UPDATED: Finally: The Release of “Lethal White”
After three consecutive years of Cormoran Strike novels, the dry spell readers have been (not so patiently) waiting through for the next installment is finally lifting. Today, after three years of longing to know what is in store for Strike and the newlywed Mrs. Robin (Ellacott) Cunliffe, Lethal White hits shelves of bookstores around the world.
Just a few short months ago, we learned the release date of Lethal White along with its official synopsis. We know that business for Strike has picked up once again after many of his clients faltered when he was sent a severed leg in Career of Evil. However, fame (as Strike‘s author would know, being a “famous stranger”) has its drawbacks – especially when lurking in the shadows and being discreet is the key to success in the private investigating business.
Strike’s secretary, Robin Ellacott, is now his partner in the business. Career of Evil left us with Robin at the altar, saying “I do” to Matthew, but smiling for the first time on her wedding day when Strike crashed into the back of the church. The relationship between these “partners in crime” was rocky in Career of Evil but is now more complicated than ever, not to mention there’s a new third wheel in the office: Denise – the new secretary.
Earlier this week, fans were treated to an extended sneak peek of the novel with the release of an excerpt. We got a brief taste of what office life is like these days with Strike, Robin, and Denise – a brief taste of how annoyed Strike gets with Denise’s lack of tact that Robin possesses so naturally. We were also introduced to Billy, Strike’s new skittish client.
While Waterstones has started offering walking tours of Strike’s London, we know Strike’s new case takes him to the countryside and horse imagery has started to appear over and over again. J.K. Rowling’s flash drive for this novel was a figurine of a white horse. In the last few months leading up to the release of Lethal White, a couple of her Twitter headers have included images of white horses. White horses must be important, and we’ve speculated about the meaning behind this recurring imagery.
The only way to find the answer to this mystery and the answer to Strike’s new case is to pick up our copies of Lethal White. Until then, we will be waiting by the mailbox for our Amazon package to arrive or banging down the door of the nearest Barnes & Noble until they open this morning.
—
UPDATE (April 10):
Lethal White is now available for preorder in paperback on Amazon. The preorder release date is set for June 11, 2019.