THE CUCKOO’S

CALLING
- Robert
Galbraith
Historical Background
 Robert Galbraith is the pen name used by J.K.
Rowling for her crime fiction novels.
 "The Cuckoo's Calling" (2013) was Galbraith's
debut novel.
 Galbraith's novels follow the investigations of
private detective Cormoran Strike and his
partner Robin Ellacott.
 It draws inspiration from real-life events and
figures from the fashion and celebrity world.
 PLOT
Private investigator Cormoran Strike is hired by
John Bristow to investigate the death of his
adopted sister, supermodel Lula Landry.
Lula's death was ruled a suicide, but Bristow
believes she was murdered.
Strike, a former military policeman, delves into
Lula's life, interviewing her friends, family, and
acquaintances.
He uncovers a complex web of secrets, scandals,
 Key Po i n t s
 Lula Landry's suspicious death
n S tr ike's in vesti g ati o n
 Cormora
 Complex web of secrets and
motives
 Dark side of fame and celebrity
culture
 Strike's troubled past and
relationships
 Robin Ellacott's valuable
assistance
 f t h e n o v e l a re l o o s e l y
S o m e el e m e n t s o
n t s o r fi g u re s , s u c h a s
l -l i fe e v e
inspired by rea
a s u p e r m o d e l, is p a r ti a lly
 The chara c t e r o f L u la L a n d r y ,
le s o f re a l- life m o d e ls li k e
h e li v e s a n d s t r u g g
inspired by t
s s , a n d C a r a D e le v in g n e .
Na o m i C a m p b e ll , K a t e M o
n in d u s t r y 's da r k e r s id e ,
p o r t r a y a l o f t h e fa s h io
 The novel's
s e , is in fo rm e d b y r e a l-li fe
g e x p lo it a t io n a n d a b u
includin
n d a ls a n d c o n t r o v e r s ie s .
sc a
, a p r iv a te inv e s t ig a t o r , is
e r o f C o r m o r a n S t r ik e
 The charact
n c e s w it h t h e m e d ia a n d
R o w li n g's o w n e x p e r ie
influenced by
the public eye.
 a n S tr i k e ,
o r
Prologue  Introd u c e s
i n
C
v
o
e
r
s
m
ti g a t o r a n d
a pri v a te
l i c e m a n .
i li t a r y p o
forme r m
d b y J o h n
h i re
 Strike is e
s ti g a te t h
w t o i n v e
Bris t o
e d s i s te r,
h i s a d o p t
death o f
a n d r y.
Lula L
 w i th J o h n
e e ts
 Strike m t
a rn s a b o u
o w a n d l e
Br i s t
.
Part 1 Lula's l i f e a n d d
s
e
t
a
i
t
g
h
a t i n g
n s i n v e
 He begi
h i c h w a s
s d e a t h , w
Lu l a '
a s u i c i d e .
ru l e d ,
n E l l a c o tt
e e t s R o b i
 Strike m
e m p o r a ry
his n e w t
h e l p s h i m
ta r y , w h o
se c re
c a s e .
with the
 n t o L u l a ' s
d e e p e r i
k e d e l v e s
 St ri s ,
h e r f ri e n d
r v i e w i n g
life, inte e s .
a n c
Part 2 family , a n d a c q u
l
a
a
i
'
n
s
t
c o m p l ic a t e d
o v e r s L u
 He disc le s w i th
n d s tr u g g
i o n s h i p s a
re l a t
v e f a m i l y.
o p t i
h er a d a b o u t
rs s e c re ts
n c o v e
 Strike u r
l u d i n g h e
p a s t , i n c
Lula 's
r a n d h e r
c a l m o t h e
biol o g i
s h ip w i th
d r e la t i o n
a te
co m p l i c harlie.
 ti o n l e a d s
i n v e s ti g a
 Stri ke ' s
u l p l ay in
u s p e c t f o
to s
Part 3 him
Lula's d e a th .
o y f ri e n d ,
t s L u l a ' s b
r o n
 He conf
d h e r ex -
S o m é , a n
G u y
D u ffie l d .
e n d , E v a n
bo y f ri s
m y s te r i o u
i s c o v e r s a
 Strike d
l a 's p a s t,
e f r o m L u
fig u r
w h o m a y
e H i g s o n ,
M ar l e n g
e r s t a n d i n
to u n d
 e th e r th e
i e ce s to g
 Strike p
to L u la ' s
e a d i n g u p
ev en ts l

Part 4 d e a th .
a w e b o f
v e r s
 H e u nc o d
l a ti o n , a n
it , m a n i p u
de c e
r ro u n d in g
i ta t i o n s u
ex p lo
l a ' s l i f e .
Lu e r
t s th e k i l l
e c o n f ro n
 St r i k t
ru t h a b o u
e a l s th e t
and re v
d e a t h .
Lula's
 s e
Ep i l o g u e  Str i ke re fl e c t s o n t h e c a

o u tc o m e .
an d it s
c o t t s h a re
R o b i n E l la
 He a n d
l re s p e c t
o f m u tu a
e n t
a mom
s t an d in g .
u n d e r
an d
 T H E ME S
 Th e d a
r k s i d e o f fa m
e an d
c e l e b r i ty c u l t
ure
 Trauma
, m e n ta l h ea l
th , a n d th e
long-term eff
e c ts o f a b u se
 I d e n ti t y
, c l a ss, a n d s
o c i a l s t a tu s
 M o r a l it
y a n d th e g r a
y areas in
b e t w e e n rig h
t and wrong
Techniques
 Unreliable narrators: Multiple characters provide biased or incomplete
information, forcing Strike to piece together the truth.
 Red herrings: Misleading clues and false leads distract from the true
culprit and motive.
 Foreshadowing: Subtle hints throughout the novel hint at the eventual
reveal.
 Characterization: Well-developed characters with complex motivations
and backstories drive the plot.
 Dialogue: Witty, natural dialogue reveals character traits, relationships,
and tensions.
 Description: Vivid descriptions of settings, characters, and clothing
create a rich atmosphere.
Techniques
 Plot twists: Unexpected turns of events keep the reader engaged and
surprised.
 Symbolism: The cuckoo's calling itself is a symbol for the invasive and
destructive nature of fame.
 Social commentary: The novel critiques the fashion industry, celebrity
culture, and class privilege.
 Stream-of-consciousness: Strike's inner thoughts and feelings are
presented in a fluid, unstructured manner.
 Non-linear narrative: The story unfolds through multiple timelines and
perspectives.
 Suspense and tension: Skillful pacing and cliffhangers maintain reader
engagement.
 ran St ri ke
Co rmo

The protagon
ist, a
private inves
tigator and
former milita
ry
policeman, w
ho is tasked
with investig
ating Lula
Landry's dea
th .
 L an dry
Lula

The victim, a
supermodel a
nd
adoptee, who
se death is
initially ruled
a suicide.
 ri st o w
John B

Lula's adopti
ve brother,
who hires Str
ike to
investigate h
er death.
 n El l a c o t t
Ro bi

Strike's temp
orary
secretary, wh
o becomes
embroiled in
the case
and proves t
o be a
valuable asse
t.
 Br i st o w
Charlie

John Bristow'
s brother,
who had a co
mplicated
relationship w
ith Lula.
 y So mé
Gu

Lula's boyfrie
nd, a
fashion desig
ner, who is
suspected of
being
involved in h
er death.
 e On i fa de
Ro c h el l

Lula's friend
a nd
confidante, w
ho provides
insight into L
ula's life
and struggle
s.
 Abe l sen
Diane

Lula's adopti
ve mother,
who is hiding
secrets
about Lula's
past.
 Du ffi el d
Evan

A famous act
o r a nd
Lula's ex-boy
friend, who
had a tumult
uous
relationship w
ith her.
 ne Hi gso n
Ma rl e

A mysterious
figure from
Lula's past, w
ho may
hold the key
to
understandin
g her
death.
The End