Robert Galbraith (“The Hallmarked Man”) uses his full range of skill in creating the tension that causes readers to read the novel from beginning to end.
An elaborate plot structure of the different types and kinds of mysteries—from class to death—provides an opportunity for readers to see a complexity that is beyond just one crime. The centre of this complexity is the lead investigator, Cormoran Strike, who is a physically broken man who is blunt and perplexingly approachable, along with his assistant, Robin Ellacott, who is an equally flawed individual whose traumatic history will shape a large portion of the emotional content of this novel.
The initial mystery idea—a grotesque modern interpretation of a Gothic corpse found in the vault of Ramsay Silver (the same person as “William Wright” is presented as a bizarre ghostly figure)—contrasts greatly with the original idea for this story. The idea of a dead man being a phantom, whose identity police have rushed to affiliate with a criminal, is supported by a complex of forensic abnormalities and contradictory CCTV footage, which creates an inconsistency between media reports of criminal behaviour and the brutal realities of the actual case. This inconsistency provides the central focus for readers of Strike and Ellacott.
Decima Mullins, the personification of shame, secrecy, and maternal devotion, walks into this investigation. She believes that the dead body belongs to a man she loved, and she desperately wants proof that would allow her son, Lion, to have a burial site where he could pay his respects. His death creates an intense, almost tragic, relationship between Decima and the victim, contrasting sharply with the sensationalistic media reports. Decima’s shaky assurances about the victim’s identity and the many secrets she has kept, such as having given birth to a child and being associated with wealthy and powerful people, elevate a typical missing person’s case into a complex ethical dilemma and create a unique emotional bond with Decima.
In both The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm, the purposeful and slow-moving time of the books is advantageous to the overall story. Galbraith combines the concepts of individual viciousness and the media’s role in inciting public hysteria, along with the secretive aspects of Freemasonry and the ongoing trend of commodifying people’s everyday lives, to create a detailed and vivid picture that captivates readers and compels them to continue reading to discover more about these elements. In addition to his use of time in these books, Galbraith also employs numerous procedural practices throughout (such as police video surveillance and the partial shoe prints lifted from a bloody crime scene), but he seeks to depict how the media destroys a person’s reputation and how the wealthy can manipulate the stories of people’s lives, as well as how those who are confused by the world around them are affected.
Equally intriguing is the emotional core of this story; Robin’s hospitalisation and debilitating news impact every decision she makes professionally – it adds a secondary layer of meaning regarding our bodies, vulnerability, and the price that women will pay, both on and off the line. And as much as Strike is a witness to Robin’s journey, he is also an extremely flawed individual who is unapologetically fierce – he is a morally ambiguous hero who surprises us time and again with his compassion.
If there is a caveat, it is the pace of the narrative; while it takes time to develop character backstory and provide context to the plot, this will excite devoted readers and frustrate impatient readers. But for readers who are willing to follow this journey, “The Hallmarked Man” provides a well-crafted London noir that explores themes of identity, grief, and class while also being a gripping mystery. For those seeking a mystery that combines emotional weight with societal commentary, “The Hallmarked Man” is a slow, immersive read that will linger in your mind long after the last page is turned.
