Thank you both so much! I agree with Bea Groves (and others) that JKR/RG probably planned the series originally as 7 books but later decided to expand it. I think that's why the romance keeps having to be dragged out.
Thank you, again, for this reread analysis! My enjoyment of my own reread is increased enormously by your insights. I totally agree that the phrasing Strike chose in supposedly telling Robin he is in love with her is very meaningful. It shows that he is still hedging his bets by being less than straight forward and that lack of straightforwardness allows Robin to go off with Murphy as if nothing has been said. Imagine if Strike had instead said something like "Before you go off on this weekend with your boyfriend, I want to tell you something that I should have said a long time ago; I am in love with you and want us to be more than business partners." Personally, I think this dialogue makes more sense than how Jo wrote the scene since she describes him as a trapeze artist taking a big risk. I love this series but agree with others that the "will they/won't they" trope has been dragged out too long. But there is still a lot to love about the world of Strike and Robin that Jo has written and I cannot wait for THM.
You’ve convinced me that the introduction will include some meaningful interaction between Strike and Robin, followed by Robin leaving to go on a trip where she obsessively examines her unresolved feelings for him. I think JKR sets up this type of parallel as a way of examining what has remained the same and what has changed for the characters. In both the honeymoon and Zermatt, is Robin’s error that she is too passive? She resolves to call Strike and leave Matthew, but she hangs up without speaking after CoCo answers, and she agrees to stay with Matthew because he needs a woman to care for him. In Zermatt, Robin does not fall for the trap of caring for the needy Huge Axe, but she doesn’t tell him, simply passively ignores his knock. She also realizes she’s obsessed with Strike, and arguably she does the mental work that allows for her sudden realization after Charlotte spills the beans about Madeline. But, she avoids any direct communication with Strike about her feelings. In the next book, I expect she will make similar mistakes in regard to Strike and Murphy, (what will make Murphy particularly needy?), but she will be more self-aware as she blunders, and will act quickly to make it right. And, this time around, Strike will not be behaving badly with a displacement f*ck, which will make all the difference.
I suspect Murphy's alcoholism may play some role; it would be like Robin to blame herself for his falling off the wagon. I suspect there may be some pressure from Linda to choose Murphy as well, leading to more conflict between them and perhaps a knock-down drag-out that settles things for sure. I wonder if Strike would go out of his way to try to win the Ellacott's approval. He obviously never cared whether Charlotte's family liked him or not. But, one harbinger of doom for Matthew and Robin was how much she disliked his family, and vice versa--- perhaps she will be wary of getting into that situation again. Fortunately, all of Strike's family and friends have liked Robin, but it would be safer if her family liked him, as well.
I like that! She’ll feel obligated to help him avoid relapse (or recover after a relapse associated with their relationship). But, despite acting on that “obligation,” she’ll be frustrated with her own actions the whole time and quickly tell him directly to grow up and take care of himself.
Thank you both so much! I agree with Bea Groves (and others) that JKR/RG probably planned the series originally as 7 books but later decided to expand it. I think that's why the romance keeps having to be dragged out.
Thank you, again, for this reread analysis! My enjoyment of my own reread is increased enormously by your insights. I totally agree that the phrasing Strike chose in supposedly telling Robin he is in love with her is very meaningful. It shows that he is still hedging his bets by being less than straight forward and that lack of straightforwardness allows Robin to go off with Murphy as if nothing has been said. Imagine if Strike had instead said something like "Before you go off on this weekend with your boyfriend, I want to tell you something that I should have said a long time ago; I am in love with you and want us to be more than business partners." Personally, I think this dialogue makes more sense than how Jo wrote the scene since she describes him as a trapeze artist taking a big risk. I love this series but agree with others that the "will they/won't they" trope has been dragged out too long. But there is still a lot to love about the world of Strike and Robin that Jo has written and I cannot wait for THM.
Fantastic insights, thanks for doing this Louise. I never thought of the legilmency connection between Charlotte and Voldemort before!!
You’ve convinced me that the introduction will include some meaningful interaction between Strike and Robin, followed by Robin leaving to go on a trip where she obsessively examines her unresolved feelings for him. I think JKR sets up this type of parallel as a way of examining what has remained the same and what has changed for the characters. In both the honeymoon and Zermatt, is Robin’s error that she is too passive? She resolves to call Strike and leave Matthew, but she hangs up without speaking after CoCo answers, and she agrees to stay with Matthew because he needs a woman to care for him. In Zermatt, Robin does not fall for the trap of caring for the needy Huge Axe, but she doesn’t tell him, simply passively ignores his knock. She also realizes she’s obsessed with Strike, and arguably she does the mental work that allows for her sudden realization after Charlotte spills the beans about Madeline. But, she avoids any direct communication with Strike about her feelings. In the next book, I expect she will make similar mistakes in regard to Strike and Murphy, (what will make Murphy particularly needy?), but she will be more self-aware as she blunders, and will act quickly to make it right. And, this time around, Strike will not be behaving badly with a displacement f*ck, which will make all the difference.
I suspect Murphy's alcoholism may play some role; it would be like Robin to blame herself for his falling off the wagon. I suspect there may be some pressure from Linda to choose Murphy as well, leading to more conflict between them and perhaps a knock-down drag-out that settles things for sure. I wonder if Strike would go out of his way to try to win the Ellacott's approval. He obviously never cared whether Charlotte's family liked him or not. But, one harbinger of doom for Matthew and Robin was how much she disliked his family, and vice versa--- perhaps she will be wary of getting into that situation again. Fortunately, all of Strike's family and friends have liked Robin, but it would be safer if her family liked him, as well.
I like that! She’ll feel obligated to help him avoid relapse (or recover after a relapse associated with their relationship). But, despite acting on that “obligation,” she’ll be frustrated with her own actions the whole time and quickly tell him directly to grow up and take care of himself.