Book Summary – The Running Grave – Cormoran Strike – Book 7

Book summary by chapter of The Running Grave. Includes spoilers from the first infiltration into Chapman Farm to the end of the book. Not all graves are carved in stone—some entomb the living beneath dogma masked as salvation. Robin infiltrates the Universal Humanitarian Church to save Will but ends up confronting her own scars, the violence of her past, and the unspoken bond with Strike. As the cult crumbles and justice is served, the case may be over—but what cracks open between them isn’t a grave, but something far more enduring.

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott on a muddy path between old fences, beneath a grey sky and bare trees – Chapter-by-chapter Summary - The Running Grave

Introduction – The Running Grave

How far would you go to save someone who no longer believes in themselves? In The Running Grave, the seventh volume in the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith, the investigation steps away from traditional crime scenes and dives into a cult that sells redemption while breeding submission. This time, danger doesn't come with a weapon—it smiles, embraces… and dismantles from within.

Robin Ellacott accepts the mission to infiltrate the Universal Humanitarian Church, a group where the language of healing conceals punishment, where personal ties are erased, and where Will Edensor—the young man they’re sent to retrieve—seems to have forgotten who he once was. With every ritual masked as transformation, Robin is drawn closer to the toxic heart of corrupted belief. Meanwhile, Cormoran, forced to stay on the outside, must face everything he’s left unsaid.

Some cases are solved with logic—others, they take your soul. To trace each fracture that led to this moment, start here: Reading order of Cormoran Strike ➤

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Reading Order ➤

Chapter Navigation

• Chapter Prologue Summary – The Running Grave – The Family Rift over the Universal Humanitarian Church

• Chapter 1 Summary – The Running Grave – Baptism, Tension and an Unexpected Assignment

• Chapter 15 Summary – The Running Grave – Tension at the Agency and Shadows of the Past

• Chapter 30 Summary – The Running Grave – Spiritual Manipulation and Hidden Hierarchies

• Chapter 45 Summary – The Running Grave – Cult Changes and the Truth Behind Jacob

• Chapter 60 Summary – The Running Grave – The Straw Man, Wan’s Birth, and an Unexpected Witness

• Chapter 75 Summary – The Running Grave – Traitors, Suspicions, and a Threat

• Chapter 90 Summary – The Running Grave – Confessions and New Leads to Destroy the UHC

• Chapter 105 Summary – The Running Grave – Family Confrontation at the Edensor Home

• Chapter 120 Summary – The Running Grave – Baby Trafficking and a Monstrous Truth

• Chapter 135 Summary – The Running Grave – Meeting with Amelia Crichton and Charlotte’s Legacy

Chapter Prologue Summary – The Running Grave – The Family Rift over the Universal Humanitarian Church

A series of letters, emails and legal documents reveals the dramatic breakdown between William Edensor and his parents after he joined the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC). In March 2012, Sir Colin and Lady Sally Edensor discover with dismay that Will has left university without notice and joined this organization, cutting off all contact. Repeated attempts to communicate with him, including failed visits and ignored letters, intensify their concern. Will’s responses are cold, imbued with the cult’s dogmatic language and signed with the phrase “The Drowned Prophetess will bless those who worship her.” While his family suspects manipulation, legal documents and blogs reveal serious allegations against the UHC, linking it to a criminal commune of the past. The situation worsens with Lady Edensor’s terminal illness, whose final wish is to see her son. William does not respond. Sally dies in January 2016 without ever reuniting with him.

FIRST PART

Chapter 1 Summary – The Running Grave – Baptism, Tension and an Unexpected Assignment

In February 2016, detective Cormoran Strike attends the baptism of his friends Ilsa and Nick Herbert’s child, enduring the stifling heat of a crowded marquee and the crying baby left in his arms. As he tries to soothe the child, several guests corner him with sensational questions about his cases, offering no help with the infant. Amid the noise and the insistence of three blonde women, Strike notices a young brunette in a vibrant pink dress, whose striking behavior signals conflict. After returning the baby, he becomes ensnared in a series of awkward conversations until the woman in pink again pursues him with insinuations and exaggerated laughter. In the kitchen, the party continues with jokes, indiscreet looks and comments about the huge cake. As Strike endures the social encounter, the arrival of his partner Robin Ellacott heralds a professional matter arising amid the celebration.

Chapter 2 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Between Secrets, Jealousy and a Dangerous Invitation

Robin Ellacott accompanies Ilsa to a quiet room so the mother can breastfeed her baby and rest from the party’s bustle. There they excitedly discuss Bijou Watkins’s behavior, the woman in pink, whose constant attempts to stand out have made her an uncomfortable presence. During the conversation, Robin hears revelations about infidelities involving Bijou and the physical insecurity Ilsa feels after pregnancy. Robin tries to cheer her up while answering questions about her relationship with Detective Ryan Murphy, revealing that Strike disapproves of her boyfriend. In the kitchen, Bijou continues to display herself before Strike while recounting scandalous anecdotes from the legal world, provoking guests’ stares. Robin returns and Strike approaches her to share the first important detail: an email from Sir Colin Edensor requesting professional help. They agree to meet with him, and as they pose for a photo with the baby, Bijou moves in to stand next to Strike, interrupting the harmony of the moment.

Chapter 3 Summary – The Running Grave – Strike’s Solitude and a Call that Reopens Old Wounds

After the baptism, Strike returns to his tiny attic on Denmark Street in a foul mood and with the sense of having been invaded by superficial conversations. He must maintain a strict diet due to his recent hospitalization, and while preparing a healthy dinner he battles recurring thoughts about Robin. The emotional discomfort grows as he remembers that she is planning a future with Murphy, a situation that awakens a feeling he finally recognizes as love. Still, he fears that a relationship with her would destroy both their friendship and their agency, and he fears losing her if they choose a family life away from the private detective. In that conflict, a call from his old friend Shanker distracts him by asking for help finding the biological father of his stepdaughter who is suffering from leukemia. Afterward, his ex, Charlotte, contacts him from a club, attempting to reopen old wounds. Strike refuses to speak with her and finds Bijou’s phone in his pocket, which he breaks without hesitation.

Chapter 4 Summary – The Running Grave – A Desperate Father Reveals the Dark Power of the UHC

Strike and Robin go to the Reform Club to meet Sir Colin Edensor, who seeks help to rescue his son William from the Universal Humanitarian Church. Accompanied by his other two sons, James and Ed, Sir Colin recounts that Will, a bright young man with a diagnosis of mild autism, was recruited by the group in 2012 after attending a talk at university. After a visit to the Rupert Court temple and entry into the Chapman Farm field, he severed all ties with his family. The father describes manipulation techniques, isolation, hard physical labor and emotional control within the group. The older brother explodes recalling that Will ignored his dying mother and didn’t attend her funeral. Sir Colin provides documents written by former member Kevin Pirbright—later murdered—denouncing coercion and potential criminality. The father’s goal is not only to bring back Will, but to expose the organization legally.

Chapter 5 Summary – The Running Grave – Undercover Plans and Unspoken Truths

Strike and Robin analyze the Edensor case at the Golden Lion pub, exchanging ideas about infiltrating the UHC. She proposes assuming a false identity to be recruited from the Rupert Court temple and reach Chapman Farm, the central headquarters. As they discuss disguises, character backstory and logistics, Robin volunteers to take on the role, convinced she is best suited for it. Although Strike had already decided she was the ideal option, he hides his true motive: separating her from Ryan Murphy in hopes of weakening their relationship. Robin mentions a radical makeover, designer clothes and a fictional past as a wealthy young woman seeking meaning after a breakup. Strike suggests borrowing clothes from her sister Prudence. The exchange, full of chemistry, reveals underlying tensions and truths they both pretend not to see as they plan their first steps into the cult’s heart.

Chapter 6 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin, Caught Between Two Emotional Worlds

As she walks to the tube, Robin tries not to think of Strike as anything more than her business partner. Despite her stable relationship with Ryan Murphy, memories of moments with Strike—a caress at his wedding, an almost-kiss on her birthday—destabilize her. She’s spent months trying to bury her feelings, avoiding comparisons between Ryan and her boss, but her efforts haven’t erased the truth: she’s still in love with Cormoran. She reflects on her current partner, a caring and affectionate man with whom she shares work and satisfying physical intimacy, but also a mutual guardedness born from past wounds. They both reveal only edited versions of themselves. Robin has hidden dark parts of her history, like the real reason her marriage failed. Even so, she values the peace Murphy brings her. She refuses to overanalyze Strike and forces herself to refocus on her surveillance task.

Chapter 7 Summary – The Running Grave – A Personal Connection and the Horror Revealed

Strike stays alone in the pub to read the documents given by Sir Colin Edensor, focusing on the testimonies of Kevin Pirbright. In them, he discovers with growing discomfort that Chapman Farm is the same place he lived as a child for six months in a community known as Forgeman Farm, ruled by the Crowther brothers. The reading revives traumatic memories from that chaotic time and reveals that his disdain for cults has deep roots. Kevin’s text starkly outlines life within the UHC: emotional manipulation, physical punishments, children without formal education, spiritual abuse and a hierarchical structure led by Mazu and Jonathan Wace. It tells the story of several prophets buried on site, especially Daiyu Wace, Mazu’s daughter, whose death at sea was turned into a cult. Kevin describes rituals, supernatural apparitions and an atmosphere of fear. It all points to a coercive system disguised as spirituality, leaving its mark even years after escape.

Chapter 8 Summary – The Running Grave – Police Contacts, Secrets and Personal Tensions

Strike arranges a dinner with Detective Wardle to gain access to restricted police files and census records on Chapman Farm. Although Robin can’t join due to a date with Ryan, he doesn’t hide his annoyance. Meanwhile, Robin prepares her undercover persona, including a makeover and a visit to Strike’s sister Prudence for luxury clothing. At the dinner, Wardle delivers a report on Kevin Pirbright’s murder, which appears to be a hit: the room was ransacked, drugs were present, and only a laptop was stolen. Although the police conclude it was a drug-related crime, Strike suspects more. Wardle offers a warning: the UHC doesn’t tolerate investigation. He also reveals a disturbing detail about Ryan Murphy: he was once an aggressive alcoholic. Strike processes this with hidden interest, while focusing on the patterns of manipulation and violence surrounding the case.

Chapter 9 Summary – The Running Grave – A Revealing Visit and Warnings about the Cult

Robin travels to Prudence’s house, Strike’s half‑sister, to try on luxury clothes that will allow her to appear as a wealthy young woman seeking meaning. Her new haircut with blue tips completes the transformation. Upon arriving, Prudence warmly welcomes both of them and, upon learning they are investigating the UHC, reveals that she has treated a former member traumatized by their time in the cult. Without revealing identities, Prudence describes the psychological aftermath of the indoctrination and insists that Robin must read texts on mental manipulation. Then she accompanies Robin to choose clothes and shoes, confessing that she wants to gift the chosen outfits as a symbolic way of giving something to her brother, who never accepted anything from their father. Meanwhile, Strike examines a photo of Kevin Pirbright’s room and discovers, along with Robin, strange words written on the walls. One of them, highlighted and underlined, stands out above the rest: “PIGS”.

Chapter 10 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Infiltrates the UHC Temple in London

Now “Rowena Ellis,” Robin presents herself for the first time at the Rupert Court temple dressed in high‑end garments. The reception is friendly but observant: volunteers carefully analyze each attendee. The temple surprises with its luxurious aesthetics, with golds, murals, and images of the five prophets, including the Drowned Prophet. Robin sits among the audience, feigning casual interest. Soon Jonathan Wace, “Papa J,” appears, leading the ceremony by recounting the story of Rusty Andersen, a Vietnam veteran considered the Wounded Prophet. Andersen is said to have found faith before being killed by a hit‑and‑run, and Wace interprets this event as a divine sign. Charismatically, he invites those present to repeat the phrase “I admit the possibility,” which Robin utters with the rest. The speech blends universalist spirituality with diverse cultural references, while the atmosphere grows increasingly emotional. Robin senses that she has taken an effective first step toward her infiltration.

Chapter 11 Summary – The Running Grave – Old Wounds Resurface at Lucy’s House

After speaking with Robin about her successful infiltration, Strike visits his half‑sister Lucy, bearing gifts for his nephews. After some family moments, he reveals that the current case is linked to the old Aylmerton community where they both lived as children. Lucy bursts into tears and, between sobs, confesses that she was sexually abused by Dr. Coates, facilitated by Mazu, the current leader of the UHC. Strike is devastated; he always thought they had come out unscathed. Lucy admits she has been in therapy for years, tormented by not having reported it or protected other girls. They also talk about their mother, Leda, a chaotic figure they both loved and criticized. The conversation culminates in an intimate, fraternal moment where Lucy expresses her desire for Strike to catch Mazu. Strike promises he will try, understanding that this case has much deeper personal implications than he had imagined.

Chapter 12 Summary – The Running Grave – Painful Memories and Impulsive Decisions

Emotionally shaken by Lucy’s confession, Strike tries to keep his spirits up during the family lunch, but upon returning home, his distress overwhelms him. He drinks whiskey, reflects on Leda, and confronts the possibility that his chaotic past has influenced his adult decisions, including his failed relationship with Charlotte. Despite the dark thoughts, he refocuses on the case: he analyzes Chapman Farm census records and finds the name of a woman, Sheila Kennett, a potential key witness. He also discovers an article with testimonies from a former UHC member and plans to interview the journalist. He calls Robin to inform her, who is cooking for Ryan. Hearing the interaction between them, Strike feels suppressed jealousy. After hanging up, he receives an unexpected call from Bijou Watkins, who invites him out. Looking at his healthy dinner and remembering Robin with Ryan, he accepts the date, choosing an emotionally less committed distraction.

Chapter 13 Summary – The Running Grave – Progress in Surveillance and a Shared Past Revealed

While Robin and Barclay conduct surveillance in Bexleyheath, the Scottish agent’s humor contrasts with Clive Littlejohn’s somber behavior. Robin follows one of the suspects into central London while Strike arranges a meeting with a journalist. In the middle of the tail, Robin receives a call from Ilsa revealing in anger that Strike has had an encounter with Bijou Watkins. Although Robin tries to mask her reaction, the image unsettles her. Meanwhile, she manages to contact Sheila Kennett, a former member of the Chapman Farm commune. Later, Robin sees Will Edensor on the street, collecting with a gaunt appearance and under the watch of another more authoritarian member. Though her instinct urges her to approach, she remains firm in her undercover role. The scene leaves a strong impression on her: Will appears resigned, mistreated, and broken inside, as if his will had dissolved under the weight of indoctrination.

Chapter 14 Summary – The Running Grave – An Allied Journalist and Secrets Too Dangerous to Publish

Strike meets with Fergus Robertson, the journalist behind a controversial article about the UHC. In exchange for future information, Robertson agrees to share his prior research. He describes the church as a network of manipulation and abuse, especially targeting wealthy young people, and reveals that the only former member who spoke to him attempted suicide after confessing she saw the Drowned Prophet floating outside her window. Though she survived, her story — filled with abuse, rapes disguised as “spirit bonding,” and paranormal phenomena — was largely censored by her newspaper for fear of lawsuits. He also mentions that Margaret Cathcart‑Bryce, one of the prophets, died in pain from lack of medical care. The most shocking: Robertson keeps a list of ex‑members and promises to share it. Strike writes everything down, understanding that the threat goes beyond fraud. As he leaves, it becomes clear that what happens inside the cult has deeper roots than they imagined.

Chapter 15 Summary – The Running Grave – Tension at the Agency and Shadows of the Past

In the midst of a storm, Robin and Strike review the progress of the case. She has advanced in her infiltration, gaining the trust of the temple members. Meanwhile, Strike expresses concern about the sexual abuses within the cult, especially the “spirit bonding,” but Robin insists on continuing. They talk about the identified ex‑members and the fear provoked by the Drowned Prophet, who seems to follow those who leave the group. The unexpected arrival of Clive Littlejohn raises suspicions: he shouldn’t have been there, but he walked in as if he had a key. When questioning this, Robin receives a call from Murphy, awakening jealousy in Strike. Shortly after, Ilsa calls to warn her that Bijou plans to contact him. Strike, annoyed, abruptly hangs up. Robin, containing her emotions, witnesses how her partner accepts a second date with Bijou. As personal tensions grow, the case seems to consume them completely, and each interaction reveals emotional cracks they prefer not to confront.

Chapter 16 Summary – The Running Grave – Two Relationships Falter and a Shocking Confession

The relationship between Robin and Murphy suffers its first major setback after an argument about the length of her upcoming infiltration at Chapman Farm. He is upset for not being fully informed, and she is irritated at feeling judged for her professional commitment, as happened with her ex‑husband. Although they make up, Robin leaves for Coventry with a bitter feeling. There she interviews Sheila Kennett, a former hippie who lived at the cult’s origin. Between cakes and tears, Sheila recounts how the place went from being an idealistic commune to a hell dominated by punishment, manipulation, and death. She describes her husband Brian’s degradation, punished until he died on the temple floor, and how she was emotionally blackmailed after her departure. She confirms Mazu’s cruelty, names other key members, and hints at a mysterious punishment imposed after Daiyu’s death. Before saying goodbye, she begs Robin to stop the cult.

Chapter 17 Summary – The Running Grave – Revelations at Chapman Farm and a Hidden Past

Robin calls Strike from her Land Rover after a crucial interview with Sheila. They talk about the complicated case of unreported abuses in the UHC community. Meanwhile, Strike follows Frank Two to Tasha Mayo’s house, where he sees him loitering and filming her. Then, at the Grenadier pub, Strike meets with Henry Worthington‑Fields, an eccentric former UHC member who recounts his disturbing experience at Chapman Farm. Henry attended the place with Flora Brewster, convinced by an attractive recruiter. He describes exhausting routines, mental manipulation techniques, and the use of hunger and fatigue as tools of control. He also recounts a disturbing episode with a pregnant woman and a final ceremony where Papa J used tricks to appear to have supernatural powers. Henry did not join the sect, but Flora did. Years later, she confessed to him sexual abuses, physical punishments, and having witnessed a murder. Strike concludes the interview just as Charlotte Ross appears.

Chapter 18 Summary – The Running Grave – The Unexpected Return of Charlotte Ross

Strike comes face to face with Charlotte Ross, who approaches feigning surprise and pleading for five minutes to talk. Despite his resistance, he agrees for fear of a public scene. Charlotte reveals she has breast cancer, but Strike doubts her sincerity due to her manipulative history. Still, he responds courteously. She tries to rekindle the emotional bond, reminding him of the moments they shared after his leg amputation, but Strike, firm, tells her that perhaps he only accepted what was available at the time. In doing so, he breaks the central myth of their relationship, shattering Charlotte’s pride. She attempts to move him with tears and appeals to the past, but he does not yield. Before leaving, he reiterates that there is nothing between them anymore. She leaves the pub without looking back, narrowly escaping another emotional manipulation and thanking the timely arrival of a taxi that takes him away from that toxic encounter.

Chapter 19 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Agrees to Infiltrate Chapman Farm

Robin attends a ceremony at the UHC temple where Papa J’s son, Taio Wace, delivers a speech filled with conspiracy theories. In the audience, Robin recognizes the novelist Giles Harmon and a mysterious man with a scar, Dr. Zhou. Posing as Rowena, Robin interacts with a smiling recruiter and with Taio himself, who touches her familiarly. Both invite her to a retreat at Chapman Farm, an offer she enthusiastically accepts with feigned excitement. Taio confirms her attendance by touching her again before leaving. Back on the street, Robin calls Strike to confirm: she has successfully infiltrated. The undercover operation they had planned for weeks is finally underway. Despite the risk, she remains calm, and her smile fades only when she is alone, aware that the next step will take her into the heart of the cult and its darkest, most potentially destructive dangers.

PART TWO

Chapter 20 Summary – The Running Grave – Secret Preparations and a Personal Warning

At the office, Robin, Strike, and the team review the preparations for her infiltration at Chapman Farm. Midge, Dev, and Barclay have identified a blind spot in the security perimeter, ideal for hiding a fake “rock” with coded messages. Robin will write weekly reports there. Recommendations like not bringing electronics or personal items reinforce the totalitarian nature of the place. While joking to ease tension, Robin reveals she found Jordan Reaney, now in prison as Kurt Reaney, validating his connection to the abuse. She still has no leads on Paul Draper and Cherie Gittins. In private, Strike confesses he stayed at the Aylmerton community as a child but insists nothing happened to him. He warns her not to trust Mazu, the cult leader. Just then, a woman named Niamh Doherty agrees to meet with them. Strike invites Robin to join him the next day, deliberately frustrating her possible plans with Murphy.

Chapter 21 Summary – The Running Grave – Niamh’s Testimony and the Horrors of Chapman Farm

Strike and Robin visit Niamh Doherty, who reveals she lived at Chapman Farm from a young age, taken there by her father, obsessed with the UHC. Life on the farm was brutal: no toys, no personal clothes, no formal education. Niamh recalls constant fear, covert punishments, and the mysterious figure of Mazu, whom they feared like a spider. She recounts how her father fled with her and her siblings at night, leaving behind their mother and younger sister. The mother, Deirdre, had heart problems and was seen collapsing during forced labor. Niamh suspects she died there, although she later received a letter from the UHC claiming she was expelled. She also describes chilling rituals, such as the worship of the “Drowned Prophet” and nighttime punishments for children. The chapter ends with Strike privately asking her if her sister was abused by the cult’s doctor, leaving Niamh devastated.

Chapter 22 Summary – The Running Grave – Deirdre Doherty and the Mystery of the Axe in the Woods

During lunch, Robin and Strike analyze the information obtained from Niamh. They suspect that Niamh’s mother, Deirdre, may have died at Chapman Farm, a victim of abuse or negligence. They consider that her death might have been covered up by the cult to protect Jonathan Wace, possibly Lin’s biological father and rapist. Robin insists Deirdre may have written about the assault in her diary as a desperate cry for help. They also reflect on the isolation conditions, without calendars or clocks, which make validating testimonies difficult. Strike commits to including dates in his coded notes, and Robin asks him to pass on messages to Murphy during her stay. A call from Ava Reaney reveals that her husband Jordan, a former cult member and now inmate, suffers nightmares involving pigs, suggesting trauma experienced on the farm. Amid speculations about secret burials, a rusted axe, and scattered clues, Robin and Strike strengthen their strategy as the entry into Chapman Farm draws near.

Chapter 23 Summary – The Running Grave – Journey to Chapman Farm and First Signs of Control

Robin arrives at Victoria Station and joins the group heading to Chapman Farm, led by Becca Pirbright. In the minivan, she meets other recruits, including Amandeep, two teenagers, and a retired teacher. During the ride, Becca introduces the teachings of the UHC while watching the group closely through the rearview mirror. The passengers complete an extensive personality questionnaire, hinting at a covert evaluation system. A brief stop at a gas station reveals Becca anxiously reviewing the forms. As they continue, Becca explains the cult’s principles and its battle against materialism, presenting its narrative as a path to spiritual enlightenment. She also smoothly answers critical questions, downplaying accusations of cultism. Robin observes how the leaders collect data and assess behaviors. The atmosphere in the vehicle is a mix of excitement, nervousness, and submission. As they arrive on the outskirts of Norwich, Robin knows that true isolation and indoctrination are about to begin.

Chapter 24 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Infiltrates Chapman Farm as Rowena Ellis

Robin officially enters Chapman Farm under her false identity as Rowena Ellis. After surrendering her belongings, she receives an orange uniform, a cloth bag, and a mandatory journal where she must record thoughts to be read by the leaders. The setting blends new buildings with rural areas; the children have shaved heads, and the facility is filled with cameras and religious symbols. The central figure is the Drowned Prophet, a statue of a girl in the middle of a fountain, representing purity and obedience. Robin is assigned to “Fire Group,” unexpectedly led by Taio Wace, who shows interest in her. The group works in a craft workshop making stuffed turtles to raise funds. Robin talks to Louise, an older woman with a shaved head, who questions her about her past. She notices that every cult member subtly interrogates newcomers, seeking out vulnerabilities. Control, surveillance, and indoctrination have already begun.

Chapter 25 Summary – The Running Grave – Surveillance of Bigfoot and Secrets Revealed by Abigail Glover

While Strike carries out surveillance at Chelsea Cloisters, he reflects with concern about Robin and her stay at Chapman Farm. During the wait, he receives a message from Dev Shah warning that Clive Littlejohn omitted important details about his work history, raising new doubts. Later, Strike is contacted again by Abigail Glover, who agrees to meet with him. During the meeting, Abigail expresses distrust toward Kevin Pirbright and his intent to write a book about the UHC. She clarifies that her mother drowned accidentally and is outraged that Pirbright suggested her father had murdered her. Though hesitant, Abigail agrees to share details about Chapman Farm, revealing that her father took control of the place by manipulating the residents. She asserts that Daiyu was not her father’s daughter but rather Mazu’s child with Alex Graves, and that Mazu faked paternity to avoid losing custody after Graves’s suicide. Strike takes notes, intrigued by the falsehood behind the official story.

Chapter 26 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin’s First Encounter with Mazu and Forced Meditation

Robin continues her infiltration at Chapman Farm, pretending to be Rowena Ellis. After long hours making stuffed turtles and enduring interrogations from members, she is finally taken with her group to an older part of the farm, where they help herd pigs, brush horses, and clean harnesses. Exposed to hard physical labor without food, Robin feels the indoctrination starting to take hold. They are then led to the temple, an imposing structure with golden murals, mythological creatures, and a central stage where Mazu Wace welcomes them. Dressed in orange robes and a mother-of-pearl necklace, Mazu leads a session of “joyful meditation,” forcing them to laugh for minutes, claiming this is how to master the mental state. The atmosphere is hypnotic and controlling, and Robin pretends to participate while analyzing her surroundings. At the end, Mazu makes everyone kneel and pray, reinforcing the absolute spiritual control she exerts over the new recruits.

Chapter 27 Summary – The Running Grave – Dinners, Rituals, and Emotional Exaltation at Chapman Farm

After the meditation session, Becca Pirbright leads the group to the “Drowned Prophet” pond, where they must kneel, anoint themselves with water, and recite a mantra as a tribute to Daiyu Wace. Then, in the dining hall, Robin joins other members, including Danny Brockles and two young people who praise the sacred book “The Answer.” The atmosphere shifts when Jonathan and Mazu Wace make a grand entrance to the sound of David Bowie’s “Heroes.” With great theatrics, Jonathan praises outstanding members like Danny, who cries with emotion after being recognized. Jonathan’s speech blends spiritual exaltation with apocalyptic messages about wars, diseases, and global corruption. At the end, everyone chants the mantra “Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu” in a collective trance, followed by euphoric hugs. Robin, exhausted and hungry, clearly perceives the emotional power the church exerts over its followers, enveloping them in a cycle of hope, submission, and extreme fervor.

Chapter 28 Summary – The Running Grave – Abigail Glover Reveals the Truth about Daiyu and the Punishments

Strike meets with Abigail Glover in a pub in Ealing for a crucial interview. Visibly shaken and after several glasses of wine, Abigail reveals that Daiyu was not Jonathan Wace’s daughter, but the child of Mazu and Alex Graves. Mazu faked the paternity to prevent Graves’s family from gaining custody. After Daiyu’s death, Mazu inherited everything Alex had left. Abigail also confirms the cult’s constant manipulation, mentioning cruel rituals and physical punishments. She recalls with horror how, after Daiyu’s death, she and other children were forced to crawl naked wearing pig masks for three days. She explains how Mazu used the I Ching to justify punishments, manipulating the hexagrams as supposed divine signs. Mazu emerges as a central and terrifying figure, with practices based on humiliation, power, and spiritual abuse. The interview ends with Abigail walking away, drunk but relieved after sharing her long-repressed story.

Chapter 29 Summary – The Running Grave – The Buried Truth about Daiyu Wace

Strike returns to the office after dining alone and dives into the Daiyu Wace case files. He rereads local reports describing the girl’s death during a dawn swim in 1995, alongside the teenager Cherie Gittins. Although it was declared a drowning, unsettling details remain: the unusual hour, the absence of the body, and Cherie’s strange behavior. In a Daily Mirror article, Cherie tearfully states that Daiyu suddenly jumped into the water and was swept away by the current. The girl’s mother expresses her grief and desire to recover the body. Strike finds the obituary of Alexander Graves, Daiyu’s supposed biological father, who died in 1993. Searching online, he comes across macabre illustrations of Daiyu created by a user called Torment Town. The disturbing and symbolic images portray the girl as a central figure in the UHC cult’s mythology.

Chapter 30 Summary – The Running Grave – Spiritual Manipulation and Hidden Hierarchies

Robin wakes up at Chapman Farm and notices the groups have been reorganized: she is now part of one composed of educated and high-status individuals. During the day’s activities, she is assigned to making corn dollies under the supervision of Mazu Wace. There she meets Lin, a stuttering teenager whom she identifies as Deirdre Doherty’s daughter. Mazu reads a passage from The Answer, where Jonathan Wace describes the spiritual transformation of a wealthy woman, using language that criticizes materialistic life. Amandeep interrupts to ask for clarification, which unsettles the cult members. Robin senses tension and classism disguised as spirituality. Lin silently teaches her how to work the straw while Mazu watches with disapproval. Jiang interrupts the reading to take Robin to see Dr. Zhou. On her way out, Robin picks up another hidden stone, her personal method of counting the days and maintaining mental clarity amid the indoctrination.

Chapter 31 Summary – The Running Grave – Zhou’s Judgment and Spiritual Surveillance

Robin is escorted by Jiang through the grounds as she observes how the Metal group members are assigned absurd tasks. Jiang scolds Will Edensor for comforting an injured girl, accusing him of “materialistic possession,” which Robin interprets as emotional control disguised as spiritual doctrine. Jiang reveals that Daiyu was his sister. Feigning interest, Robin manages to hide a small pebble in her clothing. Upon arriving at Dr. Zhou’s office, she finds him in the company of actress Noli Seymour. Once alone, Zhou evaluates Robin for fasting, acting friendly yet invasive. He asks about her sex life, family, and emotional state, and hands her a copy of The Answer. After a medical questionnaire, he offers a mixture of tinctures to “balance her qi.” Robin drinks the liquid without knowing its ingredients. Later, she finds another copy of the book, dedicated by Jonathan Wace to Danny Brockles, which she hides along with her stones.

Chapter 32 Summary – The Running Grave – Lies, Surveillance, and New Threats

Strike tries to meet with Clive Littlejohn, but the day’s logistics force him to confront him by phone. He discovers that Littlejohn hid having worked with Mitch Patterson and visited the office on a holiday. Though the investigator gives explanations, Strike remains suspicious of his loyalty. He then contacts Colonel Graves, Daiyu’s grandfather, who agrees to meet him at Garvestone Hall. Later, while tailing the Frank brothers, he discovers that both are involved in the case and act clumsily: they wear poorly fitted wigs, behave suspiciously, and buy rope and a mallet at Sports Direct. While surveilling them, Strike receives a threatening call from Jordan Reaney from prison after learning that Strike spoke with his wife. The call confirms Reaney suffers from nightmares about pigs. Intrigued, Strike contacts his old friend Shanker to dig deeper. They agree to meet that same day.

Chapter 33 Summary – The Running Grave – Reunions, Suspicions, and Ghosts of the Past

Cormoran Strike meets Shanker at Pellicci’s café to talk about Jordan Reaney, a former gang member who is staying silent about a key case. Shanker confirms Reaney is in prison in Bedford and offers to help. They also discuss the murder of Kevin Pirbright, which Strike suspects was staged. Shanker hints at police corruption, but Strike remains skeptical. During the meeting, Strike rejects a seductive message from Bijou Watkins and is affected by a photo of Charlotte at a charity event. The conversation shifts to personal matters, including his uncle Ted’s health and Strike’s lack of children. Shanker mentions his father, who suffered from dementia, triggering guilt in Strike. As he leaves, he reflects on Switch, his forgotten half-brother, Whittaker’s son. Though he never felt a bond with him, the mention stirs painful memories. Strike ends the day feeling alone, wishing he could talk to Robin, whose absence weighs heavily on him.

Chapter 34 Summary – The Running Grave – The Submission Ritual at Chapman Farm

Robin endures exhausting days at Chapman Farm, where new recruits are emotionally and physically pressured. Sessions with Mazu Wace aim to make each member renounce their past, labeling family ties as “materialistic possessions.” One young woman challenges this logic, claiming she had no trauma, which draws rejection from the group. Robin, following the dynamic, also shares her story, though she suspects some exaggerate their traumas. A selective fast begins, and apocalyptic speeches about world collapse intensify. Finally, Jonathan Wace appears before the recruits and presents a harrowing montage of global images to move them, ending with the supposed spiritual appearance of Daiyu, a deceased girl who smiles at the group from the stage. Robin, though rationalizing it as a trick, is affected by the experience. The mix of hunger, isolation, manipulation, and exhaustion brings the group to a state of extreme vulnerability, as the cult tightens its psychological grip.

Chapter 35 Summary – The Running Grave – The Symbolic Baptism of the Chosen

After the Daiyu spectacle, the recruits are led to the temple for a “rebirth” ritual. Jonathan Wace announces they must decide whether to abandon the material world and join the church. One by one, they begin submerging in a central pool as a symbol of purification. Robin chooses to participate, knowing this will grant her greater access within the cult. After immersion, she is led to a changing room with other converts, where she receives dry clothes and is watched by Taio Wace. Several recruits laugh about their unexpected transformation into group members. However, some resist, like the girl who defended her family days earlier. Robin suspects these individuals may be detained. Later, the new members receive a much more substantial dinner than before, surrounded by festive decor. Robin recognizes influential figures at the main table, including a famous actress and a politician, both now loyal cult followers.

Chapter 36 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin’s Secret Mission in the Forest

Robin uses the night after the baptism to search for the “safe rock” in the woods and leave her message for Strike. Dressed in her damp tracksuit, she avoids others and crosses rain and darkness until she finds the fake stone near the perimeter fence. There she finds a note from Strike, informing her about Abigail Glover and new clues regarding Daiyu’s death. Just as she finishes writing her reply, she hears voices: Lin, a stuttering young girl, cries desperately, fearing she’ll be sent to Birmingham if she doesn’t become pregnant again. Robin hides in nettles, listening to her anguished conversation with Will Edensor, who is also trapped in the cult. After they leave, Robin tries to return but gets lost. She stumbles upon old posts arranged in a circle, possibly used for punishment, and finally makes it back to the dorm unseen. Exhausted, wounded, and full of questions, she falls asleep knowing the danger is just beginning.

PART THREE

Chapter 37 Summary – The Running Grave – Inheritances, Suspicions, and a Buried Truth

Strike receives Robin’s letter from Chapman Farm and is intrigued by the mention of a pregnancy linked to Will Edensor. Though the information might indicate crimes, he prefers to investigate further before alerting Sir Colin. Meanwhile, Pat is unusually irritable and avoids talking about Littlejohn, arousing Strike’s curiosity. After days of limited progress in the UHC case, he travels to Garvestone Hall to interview the Graves family, who recount the downfall of Allie, the “Stolen Prophet.” Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Allie joined the UHC after meeting Mazu at a community program. The relationship deteriorated when she and Jonathan Wace isolated and manipulated him, leading the family to attempt a rescue, which failed. Allie committed suicide after being forcibly brought home. Graves reveals that Allie left his inheritance to Daiyu, including valuable shares and property rights, giving the cult motive to maintain control over the girl.

Chapter 38 Summary – The Running Grave – The Temple’s Silence and Phillipa’s Threat

After a tense interview, Strike obtains crucial details about Allie’s life at Chapman Farm, his destructive relationship with Mazu, and Jonathan Wace’s increasing control. Learning of the legacy Allie left to his daughter Daiyu, he realizes the cult had financial reasons to keep her. Graves confirms they tried to gain custody after Allie’s suicide, but Mazu and Wace denied his paternity, claiming Wace was the biological father. When DNA tests were requested, Mazu abruptly announced Daiyu’s death. The body was never found, but witness testimonies closed the case as an accidental drowning. Strike learns that “Cherie Gittins” was actually Carine Makepeace, a key fugitive now missing. As he leaves, Phillipa Graves confronts the detective with restrained fury, fearful of the scandal that could revive the past. Her hatred toward Allie and Daiyu reveals deep wounds that still affect the entire family.

Chapter 39 Summary – The Running Grave – The Mind Game of the Family Letter

Robin faces new challenges at Chapman Farm. First, she explains the state of her clothes after her nocturnal expedition by inventing a fall in the chicken coop. She then witnesses the departure of Jonathan Wace and other leaders, disrupting the cult’s routine. New members arrive from Glasgow and Birmingham centers, including Emily Pirbright, Becca’s sister, who displays rebellion and discomfort. Robin observes that the newcomers are assigned lower-tier tasks, while she undergoes intense doctrinal sessions. In one of them, members must write a symbolic breakup letter to their families, prompting a crisis in Robin: she has no real recipient. Quickly, she invents a fictional sister, “Theresa,” and drafts a letter following the cult’s instructions. Her ingenuity helps her avoid suspicion, but the experience leaves her drained. Meanwhile, Emily shows disdain for the group, and Robin suspects her discontent could become a valuable future source of information.

Chapter 40 Summary – The Running Grave – Fragmented Memory and the Cherry Makepeace Lead

Strike visits his uncle Ted in Cornwall, concerned about his mental health. The medical appointment confirms a diagnosis of dementia, and although Ted doesn’t fully understand, Strike and his sister Lucy face the difficult future ahead. From there, the detective receives the hidden letter Robin left in the stone, where she reports the arrival of Emily Pirbright, the forced family letter session, and a mysterious medical emergency at the main house. She also mentions a ritual called “Revelation,” where members confess errors and are publicly humiliated. Strike asks Midge to draft a reply to the fake letter. Meanwhile, he continues to search for Cherie Gittins, without success. Finally, he finds a lead in an old newspaper: Cherie, under the name “Cherry Makepeace,” was involved in a robbery and received a suspended sentence. The discovery of multiple aliases reinforces the idea that Cherie is key to uncovering the truth behind Daiyu’s death and the cult’s secrets.

Chapter 41 Summary – The Running Grave – Total Indoctrination and Will and Lin’s Secret

Robin continues to resist mental indoctrination at Chapman Farm, where coercive practices are disguised under technical jargon. In the ceremony called “Revelation,” Kyle is humiliated for admitting shame about being gay, while Mazu encourages the use of extreme insults, justified as part of “PRT” or Primal Response Therapy. Robin watches with alarm how easily new members adopt the cult’s terminology and shift their worldview. Though she struggles to gather valuable information, she deduces that Will Edensor and Lin Pirbright are secretly raising their daughter Qing, defying the cult’s norms. She also notices tension between the Pirbright sisters, Becca and Emily, who avoid all contact. The third week marks a new attempt at outside communication: Robin finds a letter from Strike and another from Ryan, along with chocolate, which renews her strength to keep investigating despite the oppressive environment.

Chapter 42 Summary – The Running Grave – The Barn Discovery and the Forbidden Polaroids

While returning at night from the “safe rock,” Robin gets caught in an emergency search when a boy named Bo goes missing. She hides in an old sealed barn, where she finds a disturbing pile of abandoned belongings: clothes, toys, wallets, and books, all covered in dust. The scene evokes a ghostly atmosphere reminiscent of historical tragedies. Searching a Barnum’s cookie tin, she discovers a collection of explicit Polaroids: images of masked adults with pig heads engaging in sexual acts, apparently taken in the same barn. Disturbed, she hides the photos in her bra. When the search for Bo ends, Robin rejoins the group to avoid suspicion. Mazu publicly punishes two teenagers for neglecting the boy, while the rest remain in eerie silence. That night, Robin examines the photos in secret. Shortly after, a piercing scream from the temple breaks the silence. Despite the horror, no one reacts, as if nothing had happened.

Chapter 43 Summary – The Running Grave – Internal Fractures and an Unexpected Scandal

While Robin keeps silent about the Polaroids she found, Strike holds a team meeting at a pub, where he announces he is considering firing Littlejohn. Barclay presents criminal records for the Frank brothers, including indecent exposure, identity fraud, and a possible benefits scam. The team considers reporting them to the police as a deterrent tactic. They also discuss new strategies to infiltrate a detective into Chelsea Cloisters, where a client seeks irrefutable proof of her husband’s infidelity. At the end, Shah hands Strike a copy of Private Eye, linking him to Bijou Watkins and married attorney Andrew Honbold. The article insinuates that Strike helped Bijou spy on the lawyer. Furious, Strike calls Ilsa, who confirms Bijou has been trying to pressure Honbold into leaving his wife. The humiliation and threat of public scandal push Strike to act immediately to contain the damage.

Chapter 44 Summary – The Running Grave – Cross Blackmail and Veiled Threats in the Heart of London

Determined to stop the scandal from spreading, Strike follows Bijou Watkins from Lavington Court Chambers to a hidden pub. There, he confronts her about the rumors linking her romantically to him and to Andrew Honbold. Though she denies speaking to the press, her hesitant demeanor reinforces Strike’s suspicions. He demands she delete all evidence of their contact and deny any involvement with private surveillance. Bijou, tearfully, agrees to erase the messages and photos, while Strike intimidates her with the threat of revealing compromising secrets if she tries to drag him down. Although the encounter is tense, he leaves assured that he has regained control of the narrative. Meanwhile, he receives confirmation from Shanker for a visit to Jordan Reaney, promising new leads in the UHC case. However, the shadow of the media scandal lingers, and Strike leaves with restrained anger.

Chapter 45 Summary – The Running Grave – Cult Changes and the Truth Behind Jacob

Robin manages to get rid of the Polaroids, hiding them in the safe rock, feeling immense relief after a week carrying them in her clothes. The next day, cult members receive new scarlet uniforms, marking the start of the “Season of the Stolen Prophet,” along with boxes of hair dye remover. The message is clear: eliminate the artificial. Robin takes the opportunity to speak with Penny Brown, who cryptically shares details about Jacob, a member housed in the main building. Penny believes Jacob is improving thanks to Dr. Zhou’s care, but also echoes disturbing ideas about supposed euthanasia of disabled people in the outside world. Robin tries to sow doubt about the cult’s authenticity, but Penny reacts in fear and locks herself in the shower. Despite fatigue and restrictions, Robin senses small cracks in the cult’s psychological control during these interactions—cracks that could become crucial to her investigation.

Chapter 46 Summary – The Running Grave – Indoctrination, Emotional Collapse, and a Strategy of Resistance

With the arrival of the Season of the Stolen Prophet, routines shift at Chapman Farm. Robin and others no longer view images of war and misery but now attend talks on the “nine steps to the pure spirit,” of which only the first six are explained. Robin witnesses another “Revelation” session, where Vivienne and Walter are humiliated. The emotional strain leaves her disturbed, as weight loss and cult language begin to erode her objective perception. Alarmed by her own adaptation, she decides to closely observe the methods used to control members: minimal rewards after long deprivations, group reordering to prevent bonds, and messages prioritizing vertical obedience. To preserve her sanity, Robin imagines explaining everything to Strike, forcing herself to drop the cult’s jargon. That night, she finds her letter along with chocolate, regaining strength to continue resisting from within.

Chapter 47 Summary – The Running Grave – Reports, Threats, and a Voice from the Past

Strike reads Robin’s letter and drafts a report for Sir Colin Edensor detailing the coercive conditions and psychological abuse at Chapman Farm. He omits, for now, Will Edensor’s possible paternity to avoid causing unnecessary alarm. While dealing with the media scandal over his connection to Bijou Watkins, he receives an emergency call from a client: she has received a live snake in the mail. Though he initially suspects the Frank brothers, surveillance confirms they weren’t involved. The situation forces Strike to hire two of Shanker’s associates to expand monitoring. Soon after, he receives an unexpected call from his ex, Charlotte, warning of a journalistic investigation into his love life. Charlotte claims she defended his integrity, sparking a conversation filled with restrained emotions and reproaches. When she proposes meeting again, Strike firmly refuses. The call leaves him emotionally shaken, reminding him that while the past keeps returning, he’s chosen to move on.

Chapter 48 Summary – The Running Grave – Blows, Compromising Photos, and a Social Media Lead

Shah, one of Strike’s investigators, is punched by an unfaithful client nicknamed Bigfoot but manages to capture a decisive photo on his damaged phone: the man leaving a room with a half-naked woman. The evidence will help close the case. Meanwhile, Strike reveals he suspects rival detective Patterson is behind the media attacks against him and decides to surveil him with help from two paid ex-cons. In pursuit of the elusive Cherie Gittins, key to the UHC case, Strike tries locating her through social media using possible aliases like “Carrie Curtis Woods.” His search pays off when he finds a profile matching the description. The day takes another turn when Barry Saxon, linked to Abigail Glover, unexpectedly shows up—potentially opening a new line of investigation. As he advances on multiple fronts, Strike also has to take on office chores and handle new and eccentric clients.

Chapter 49 Summary – The Running Grave – Saxon, Threats, and a Past Filled with Violence

Barry Saxon bursts into Strike’s office to denounce Abigail Glover, with whom he had a rocky relationship and for whom he harbors clear resentment. Saxon claims Abigail covered up Kevin Pirbright’s murder by the UHC and shares a disturbing memory: he says Abigail, as a child, participated in the brutal beating of a mentally disabled boy who later died under suspicious circumstances. He also alleges that she recently threatened to make him disappear if he continued defaming the cult. Strike, skeptical but attentive, notes his statements, including mentions of weapons at Chapman Farm. Despite Saxon’s vindictive tone, some claims raise relevant suspicions. After dismissing him, Strike concludes obsession—not truth—is his motivator. Even so, he calls Ryan Murphy, acknowledging that if there’s any chance weapons are hidden on the farm, a deeper police investigation will be needed.

Chapter 50 Summary – The Running Grave – Pure Spirit, Hidden Punishments, and a Child at Risk

At Chapman Farm, Robin attends a disturbing talk on “spiritual bonding,” where Taio claims purity is achieved by surrendering to sexual relations without personal desire. Though Robin recognizes the manipulation behind the speech, she fears she has drawn too much attention. The situation worsens when she visits the safe rock on the wrong night, leaving her without a letter or chocolate, and more exposed. The next day, instead of going to Norwich with her group, she is assigned to work in the orchard—a clear sign of punishment. There, she encounters Will Edensor, who cares for little Qing, his daughter with Lin, though he denies the concept of possession. Robin tries to keep him talking, noting his doctrinal rigidity and his need to prove loyalty to the cult, even as his actions contradict its teachings. That night, Robin realizes she can no longer remain simply obedient: to move forward, she will have to take risks and challenge boundaries.

Chapter 51 Summary – The Running Grave – The Truth about Jacob Messenger and Echoes of an Ancient Horror

Strike meets with Ryan Murphy at St Stephen’s Tavern pub to share updates on the cult. Murphy gives him a report about the dismantling of the Aylmerton community in the 1980s, where sexual objects, evidence of abuse, and a fake weapon used in Gerald Crowther’s magic tricks were found. Though no real weapons were discovered, the information about Jacob Messenger—a former convict turned prominent cult member—is key: after running over a woman while high on cocaine, Jacob joined the UHC seeking redemption. Strike deduces that he is the same sick Jacob Robin has mentioned from the farm. As they review the investigation, tension builds between the two men over their relationships with Robin. While Murphy expresses concern for his girlfriend’s safety, Strike makes it clear that she chose to stay until solid evidence is gathered. Despite the scant proof about weapons, the meeting strengthens the hypothesis of the cult’s danger.

PART FOUR

Chapter 52 Summary – The Running Grave – Punishment, Affectionless Children, and Jacob’s Secret

Robin is demoted to the lowest work levels at Chapman Farm, forced to clean stables, serve in kitchens, and care for animals nonstop without explanation. Exhausted, she watches a new group of recruits arrive while she is excluded from all doctrinal activities. Her situation worsens when she witnesses a violent dispute between Emily Pirbright and Jiang Wace, who tries to force her into obedience by raising a tool against her. Robin intervenes in vain, prompting Shawna to drag her as an assistant to the children’s classrooms. There, she discovers passive children starved for affection—love forbidden by doctrine. Shawna reveals disturbing information: Jacob is “marked” by Papa J, who decides when someone must die for the supposed spiritual good. Robin is shaken by the indifference with which they speak of eliminating people deemed obstacles and by the emotional deterioration of children raised under the cult.

Chapter 53 Summary – The Running Grave – Rowena’s Humiliation and the Apparition of Daiyu

After assisting Shawna, Robin is brought before Mazu and forced to offer a humiliating tribute by kissing her filthy foot—an act that seals her submission before she’s taken to the temple for a “Revelation” session. Under the group’s gaze, Robin is interrogated about her life and pressured to confess shameful acts. With no way out, she invents memories, but the hostility intensifies, and the insults escalate into personal attacks resembling an emotional sacrifice. Mazu accuses her of valuing appearance and money, forcing her to describe a painful breakup while those present shout merciless insults. As the group demands more confessions, a childlike figure briefly appears on the upper balcony, causing panic: they claim it’s Daiyu, manifesting as a sign of condemnation. The stage tilts violently, and everyone flees from the water’s edge, terrified by the supposed spiritual presence. Robin is left weakened, humiliated, and afraid of what comes next.

Chapter 54 Summary – The Running Grave – Taio’s Attempt and Robin’s Resistance

After the Revelation, Taio approaches Robin, feigning support, and leads her to the Retreat Rooms intending to consummate the so-called “spiritual bond.” Robin, exhausted and vulnerable, realizes that refusal could mean losing her status within the cult. However, upon facing the filthy room where Taio intends to use her, she chooses to resist. She fakes distress, exaggerates her sobbing, and uses doctrinal language to argue that she is not “worthy,” trying to stop his desire without openly defying him. Taio insists that sex purifies, but Robin’s erratic behavior and the fear of external consequences make him back off. He finally orders her to clean the rooms as spiritual punishment. Upon exiting, Robin sees Emily Pirbright exposed in public, covered in dirt and forced to hold a sign accusing her of being “a filthy pig.” The scene confirms the real risk of extreme physical and psychological punishments for those who rebel.

Chapter 55 Summary – The Running Grave – The Secret Letter and Charlotte’s Threat

Strike receives a handwritten letter from Robin, noting spelling errors and signs of physical and mental exhaustion. She reveals, for the first time, compromising details: Taio attempted a “spiritual union,” Emily and Shawna were punished, and the children appear deeply indoctrinated. She also mentions a strange drawing of a tree and an axe. Meanwhile, Strike deals with personal problems: Charlotte, his ex, has left emotionally unstable and threatening voicemails, accusing him of past betrayals. Strike also tries to locate Jacob Messenger, a potential key figure in the investigation, but his family claims no contact. Through conversations with Pat and reviewing graphic materials in his office, Strike pieces together connections between church members, mysterious deaths, and recurring symbols like pigs and masks. A final literary discovery reveals that Wace plagiarized a poem to glorify himself after his wife’s death, exposing a narcissistic pattern.

Chapter 56 Summary – The Running Grave – Prison Interview and Jordan Reaney’s Fear

Strike visits Jordan Reaney in prison and manages to get him to talk about his time at Chapman Farm. Reaney, tattooed and visibly nervous, admits he joined the cult when he was young and vulnerable. Through the interview, extreme practices are revealed, such as “public confessions” and humiliating punishments like self-flagellation. Though Reaney avoids speaking openly, he hints at having witnessed seemingly supernatural phenomena and says all cult members were forced into disturbing, humiliating acts. Strike shows him the Polaroids Robin found, suspecting Reaney appears in one of the masked pig-head sex scenes. Reaney denies it’s him, but his reaction reveals deep discomfort. When asked about Daiyu, he admits everyone hated her and that he personally found her unbearable. He abruptly ends the interview, making it clear that he fears something beyond physical punishment—an intangible, deeper threat that originated within the cult.

Chapter 57 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Bribes the Cult to Regain Status

Strike responds to Robin with a solution: Colin Edensor will donate a thousand pounds for Robin to “donate” to the cult and recover her position. Robin requests a meeting with Mazu to formalize the transaction and overhears a suspicious conversation among Giles Harmon, Andy Zhou, and Becca about a questionable act involving a boy—likely Jacob. During the meeting, Mazu accepts Robin’s letter to process the donation, revealing that her belongings have been searched. The room is under surveillance with hidden devices. Mazu looks at Robin with a mix of disdain and expectation, making it clear that money isn’t enough without spiritual transformation. Robin receives an intercepted and manipulated letter from her fake sister, making her suspect that members with resources, like Will Edensor, might be held through enforced isolation. Robin leaves convinced the cult manipulates even external communications to maintain absolute control.

Chapter 58 Summary – The Running Grave – A Secret Between Sisters and Becca’s Threat

After regaining acceptance from the central group, Robin resumes activities with the high-level recruits. Kyle has been demoted after rejecting a “spiritual bond” with Vivienne, which Shawna, now pregnant again, morbidly celebrates. On a hot day, the recruits build a Straw Man representing the “Stolen Prophet.” Emily, with a shaved head, appears to participate with a defiant look. Becca reads sacred book passages, glorifying Daiyu’s supposed supernatural powers. Emily interrupts mockingly, questioning the official story, prompting a private reprimand. Robin, listening closely, hears a secret conversation between the sisters: Emily accuses Becca of lying about Daiyu’s powers and fears retaliation if Becca reveals she cooperated with Kevin Pirbright. Becca, threateningly, demands obedience and reminds her of her power within the cult. The scene confirms both sisters share a dark past that contradicts the official narrative about Daiyu’s death.

Chapter 59 Summary – The Running Grave – Suspicions, Charlotte, and Covert Surveillance

Strike investigates the Frank Brothers, suspects in a kidnapping plot, after discovering they bought a van, rope, and had been loitering near a client’s home. He warns Tasha Mayo to change her routine. While conducting covert surveillance with hidden-camera glasses, he receives a call from Leonard Heaton, a witness in the Daiyu case, and they agree to meet. Strike’s attention is diverted by a news article revealing his ex, Charlotte, has been arrested for assaulting her millionaire boyfriend. Later, Charlotte leaves disturbing, threatening voicemails referencing Robin, which deeply worries Strike—he knows Charlotte is unpredictable and destructive. He also reflects on possibly being recognized at a restaurant by a mysterious woman, fearing she may have been sent by the Universal Humanitarian Church or a rival agency.

Chapter 60 Summary – The Running Grave – The Straw Man, Wan’s Birth, and an Unexpected Witness

Robin risks leaving a letter in the hidden rock a day late. She describes an intense week: she witnessed a terrifying ritual where a straw figure representing the “Stolen Prophet” was hanged in a supernatural spectacle with lights, a hidden voice, and mechanical movement—all manipulated by Mazu. That same night, Wan goes into a long, painful labor. The birth is traumatic: the baby is born blue and only revived by Sita. Wan, exhausted and emotionally shattered, refuses to see her daughter and simply says, “Give her to Mazu.” Robin fears for both their physical and mental health. She also speaks with Sita, who hints that Becca was always jealous of Daiyu for the attention she received from Cherie Gittins. The climax is a dangerous encounter: Lin, a young devotee, catches Robin leaving the woods and threatens to report her if she tells anyone. Robin omits this incident in her letter to Strike, fearing he might force her to abandon the infiltration.

Chapter 61 Summary – The Running Grave – Reflections, Surveillance, and Charlotte’s Growing Threat

Strike receives Robin’s delayed letter with relief, but is alarmed by Wan’s condition and the sinister ritual. He reflects on Mazu’s obsession with childbirth and the escalating danger at Chapman Farm. He also notes that Becca was mentioned as a co-author of Kevin Pirbright’s book. The situation with Charlotte worsens: she leaves multiple voicemails that swing between pleading, rage, and clear threats toward Robin. Strike realizes Charlotte understands he will never return to her, which has made her even more dangerous. He fears she might go to the press or contact Ryan Murphy to cause harm. Overwhelmed with anxiety, Strike deletes the messages and reflects on how Charlotte has sensed his feelings for Robin—and how that could have serious consequences if she decides to act.

Chapter 62 Summary – The Running Grave – The Interview with the Heatons and a Chilling Truth

Strike visits Leonard and Shelley Heaton in Cromer, who witnessed events following Daiyu’s supposed drowning. Amid chaotic and almost comedic conversation—tea, jokes, and anecdotes—the Heatons reveal key details: they saw Cherie emerging from the sea asking for help, her underwear soaked, claiming Daiyu had drowned. Shelley never trusted Cherie, noticing she was more concerned about herself than the girl. They recall Daiyu seemed asleep before being taken to the beach, contradicting the official version that she asked to swim. Most shockingly, Leonard remembers Cherie sobbing, saying, “I could’ve stopped it”—a phrase suggesting premeditation rather than an accident. They confirm Cherie was a competitive swimmer who trained at a lido, supporting the idea she could have saved Daiyu. A final eerie detail ends the visit: George, another witness, says that years before, in the same spot, he saw a woman drown—who turned out to be Daiyu’s mother. The circle of coincidences closes with a chill.

Chapter 63 Summary – The Running Grave – Theories, the Sea, and a Name Recovered from the Past

After leaving the Heatons, Strike walks to Cromer beach, the site of Daiyu’s disappearance. The grey atmosphere and sound of the sea lead him to reflect on the two deaths tied to Jonathan Wace: Daiyu’s mother and Daiyu herself, seven years apart. Considering Cherie Gittins’ courtroom tears and her words, “I could’ve stopped it,” Strike contemplates the possibility of a murder disguised as an accident—or even a plan to hand the girl to an accomplice on a boat. He also considers she may have been drugged and deliberately drowned. Still, doubt creeps in that it might all be coincidence. Exhausted, he checks into a nearby hotel and continues researching Cherie. He discovers her former name was Carrie Makepeace, a lido swimmer, and that “Curtis” came from a past crush. Alone in his room, fatigue, food, and lack of answers mix with growing anxiety over Charlotte and emotional weight too heavy to ignore.

Chapter 64 Summary – The Running Grave – Death, Unspoken Confessions, and the Revealed Tower

Strike wakes to devastating news: Charlotte has committed suicide, shortly after leaving threatening voicemails the previous night. Shock mixes with inevitable grief and a hidden sense of relief—similar to what he felt when his mother died, when fear of worse finally ended. Unable to respond to anyone, he leaves Cromer and, driven by an irrational impulse, detours to a tower that had haunted him since childhood near Chapman Farm. He finds it is just an old rural church. Inside, in silence, he imagines a conversation with Charlotte: revisiting their relationship, acknowledging the damage, manipulation, and impossible love. For the first time, he sees that he is no longer the man who tried to save her. Amid freeing sadness and the peace of the place, he realizes he wants a different life—one with stability and meaning, without repeating cycles of destruction. As he leaves, the old man from the chapel asks if he found what he was looking for. Strike replies yes.

PART FIVE

Chapter 65 Summary – The Running Grave – Norwich, Danger, and a Truth Among Toys

Robin receives word that contact with the outside is momentarily restored: she will be part of the group traveling to Norwich to raise funds. Taio returns, pressuring her with sexual innuendos and making it clear he expects her to ask to “spiritualize” with him. During the outing, Robin tries to get closer to Emily Pirbright to learn more about Daiyu. But Emily, constantly watched, vanishes during the activity. Panic erupts among members—as if an adult escaping the group were a deadly threat. Robin uses the chaos to suggest splitting up to search, gaining freedom of movement. She finds Emily trembling in a store among toys. There, Emily breaks down, convinced she’ll die if she returns to “material life,” repeating cult mantras. Robin calms her, pretends to help with fundraising, and forges a bond of trust. Before returning, Emily reveals key things: she claims Daiyu didn’t die, hints at dark secrets at the farm, and warns Robin that to avoid being forced to “spiritualize,” she must become Papa J’s spiritual wife.

Chapter 66 Summary – The Running Grave – The Box, Fear, and a Crack in the Cult

Robin and Emily return thanks to a calculated lie: Emily supposedly fainted and was helped by a stranger. Taio believes the story, but soon suspicious looks, whispers, and murmurs arise. The “odd” amount of money raised suggests something is off. Vivienne avoids Robin, and others fall silent when she approaches. Robin realizes she’s on the brink of exposure—any small mistake could lead to punishment or the dreaded “box,” a term Emily spoke of in terror. Still, Robin must achieve three goals before escaping: get more information from Emily, speak privately with Will Edensor to inform his family, and find the axe hidden in the woods. Her stay is nearly unsustainable—but leaving without results would betray her work, Kevin Pirbright, and the victims.

Chapter 67 Summary – The Running Grave – The Living Dead and the Woman on the Corner

During another surveillance of the Frank Brothers, Strike rereads Robin’s letter and is struck by the idea that Daiyu may not be dead—wondering if she was hidden instead of killed. After seeing the Franks storing supplies and ropes in a warehouse, he confirms his fear: they are planning a kidnapping. Killing time, he investigates Charlotte’s death. Knowing the details, he imagines the scene, feeling a mix of relief and sorrow. He views photos of the funeral and is grateful he wasn’t invited. Then he discovers a threat to the agency: the press is reviving old rumors about Bijou Watkins and her alleged affair with him, fueling a smear campaign. Back at the office, Shah gives him photos of the mysterious woman surveilling the agency—she’s definitely not part of Patterson’s old crew, which signals a new danger. Finally, Strike uncovers that the “sick Jacob” isn’t who they think: the real Jacob Messenger is healthy and never at Chapman Farm. The supposed sick one is another Jacob, still unidentified.

Chapter 68 Summary – The Running Grave – The Prophet’s Return and the Countdown

Tension rises at the farm as members switch to white uniforms. Everyone acts hyper-controlled, as if watched by an invisible presence. Robin senses she’s under suspicion: Taio evaluates her with hostility, some avoid her, others whisper behind her back. Unsure how much the cult knows, she mentally prepares for a rapid escape, though she has no plan yet. Suddenly, everything shifts: Papa J returns from the U.S., accompanied by five beautiful, charismatic, smiling American recruits. His presence unleashes euphoric worship among members. At a later banquet, Wace condemns the outside world, speaks of wars and politics, attacks Trump, and praises the cult’s mission. He rewards Amandeep for his donations—proving that every action at the farm has a price and reward. As everyone celebrates, Robin tries to reach Will or Emily, but it’s impossible. She realizes Papa J’s return means heightened control, growing danger… and her time inside is running out.

Chapter 69 Summary – The Running Grave – Daiyu’s Axe and the Lost Fish

During a rare breakfast with Papa J and Mazu present, Wace announces the loss of a pendant: a mother-of-pearl fish that belonged to Daiyu. All tasks are halted for the search, throwing members into disarray and giving Robin an opening. She tries to approach Will Edensor, but is blocked by Shawna. Pretending to have a clue, she escapes to the fields and enters the forest alone to search for the axe Niamh Doherty described. Inside, she finds a circle of chopped posts, burned remains, and a ritualistic atmosphere. Before continuing, Jiang appears and accuses her of conspiring with Emily. Nervously, Robin flatters him, feigning admiration for his dedication, and manages to calm him. Proudly, Jiang reveals the real location of the axe and claims Daiyu hid it herself. On returning, Robin finds the fish pendant under her mattress and, fearing she’ll be blamed, throws it out the window.

Chapter 70 Summary – The Running Grave – Betrayals, Lies, and the Fear of the Press

Strike receives disturbing news: Reaney attempted suicide after a mysterious phone call. Reflecting on his connection to the witness and the influence of the Daiyu case, Strike endures a grueling surveillance shift at Selfridges. Bijou then contacts him, claiming her lover’s office was bugged and fearing she’ll be accused. She reveals she’s pregnant, heightening her fear of exposure. Strike suspects a setup to frame him and agrees to consider intervening. Back at the agency, Pat confesses she lied about her age and was threatened by Littlejohn, who tried to photograph a file. Strike, convinced he can’t fire her, protects Pat and vows to retaliate against the infiltrator. He also decides to trace the call that led to the prison suicide attempt. Every action confirms that the case is now affecting lives far beyond Chapman Farm.

Chapter 71 Summary – The Running Grave – Doubts in the Kitchen and a Looming Danger

Robin suspects that Becca hid the fish under her mattress to incriminate her, and fears that Jiang, Lin, or Vivienne might betray her if pressured. Her stay on the farm is further complicated by her refusal to accede to Taio’s sexual demands, whose hostility is growing. Amid tensions, the kitchen fills with high‑ranking leaders working as a symbolic gesture before the upcoming religious event. Robin takes the opportunity to help Will prepare dinner and tries to talk with him. Will quotes biblical passages and seems to hint at doubts about the cult, especially when mentioning false prophets. The presence of Noli Seymour causes discomfort and Will challenges her with questions about spiritual marriage and the difference between Wace’s behavior and doctrine. While Noli avoids answering sincerely, the discussion is interrupted by a scream outside. Something serious has just happened on the farm.

Chapter 72 Summary – The Running Grave – Blood in the Bathroom and Time to Decide

Robin and other members rush to the dormitory after hearing a scream. There they find blood seeping from a closed stall. Robin takes a risk, climbs up, and discovers Lin bleeding out with signs of poisoning and skin eruptions. The young woman begs them not to call the doctor and mentions Qing, her little brother. Robin understands that Lin attempted to abort with plants from the woods, likely following internal cult knowledge. Zhou arrives blind with fury, tries to blame her, and orders Lin to be moved. Robin opposes him, defends the teenager and fears having revealed that she knows the origin of the plants. When the blood is cleaned up, Robin contemplates escaping, alerting the outside world, and bringing medical help. She knows that if she stays, she will be interrogated and perhaps punished, but leaving would mean abandoning Will and Emily, who show signs of wanting to talk. Just as she is about to act, Louise appears: Papa J demands to see her.

Chapter 73 Summary – The Running Grave – Wace’s Judgment

Robin is called to a private audience with Jonathan Wace. Fearing for her safety after what happened with Lin, she crosses the farm with fear and disgust. Wace receives her in his luxurious salon, initially appearing kind and flattering. He praises her for her dedication at Wan’s birth and for helping Lin, but then becomes inquisitive about her lack of intellectual participation in doctrine and her ambiguous conduct. Wace nicknames her “Artemis,” alluding to a mix of hunting, chastity, and contradictions. Suddenly, the encounter turns threatening: he touches her without her consent, first on the chest and then between her legs. The assault is interrupted by the arrival of Mazu and Becca, furious, which allows Robin to escape. Still in shock, she vomits in the bathroom, aware that she has been marked as “spiritually chosen” and possibly as Wace’s spiritual wife.

Chapter 74 Summary – The Running Grave – The Dilemma of Fleeing

For two days, Robin is constantly watched, even when going to the bathroom, and perceives that her status within the church has changed. Despite her fear, she escapes at night to the perimeter wall and finds letters from Ryan and Strike. She contemplates fleeing for good, but decides to stay to attempt one last contact with Will, convinced that he might be willing to leave the cult. Seeing from the darkness how Barclay collects her letters, she feels disconnected from the outside world, like a ghost. She returns to her bed determined to resist a little longer, although every step feels more dangerous.

Chapter 75 Summary – The Running Grave – Traitors, Suspicions, and a Threat

Strike receives Robin’s letter and is alarmed to learn that Wace assaulted her. Although she insists on staying one more week, he plans her immediate extraction. Meanwhile, he fires Littlejohn, who had been sabotaging the agency from within for money and gambling problems. Littlejohn tries to redeem himself by offering information: an audio secretly recorded by Farah Navabi of Kevin Pirbright before his murder. Despite the poor quality of the material, Strike agrees to consider it if it is delivered. Then, he confronts Midge, who has been discovered visiting Tasha Mayo, compromising her cover. Tension within the team grows along with the urgency to get Robin out.

Chapter 76 Summary – The Running Grave – The End of Deception

With the Manifestation of the Drowned Prophet imminent, Robin is assigned visible and festive tasks, but learns with horror that she is now considered a spiritual wife of Papa J. The rumor, launched by Shawna, spreads, and Robin fears that this lie will expose her identity. Her immediate goal is to speak alone with Will. Taking advantage of an opportunity in the laundry, she convinces him to go to the retreat quarters under the pretext of a “spiritual bond.” There, she tries to speak honestly with him, but Will, deeply indoctrinated and resentful of his father, refuses. The conversation escalates until Robin tells him that his mother has died. Will, unable to accept it, beats her brutally. Robin, in shock and in pain, must pretend she hit herself to avoid reprisals. Amandeep escorts them back, and Robin understands that her only way out is to escape as soon as she has the chance.

Chapter 77 Summary – The Running Grave – The Injured Face and the Appearance of Daiyu

After three more hours in the laundry, Robin is taken to a meditation session led by Becca. While trying to plan her escape, she sees Will leave for the farm without even stopping at Daiyu’s fountain. At the end of the ceremony, Becca confronts her about her injuries and Robin pretends she fell on her own. When Wace appears, in pajamas and smiling, he calls her “Artemis the chaste” and strokes her swollen face with false tenderness. She maintains the lie, but he seems to know more. Robin, trembling, manages to leave the encounter unscathed. During dinner, no one asks about her injured face, allowing her to remain silent. But when she reaches the dormitory, a new obstacle appears: sixteen girls in white robes with torches guard the temple stairs, beginning the countdown to the Manifestation. Robin locks herself in the bathroom, desperate, knowing that escape will be almost impossible. That night, the women witness a luminous figure that appears and disappears in the field: the supposed ghost of Daiyu.

SIXTH PART

Chapter 78 Summary – The Running Grave – An Unexpected Disappearance

Ignoring the danger that haunts Robin, Strike begins his day with the thought of picking her up the next day. However, a call from his sister Lucy alerts him that their uncle Ted has disappeared from his home in Cornwall. After agonizing over the possibility that he went to the sea, Strike tries to continue with his plans. He meets with Andrew Honbold, the lawyer involved with Bijou, and confronts him with a photo of Farah Navabi, who posed as a public relations employee. Honbold, furious to learn that he was deceived by a private detective, reveals that Navabi was alone in his office, possibly installing devices. When Strike receives another call from Lucy informing him that Ted was found on the beach, disoriented but alive, he breathes a sigh of relief. The chapter ends with Honbold spouting grandiose quotes, while Strike tries to close that turbulent episode with Bijou and her legal circle once and for all.

Chapter 79 Summary – The Running Grave – Recordings Amid Noise and Confessions

Back at the agency, Strike struggles to listen to the recording that Littlejohn left him, captured in a bar full of noise by Farah Navabi. In the tape, Kevin Pirbright converses with her in an environment overflowing with Welsh chants. Despite the sound chaos, disturbing phrases emerge: Kevin hints that more were involved in Daiyu’s death, mentions Becca manipulating Em and allowing privileges to certain girls, and says he “was going to speak with someone” before his murder. Meanwhile, Pat and his daughter manage to find the Facebook profile of Carrie Curtis Woods, formerly known as Cherie Gittins. Strike, confirming her identity through old photos, plans to visit her before she leaves for vacation in Andalusia. He arranges for Shah to pick up Robin at Chapman Farm, but upon receiving a call from him, he learns with horror that Robin did not show up and that the false stone where she left letters has disappeared, sending a chill of alarm through him.

Chapter 80 Summary – The Running Grave – Family Silences and Failed Plans

Strike visits Lucy to discuss the future of their uncle Ted, whose mental health has deteriorated. The tension between Lucy and her husband Greg intensifies: she wants Ted to live with them, he opposes it. Unable to reach an agreement, they decide to take him to a specialist. The next morning, Strike heads to Thornbury to confront Carrie Curtis Woods before her trip. On the way, he receives a call from Tasha Mayo, who begs him to have Midge protect her again, revealing a close relationship between the two. Although annoyed, Strike agrees. Then, Shah calls him to inform him that Robin did not appear at the agreed place and that the false stone has disappeared. Panic seizes Strike, who changes course immediately to head to Norfolk. Meanwhile, Robin, still trapped at Chapman Farm, remains watched, exhausted and with no possibilities of escape, hoping to survive the Manifestation planned by the cult.

Chapter 81 Summary – The Running Grave – The Manifestation and the Punishment in the Waters

After three nights of vigil in the temple, Robin, with no chance to flee, faces the long‑awaited Manifestation. Isolated, fearful, and weakened, she participates in rituals without fully understanding what will happen. Dressed in a white robe and stripped of her usual clothes, she is led into the dark temple along with the rest of the group. The ceremony begins with chants and an invocation to Daiyu, whose supposed spirit speaks in a childlike voice, accusing the presence of evil inside and outside the church. Then, from the sacred pool emerges the spectral vision of the girl, illuminated from the water, provoking screams of terror. Mazu takes the floor and calls Robin, revealing her new role as a test vessel. Forced to enter the water, Robin plunges into a bottomless, icy darkness. There, she feels invisible ropes tying her ankles and dragging her downward. She fights to free herself, but is swallowed by the depths, unable to scream.

Chapter 82 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin’s Punishment in the Darkness

Robin wakes up soaked, coughing up water, after being rescued from the ritual drowning attempt. With night vision goggles, Taio drags her out of the temple and locks her in an unfamiliar room in the basement. Exhausted and terrified, Robin cries and convinces herself she should have escaped when she had the chance. Hours later, Wace, Mazu, Becca, and Taio enter to interrogate her. They accuse her of manipulating Will and causing his desire to contact his mother. Robin admits to minor lies and feigns remorse. Wace forces her to copy a confession drafted by Becca, accepting her guilt and a proportionate punishment. Although Wace dismisses shaving her head, he orders that she be confined in a wooden box with a slit. Trembling, Robin kneels inside the box, where she is left in darkness for eight hours. Through the slit she sees the room empty, the lights go out and the lock clicks shut. Her punishment has begun.

Chapter 83 Summary – The Running Grave – Vigilance in the Rain

Strike waits in the darkness, hidden in his BMW beside the blind spot of Chapman Farm’s perimeter. Equipped with night‑vision binoculars and wires to cut the fence, he watches the woods, hoping Robin will appear. Midge calls him, worried, but Strike insists on waiting until Sunday, as agreed. The disappearance of the false stone where they left letters deeply unsettles him. Although Midge tries to calm him by reminding him that Robin missed a drop once before, Strike suspects something serious has happened. He refuses company, convinced his presence must go unnoticed. After hanging up, he continues scanning the area under the heavy rain. Hours pass and Robin does not appear, increasing tension. The night stretches on and the sense that Robin was discovered strengthens. The threat that she may have been taken hostage begins to feel more real with every passing minute.

Chapter 84 Summary – The Running Grave – The Hidden Child

After eight hours locked up, Robin is freed by Hattie, who takes her to shower and gives her a new uniform. Weak, injured, and submissive, Robin is assigned to care for Jacob, a critically ill child hidden in an attic. Upon arrival, the stench hits her and she finds Louise taking care of him. Jacob, looking frail and emaciated, shows signs of malnutrition, muscle atrophy, and sores. Robin understands she was sent there as a moral punishment: if the child dies under her watch, she will carry the guilt. Louise collapses emotionally and Robin, desperate to avoid further sanctions, forces her to calm down. She asks for instructions on how to care for the boy, fearful of doing something wrong. As she observes the little one’s suffering, Robin realizes that the church is making her complicit in systematic neglect. She begins repeating a mantra unintentionally and forces herself to stop. She must maintain her sanity if she wants to survive.

Chapter 85 Summary – The Running Grave – Hours with No Exit and a Hidden Number

From a room at Felbrigg Lodge, Strike tries to rest while waiting for night to fall so he can return to Chapman Farm. The comfortable surroundings contrast with his anxiety for Robin, who has shown no signs for days. He fears she was discovered, kidnapped, or transferred to another church location, as happened with Deirdre Doherty. His phone rings: Barclay confirms that Robin did not appear. Then Shanker calls with key information about Reaney. The mysterious call to the prison came from a number with the prefix 01263, used in areas near Chapman Farm. A woman, pretending to be his wife, requested the call. Strike takes note of the number and suspects the voice could have been Farah Navabi’s. The connection between the church and external threats tightens. While jotting down data and looking at satellite images of the farm, he decides that if Robin does not appear that night, he will no longer wait: he will call the police.

Chapter 86 Summary – The Running Grave – Jacob’s Secret and the Decision to Escape

Robin spends the day locked in the attic caring for Jacob, the sick, lonely, and malnourished boy. She fights fatigue by reading old newspapers, where she discovers the death of Charlotte Ross by suicide. The news hits her deeply. Later, Emily appears to apologize for having betrayed her and reveals that Jacob is Louise and Jiang’s child. Emily also shares that Daiyu was not a saint: she had sweets, ran off with Cherie Gittins, and pretended to be invisible to manipulate others. Robin insists on knowing more, connecting events with Kevin Pirbright. Someone calls from downstairs and Emily, nervous, leaves. At that moment, Robin feels with certainty that Strike has reached the perimeter. Her conviction restores her energy. Jiang escorts her to the bathroom, but Robin seizes the opportunity: she escapes through the window, runs across the field while the Wace siblings chase her. Finally, she reaches Strike’s arms, who rescues her just in time.

Chapter 87 Summary – The Running Grave – The Escape from Chapman Farm

Barely freed by Strike, Robin urges him to drive without stopping. He reassures her: the car’s plates are fake and they are minutes from lodging. Robin, still trembling, insists on reporting Jacob’s case to the police. Upon arriving at the hotel, she bursts into tears and hugs Strike tightly, grateful and devastated. He comforts her patiently, knowing she needs support, not questions. In the room, Robin marvels at simple things: light, privacy, a bed. She asks for something to eat and Strike gets her food and brandy. While eating cookies, she calls the police. Strike informs the team that Robin is safe. They talk about Charlotte, Lin, and the current state of the investigation. Robin alternates between laughter, tears, and confessions, unable to fully believe she is out. Although her body is exhausted, her mind still relives the trauma. Strike stays close, not letting go.

Chapter 88 Summary – The Running Grave – The Marks of Confinement

Two police officers interview Robin in the hotel room. Exhausted, she tells them everything about Jacob, the abuse she suffered, and the cult rituals. The officers, although thorough, mistrust certain details, especially when seeing her injuries and the clothing with the church logo. Strike perceives their skepticism, though he recognizes their caution as understandable. After the statement is finished, Robin, somewhat calmer after eating and sleeping, refuses to give up the bed to Strike, reminding him both are committed to other people. He lends her a T‑shirt, and Robin takes a shower, relieved by her freedom. Upon returning, she shares the bed without hesitation. She confesses that the church is more perverse than they imagined and details her experiences, omitting the most intimate traumas. Strike listens, furious at what she endured. She insists she was the only one who could infiltrate. When the lights go out, Robin takes his hand and confirms: “I knew you were there.”

Chapter 89 Summary – The Running Grave – The Truth in Robin’s Voice

The police listen to Robin’s statement for eighty minutes. She, visibly affected, describes Jacob’s location, the symbols on the doors, and the conditions of confinement. She does not want to report Will for hitting her, nor talk about certain wounds, but insists that Jacob needs urgent help. They mention her role as a private detective, which raises skepticism among the officers. Strike, although understanding the officers’ caution, becomes irritated by the slow process. Once they leave, he offers to sleep in a chair, but Robin proposes sharing the bed, claiming that both have partners and that it is not a problem. She puts on his T‑shirt and, calmer, confesses that the UHC represents a real evil. Although she avoids the most traumatic details, she recounts the essentials. Strike, worried, laments not having protected her better. Robin asserts she had to be the one. Before sleeping, she repeats with certainty: she knew Strike would be there.

SEVENTH PART

Chapter 90 Summary – The Running Grave – Confessions and New Leads to Destroy the UHC

Five days after Robin’s rescue, Strike meets with Sir Colin Edensor to inform him about the infiltration at Chapman Farm. He reveals that Will did not know about his mother’s death, as the church hides letters from relatives after forcing members to sign communication waivers. He also reports that Will has a daughter with Lin, possibly underage at the time of the pregnancy. Although Will seems to have doubts about the UHC, he remains inside out of fear and emotional ties. Robin discovered three potential witnesses: Lin, Emily, and Jacob, the malnourished boy. If they manage to rescue them and obtain their testimony, they could take the church to trial. However, Strike warns that the leaders could use scapegoats to evade blame. He proposes investigating Cherie Gittins to debunk the myth of Daiyu, the “Drowned Prophet,” a central piece of the cult. Sir Colin, though skeptical, approves continuing the investigations.

Chapter 91 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin, Caught Between Trauma and the Need to Act

While Strike has lunch with Sir Colin, Robin tries to work from home, overwhelmed by her parents’ constant vigilance. Though grateful for their company, she longs for silence and space to process what she lived at Chapman Farm. Tension with her mother Linda grows, as she subtly blames Strike and does not understand why Robin chose to infiltrate the cult. Taking advantage of a call from Strike, Robin goes outside to speak without being overheard. She tells him she still has no news from the police about Jacob. Strike insists that she rest, but Robin, obsessed with bringing down the UHC, wants to keep investigating. He proposes they travel together to Thornbury to interview Cherie Gittins, which excites Robin, since it will also give her an excuse to ask her parents to leave. After venting, Robin returns home knowing that, despite her exhaustion, she cannot abandon the fight against the church.

Chapter 92 Summary – The Running Grave – Unexpected Accusations and a New Blow from the UHC

Back at her flat, Robin tries to enjoy a quiet moment with her parents. But the calm breaks when two police officers arrive at her door: they invite her to a voluntary interview under suspicion of child abuse. Robin, incredulous, learns that someone has falsely claimed she assaulted a boy named Jacob. Despite the shock, she stays calm, gives Strike’s number to her father, and goes with the officers. Meanwhile, Strike is tailing the Frank siblings, who finally attempt to abduct Tasha Mayo. With help from Barclay and Midge, they foil the attack and arrest the aggressors. During the operation, Strike receives multiple calls from an unknown number, which he ignores until Robin is taken to the station. Her father manages to reach him and explains what happened. Alarmed, Strike leaves the scene and heads for the station to support Robin, fearing a new legal attack from the church.

Chapter 93 Summary – The Running Grave – Foiled Ambush and an Emergency Call

While Robin faces the false accusation of child abuse, Strike continues following the Frank brothers, who attempt to kidnap Tasha Mayo. Thanks to a carefully planned operation with Barclay and Midge, they manage to record the attempted abduction and subdue the attackers. Tasha is unharmed and recovers from the scare. However, an urgent call from Robin’s father interrupts the moment of triumph: Robin has been taken by the police to give a statement. Strike leaves the scene, trusting his partners, and heads directly to the station. During the earlier chase, he receives word that his Wikipedia page has been tampered with, filled with false allegations, likely the work of the UHC. In addition, Prudence confronts him for contacting one of her clients without permission, who is now terrified. Although everything indicates that the church already knows who they are, Strike prioritizes getting to Robin, aware that she has become the target of a carefully planned retaliation.

Chapter 94 Summary – The Running Grave – Slander, Frustration, and Unbreakable Loyalty

Strike arrives at the station to find Robin arguing with her parents. She insists on going to a bar to explain everything. At a secluded table, Robin recounts that the police searched Chapman Farm but did not find the real Jacob. Instead, the Waces presented another boy, previously coached to accuse her of attempted abuse. There are also adult witnesses backing that version, probably Becca or Taio. Robin is devastated: she fears not only for the missing child but also for her reputation and future. Strike calms her, reminding her that the police have not formally charged her. As they share whisky and crisps, she mentions that Vivienne must have betrayed her identity. Both know the cult has identified them. Strike promises legal support, while Robin feels hunted and trapped. Though shaken, she reaffirms her decision to continue investigating. He watches her with concern, convinced that the UHC’s worst blow is yet to come.

Chapter 95 Summary – The Running Grave – Murphy’s Return and the Revelation About Flora Brewster

Robin, now free from her parents’ vigilance, reunites with Murphy, who has returned from his trip. She appreciates his kindness and support, though his sudden “I love you” leaves her uncertain. Does he truly mean it? Though she replies in kind, she doubts. After sex, she stays awake, thinking about Chapman Farm and what she truly feels. The next morning, she picks up Strike to travel to Thornbury and investigate Cherie Gittins, now Carrie Curtis Woods. During the drive, they review findings and the UHC’s digital attack on Wikipedia. An anonymous drawing with cult symbols, posted by an account named Torment Town, leads Robin to a chilling deduction: Deirdre Doherty may have died during a Manifestation in the temple pool. Strike believes he knows who the key witness was: Flora Brewster. But Robin, worried about her mental health, refuses to interview her. Their argument grows tense until Abigail Glover calls. She confirms seeing weapons in Mazu’s office and hints that Phillipa, Alex Graves’s sister, was in frequent contact with the cult. Although her account is confused, it increases their suspicions. After hanging up, Robin and Strike argue again about Flora and how to approach traumatized people. The tension is such that they fall into an uncomfortable silence as the trip continues.

Chapter 96 Summary – The Running Grave – Littlejohn, Exposed and Fired

Robin and Strike arrive in Thornbury, but Carrie Curtis Woods’s house is empty. To avoid drawing attention in the neighborhood, they decide to have lunch at the local pub. There, Barclay texts them: Mitchell Patterson, Littlejohn’s boss, has been arrested for espionage. Strike takes the opportunity to fire Littlejohn by phone with great relish, enjoying his humiliation. Robin, amused but practical, points out that they do not have a Human Resources department. Strike assures her he has already taken steps to keep Littlejohn from sneaking back into the office. More relaxed and in good spirits, they decide to return to Carrie’s neighborhood to try contacting her again.

Chapter 97 Summary – The Running Grave – Cherie Gittins, the Broken Link to the Truth

Upon returning, they finally find Carrie Curtis Woods (formerly Cherie Gittins). At first terrified, she eventually lets them in. In her tidy home decorated with family photos, Robin tries to reassure her while Strike questions her. Carrie confirms that she lived at Chapman Farm and took Daiyu to the beach without permission. Her version closely matches the 1995 inquest: Daiyu playing in the sea, swimming too far, and vanishing in the current. But when confronted with details that do not add up—such as being the only person on duty that night, Daiyu wearing different clothes, and being drugged—Carrie grows nervous. She denies helping Daiyu escape through the window and denies giving special drinks. When shown Polaroids of naked teenagers wearing pig masks, she goes into shock. Though she tries to deny it, she admits she is the blonde woman in the photos and gives names of others involved: Joe, Paul, and Rose. She claims she was coerced and does not know who took the photos, which seems implausible. Finally, a call from her husband snaps her out of the trance. She orders them to leave, repeating several times: “You need to go.” The interview ends abruptly but leaves many cracks in her story.

Chapter 98 Summary – The Running Grave – Suspicions, Memories, and an Elusive Truth

Robin and Strike leave Carrie’s house and eat in the car, reflecting on everything she said. They both agree that some things do not fit: Carrie seemed far more comfortable discussing Daiyu’s supposed death than the events of the previous night. They suspect that Jordan Reaney, who also appears in the Polaroids, may have been the photographer forced to cooperate. Carrie knows more than she admits, and her emotional reaction when speaking about Becca—but not about other children—suggests a deeper bond. They also consider that Daiyu’s death might not have been an accident, especially if she had been drugged. Strike recalls that Kevin Pirbright wrote “the night before” on his bedroom wall, something that now appears to be a crucial clue. When Robin gets a call from Murphy, he tells her he obtained the tapes of the interviews from those accusing her of child abuse. While grateful, Robin cannot shake her dread about what she might hear. Strike tries to reassure her, insisting the case will collapse on its own. Nonetheless, both feel new storms are coming. The conversation returns to Daiyu: is she dead—or still alive? Either possibility could destroy the cult’s foundational myth.

Chapter 99 Summary – The Running Grave – Becca’s Accusations and the Distorted Truth

Robin arrives at Murphy’s flat with a bottle of wine and an empty stomach, ready to face a difficult night watching interviews accusing her of child abuse. Though the atmosphere feels warmer than usual—hot curry, candles, and the thriving plants Robin entrusted to him—the tension builds when they begin watching Becca Pirbright’s video. With a calm voice and innocent appearance, Becca delivers a false account of events, claiming she found “Rowena” with a crying, exposed child, insinuating sexual intent. Robin, powerless against the lies, breaks down in frustration as she recalls the boy’s real condition and the indoctrination at Chapman Farm. As Becca mentions other women who provided statements and even speaks of a divine figure named Cherie, Robin writes down every useful detail. In the end, broken by the pain, she realizes the most unsettling part: Becca genuinely believes she is a good person and acts out of faith.

Chapter 100 Summary – The Running Grave – The Break‑In Attempt and the Suicide of Carrie Woods

Cormoran Strike returns from dinner alone when he receives a call from Robin, who shares alarming information: Becca mentioned Cherie (Carrie Woods) as a “divine instrument” and knew details about her daughters, indicating that the cult still monitors those who escape. After hanging up, Strike checks his office’s security system and finds disturbing footage: a hooded, armed individual attempting to force entry with master keys. Failing that, the intruder strikes the glass before fleeing upon hearing footsteps. Shortly after, Strike receives a call: a man screams desperately, asking what Strike did to his wife. A police officer then takes the phone and informs him that Carrie Woods has committed suicide by hanging herself in the garage. They found Strike’s card among her belongings. Paralyzed by the news, Strike connects the event with the cult’s dark pattern, wondering how many more deaths are tied to its buried secrets.

EIGHTH PART

Chapter 101 Summary – The Running Grave – Will Edensor’s Reappearance and the Cult’s Threat

After the shock of Carrie’s suicide, Robin and Strike are questioned by the police. While Robin contacts relatives of former UHC members from home, Strike leads a meeting at the Flying Horse to avoid being monitored. They discuss security, new cases, and the recent charges against the Franks. The urgency of infiltrating someone into Dr. Zhou’s clinic, a center linked to the cult, is brought up, and Midge proposes Tasha Mayo as a candidate. Later, Robin and Strike share a coffee, where she expresses her deep guilt over Carrie’s death. However, the conversation takes an unexpected turn when Pat calls to announce that Will Edensor has arrived at the office with his daughter Qing. The news completely changes the dynamics of the case, offering a tangible hope of dismantling the UHC from within through Will’s testimony.

Chapter 102 Summary – The Running Grave – Will’s Emotional Collapse and the Shadow of Punishment

Will Edensor arrives at the office with his daughter Qing, after escaping the cult. He is ashamed, malnourished, and terrified, but determined to find Lin. While Qing eats pizza and plays with Pat, Will confesses he climbed the wall with his daughter and made it to London with the help of strangers. He found the office thanks to the false mailbox where Robin had left coded notes. Although he refuses to talk about his crimes, he states that he will testify to the police only after knowing that Lin is safe. He reveals that Kevin Pirbright spoke to him of “demons with pig masks,” alluding to ritual abuse. He also confirms that the cult murdered Kevin. Robin and Strike fear Will might collapse emotionally and decide to withhold certain plans to protect him. Pat, moved by the situation, offers to care for Will and Qing at her home, ensuring they receive emotional support. The figure of the Drowned Prophet continues to haunt Will’s hallucinations.

Chapter 103 Summary – The Running Grave – Family Secrets and the Cult Under Pressure

Robin and Strike travel to Thames Ditton to meet with Sir Colin, whom Strike has already informed about Will’s departure from the cult, though without details of his intent to surrender. On the way, Robin mentions progress in the investigation, including a book inscription suggesting that Rosalind, daughter of Walter Fernsby, might be implicated or missing. They also celebrate that Tasha Mayo agreed to infiltrate Dr. Zhou’s clinic, showing enthusiasm for the mission. The topic of personal relationships within the team arises when Strike voices concern about the bond between Midge and Tasha. Additionally, they reveal that Sir Colin’s Wikipedia page has been sabotaged, as with other former cult members. Finally, Robin notices they are being followed by a suspicious red car. The presence of a second adult in the back seat increases tension, and both prepare for possible UHC retaliation.

Chapter 104 Summary – The Running Grave – The Cult Strikes and Ghosts from the Past Reappear

As Robin and Strike continue toward Sir Colin’s house, they discover that a red car, apparently occupied by UHC members, has been following them from London. The driver keeps a cautious distance, raising suspicions. In parallel, Robin reflects on how her partner tends to distrust the “alternative” due to his chaotic childhood. Though both remain calm, the surveillance confirms that the cult is still monitoring their movements. Robin reveals she has swapped shifts for that night, though she doesn’t specify why. The two detectives, aware that pressure is mounting, discuss the cult’s motivations for manipulating narratives and silencing those who escape. The conversation highlights the UHC’s strategies to discredit families and isolate its members, including digital sabotage and veiled threats. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Robin and Strike carry on with their mission, fully aware that they are up against a powerful organization capable of stalking, manipulating, and destroying anyone who dares to challenge its secrets.

Chapter 105 Summary – The Running Grave – Family Confrontation at the Edensor Home

Robin and Strike visit Sir Colin Edensor to update him on Will’s situation. Upon arrival, they sense tension between Will’s older brothers, James and Ed, who do not react warmly to the news. Sir Colin offers anonymous financial support so that Will can buy new clothes, avoiding drawing attention. Strike describes Will’s mental state and warns of the risks posed by any family pressure. He also reveals that the cult may be watching, citing a suspicious car and the attempted break‑in at his office by an armed intruder. The meeting turns chaotic when James, furious about the situation and the possibility of Lin and Qing being involved with the family, throws boiling coffee on Robin. After the incident, Sir Colin reaffirms his desire to find Lin and funds three more months of investigation into the death of Daiyu Wace, hoping to weaken the cult’s hold over Will.

Chapter 106 Summary – The Running Grave – Confessions with Prudence and the Power of Testimony

After the altercation with James Edensor, Robin changes clothes and meets Prudence, Strike’s sister, at a restaurant. She reveals that Flora Brewster, her patient, has been identified as “Torment Town,” the author of the drawings about the UHC. Although Prudence is initially upset, Robin explains they already knew who Flora was and asks her to consider whether her patient might testify. She cites recent events like Carrie’s suicide and attempted murders of former members to underscore the real danger. Robin shares her own story of abuse and court testimony to connect emotionally with Prudence, who eventually admits that Flora has been on the verge of confessing something serious about the Drowned Prophet. Robin insists that Flora could help dismantle the cult and save lives if she speaks out. Though Prudence does not give a definitive answer, she is visibly affected by the conversation and begins to consider the possibility.

Chapter 107 Summary – The Running Grave – Tasha’s Infiltration and Uneasy Surveillance

While Robin dines with Prudence, Strike works at the office, reviewing UHC case files. He receives a call from Midge: Tasha Mayo has successfully entered Dr. Zhou’s clinic and already suspects that Lin might be isolated in a staff‑only annex. Though they must proceed cautiously, the infiltration promises significant progress. Afterwards, Strike notices a green‑eyed man watching the office from the street, reinforcing suspicions that the cult is closely monitoring them. Robin calls to share her encounter with Prudence, who has agreed to consider letting Flora testify. She also suggests Prudence speak with Will to support him emotionally. Strike, initially surprised, agrees it could be helpful. Robin mentions that Rufus Fernsby, son of Walter, has unexpectedly asked to meet. Both agree that Rufus’s sudden change in behavior is suspicious, but it could open a new path to confirm Walter’s past and locate Rosalind.

Chapter 108 Summary – The Running Grave – Revelations About Rosalind Fernsby and Walter’s Past

Robin meets Rufus Fernsby at the Institution of Civil Engineers. From the outset, Rufus is hostile and arrogant, but he reveals key facts: his father Walter was at Chapman Farm in 1995 and 2007, both times leaving abruptly due to family conflicts. In 1995, Walter took Rufus and his sister Rosalind, both aged 15, without informing their mother, who later obtained a court order to retrieve them. Rufus recounts that Rosalind, nicknamed Rosie back then, had a crush on Wace and was disappointed when they left the cult. He reveals that Wace planned to transfer her to another center and that a jealous follower once attacked her. Finally, Robin shows him a disturbing Polaroid of a girl wearing a pig mask, asking if it is Rosie. Enraged, Rufus vehemently denies it, storms out of the café, and threatens to sue her. Despite the chaos, Robin obtains valuable insight into Rosalind’s past.

Chapter 109 Summary – The Running Grave – The Decision to Confront Jonathan Wace

Robin tells Strike about Rufus Fernsby’s tense reaction to the Polaroid of his possibly missing sister. While surveilling a suspect’s office, they discuss escalating risks: surveillance, threats, and the armed break‑in at their workplace. Strike reveals his plan to attend the UHC Superservice and confront Jonathan Wace directly. Robin objects, fearing retaliation against cooperating ex‑members like Lin or Emily. Strike insists: there is no point hiding anymore, and he wants to show Wace he knows the full extent of his crimes. The argument intensifies when he demands Robin stop using public transport and avoid working alone, concerned for her safety. He finally admits he may have put Rosie Fernsby at risk by showing the Polaroids to the wrong man—likely Reaney, who may have alerted the church. Aware of the danger, Strike decides to act before the organization can silence more witnesses.

Chapter 110 Summary – The Running Grave – The UHC’s Grand Spectacle at Olympia

Strike attends the UHC Superservice at Olympia, impressed by the international crowd gathered to see Jonathan Wace. He observes hundreds of cult members in blue tracksuits, all looking healthy and uniform, and witnesses tight security at the entrance. He sits in the second row next to Sanchia, a young American who is shocked when he reveals he’s investigating the church for abuse and suspicious deaths. Music sets the stage for a carefully choreographed event, and after the entrance of the Principals—including Becca Pirbright and other high‑ranking members—Jonathan Wace appears under the spotlight amid widespread fervor. Clad in a blue robe, charismatic and emotional, Wace delivers a convincing speech blending humility, mysticism, and distrust of the press and political power. He ends by asking the audience to repeat a simple phrase with him: “I admit the possibility.” Strike, impassive among the cheering crowd, observes it all without flinching.

Chapter 111 Summary – The Running Grave – Suspicions, Photos, and a Figure in the Shadows

Robin stays alone at the Denmark Street office while Strike attends the meeting with Wace. Nervous, she imagines irrational scenarios involving her partner being arrested or kidnapped. Though she knows those fears are unfounded, the dread implanted by the church still lingers. She tries to distract herself by reviewing the Polaroids found at Chapman Farm, noticing overlooked details: wounds, objects, masks, and the use of black condoms. The images aren’t just evidence—they represent destroyed lives, like those of Carrie, Paul, and Rosalind Fernsby. While reviewing files, Robin deduces that Rosie may have pretended to be asleep in order to escape the cult. As she wrestles with this theory, Prudence calls: Flora is willing to meet with a former UHC member. Then, Robin contacts Pat, who confirms the meeting with Will. Now calmer, Robin looks out the window and spots a black‑clad figure entering a nearby basement, triggering new alarms.

Chapter 112 Summary – The Running Grave – Confrontation Between Strike and Jonathan Wace

During a UHC event at Olympia, Jonathan Wace preaches his message of spiritual unification, surrounded by fervent followers and applause. Strike, uncomfortable in the crowd, watches the conversions before being invited backstage. There, among key church members—including Joe Jackson, Becca Pirbright, and Mazu—he confronts Wace directly. In a tense, charged conversation, Strike fires off pointed questions about suspicious suicides, Daiyu’s missing body, and Rosie Fernsby’s role. With each reference to photos, abuse, and manipulation, he chips away at the leader’s façade. Wace, initially smiling, gradually loses composure and reveals a cold, impenetrable demeanor. Tension peaks when Strike mentions pig masks and connects four suspicious deaths of former UHC members. Finally, with everyone in shock, Strike issues a direct threat: if they touch Robin or Rosie, he will bring down the church with evidence, media, and the police.

Chapter 113 Summary – The Running Grave – The Hooded Watcher and Clues About Rosie Fernsby

Robin wakes startled on the office couch after a night of solitary surveillance. She tells Strike that the hooded man in a black jacket returned and tried to get in, but the new lock prevented it. Relieved and thankful, Strike reviews the images Robin captured. Together, they go over the details of his encounter with Wace and the threat he delivered. Then Robin shares two new theories: first, that Rosie Fernsby was the one who pretended to sleep in order to flee the cult, and second, that Cherie Gittins may have confided key information to her ex‑boyfriend Isaac Mills. Robin also believes she found Rosie on a Hindu dating app, under the name Bhakta Dasha. As they head to Kilburn, they speculate about Rosie’s motives, her link to Cherie, and whether Phillipa Delaunay was in the audience at the Wace event—adding yet another layer of complexity to the case. The mystery deepens with each new detail.

Chapter 114 Summary – The Running Grave – Lin Reappears and Will Hesitates to Speak

At Pat’s home, Robin and Strike try to convince Will Edensor to meet with Flora Brewster, but he insists on turning himself in to the police. The situation shifts when they receive a call from Midge: Lin was seen through a window in the annex of the clinic where they believe she’s being held. The girl silently mouthed a plea for help, confirming she is alive. Excited but cautious, Strike instructs Midge to monitor the area and avoid rash actions. Back at the house, Pat and Dennis offer firm opinions: if Will wants to protect his daughter Qing, he must remain free and testify. The emotional pressure and the argument that Lin may be unfit to care for Qing finally sink in. Meanwhile, Strike wrestles with guilt over his uncle Ted, who has suffered a “strange episode,” adding more tension to his already overwhelmed personal and professional life.

Chapter 115 Summary – The Running Grave – Jealousy, Secrets, and the Lie That Calms Murphy

That night, Robin has dinner at home with Murphy, who seems distant until he bluntly confronts her: why didn’t she call him when the hooded man tried to break into the office? Robin tries to explain, but the conversation quickly spirals into reproaches, doubts, and jealousy. Murphy suggests that Robin might have slept with Strike, a claim she vehemently denies. Tired of the dynamic, Robin snaps and compares it to her failed marriage. To end the interrogation, she lies: she says Strike is dating a lawyer. Murphy calms down, but Robin knows she has planted a dangerous seed. Although the evening continues peacefully, she senses that distrust has taken root. Meanwhile, her mind splits between the faltering relationship, her growing emotional exhaustion, and the weight of the UHC case, which now mirrors her own internal contradictions—ones she is not yet ready to face.

Chapter 116 Summary – The Running Grave – Lost Notes, Risky Errors, and Unseen Surveillance

Over three days, Robin reflects on her emotions, wondering if her relationship with Murphy is heading down the same path as her marriage. Although she accepts his apology, she remains irritated by the constant need to justify her connection to Strike. Meanwhile, Strike deals with his own problems: Ted has had a mini‑stroke and needs an MRI. Amid the chaos, Robin believes she’s found news confirming the death of Isaac Mills, potentially eliminating a key source. The plan to contact Rosie Fernsby via the Mingle Guru app moves forward, and they consider visiting her mother’s house in Richmond. However, Midge calls with bad news: Tasha was spotted trying to pass a note to Lin at the clinic and lost the paper. Tension rises as Strike grows desperate over the errors, and Robin tries to calm him. They head out to find Will, unaware that once again, they’re being followed.

Chapter 117 Summary – The Running Grave – Flora’s Confession and Will’s Breakdown

Robin takes Will to Prudence’s house to meet Flora Brewster, a former UHC member who also survived the cult. Initially mistrustful and feeling betrayed, Will eventually sits down to listen. Flora, through tears and painful admissions, recounts her ordeal: she was one of the “spiritual wives,” abused by Papa J, dominated by Mazu, and manipulated by Becca. She confesses to having a stillborn daughter, being blamed for it, and forced to write fake letters to cover up Deirdre’s death. She reveals that the “manifestations” of the Drowned Prophet were optical illusions using Pepper’s Ghost stage trick, and shares three of the cult’s deepest secrets: the “Loving Cure,” the “Dragon Meadow” (a burial field), and the “Living Sacrifice.” Faced with these truths, Will struggles to accept that everything was a lie, but his faith still wavers. Flora, however, begins to free herself from fear.

Chapter 118 Summary – The Running Grave – Bullets, Pursuit, and a High‑Stakes Escape

After nearly three hours waiting at Prudence’s, Strike finally hears Robin’s findings: the UHC buries bodies in a plowed field and runs an abuse system disguised as healing. As they drive with Will toward the office, Robin notices a blue car tailing them—the same one she saw before, its driver masked. When the car accelerates, Robin speeds through narrow streets, dodging cars and pedestrians, while Strike smashes the windshield to regain visibility after a shot shatters the rear window. A second bullet hits the trunk, and a third misses. Despite the chaos, Robin expertly loses the pursuer. Will, lying down and covered in glass, is unharmed. Amid the adrenaline and exhaustion, Strike calls the police. The attack confirms that the cult is willing to kill to protect its secrets. The threat is now more real than ever.

Chapter 119 Summary – The Running Grave – Police Mistrust and a Love Put to the Test

At two a.m., Strike gives his statement to a skeptical officer who seems to think he’s paranoid. Frustrated by the police’s lack of urgency, he insists the shooting ties into five previous reports about the UHC, including murders. Meanwhile, Robin, though treated more politely, faces a different kind of pressure: she must call Murphy. He panics, demands enhanced security, and wants to come pick her up, but Robin reassures him. After hanging up, she sees Strike exit his interview with a grim face. Still tense and hungry, they decide to finally go get the food they’d wanted hours earlier. The attack has changed the game: it’s no longer about witnesses or abstract threats. The cult has crossed the line into armed violence, and this demands a new response. Robin and Strike now know that every step must be calculated.

Chapter 120 Summary – The Running Grave – Baby Trafficking and a Monstrous Truth

At the office, Robin and Strike devour burgers while reviewing Flora’s revelations. The worst of it: the “Living Sacrifice” isn’t just symbolic. The UHC traffics babies, the result of forced relations within the cult. The children are stored in a Birmingham facility and sold—mainly to American buyers—as part of an illegal adoption scheme. Joe Jackson runs it. Robin connects the shortage of children at Chapman Farm to this systemic practice. Lin was an exception because, according to Robin, she doesn’t know that Wace is her father. Strike, shaken, acknowledges the scale of the case. They agree to summon all their police contacts—Wardle, Layborn, Ekwensi, and Murphy—to share everything they know. Flora will likely testify. Will remains uncertain. As they look at the photos on their board, Robin wonders what secrets the case still hides. Everything points to a cruel system of exploitation built on manipulation, fear, and lies.

Chapter 121 Summary – The Running Grave – Two Types of Enemies and the Danger of Rosie Fernsby

Robin and Strike go over the recent attacks and conclude they seem to be the work of two distinct groups: one improvised and the other dangerous. As they analyze the Polaroids, the suspicion arises that Rosie Fernsby could be key and in danger. They theorize that Daiyu’s death was staged and that another girl was taken to the sea in her place. They consider that Mazu, Becca, or Carrie might have been involved, and that the toys Daiyu received were bribes or blackmail. Kevin Pirbright left cryptic messages indicating knowledge of a cover‑up, and his testimony suggests a network of complicity. Robin suspects Becca because of her privileged status. They mention fire, rituals, a circle of stakes, and a burned rope, which points to occult practices. As dawn approaches, Strike reviews the board, connects the pieces, and finally understands what happened, silently formulating a full theory that leaves him convinced he has reached the truth.

NINTH PART

Chapter 122 Summary – The Running Grave – The Secret Operation to Infiltrate the Key Witness

With the case stalled after the shooting, Cormoran Strike restructures the team’s priorities. Sam Barclay is called back to infiltrate the life of a possible key witness connected to the UHC, using a false identity and any necessary resources, while Robin, exhausted, struggles to rest. Strike plans a meeting with his police contacts to formally present the evidence against the church, although they still have not located the shooter. Pat, worried about Will Edensor, reports that he has not yet decided to cooperate with the defense. Meanwhile, Strike visits Rosie Fernsby and confirms that Bhakta is still alive. Both investigators, Robin and Strike, face difficult decisions as they reorganize the strategy to dismantle the organization without attracting more violence. With each move carefully calculated, they prepare to attack the UHC on multiple fronts, knowing that the only way forward is methodically and without leaving loose ends.

Chapter 123 Summary – The Running Grave – Revelations That Shake the Police

The agency intensifies its investigation to prove that the legend of the “drowned prophet” is false. Midge returns from Chapman Farm with physical evidence, while Barclay successfully infiltrates her target. Strike arranges a secret dinner at the Flying Horse pub with four police allies: Wardle, Layborn, Ekwensi, and Murphy. There, Will and Flora, visibly affected, give harrowing testimonies about rapes, clandestine burials, and aberrant punishments within the UHC. Kevin’s story—being buried and then exhumed to be relocated under a carrot field as punishment for his mother—shocks everyone. Strike announces that Lin has been located alive in Birmingham, caring for babies within the cult. Although the officers show caution, the gravity of the statements begins to sway opinions. The tension between Strike and Murphy over Robin is evident, but the real focus is on getting law enforcement to launch a formal investigation before the church hides behind its lawyers.

Chapter 124 Summary – The Running Grave – The Confession That Shatters the Myth of Daiyu

As September progresses, Robin gets permission to visit Isaac Mills in prison. She finds him deteriorated, sick, but still willing to negotiate. Initially hostile and mocking, Mills changes his attitude when Robin suggests that his cooperation could guarantee him medical care, even a transplant. Convinced by the possibility of receiving help from influential families if he cooperates, Mills reveals that Daiyu was never on the beach that day: it was all a staged scene orchestrated by Carrie, who confessed details to him when she drank. Although the information is technically hearsay, Robin understands its strategic value. Mills denies that Carrie killed the girl, but confirms that she was complicit in a central ruse for the cult’s foundations. This revelation reinforces Strike’s hypothesis and provides a new key piece to dismantle the myth of the “resurrected prophet,” although there is still more to discover about who was the real mastermind behind the original deception.

Chapter 125 Summary – The Running Grave – The Police Assault and the Fall of the Cult

Robin leaves the prison exhilarated after Mills’s confession, but her phone dies before she can share everything with Strike. Upon arriving at the office, she discovers that Chapman Farm has been raided that morning in a massive police operation. Emily Pirbright has been rescued alive from a wooden coffin. The news is already circulating on television, and Strike reveals that they are also entering the headquarters in Birmingham. Robin, excited and worried, thinks of the faces she met during her infiltration. As they review the operation from Strike’s flat, Midge watches Becca at the Rupert Court temple, where she seems trapped. When Robin decides to confront her before she escapes, she argues with Strike, cancels a date with Murphy, and demands to enter the temple. Although he resists, he ends up yielding on the condition that Midge accompany her. Robin prepares for the decisive encounter, convinced that Becca is key to closing the case.

Chapter 126 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Enters the False Prophet’s Temple Alone

Robin arrives at the Rupert Court temple expecting to find Becca, but Midge reports that she has left without luggage, checking her phone frequently. As Midge follows her, Robin decides to seize the opportunity to enter the temple with the master keys. After several attempts, she manages to open the door without attracting the attention of bystanders and ventures inside, where the dim lighting and mythological figures painted on the ceiling create an unsettling atmosphere. As she approaches the altar beneath the image of Daiyu, the cry of a baby startles her, emanating from above. Intrigued and alert, Robin discovers a hidden door camouflaged in the temple’s golden decoration. After opening it, she finds a staircase leading to the upstairs bedrooms, where the crying intensifies. Not knowing for certain what or who awaits her, Robin slowly climbs, determined to confront Becca and uncover the secrets still held at the heart of the cult.

Chapter 127 Summary – The Running Grave – Abigail Reveals Key Clues About the Birmingham Plan

Strike visits Abigail Glover at her fire station to clarify inconsistencies about the transfer of cult members to Birmingham. Abigail confirms that her father, Jonathan Wace, was present when the supposed death of Daiyu was announced, contradicting Cherie’s version. She recounts that she was sent to Birmingham after the funeral, along with a young man named Joe, who would be designated second‑in‑command. Upon learning that Daiyu would inherit a large sum of money, Abigail is incredulous but does not deny that her father might have had financial interest. However, she insists that he would never have acted without Mazu’s consent. Strike reveals that Jonathan sent a message for her, stirring old emotions. The conversation ends with Abigail reaffirming her hatred of the cult, although she still resists believing that her father could have murdered a child, even if she recognizes the atrocities committed under his religious leadership.

Chapter 128 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Discovers What’s Hidden in the Rupert Court Temple

While waiting for news from Midge, Robin decides to go ahead and enters the temple alone, determined to intercept Becca on her ground. After closing the door behind her, she explores the silent sanctuary decorated with images of the cult’s prophets. Upon reaching the figure of Daiyu, a heart‑wrenching cry breaks the silence. Robin identifies a concealed door next to the stage and accesses a staircase leading to the bedrooms. Ascending quickly, guided by the sound, she ventures into the heart of the place. The contrast between the temple’s superficial calm and the baby’s scream reveals an unknown and disturbing dimension. Robin does not know if she will find Becca alone, nor how many people are actually in the building. Each step represents a risk, but the urgency to prevent another escape and obtain answers propels her. She is about to discover what the last refuge of the cult in London hides.

Chapter 129 Summary – The Running Grave – Abigail Identifies Faces Among the Polaroids of Horror

Strike continues interrogating Abigail Glover about the cult’s past and Becca Pirbright’s involvement. Abigail recalls Becca’s mother, Louise, and reveals that Mazu despised the women close to Jonathan. Although she does not remember Becca in Birmingham, she agrees with the information that she never lived there. Upon mentioning Cherie Gittins, Strike reveals that she committed suicide hours after being interviewed, just as Jordan Reaney had tried to do after seeing some Polaroids. When shown them, Abigail confirms that the masks match those used in punishments and recognizes Joe and Draper among those photographed. She believes the images were not taken in the Retreat Rooms but in a barn, and notes that group and homosexual acts were condemned by Mazu and Wace. When Strike mentions the “jogger” seen on the beach the night of Daiyu’s disappearance, Abigail catches the nuance: they are no longer talking about “drowning,” but about “disappearance.”

Chapter 130 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Finds Mazu in the Temple with the Baby

In the darkness of the temple’s upper floor, Robin remains motionless, listening to a television broadcasting news about the police raid on Chapman Farm. As she silently approaches the only lit room, she observes a woman from behind manipulating sprigs of yarrow. Her reflection in the window reveals her: Mazu Wace. Robin watches her consult the I Ching, confirming that she still believes in her own myth. In the room there is also a crib, a travel bag, and a baby bottle. Everything points to an imminent escape. Robin prepares to confront her. At that moment, fear grips her, but she does not step back. She knows she is facing the rotten heart of the cult. The tense silence in the room, interrupted only by the television, foreshadows the storm about to erupt between the detective and the fallen prophet, while the fate of an innocent baby hangs by an invisible thread of smoke and incense.

Chapter 131 Summary – The Running Grave – Strike Puts Forward Theories About Becca Pirbright’s Identity

Strike proposes to Abigail a shocking theory: that Becca Pirbright could be Daiyu in disguise. Abigail rejects the idea, arguing that the family would have recognized her. Strike offers other possibilities: Becca might not be Daiyu, but could be Jonathan Wace’s biological daughter, raised to take her place. Abigail resists, asserting that Becca was born outside the cult. Still, Strike suggests that Wace, a womanizer and unfaithful, could have had children outside Chapman Farm, and that his pattern of abuse and control would have included Becca as well. Abigail acknowledges that her father was not exactly ethical, but vehemently denies he was a pedophile. Strike insists that Becca was separated from the others, elevated to an unprecedented position in the cult, and preserved in supposed virginity. The conversation increasingly tensions Abigail, who ends up leaving the room. Strike remains waiting, knowing he has touched a crucial thread in the cult’s hidden history.

Chapter 132 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin Confronts Mazu and Fights for Her Life

Robin confronts Mazu in the temple, who had just consulted the I Ching and was prophesying a spiritual withdrawal. Robin bursts in with irony, challenging the authority of the woman who had humiliated her. Mazu responds with disturbing calm, but her confidence comes from a rifle hidden within her reach. The confrontation escalates quickly when Robin tries to prevent Mazu from grabbing the weapon. A brutal struggle ensues, where Robin manages to overpower her and shout for help. The accidental shot breaks a window, and finally Robin disarms Mazu, bloodied and defeated. Midge bursts in just in time, followed by Becca Pirbright, who witnesses the scene in horror. Robin, still gripping the rifle, points it at Becca and forces her to calm the baby. The tension culminates with Robin revealing her true objective: to unmask Becca, whose complicity in the cult’s crimes is deeper than she wants to admit.

Chapter 133 Summary – The Running Grave – Strike Reveals to Abigail How They Covered Up Daiyu’s Murder

Abigail returns, gives a DNA sample, and begins to listen, increasingly upset, as Strike reconstructs the truth about Daiyu’s disappearance. He lays out a complex web of manipulation, abuse and cover‑up: Daiyu was murdered and dismembered in the woods by a group led by Abigail, with help from Reaney, Draper and Carrie. The body was fed to pigs, and the scene was recreated to simulate a mystical disappearance. Carrie nurtured the myth to silence Becca, and Wace capitalised on that narrative to consolidate the cult and manipulate his daughter. Strike details each step: from using drugs to sedate children to disguising a straw figure with Daiyu’s dress. Abigail listens, smoking in silence, while Strike shows her irrefutable evidence: Polaroids, confessions, the murder weapon and the bloody axe. Finally, when the police arrive, Abigail realises her world has collapsed and there is no escape.

EPILOGUE

Chapter 134 Summary – The Running Grave – The Revelation at Chapman Farm and Family Reconciliation

Sir Colin Edensor’s broad backyard displayed toys and inflatable pools where little Sally, formerly Qing, and two children played with bubbles, while four adults watched them. Inside, Sir Colin, Strike, Robin, Pat and Dennis observed the scene. Sir Colin recounted the tense but revealing meeting between his sons James and Will, in which Will took responsibility for his past mistakes, easing the confrontation. The conversation turned to the discovery of bodies at Chapman Farm and the horrors of the UHC: unregistered babies, abuse of adults and children, with legal and media implications. Mazu and Taio Wace were arrested, while Abigail and Reaney continued covering up crimes. Strike and Robin discussed Mazu’s stubbornness and Abigail’s predictable culpability, evaluating the impact of their horrific acts on ex‑members and victims. Meanwhile, Strike shared with Lucy his satisfaction with the rescue of the baby and the arrest of the guilty party, receiving words of recognition and support from his sister.

Chapter 135 Summary – The Running Grave – Meeting with Amelia Crichton and Charlotte’s Legacy

One week after the visit to the Edensors, Strike decided to fulfil his duty to Charlotte by meeting Amelia Crichton, her sister, in Belgravia. Strike doubted the necessity of the meeting, aware that Charlotte’s death still weighed on him, although the resolution of the UHC case partially freed him from that torment. Amelia, reserved in expression with patrician features, led him to a nearby restaurant, where she confessed to having burned Charlotte’s letter after reflecting on its contents, unable to reveal it. Strike understood the gesture and accepted the summary Amelia offered: Charlotte, despite the pain caused by Strike, had loved him until the end and had foreseen his relationship with Robin. The conversation, laden with contained emotions, allowed Strike to reflect on past mistakes, the complexity of love and the symbolic closure Amelia granted him in Charlotte’s name, while they shared a brief and silent meal, marking a milestone in reconciling with Charlotte’s legacy.

Chapter 136 Summary – The Running Grave – Robin and Strike Face New Beginnings and Personal Decisions

Robin arrived in a hurry at the agency, finding Pat busy, and revealed that Ryan would pick her up for a weekend away. During the conversation, Robin updated Strike on her work and new clients, and they discussed the resolution of the UHC case, including the identification of Jacob and Robin’s exoneration from the charges of child abuse. The talk turned to personal matters, and Strike shared his story about Charlotte, explaining his inability to prevent her suicide and how he had handled her last messages, reinforcing the idea of responsibility and accepting the limits of his intervention. Recognising Charlotte’s death and the complexity of their past relationship, Strike allowed himself to reflect on his feelings for Robin, concluding that he needed to act on them. With determination, he set out to practice what he preached: choose happiness and take control of his emotional life, while Robin prepared for a well‑deserved rest, symbolising a new beginning for both.

Conclusion – The Running Grave

Not all graves need soil. Some are dug with gentle doctrine and blind devotion. In The Running Grave, Robin Ellacott didn’t just rescue Will Edensor—she survived a system built to dismantle the self from the inside out. Every moment inside the cult was a quiet war, every forced smile an act of rebellion. But the deepest wound wasn’t what she endured—it was what she realized about herself and about Strike.

This case left no visible scars, but its damage runs deep. Watching from the outside, Cormoran didn’t just fear for Robin’s life—he feared what might be lost if he kept holding back. Within those walls masked as community, both of them learned that the deepest prison is built from words left unsaid. The real question now is whether they’ll ever have the courage to speak them.

What comes next won’t be easier. The threats don’t end with a rescue… they just evolve. Continue the story here: The Hallmarked Man Book Summary by Chapter ➤

FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – The Running Grave

What is the symbolic role of the Drowned Prophet in The Running Grave?

The Drowned Prophet, Daiyu Wace, is the spiritual core of the Universal Humanitarian Church. She symbolizes purity and submission, and her story is manipulated by cult leaders to legitimize extreme obedience. Her image—especially the statue at Chapman Farm—is used during rituals to stir fear and reverence. Supposed supernatural appearances reinforce the myth, helping the cult maintain psychological control over its members through grief, awe, and emotional manipulation.

Why does Robin agree to infiltrate the UHC despite the obvious danger?

Robin’s decision goes beyond duty—it's personal. Saving Will resonates with her desire to help others escape emotional entrapment, much like what she’s endured in her own life. Her growing distance from Murphy and unresolved feelings for Strike also influence her choice. Infiltrating the UHC becomes a form of reclaiming her own narrative and proving that she’s capable of confronting darkness, even if it means risking everything.

How does Strike’s childhood at Forgeman Farm shape his reaction to the case?

Learning that Chapman Farm was once Forgeman Farm, where he lived as a child, reawakens buried trauma. Though he claims not to have been abused, the revelation of his sister Lucy’s experience profoundly impacts him. It explains his visceral hatred of cults and his compulsion to protect others from similar harm. The case transforms from a professional mission into a deeply personal reckoning.

What techniques does the UHC use to emotionally indoctrinate its members?

The UHC employs emotional and psychological manipulation, disguising control as enlightenment. Tactics include spiritual bonding (which masks abuse), deprivation of food and rest, forced confessions, isolation, and intense rituals. These methods break down individual identity and instill dependency on the group. Over time, members internalize the cult’s doctrine, believing suffering leads to spiritual growth, making them easier to exploit and control.

How does the case reveal Strike and Robin’s hidden emotional connection?

As the investigation progresses, Robin and Strike’s emotional bond surfaces through jealousy, tension, and longing. Their decisions—Robin’s arguments with Murphy, Strike’s dates with Bijou—reflect their struggle to ignore deeper feelings. The shared danger and emotional toll of the UHC case push them to moments of vulnerability. While neither admits it openly, the case exposes the depth of their unresolved connection.