strike, with experience and skepticism; Robin, with enthusiasm and intuition. Both recognize the case is more complex than it seemed.

Chapter 9 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Jealousy, doubts, and the conflict between Robin and Matthew

Robin’s growing admiration for Strike and her active role in the case cause tension with Matthew, her fiancé. He distrusts the detective, criticizes his sleeping in the office, and questions the professionalism of the job. Robin tries to justify her excitement, but the argument escalates when Matthew mocks the “case” and her walks with Strike. Though he tries to make amends, Robin feels her engagement is not enough to justify sacrificing what excites her. Through the friction, it becomes clear Matthew disdains the unknown, fringe world that Strike represents. Robin, however, is already emotionally invested in the Lula Landry case, the investigative logic, and the human mystery behind the events. For the first time, she considers that her work life could offer more than routine: a sense of purpose. Though Matthew tries to show affection, the disagreement reveals a deep crack between his expectations and Robin’s real desires.

Chapter 10 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Boxes, memories, and a final farewell

Strike collects his belongings from Charlotte’s upscale apartment, facing the definitive end of a turbulent relationship. The luxury of the setting harshly contrasts with his humble possessions now packed in boxes. Walking through the empty apartment, he sees that every trace of him has been erased, even replaced by an old photo of Charlotte’s father. He recalls a youthful portrait of her, a silent symbol of her superiority and the gap that always existed between their worlds. The final gesture—leaving his keys on the table—seals the emotional closure. The scene encapsulates his isolation: homeless, partnerless, and with a life marked by rootlessness. But it also represents a release: this time, he’s the one who left. Charlotte, despite her beauty and charm, belongs to a past that no longer fits his present. As he walks out, Strike says goodbye not only to a place but to a part of himself he can no longer carry.

Chapter 11 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Strike’s father revealed and an explosive client

Robin arrives alone at the office on her last day as a temp secretary, saddened by the idea of leaving. Although she has transformed the space, she feels that Strike no longer needs her. But the early arrival of Mrs. Hook, a client suspicious of her husband, interrupts her thoughts. While waiting for Strike, Robin stumbles upon a Wikipedia article revealing that he is the son of Jonny Rokeby, a famous rock musician. Just then, Strike arrives carrying boxes and asks her to entertain Mrs. Hook. During the session with the detective, the woman explodes in an emotional crisis, yells, hits Strike, and lunges at Robin before calming down with a cup of tea. After the storm, a grateful Strike buys sandwiches, and they share a friendly lunch. Although he politely lets her go, Robin feels sidelined. However, the bond between them has grown stronger, and the story is far from over.

Chapter 12 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin takes the initiative and earns her place

Strike believes he has said goodbye to Robin, but in a burst of intuition, she stops him before he leaves the office. She proposes a direct agreement—no more Temporary Solutions—to keep working with him. Despite his financial doubts, Strike agrees. Robin hides her excitement behind a professional facade, and he immediately gives her a new task: to persist with the elusive producer Freddie Bestigui. For the first time, Strike genuinely smiles at her. In just a week, the young secretary has proven she’s more than competent—she’s his ally. Though he doesn’t say it, he acknowledges that her presence has improved his life. Robin, excited and fulfilled, also knows she is exactly where she wants to be. They seal an unspoken agreement of mutual trust. The investigation into Lula Landry’s death will continue—now with a solid team and a chemistry that promises to transform not only the case but also their lives.

Chapter 13 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The tragic night according to Derrick Wilson

Cormoran Strike meets Derrick Wilson at the Phoenix Café in Brixton, where the security guard recalls the night Lula Landry died in vivid detail. Wilson’s account reveals precise movements in the building, including Lula leaving with Ciara Porter, Freddie Bestigui’s offensive remark, and the swarm of paparazzi waiting for Deeby Macc. Wilson describes how Lula returned visibly upset and freezing, and the moment he heard her fall while dealing with stomach issues. Tansy Bestigui, half-naked and frantic, screamed that a man had pushed Lula from her balcony. Wilson says he checked the flat but found no one. His testimony is crucial for its clarity and for highlighting flaws in the suicide theory. The interview ends with further details about building access, visitor logs, and a day full of suspicious activity and broken floral deliveries.

Chapter 14 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Kieran Kolovas-Jones’ unsettling testimony

Kieran Kolovas-Jones, Lula Landry’s regular driver, recounts his experience with the model the day before she died. He claims that Lula, tense about visiting her mother recently released from the hospital, drastically changed her mood afterward. In the car, she wrote on a mysterious blue paper and became unusually quiet. Later, she went to the Vashti boutique to meet a friend from a mental health center but left alone after fifteen minutes and never mentioned the paper again. Kieran recalls the tension with Duffield, whom he deeply dislikes. He also reveals a failed attempt to land a film role through Bestigui. Strike notices the driver’s narcissism and ambition, noting he still keeps the garage remote Lula gave him. The chapter ends with the suspicion that someone tipped off the paparazzi about Deeby Macc’s absence, as they left before Lula’s fall.

Chapter 15 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Echoes from the past and Lula Landry’s fingerprints

Cormoran Strike spends the weekend alone in his office, reorganizing his space while confronting his personal failures. He focuses on compiling evidence, reviewing his interviews with Wilson and Kolovas-Jones. A call from his sister Lucy, full of worry and unsolicited advice, briefly breaks his concentration. Strike resumes his online research, gathering data about Lula, whose story reveals a life of trauma, suicide attempts, and bipolar disorder. He combs through fan pages and conspiracy theories, noting inconsistencies such as a clothing change and the missing blue paper. He also investigates Duffield, her boyfriend, and Guy Somé, the designer close to Lula, whose controversial posthumous campaign drew criticism. Amid his solitude, Strike feels nostalgia for army life, visiting military forums. The night ends with a sense of isolation but also with the conviction that many puzzle pieces remain to be connected.

Chapter 16 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Rochelle Onifade’s vanished trail

Cormoran Strike starts his Sunday with a clandestine shower at the London Union and a call to John Bristow, urging him to find Lula’s friend Rochelle Onifade. Bristow shows little interest but mentions the stir caused by Evan Duffield’s unexpected visit to his ailing mother, suggesting he was after money and blaming the press for the leak. Strike heads to the Saint Elmo hostel in Hammersmith, where he learns Rochelle hasn’t been seen in months. A hostile resident, Carrianne, accuses her of lying about her friendship with Lula and of stealing gifts she claimed to receive. There’s talk she might be with an aunt in Kilburn or receiving treatment at a hospital. Strike leaves his card, takes a newspaper, and heads to the Blue Anchor to read about Duffield. A message from Robin confirms her continued focus on the case, despite the cold distance between them due to his lack of acknowledgment.

Chapter 17 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Cameras, suspicions, and a meeting with the police

Robin, upset by Strike’s indifference, sticks to her office routine while he investigates the surroundings of the Barrack nightclub, where Deeby Macc was supposed to stay. He surveys the area, notes escape routes, and identifies potential CCTV spots. Later, he meets Eric Wardle at the Feathers pub. To gain his trust, Strike provides information on a wanted criminal and receives valuable insight into Lula Landry’s case. Wardle dismisses Tansy Bestigui for lying about hearing an argument through soundproof windows and highlights inconsistencies in her account. It’s confirmed that Deeby Macc never arrived at his flat and that Duffield was seen that night wearing his signature wolf mask. Evidence against Freddie Bestigui and Derrick Wilson is also dismissed. Intrigued, Strike takes detailed notes. The conversation with Wardle reveals police mistakes, CCTV data, and the shaky foundation of the alibis presented.

Chapter 18 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Tansy Bestigui and the lie hiding the truth

Cormoran Strike, unusually well-dressed, attends a lunch at Cipriani with John Bristow, Tansy Bestigui, and her sister Ursula. Tansy agrees to recount what she allegedly heard the night Lula died: an argument between the model and a man, followed by her fall. Despite her insistence, contradictions abound. She claims she opened the window, though she had previously denied that possibility, and her testimony clashes with forensic reports. In her version, Freddie is already awake when she seeks help, though she had said earlier that she woke him. Both sisters reveal prejudices and contempt for people close to Lula, including Rochelle, whom Tansy discusses with classism and racism. The lunch ends with the surprise arrival of Cyprian May, Ursula’s husband, who disrupts the meeting. Later, on the street, Strike reflects: although Tansy embellishes her account with lies, he’s convinced she really did hear a fight before the fall.

THIRD PART

Chapter 19 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – The police file and Lula Landry’s final truth

Persistent rain accompanies Cormoran Strike’s solitary day as he receives the extensive Scotland Yard file on Lula Landry’s death. For hours, he reviews testimonies, forensic reports, and phone logs, uncovering key contradictions. Tansy Bestigui changes her story multiple times but insists her husband was asleep at the time of the fall. Freddie Bestigui’s statement attempts to distance himself from Lula entirely. Lula’s calls that day show an obsessive pattern toward two men: Evan Duffield and her uncle Tony Landry. According to her makeup artist and Ciara Porter, Lula seemed nervous and intent on leaving everything to her brother. In the emails reviewed, Strike finds a Lula who was lively, sociable, and excited to travel to Morocco—reinforcing his suspicion of murder. The mention of Rochelle Onifade in a message to Guy Somé raises even more questions. Lula emerges as a victim still crying out for justice among forgotten documents.

Chapter 20 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – A children’s party and a clue in a DVD

Strike attends his nephew Jack’s birthday party at his sister Lucy’s house. Amid balloons, screaming, and meddling mothers, he endures family tensions and avoids revealing details about his life, including his breakup with Charlotte. During a quiet moment, he inserts the CCTV DVD into the living room TV and watches crucial footage from the night Lula died. Two hooded figures—one with a scarf bearing the “GS” logo—are seen running through the snow; the police dismissed them as unrelated. Then, a girl and a man resembling the earlier figure are shown boarding a bus. In another scene, Strike identifies a sweatshirt with visible letters, leading him to suspect a connection to Guy Somé’s brand. Finally, Jack enters the room, happily receives his gift, and shares a warm moment with Strike before Lucy scolds the boy and retakes control.

Chapter 21 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – A Sunday of clues, memories, and GS-logo clothing

Strike contacts John Bristow to schedule a new meeting and requests access to Lula’s laptop. He then manages to speak with Derrick Wilson, who promises to search the building’s records for Rochelle Onifade’s surname, Lula’s friend. Minutes later, Wilson confirms the full name and says the girl visited Kentigern Gardens in early November. Strike writes it all down while browsing online for Guy Somé garments featuring the distinctive GS logo, identical to the one he saw in the security footage. He considers the possibility that the garment might link someone close to the crime scene. Though tired, he senses that crucial puzzle pieces are beginning to fall into place. Among designer clothes and seemingly trivial data, every new discovery becomes more significant. Despite threats from former clients like Brian Mathers, Strike continues his search with determination, driven by instinct and a growing web of contradictions.

Chapter 22 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin at Vashti and Lula Landry’s secret echo

Now using the alias “Annabel,” Robin joins Strike at the Vashti boutique as part of the investigation. Beneath a façade of luxury, pricey dresses, and convincing lies about an imaginary sister-in-law, Robin gains the shop assistants’ trust. While trying on dazzling outfits, she gathers valuable information: Lula Landry was there the day before her death and was overheard in the fitting room pleading with someone—apparently Evan Duffield—to visit her that night. Mel, one of the employees, confirms hearing the conversation but didn’t report it to the police. Though Duffield has been officially ruled out, Lula’s desperate tone and the omission of this testimony reinforce the theory that someone else was involved. Robin impresses Strike with her initiative and intuition, proving her worth in the investigation. The visit to Vashti reveals a scene filled with vanity and secrets, where a forgotten plea may hold the key to the case.

Chapter 23 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Tony Landry and dark family ties

Cormoran Strike meets with John Bristow for lunch, but is first intercepted by Lula’s uncle, Tony Landry. In a tense conversation, Landry tries to dissuade him from continuing the investigation, calling John’s suspicions “delusions.” He describes Lula as unstable, John as neurotic, and their mother Yvette as a hysterical woman. He confesses to having found Charlie Bristow’s lifeless body in the quarry years ago, a moment he says marked the family’s downfall. Strike senses hidden resentment beneath Landry’s polite exterior and questions him about his whereabouts on the day of Lula’s death. Landry admits he saw her but refuses to give further details. The detective suspects Landry knows more than he lets on, and after observing his reactions, concludes that the family’s ties are riddled with lies, blame, and secrets that may conceal the real cause of Lula Landry’s fall.

Chapter 24 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Suspicions, inheritance, and a forgotten laptop

Cormoran Strike meets with John Bristow and his uncle Tony Landry to dig deeper into the events of the day before Lula Landry’s death. The tension between the relatives is palpable. Landry tries to downplay his encounter with Lula and avoids explaining why she called him repeatedly after the visit, while Bristow appears more forthcoming. There’s a growing suspicion that Lula was trying to convey something important to her uncle. Landry expresses disdain for Kieran Kolovas-Jones, calling him an opportunist, and makes clear his discomfort with his niece’s mixed heritage. During a later walk, Bristow confesses to a poor relationship with Landry and reveals a professional dispute over managing the Conway Oates estate. The conversation also explores Lula’s search for identity, her desire to find her African father, and her on-and-off relationship with her biological mother. Bristow finally hands over Lula’s password-protected laptop.

Chapter 25 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Pain, memories, and a laptop in a hacker’s hands

Limping through London, Strike carries Lula’s laptop while coping with pain in his amputated leg. At the office, he finds Robin has made no progress with Bestigui or the Onifade name. Exhausted, he locks himself in and breaks his rule of no weekday smoking. He examines his inflamed stump, reflecting on his childhood and his mother, Leda Strike. At dusk, he visits Wong Kei restaurant to meet Nuts, an old acquaintance and IT expert. He gives him Lula’s laptop, asking him to investigate any relevant activity in the days leading up to her death, ignoring the password and suspecting the police didn’t dig deep enough. During the meeting, Nuts mentions Ilsa and Nick, who are worried about Strike’s disappearance. He confirms with a brief sentence that his relationship with Charlotte is over. Returning to the office, he’s overwhelmed by pain and nostalgia. Charlotte sends a message: “Please, can you give me a quick call when you can?”

Chapter 26 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Rochelle Onifade’s decisive clue

At dawn, Robin finds Strike asleep in the office. Though embarrassed, he tries to conceal his personal situation. She brings crucial news: she located Rochelle Onifade by pretending to be her and obtaining her appointment time at a day clinic. Strike rushes to Saint Thomas Hospital, hoping to intercept her. After several failed attempts, he finally sees her leaving in a distinctive magenta coat and convinces her to talk at a McDonald’s. Initially guarded and suspicious, Rochelle gradually opens up. She says she met Lula in therapy and that they shared an unconventional friendship. Rochelle claims Lula committed suicide, but her answers are ambiguous, revealing jealousy and resentment. She mentions gifts, conversations, and disdain for Lula’s wealthy friends. She also confirms Lula’s attempts to reconnect with her Black roots. The interview ends with Rochelle giving Strike her number, but her evasive behavior leaves him convinced she’s hiding something important about Lula’s final night.

Chapter 27 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Unexpected visits and reopened wounds

After parting ways with Rochelle, Strike tries calling her without success, unsettled by the feeling that she knows more than she admitted. Back at the office, he plans to keep his distance from Robin after unintentionally revealing his precarious living situation. But upon arrival, he finds his sister Lucy chatting cheerfully with Robin. Lucy confirms the breakup with Charlotte and lashes out at her with restrained fury, recalling years of pain and ignored warnings. Despite his irritation, Strike doesn’t tell her he’s living in the office. After convincing her he’s fine and declining her offer to stay at her place, he gets her to leave. Amid everything, he quietly appreciates Robin having closed the door to hide his folding bed. The visit leaves him emotionally drained, a reminder of how hard it is to balance his personal life with the investigation. Lula’s case is moving forward, but his own conflicts and physical pain seem to multiply at every step.

Chapter 28 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Revealed secrets and a luxury coat

Robin reflects on her conversation with Lucy, worried she may have crossed boundaries Strike wouldn’t appreciate. While buying sandwiches, she recalls how Lucy implied Charlotte should’ve wanted to meet her, stirring feelings of discomfort and confusion. She also revisits the revelation of Strike’s tragic past: his mother, Leda, a famous groupie, died of an overdose under suspicious circumstances. Moved and curious, Robin plans to dig deeper on her own. Back at the office, she senses unusual tension. Strike, distant and absorbed in his computer, finds Rochelle’s magenta coat on Guy Somé’s website, valued at fifteen hundred pounds and only available for the past two weeks. The discovery raises suspicions. Robin, feeling ignored, reports that Tony Landry did attend the Oxford conference, but Strike barely reacts. Both behave coldly. Drained by Lucy’s visit and his memories, Strike lashes out at Robin, disrupting their usual dynamic of closeness.

FOURTH PART

Chapter 29 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Confessions and suspicions in Guy Somé’s studio

Strike visits Guy Somé’s studio—an extravagant space filled with fabrics, photos, and design—where the eccentric designer greets him in flamboyant attire and theatrical manners. Somé expresses his hatred for John Bristow, calling him “the Accountant,” and insists Lula would never have taken her own life. He recalls that Lula called him from London while he was in Tokyo to share big news. Though he couldn’t return the call, he suspected she was pregnant, which would have jeopardized a five-million-pound accessories campaign. He also hints that Lula was pressured by her family, particularly Bristow, to exploit her contracts further. Somé says Deeby Macc and Lula both received clothing gifts that night. When Strike mentions that Lula changed clothes before her death, Somé is moved to tears, stating she only changed if she expected someone important—implying she had a visitor that night.

Chapter 30 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Deleted photos and digital secrets

After days without news from Rochelle or a response from John Bristow, Strike receives a visit from the hacker Nuts, who delivers information recovered from Lula’s laptop. The password was “Agyeman,” the name of an African professor. Lula had searched for African political books and showed interest in that culture. The most significant find is a deleted file of 212 photos erased on March 17, weeks after her death. The images depict parties, friends, and personal moments with Ciara, Somé, Rochelle, Kieran, and Evan. Although nothing seems incriminating at first glance, Strike insists someone wanted them gone for a reason. Robin, learning she has only two weeks left at the job, eagerly agrees to keep helping. Derrick Wilson calls to report that Bestigui is away, giving them a chance to inspect the building. Meanwhile, Strike continues mapping hidden connections between people, images, digital secrets, and dates that now carry unexpected weight in the investigation.

Chapter 31 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – A walkthrough of Kentigern Gardens and the memory of the drops

Strike and Robin inspect the Kentigern Gardens building with security guard Derrick Wilson. They explore the lobby, gym, pool, garage, and three floors, analyzing entrances, cameras, and security details. In Bestigui’s apartment, Strike confirms it’s impossible to see the fall site from the bathroom, so Tansy must have looked from the living room. On the second floor, the maid Lechsinka reveals that she overheard Tansy on the phone saying she no longer wanted to lie, after which she was furiously thrown out. She also recalls a heated argument between Lula and John Bristow days before Lula’s death. Lechsinka confirms she properly activated the alarms. In Lula’s flat, Strike examines the balcony from which she fell and retraces Derrick’s last movements. During the reenactment, Wilson remembers slipping on the stairs after stepping on large drops of water, something he had never mentioned. Strike realizes this forgotten detail is key to understanding the crime scene.

Chapter 32 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Lula’s biological mother and buried truths

During a sweltering weekend, Strike reviews documents and picks up on forgotten details about Lula’s death. On Monday, he visits Marlene Higson, the model’s biological mother, at a pub in Canning Town. The woman, vulgar and attention-seeking, claims she gave her daughter up for adoption to give her a better life but expresses resentment toward the Bristows for not compensating her after Lula’s death. Marlene says Lula reunited with her months before she died and confided fears about her adoptive mother. She claims Lula believed she was pregnant and distrusted both Rochelle and Ciara Porter, accusing Ciara of sleeping with Evan the night of the crime. She also vaguely mentions Lula’s supposed African father—a student who lived upstairs—but can’t recall his name or university. Strike suspects the story is distorted, yet he recognizes that important truths may be hidden among the contradictions.

Chapter 33 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Charlotte’s engagement and Strike’s fall

Robin receives a call from Charlotte Campbell, asking her to inform Strike of her engagement to Jago Ross. Shocked and touched, Robin hesitates. When Strike arrives in good spirits, she tells him the news, and he barely reacts, locking himself in his office. Later, he goes out drinking alone, overwhelmed by pain. Concerned, Robin searches several bars until she finds him drunk at the Tottenham. He lets her join him, rambling about memories and his volatile relationship with Charlotte. He confesses she once faked a pregnancy and opens up about his anguish. They walk the city, eat kebab, and he insists he doesn’t want to sober up. Back at the office, Robin tries to help, but he clumsily and sadly dismisses her. She watches him stumble away, understanding the depth of his suffering and feeling a mix of compassion and melancholy that’s hard to explain.

Chapter 34 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Hangover, reflection, and the return of resolve

Strike wakes up wrecked from a hangover, confused, drenched in sweat, with his prosthesis still on and lying on his sleeping bag. He finds a note from Robin, who left painkillers, water, and set the alarm for his next appointment. Grateful for her discretion and care, he gradually pulls himself together, deciding to shower, shave, and wear the sharp suit Charlotte once gave him. He heads to the university pool, where the cold water and memories help him calm down. While swimming awkwardly, he reflects on his relationship with Charlotte and her attraction to extremes, including Jago Ross—a privileged and violent man. He recalls how she bounced between destructive relationships, chasing intensity. As he dresses again, he chooses to keep the suit not as nostalgia, but as a symbol of growth. Refreshed and with renewed focus, he heads to his next interview, determined to move forward with the case and leave the pain behind.

Chapter 35 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Ciara’s confessions and Lula’s secrets

During a long photo shoot, Strike waits at Arlington Place to interview Ciara Porter. When the model finally appears, she’s warm and cooperative. She talks about her friendship with Lula, recalling an engagement ceremony with Evan in the Cotswolds, where Lula seemed immensely happy. Ciara insists Lula showed no signs of depression the day she died, though she admits she was slightly distracted. She recounts how Freddie Bestigui made Lula uncomfortable with vulgar innuendos and that Lula avoided his wife, Tansy. When Strike asks about a blue paper Lula wrote on before dying, Ciara says she never saw it. She also confirms Lula wanted to leave everything to her brother, echoing other witnesses. At the end, Ciara invites Strike to meet Evan that same night. He accepts, knowing the truth may be closer than it seems.

Chapter 36 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Night confessions with Evan Duffield

Strike joins Ciara Porter at an exclusive nightclub where they meet Evan Duffield, Lula Landry’s ex-boyfriend. The luxurious and chaotic atmosphere is filled with showbiz figures, but the focus is on the erratic Duffield, alternating between arrogance and a fragility Strike immediately detects. At Duffield’s apartment, Strike witnesses emotional moments in Lula’s circle, as the actor reveals jealousy, fights, media pressure, and a supposed engagement ceremony before Lula’s death. Through a series of confessions, Duffield details the tension of their final night together, their argument, and his failed attempt to reach her apartment. He also reveals an incriminating email from Tansy Bestigui. Though trying to remain detached, Strike feels compassion for Duffield’s pain. The night ends with Ciara making advances toward Strike, who gives in to desire, seeking solace after a turbulent few weeks.

Chapter 37 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Robin uncovers Lula’s lost father trail

Robin arrives at the office full of excitement with new findings but finds everything locked. Curious about Strike’s absence, she begins writing a report, wondering if he went back to Charlotte. When he finally appears, tired but in a good mood, Robin hides her annoyance, and he thanks her for helping him through his drunken night. Then she shares her discoveries: she identified Professor Josiah Agyeman, Lula’s possible father, who died five years ago, and learned his son is serving in Afghanistan. She also confirms that Tony Landry stayed at the Malmaison Hotel in Oxford and that Alison looked for him there. The information contradicts the official account. Impressed, Strike starts connecting the dots and gives Robin a new task. At the end, Robin sees a newspaper photo of Strike with Ciara, which stirs her curiosity about where he spent the night. An unexpected call brings a new twist: a body has been found with his business card.

Chapter 38 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Rochelle’s corpse and confrontation with Carver

Cormoran Strike goes to the morgue in Wapping to identify the body of Rochelle Onifade, recovered from the Thames. Despite his experience, the sight hits him hard. Wardle and Carver accompany him, the latter brimming with hostility. Strike recognizes Rochelle’s outfit as the same from their lunch two weeks ago, ruling out suicide. The police found his business card intact in a plastic sleeve in her pocket. During the interrogation, Carver suggests Strike may have driven her to suicide. Outraged, Strike insists Rochelle was blackmailing Lula Landry’s killer. He lays out his theory: Lula had bought a phone in Rochelle’s name to make secure calls and wrote a will the day before she died. Rochelle’s murder was to silence her. Though Carver mocks him, Wardle begins to show interest. Strike asks him to contact Deeby Macc to confirm a crucial detail.

Chapter 39 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Suspicions, memories, and the promise of justice

That night, Robin calls Strike, worried about his absence. He forbids her from following anyone, warning of the danger, but asks her to inform Bristow about Rochelle’s death. Strike plans to visit Freddie Bestigui the next day. As he reflects, he recalls Rochelle wearing the same outfit she was found in and mentally reconstructs the crime scene: she called the killer after lunch, revealing contact with a detective. They then went to Hammersmith Bridge, where she was pushed into the river. This killer is not impulsive but skilled and meticulous. In the dark office, Strike remembers the death of his mother, Leda, linking her story with those of Lula and Rochelle—three self-destructive women judged by their lifestyles. He decides he won’t let justice be denied. He calls a contact in Germany to investigate Agyeman, Lula’s presumed biological father.

Chapter 40 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Freddie Bestigui’s indirect confession

Strike rents a car and shows up unannounced at Pinewood Studios to confront Freddie Bestigui. After a scuffle with security, the producer agrees to give him five minutes. Strike presses him with a theory about the night Lula died: Bestigui locked his wife, Tansy, on the balcony during an argument, placing her as a direct witness to the crime. Fearing legal consequences, he cleaned the glass to cover it up. Though Bestigui denies it, his silence is telling. Strike warns that Tansy might talk if shown photographic evidence. He then confronts Bestigui about his connection to Tony Landry, revealing that Bestigui discovered Landry’s affair with Ursula May through a private investigator. The producer admits to possessing compromising information. Finally, Strike gets him to acknowledge a crucial detail: he heard someone running down the stairs after entering the flat—suggesting the real killer’s escape.

Chapter 41 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Rochelle’s funeral and confrontation with Alison

Cormoran Strike gets confirmation from Wardle about the sweatshirt given by Guy Somé to Deeby Macc, validating his theory of the crime night. He accompanies Robin to Rochelle Onifade’s funeral, attended by only seven people—a testament to the young woman’s loneliness. After the service, they go to a pub with Winifred, Rochelle’s aunt, where Alison dominates the conversation. Strike closely observes her as she reveals contempt for Bristow and admiration for Tony Landry. With subtle questions, he hints at an affair between Tony and Ursula May, triggering a defensive reaction from Alison, confirming hidden suspicions. Later, Strike questions Bristow about Tony visiting his mother the day before Lula’s death. Bristow hesitates, says he didn’t see him, and doesn’t recall Lula mentioning it. This uncertainty leads Strike to suspect someone impersonated Tony to visit Yvette Bristow.

Chapter 42 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Visit to Yvette Bristow and a crucial find

Cormoran Strike visits Yvette Bristow after John Bristow mysteriously cancels their meeting. While waiting, he receives confirmation that Jonah Agyeman, Lula’s supposed biological brother, is deployed in Afghanistan and has no children—debunking a key part of Bristow’s story. Inside, he finds Yvette weakened by Valium but lucid. They talk about Lula’s adoption, Tony’s initial disapproval, her search for her birth mother, and family tensions. When Strike asks about Tony’s alleged visit, Yvette hesitates and admits she doesn’t remember seeing him—contradicting earlier claims. During a quick inspection of the dressing room, Strike finds a white Guy Somé purse hiding Lula’s original will, signed by Rochelle. He can’t open the safe but conceals the document. On his way out, he stumbles on the stairs, injured, and begins making critical calls to close the case.

FIFTH PART

Chapter 43 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Ultimatum to Wardle and pressure on Bristow

At the Feathers pub, Cormoran Strike hands Wardle Lula’s will and pleads for action before more murders occur. In pain from his fall, he struggles to stay upright while demanding a court order to search Yvette Bristow’s safe. Back at the office, Robin helps him, and together they examine Jonah Agyeman’s photo—his resemblance to Lula confirms the family link. Bristow calls in a rage, claiming Alison has disappeared and blaming Strike. Robin reveals she lured him away with a fake meeting in Rye. Later, Bristow storms in, trying to cancel the investigation, but Strike confronts him with the discovery of Lula’s will hidden in her white purse. As he lays out his deductions, he reveals Bristow’s guilt. In the dark office, Bristow pulls a knife and attacks, but Strike fends him off with his prosthetic leg just before Robin enters and calls for help.

Chapter 44 Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Bristow’s confession and the full truth

John Bristow storms into Strike’s office, furious about him questioning his mother without permission. Strike, injured but resolute, reveals he found Lula’s will—signed by Rochelle—naming Jonah Agyeman as heir. As the conversation intensifies, Bristow begins to unravel. Strike corners him with the murder details: sneaking into the second floor, manipulating his mother’s clock, lying to Alison and Tony, using Deeby Macc’s sweatshirt, and fabricating his alibi. Bristow denies everything, but fear betrays him. Strike links the murder of Charlie to Lula and Rochelle, exposing a repeated pattern. When he mentions the safe’s code, Bristow lashes out with a knife. Strike is wounded but manages to subdue him with his prosthetic leg just before Robin rushes in and calls the police, preventing a greater tragedy.

TEN DAYS LATER

Chapter Epilogue Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling – Jonah Agyeman, the inheritance, and a new beginning

Ten days after Bristow’s arrest, Jonah Agyeman returns from Afghanistan. Strike meets him at the Tottenham pub, where the young soldier, still in shock, recounts how he met Lula. She contacted him after discovering his existence and persuaded him to visit. Though skeptical, Jonah agreed and stood at the corner of her street the night of the crime, witnessing Lula’s fall. Believing he had seen a suicide, he fled without telling anyone. Strike explains that Lula had uncovered the truth about Charlie and suspected Bristow, which fueled her desperation to meet Jonah. Lula’s will names him as her sole heir, though Jonah is overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Robin decides not to leave and proposes a salary Strike can afford. At the hospital, as he’s treated for his wounds, Strike reflects on all that has happened and feels that, at last, he has made a name for himself.

Conclusion – The Cuckoo’s Calling

In the end, truth didn’t jump—it was pushed, buried, and packaged as spectacle. With The Cuckoo’s Calling, Robert Galbraith lays the foundation for a series where every clue is a trap, every witness a performance. But amid the noise, something real emerges: the partnership between Strike and Robin—a bond forged through chaos and set to change everything.

Justice, here, doesn’t roar. It whispers. And while the media moves on from Lula Landry, two people keep connecting the dots that others dismissed. What began as a desperate job turns into a revelation—and a promise that the story is only just beginning.

The next case will take your breath away. Don’t miss what comes next: The Silkworm Book Summary by Chapter ➤

FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – The Cuckoo’s Calling

Who really killed Lula Landry in The Cuckoo’s Calling, and what was their motive?

Lula Landry was murdered by her adoptive brother, John Bristow. His primary motive was to secure the family’s inheritance before Lula could change her will. Driven by greed and an obsessive need for control, Bristow feared Lula would leave her fortune to her biological half-brother. He meticulously staged her death to look like a suicide, but overlooked the tiny, incriminating details that Cormoran Strike would eventually uncover.

What were the key clues that led Cormoran Strike to the real killer?

Several elements unraveled the truth: inconsistencies in Tansy Bestigui’s testimony, the suspicious presence of Rochelle’s expensive magenta coat, water drops on the stairs, and deleted photos from Lula’s laptop. Strike also noticed Bristow’s manipulative behavior—his eagerness to reopen the case, his access to intimate information, and his false emotional displays. These, combined with CCTV footage and behavioral tells, pointed clearly to Bristow.

How did Robin Ellacott contribute to solving the Landry case?

Robin played a vital role in the investigation. She tracked down Rochelle Onifade, extracted key details at the Vashti boutique, and used her empathy to win over reluctant witnesses. Her quick thinking and emotional intelligence brought forward insights Strike couldn’t have accessed alone. Robin’s active involvement was not just helpful—it marked her first real step toward becoming an indispensable investigator.

How does Lula Landry’s family background affect the investigation?

Lula’s identity struggle as a biracial woman adopted into a wealthy white family deeply shaped her final days. Her attempts to reconnect with her roots, tensions with relatives like Tony Landry, and a strained relationship with her biological mother all added complexity to the case. These dynamics not only influenced Lula’s emotional state but also revealed motives hidden beneath social and racial layers.

What do we learn about Cormoran Strike’s personal life beyond the crime itself?

The book offers an intimate portrait of Strike’s inner world: his painful breakup with Charlotte, the daily challenges of living with a prosthetic leg, and his fraught relationships with his rockstar father and late mother, Leda. These personal struggles enrich the narrative, showing that Strike’s path to solving crime is also one of self-healing and quiet resilience.