Robin Ellacott's Imminent Death and Its Out of This World Effect on Strike

Robin Ellacott's Imminent Death and Its Out of This World Effect on Strike

January 21, 2026 · 2h 10m

About this episode

The episode discusses the events of 'Running Grave', focusing on Robin Ellacott's infiltration of a cult and the ensuing confrontation between Cormoran Strike and its leader.

Running Grave, b ook Seven of the ten novel Cormoran Strike murder mystery series by Joanne Murray (‘J. K. Rowling’) writing as ‘Robert Galbraith,’ is what the author described as her “cult novel.” The cult in question is the Universal Humanitarian Church led by Jonathan Wace; the Strike-Ellacott Agency is hired by a father to rescue his youngest son who has disappeared into the UHC’s Chapman Farm property. Robin Ellacott successfully infiltrates the compound and she and the young man escape. Soon after Robin’s near-thing deliverance and return to London, Strike attends a UHC rally in that city with hopes that he will be spotted by Wace and invited to meet back-stage. ‘Papa J’ takes the bait and he and Strike square off in the cult leader’s dressing room. Strike reveals much of what Robin and he have learned about the UHC’s criminal past and present in that verbal confrontation. Strike exits only after delivering a warning; stay away from his partner or “ I will burn your church to the f*****g ground ” (Part 8, chapter 112, 808; italics in original). In the midst of this tense back-and-forth between private detective and religious guru, Strike thrice mentions a book published in…

People in this episode

Host: John Granger

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Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Universal Humanitarian Church, Strike-Ellacott Agency

Books & works: Running Grave, Who Moved the Stone?

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