J.K. Rowling answers 20 questions about The Running Grave (October 19, 2023)

A few days after the publication of Robert Galbraith's seventh novel in the Cormoran Strike series, The Running Grave, J.K. Rowling answered 20 questions in video format. They were shared on October 19, 2023, in the official Robert Galbraith Facebook Page.
The questions that J.K. Rowling answered are:
1. What was your inspiration for The Running Grave?
2. What inspired you to explore the theme of religious cults in The Running Grave?
3. What can you tell us about the leader of the Universal Humanitarian Church and their role in the story?
4. What’s the significance of the I Ching in the novel?
5. London has been the focal point for the previous Strike novels, what role does it play in The Running Grave?
6. Why are real-life locations so important in the Strike series?
7. What’s the appeal of the British coast to Strike?
8. We’ve seen Strike’s character develop throughout the series. How does his character arc continue in this book?
9. Historical family tensions come to light for Strike in this book. How do they affect his familial relationships?
10. Strike has experienced a lot of loss in his life. How do we see that shape his character?
11. For a change, Strike finds himself (mostly) romantically unattached in The Running Grave - does this change the level of commitment he shows to his investigative work?
12. Without revealing too much, can you share some of the challenges and dangers that Robin encounters when she first infiltrates the cult?
13. What practices within the cult does Robin have to contend with?
14. Throughout the series Robin has faced many personal and professional challenges. How does her journey continue to unfold in this book?
15. What does Robin get from her relationship with Ryan Murphy?
16. The relationship between Strike and Robin has evolved throughout the series. How does it develop in The Running Grave, both on a professional and a personal level?
17. Can readers expect any unexpected alliances or betrayals among the characters in The Running Grave?
18. There are many interwoven relationships in this book. And how do you decide how much to fill out any individual’s back story?
19. The title The Running Grave is really intriguing. Can you shed some light on its significance and its connection to the story?
20. How does having a bigger team impact the dynamic between Strike and Robin when it was just the two of them to begin with and now we’re seeing more and more?
No commercial purposes. Only to keep an archive of J.K. Rowling's appearances.
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Transcription of the full interview is available in our Forums: community.therowlinglibrary.com/d/292-jk-rowling-answers-20-questions-about-the-running-grave

[@catherinerobilliard7662]

J K Rowling deserves a Nobel Prize for literature, a Damehood for her philanthropy, and an apology from every misogynist who hates her for her bravery and verbally abuses her for saying sex is real.

[@ITR]

Most trans people agree that sex is real though, nobody cares about that? The transphobic part is her refusal to call trans women for women, and generally wanting to misgender trans people.

[@saintjimmy456]

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and I like the Strike books, but thinking that people win the Nobel Prize for Literature for writing children's fantasy and detective novels is deluded.

[@randomobserver683]

10000000%

[@Iblk13]

@@saintjimmy456i have no Idea what is required for winning a literature Nobel prize. I do think that out of all of her achievements, getting countless people who would have never picked up a book to start reading, is number one.

[@mr.perfect748]

⁠@@saintjimmy456 children’s literature is essential in literature

[@SamTemple]

These characters feel so real that this video feels like i'm watching their therapist break numerous ethical codes.

[@InterstellarDreams]

Prudence + Flora!!! :D

[@unowen-nh9ov]

She is not their therapist, she is their CREATOR, like Radcliffe & the other HP rugrats.

[@SamTemple]

@@unowen-nh9ov This was a simile, not a statement 😂

[@LuagoNosLivros]

I could listen to her for hours and hours... 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@CrucialEllamint]

Same i find it very satisfying

[@eliza7697]

Me too

[@emomusicjunkie5270]

Right?! I thought I was the only one. Her voice along with her accent just sounds so relaxing. It’s like listening to a cloud

[@dracarys371]

I am grateful to the universe for letting me live at the same time as J.K.Rowling and giving me the ability to read her masterpieces and always look forward to them❤

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Karen Carpenter, Annie Lennox, Aretha, Candace, Carol, Megan, Dames ET, Rigg, Smith, Lansbury, Collins.

[@ashleytrew3508]

Just finished reading The Running Grave and already cannot wait for book #8! You can't leave me hanging with an ending like that! She is an exceptionally gifted, once in a generation author.

[@temiloluwaadeniyi-aogo5554]

Yessssssss. I really hope the next book gets released this year at this point.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Not every generation gets (or deserves) a J.K.

[@barrieflix]

Love this author. Love this interview. Love this book. I think it's the best so far.

[@marie-josepentakis8925]

Same here 👍

[@DarkandTwisted]

Brilliant, talented genius of a woman!🥰

[@KalEl290]

Astonishing to be seven books into a series and still be producing material that can be considered the series’ best. This and Ink Black Heart are easily the most conceptually ambitious and the best written at a literary level. Fantastic!

[@saraho92]

I don't know if it's astonishing. On Beulah Height was the 15th or so Dalziel and Pascoe novel and widely considered the best of that series and one of the best crime novels ever written (deservedly too). Christie's best Poirot's were in the middle of the series too but yes you are right that the quality of the work is getting better and better! We only have 3 books left in the series and I can't wait to see what she does with them

[@KalEl290]

@@saraho92 I didn’t say it doesn’t happen but it’s rare. It’s kinda telling that for comparison you logically went to Christie (1920s-40s, there abouts), and Dalziel and Pascoe (1970s-80s). Doesn’t happen often. :)

[@KalEl290]

@@PleadingMackerel Can’t agree with that, sorry. At a sentence level, her writing is the best it’s ever been, I think. And yeah, whenever a book gets over 500 pages, there’s certainly material that could be cut without detriment to the core plot. But the tension and character work would have suffered, I think. The 200 pages before Robin went undercover made the UFC terrifying before she even got in. And the reason I, and I think so many, love her books is because they are very long, and you get to spend so much time with her characters. You do just spend pages listening to them talk. I know there are readers who think books shouldn’t be over 300 pages, and okay, they don’t have to read these - they know what they’re getting into when they pick them up. (Not suggesting that you think that, just saying I’ve never had a problem with the length of her stories, unlike say, King who could sometimes stand to cut 150 pages.)

[@KalEl290]

@@PleadingMackerel I completely agree with what you said about Robin going in. I’m glad that the story did address it two or three times, but based on what they learned about the church ahead of time, I don’t fully believe he would have let her go in, either. I almost feel he would have let her quit first. Totally with you there.

[@melodylaila]

​@@KalEl290 don't know what you're replying to, original comment(s?) seem to be deleted, but completely agree with you on the length of the book. I love sitting with the characters for so long and feeling like we've actually journeyed with them. I love all the extra bits of stuff that possibly could be cut off but really adds color and depth and a larger story

[@rhodrifox]

Just hearing her talk about this richly intricate tapestry of characters and plot tgat the strike novels are is such a delight. Its nourishment to my heart.❤

[@VapourDarkness]

Her voice is so satisfactory... I could listen to her speaks for hours and hours. Love u so much, Jo.

[@blacksea7779]

J.k. my mom was born in Liverpool 1935. She spent 5 years in bomb shelters and ration lines. You are in the line of story tellers in England that kept the English alive. Thank you.

[@blacksea7779]

@@JoanneRowling.official J.K. my mom Edith will turn 89 this June. I turned 66 this year. She married an American Air Force medic. He was stationed at Burtonwood? She was born and raised at 18 Page Moss, Huyton. She tells me of the times when they ( the family ) would rush to the bomb shelter and during the bombings someone would read or tell stories to help keep the children as calm as possible. Her mom worked at a bomb factory in the cordite room. Dangerous work but paid higher wages. One day when her mom was working, a black lab was in the cordite room tugging on her dress. So she left the room to let the dog outside. There was an accident and many people where killed by the explosion. My grandmother was saved. She asked if anyone had seen the black dog. No one had seen a black dog. Period. 🤗 Your stories are incredibly detailed.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@blacksea7779 Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..

[@tuckercase2449]

@@blacksea7779 So...we all know that this isn't Rowling, right? The person you're interacting with can barely write in plain English.

[@blacksea7779]

@@tuckercase2449 hahaaaha

[@Wyklow]

I read this in three days. I always fly through the Strike novels and I wish I had more. Love you Jo! Love these books! I hope Strike series 6 drops soon…

[@barrieflix]

I found Ink Black Heart a great story, but challenging to read even on the page. I can't imagine how the TV version will work - will short sighted me have to sit 1m from the screen and keep pausing??

[@Warriorbox]

@@barrieflix I imagine they might do something like Sherlock did in the first episode, and bring the text onto the screen with perhaps at certain times some voice over. They cant do Anomie's voice or it would give away too much, but perhaps it might work some of the time.

[@hannahk.summerville5908]

I could listen to you for ever and ever. Beautiful wise mind, always well articulated. There's so much insight into human nature, which will always make interesting relatable characters. One day please please write a book on writing*-*

[@DeeplySceptical]

I know where you got that I Ching book... Lucious snuck it into your bag!

[@margaretsmist7140]

Thank you thank you - this whole series is an addiction for me. 😅

[@tomcatjams]

Loved this book. The Ink Black Heart is still my favourite Strike novel but this one is right up there.

[@electron-Volt]

Phenomenal book! I cannot wait for the next one. She really outdid herself with this one!

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..😊😊❤

[@elly3359]

This book has been the most satisfying of the series. Things I particularly loved: Strike and Robin really grew in their personalities and respective relationships, Pat had more time to shine, the plot twist though unexpected was well justified. And personally, as a former religious person, I find this book helpful in processing what I've been through. Thank you JK Rowling

[@rosablume4346]

What a brilliant mind. The way she talks about the cult leader and all his subtle tools and mind games makes me feel relieved that she chose to be a writer and did not aim for world dominance or to start the most efficent cult there ever could be

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@sweetgumtree6093]

I finished the book a while ago and it has became another favorite! Thank you for the wonderful book. You are the best!! Love from Japan

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@melodylaila]

With the sole exception of 'The Silkworm' which I didn't hate but which wasn't fab either, every single book in this series has not only been brilliant but somehow gotten BETTER than the earlier ones. Loved this book. Definitely the best so far. And loving Strike's & Robin's individual character development arcs, seems like he's finally growing up & she's become the force to reckon with that she always was internally, but now much more tangibly! Go JKR!

[@kiran12346183]

MY QUEEEEEENNNN

[@dandeherrera4015]

Loved this book. Couldn't put it down (or stop listening as I do audiobooks). JK Rowling is a genius with these characters and the twists and turns this novel takes kept me guessing the whole way through. I hope she does a spoiler talk about this book somewhere.

[@karinhoo4333]

I am so glad reading your books. The made my day

[@AguedaP1zarro]

Thank you RG ❤

[@CrucialEllamint]

My hero

[@The_Mystical_Man]

Thank fuck, an interview. I was worried she might not do one this time.

[@drbloomer6380]

Love you JK, keep on pushing!! Also more Strike series please. 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@cappuccinoentreleituras]

I cant wait to read It!!!

[@stanislavabanova2]

Thank you so much!

[@carmelpaints313]

Why the gaps in the video feed? 😢

[@melodylaila]

Was looking for this comment. Wondering if it's a TV to KZbin rights thing

[@DanielaDormiaru-ih9xf]

Always ❤❤❤

[@user-bz1oq7ff3q]

Love this! Fantastic novel, fun to have more to it

[@matthewjamesceramics7481]

Much love and light ❤ x

[@Mysterwright]

Love you! Good interview! 🤗🥰

[@maypreston5255]

Just finished this book and I loved it. By far the best in the series. Jo, please make these into a well-casted film series. The TV show felt wide of the mark.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@tracieh215]

I wonder if, from the first book, she knew what would happen to Charlotte.

[@user-ty4uy8pt6e]

Great book ever written.

[@paradisr4587]

Will there be a spoiler interview? Loved hearing her thoughts, especially on Pat and Midge!

[@mr.a8860]

Love Jo and her alchemical books! I love her work! ❤

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊

[@mr.a8860]

@@JoanneRowling.official a fan's channel, I assume...? From Italy, a country where an alchemical door is located... similar to those placed in the rose garden in Crimes of Grindelwald, my favorite alchemical work. Solve et coagula :)

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@mr.a8860 Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..

[@melodylaila]

​@@mr.a8860a troll or scam account more likely. Fan accounts identify themselves, not try to pretend they ARE the person in question

[@mr.a8860]

@@melodylaila I've understood it. Thanks for you comment :)

[@MM-dz9fk]

Love this! I ❤️ J K Rowling

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..😊😊❤

[@diagonal_wound5577]

She's amazing. Thank you for the best wizards books ever written

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@ravinduuuu]

“Midge is the only other female subcontractor in THIS book”… is she hinting at another female detective coming into the agency in book 8?!!

[@martinavitiello5380]

Strike mentions interviewing one of the detectives from Patterson inc called Kim, so it might be her

[@JohnSmith-jd4qm]

Good interview, but why does the screen turn black at certain sections?

[@gabrielgenoaongeoglyphs8002]

❤

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤❤

[@gabrielgenoaongeoglyphs8002]

@@JoanneRowling.official The U.S.👍🏻🤠

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@gabrielgenoaongeoglyphs8002 Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@gabrielgenoaongeoglyphs8002 I’m pleased to hear from you dear How long have you been my fan?

[@gabrielgenoaongeoglyphs8002]

Since 2001!

[@JackDanger99]

24:43 Oh, that smile is quite funny, knowing what we do now.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@bluejellystudios2824]

Having read the book, it's great to hear the writer break down the ideas that lay behind it and the complex plot/character weaving that goes on between books. JK Rowling is an astute observer of modern life, even in her fantasy stories. Love Strike and, like HP before it, appreciate how the original books almost stand apart from the film/TV adaptations through their complexity - although I can only now picture those actors in the roles.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@bluejellystudios2824]

@@JoanneRowling.official Intrigued... in the spirit of Strike thought I'd pose a question only the true Joanne Rowling might bother answering... which event brought Susan Ballion to public awareness and what did she say?

[@Javalipapere]

She’s one of the greatest writers of this age. I just finished the book and I found myself afraid for Robin

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@henribg1]

Her Majesty J.K.Rowling!

[@sportzak5886]

Thanks for posting! Little bit frustrating that she's constantly saying she can't say more when the book's been out several weeks! No reason not to have some spoilers, even if they're just relegated to say the last 5 minutes of the video haha. Though I understand why she can't reveal any future book spoilers. Also something I just realized: why are Midge, Barclay etc... considered "subcontractors." Shouldn't they just be "contractors" since they're being paid directly by the Strike & Ellacott Agency? It's not like they have a contract with a placement firm who then hires the detectives.

[@merrynchristian7404]

The agency (Robin and Strike) have various contracts with their clients, they then hire the other investigators to assist with carrying out those contracts/investigations, hence, subcontractors.

[@Oromie9]

The series had a rather slow start for me, but im glad i read on. Troubled blood was my favourite of the series until the running grave.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤❤😊

[@dylanhillebrand7005]

I just finished book four, but this video made me so tempted to just skip five and seven and just read the running grave directly😂

[@saraho92]

Noooooooooooo!!!!! You must read them in order or book seven wont mean as much. However Troubled Blood is brilliant so you are in for a treat!

[@maruree]

Most people in the fandom have Troubled Blood as their favourite, enjoy it!

[@The_Mystical_Man]

I skipped four, five, and six. I believe it works quite well.

[@artemis1656]

Ah, but then you missed so much of the yummy tension between Strike and Robin....

[@dylanhillebrand7005]

@@maruree I just finished book six and I remembered you guys encouraging me to not skip six and five and honestly I‘m so thankful you did! Both were so brilliant and so much better then four. Tomorrow I‘ll start seven, I hope it‘s just as good!

[@pedroduque2408]

I''m sorry for being kinda extra but could you please tell me if this interview is safe to see for someone who hasn't read the book?

[@DeeplySceptical]

Read the book first. It's the best in the series so far. Best to go in totally blank. Don't even read the blurb on the sleeve. Enjoy :)

[@AguedaP1zarro]

I wouldn’t, read it and come back

[@17caria]

I'm about 300 pages in, and I don't feel spoiled; she says repeatedly she doesn't want to give too much away.

[@meenakshi6344]

You're not being extra. Valid question. As others have said, it's best to go into the book knowing nothing about it. Then discover everything slowly while you read it. She isn't revealing much but better to listen to the interview after reading the book.

[@allagarbar4190]

She is a genius! One of a kind. She does create worlds.

[@InterstellarDreams]

Very interesting what she said, about "I admit the possibility".. I loved that part of the book! And.. well.. All of it, really. I especially loved Robin going undercover, and getting sucked in more and more, with everything getting progressively more sinister, the further she went! Plus I loved the mystery surrounding Daiyu's drowning. And definitely my favorite character, (I don't know if "favorite" is the right word for it, exactly), would be Mazu! Just.. all the mystery / darkness surrounding her. Plus Jonathan Wace himself, too. Great description of a master manipulator, who very likely would have taken in me too! I probably would have adored him, until I figured him out. At which point, it may have been too late, and I may already have been trapped. Which I imagine is what happened to Louise Pirbright, for instance. (I also loved and sympathized with Cherie Gittins. She reminds me of my late grandma, just ever so slightly.

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@user-ff2mc9th4b]

Are you going to repost this showing all the videos as there are a couple of blank spaces where you can only hear the audio?

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@user-ff2mc9th4b]

Stirling (Scotland).

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@user-ff2mc9th4b I’m pleased to hear from you dear How long have you been my fan?

[@JoanneRowling.official]

@@user-ff2mc9th4b Glad to hear that…🙂 I’m trying to connect to my real fans and I think you’re one. We could talk privately if that’s cool with you..

[@entreterilendo]

Can I read this separately? Or do I have to read the rest first?

[@DeeplySceptical]

Read them in sequence. I picked one up at random in the local library, then read a few at random. Then, before reading Ink Black Heart, I re-read the series in sequence, up to Running Grave. In sequence is definitely more rewarding.

[@saintjimmy456]

I read the first one and then this one, all made sense to me. Almost all detective series are written so that you can pick up any in the series without feeling lost.

[@sit-insforsithis1568]

@@saintjimmy456that’s nice, on fantasy you almost have to read every book haha

[@kirstyhall8940]

@AndrewGold1 I wonder what Cult she is referring to

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@kirstyhall8940]

@@JoanneRowling.official The Uk

[@Steno316]

One of the richest women on earth, well deserved imo.

[@unowen-nh9ov]

Biggest feminist philanthropist & taxpayer actually.

[@Coldpizzaslice5]

La luz del mundo = The Universal Humanitarian Church

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤😊

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?❤😊

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤❤

[@babbisp1]

Nts 2:13..

[@babbisp1]

3:07

[@paulegastin6477]

Si on peut faire passer un message que les lecteurs Français ne peuvent pas lire ses livres et ça devient très injuste.

[@paulegastin6477]

@@JoanneRowling.official de trans en Provence en région Sud (83) de la France.

[@purpleshine6832]

J k Rowling. Please write about islam.... It has ruined my life....

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Hi.. Greetings dear Glad to hear from you. I appreciate your love, care and support Where are you watching from?😊😊❤

[@purpleshine6832]

Am I talking to jk Rowling?!!!!!!!!! I love u 🙏😀 I'm a young mom from India.

[@Luminousblackclaw]

🍌

[@NamasteBbooktube]

I don't like that Ryan Murphy guy

[@HolographicSweater]

The world building of the cult was great, a delightful dark parallel to Harry coming to Hogwarts - an aspect that has been mostly absent from the series. However it is unfortunate how Rowling had chosen to nerf Strike, making him into a sort of bumbling oaf in order to draw Robin alongside as his equal (and often superior) detective. For example Strike is said to lack Robin’s observational ability to distinguish a very expensive designer dress, Strike lacks Robin’s observational ability to distinguish two brothers which she then laughably schools him on. Strike is definitely lapsing into stereotype in a few areas in order to play foil to Robin’s (dare I say…) Mary Sue aspects. The characters as they were created could never really be full equals as detectives, and Rowling seems to even have an underlying need for Strike to play Watson to Robin at times at the expense of his character. Also Charlotte is nerfed beyond belief into a pathetic powerless blob which was sad

[@FriskDrinksBrisk]

Temporary truce? I won't "pretend to be real" if you let me write my own book set in the Wizarding World?

[@JoanneRowling.official]

Sounds interesting 🤔, where are you watching from??❤

[@johnd8538]

I'm surprised you gave the main character the surname Wace, which is easily derived from everybody's first thought of cults as Waco.

[@DeeplySceptical]

I didn't make that connection. On the other hand, I always thought of Waco as Wacko...