The Running Grave Initial Read-Through, Full Book Spoilers, Part 8 Analysis, chapters 101-121.
For those of us that thought the mystery might be drawing to a close once Robin 's job at the cult was over, we were wrong. There's lots more to come.
Spoilers Below.
It is so good to see Robin back at a team meeting. Her guilt over Cherie's suicide is understandable, but we now know there is a mystery phone-caller in the mix. It did surprise me that top-end secure locks weren't installed on both the office and building doors long ago; for instance, when the Shacklewell rippwe was after Robin.
I was so happy to see Will and Qing turn up at the office and I fully agree with Strike that Robin probably saved both their lives. Pat is awesome in her response to them. The news that Pat is a great-grandmother is a bit surprising, but not so much when you think that she has her first at 17. Finally, I have no idea if it means anything. but the line about "Will blushed scarlet" jumped out at me. Will Scarlet was one of Robin Hood's Merry Men, along with Little John.
Just to give you an idea of how emaciated people coming out of the UHC are, note how much people are feeding them. At their drink after Robin's questioning by the police, Strike bought her six bags of crisps. His record, on the night she told him of Matthew's infidelity, was two. Pat appears to come back with four full-size pizzas to be shared among five people, one of whom is a two year old. Remember, Robin was "fractionally too thin" at her wedding in 2011, and there's been no mention of significant weight gain since. If she lost 25-30 pounds. she would be pretty emaciated.
Sir Colin certainly raised an obnoxious elder son. I think he have Phillipa Graves would get along.
The issue with patient confidentiality is interesting, and, as a licensed mental health professional myself, I would say that Prudence was imprudent to tell Strike she had a client who was ex-UHC, and even less prudent, in the absence of any evidence, to accuse Strike of contacting her. I don't know what mandated reporting laws are in the UK, but in the US she would be required to report anything Flora told her about physical or sexual child abuse or neglect, including underage girls giving birth, medical neglect and underfeeding.It's hard to believe that, after so long treating Flora, nothing reportable had been disclosed. So, for me, the question is not so much why Prudence had never encouraged Flora to report, but why she never did so herself.
Strike and Robin have become much better at disagreeing, as shown by the lack of major blow-ups over Robin's visit to Prudence and of Strike's wish for Robin to take precautions and avoid solo jobs.
Strike's conversation with Papa J was amazing, though I was hoping for a much more decisive victory, as with Creed. I like Pat's husband Dennis and I think his racing pigeon hobby is interesting.
Will's reaction to Flora at Prudence's is typical of the difficulties of dealing with people coming out of cults, particularly when questions of "doing more harm than good." Hassan's book talks about cults often expelling people with mental illness. Flora's description of the gaslighting is also typical.
If you are interested in the Pepper's Ghost Illusion, it is the one used at Universal Studios to make people "disappear" into the brick wall at Platform 9 3/4.
The speculation gets quite extensive once our heroes get back to the office with the McDonalds, and seems to go in many different directions. I start to share our heroes' fatigue here.
Names
Rufus: "red-haired"
Tanisha: "ambitious"
Kayleigh: multiple meanings, including slender, celebration, and, for you Hagrid fans, "keeper of the keys."
Kim: In English: "royal" in Korean. "gold."
Cochran: "Battle cry" or "crimson"
Bannerman: "Flag-bearer"
Grierson: "Governor"
Bhakta: "Worshipper" Interestingly. this is a typical boy's name that the former Rosalind Fernsby is using
Dasa: "Servant of god"
Rosalind: "gentle horse"
Sanchia: "sacred, holy"
Dennis: "Follower of Dionysus"
Ring Strcture
James Edensor's flinging his coffee on Robin and having to be prompted by Strike to apologize evokes the scene on the Red Lion pun in Lethal White, where a stranger spilled orange juice on Robin.
Flora is not supposed to drink on her meds. just as Billy Knight said at his final meeting with Strike, Izzy and Robin. And, if I recall correctly, this is the only time other than in Lethal White that a gun has been a part of the crimes associatded with the case.
An explicit connection between Jonathan Wace and Liz Tassel of The Silkworm with their dead, blank shark eyes. We also get another example of Robin's advanced driving skills when they are pursued by the shooter.
Strike and Robin have a very late night brainstorming session, following a visit to a wealthy person's home, just as in Lethal White. But, the discussion after in the office reminds me more of the final review of the Margo Bamborough police file, in Troubled Blood. But, by the end Strike thinks he has an answer.
Literary alchemy
The red- and gold-associated names of theses sections could indicate a shift to rubedo. This could be especially interesting if Kim Cochran is hired in a future book.