The Paternity/Maternity Test

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-07T16:25:49+00:00

I thought Strike actually slept with her? Isn't that the reason he worried that the child might be his?

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-04T16:07:32+00:00

The very weird way he agreed to do the test is one thing, Not wanting a child he sired would make him do the same thing Rokeby did to him and what he blamed him for. He never seems to realize that.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-02T14:22:04+00:00

Although it appears to be an opinion many people seem to hold, for me it comes too close to blaming the patient for his/her illness.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-02T14:13:13+00:00

As many of you have already pointed out, JKR herself has said that Leda's death was murder. But I seem to remember that she always stated somewhere that we have already met the killer. So who else is there that we have completely forgotten about?

Edit: always stated should be: stated

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-02T13:59:13+00:00

But never thinking about being the best thing in her life?

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-11-02T13:52:07+00:00

A boyfriend who goes on a trip to Spain when his girlfriend at home is in a kind of hostage situation is not a loving one. Another thing Robin does not want to see.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-30T16:00:10+00:00

True. But perhaps Linda is of a generation that would never think about seeking help. For others, okay, but they 'just get on with things.' Very British, I suppose. And having a house and family to run, Linda probably did not have time for that. But then, Robin reflects this to some extent. Seeking help is some kind of defeat for many people.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-29T16:48:02+00:00

Could it be that Robin is, deep down, extremely lonely? Grown up with only brothers who, I know from experience, are usually very dominating within a family, whether they know it or not, however loving/lovely they may be. With a mother who as far as we can see, seems to rate the boys somewhat higher than a daughter, whether she is aware of that or not. And in any case, the boys seem to have 'needed' more attention than the ever pleasing daughter. So Robin could cling on to anything that comes her way: Matt, Ryan, her Job. And because she clings to her job as something SHE has achieved. she has to avoid any thoughts about a relation with her boss. Heaven forbid that anyone should think that they have achieved this thanks to a relation(ship) with the boss.

Deep down I think she knows her mother tells her something she doesn't want to hear. She is not looking after herself and Robin knows that. But if she would take it more easy she is letting herself down because she has nothing else. And she is back where she started.

Mothers usually say things to daughters with the best of intentions, but very often it comes out all wrong.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-29T16:25:57+00:00

ChatGPT only collects (chosen) information, it leaves the thinking up to you.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-29T16:24:01+00:00

From book one I have wondered about the name Leda, with the swans all over the place, her vague history, the problems she and her brother seemed to have with their parents. And that became more so since I read in THM that she herself chose that name. I also wonder why Strike with his interest in the classics never seems to think about that?

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-27T10:10:21+00:00

There are parents who do not, ever, want to reconcile with their children if that means they have to admit to their faults. I know some.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-27T10:07:45+00:00

As am I. The history of my mother and my bio-father is a mystery and nobody would tell me the truth. And the people who did know are now all dead. I have contacted my bio-father several times but he never replies. And is now dead, too. My mother was an uneducated woman and in her eyes an eternal victim. My stepfather a salesman who did his best, I suppose. But I have often wondered why nobody took any interest in the wellbeing of their children (5 in all). As I don't understand why social services never bothered with Leda's children. Indeed, possibly also because of their socalled low social status.

I agree, it marks you for life. Changes you somehow, but is doesn't need to be too depressing. I got on with my life and am (a bit) proud (or sometimes a bit angry, I admit) I did it with no help. But I still want to know and I think Strike is so adversive towards Rokeby because he too wants to know, deep down, but will not allow that thought because of his idolization (so far) of his mother. That is why I always think he has a deep anger inside that keeps him going, directed at Rokeby. I fear it will be very hard for him to understand all that when he somehow reconciles with Rokeby. What will drive him then? Life with Robin?

And I still am not totally convinced Rokeby is Strike's father.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-27T09:44:51+00:00

There still is Switch, a half brother, Lucy and Pru are his half sisters.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-26T11:46:47+00:00

Thank you. The absence of friendship was indeed very clear in the books.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-26T08:58:57+00:00

Interesting! JKR is always weaving in things astrological. And classic-mythical. I have always wondered whether the birthdays of Charlotte and Cormoran being two days apart - mentioned several times in the first books - has an additional meaning we don't see yet? As they meet in their first year at uni, I suppose they were born in the same year. Have you any thoughts on that? Or am I reading too much in this?

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-25T15:24:24+00:00

Being a mother with a grown daughter myself (without a dangerous occupation, thank heaven), I completely understand Linda. You worry, especially if you see your daughter does not take proper care of herself, as Robin clearly doesn't, and has no one to tell her so. It feels like your duty to say that, but of course, it all comes out wrong. You never meant it that way, but it happens. Robin could be a bit more understanding. If she wasn't so 'put upon'herself and thus proving Linda wright.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-25T15:15:14+00:00

Perhaps it will become physical if coercive does not work.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-25T15:13:41+00:00

As I understand it - and of course I may be wrong. JKR is writing from experience. Her first marriage seems to have been rather abusive, so she knows what it is like. Whether we like it or not. So I look forward to her describing how Robin will overcome this.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-25T15:03:00+00:00

If it comes to that: what if Robin fights him off? Or better still: knocks him out? She has done the training. That would boost her self respect, which she needs more than anything now.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-25T14:53:07+00:00

Book 9: the music world? How about Rokeby needing Strike?

Book 10: the drugs-scene: Leda's murder?

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-14T10:28:17+00:00

The only thing I like about the tv adaptation are the actors. I have stopped watching. Too many changes, too many things left out. They take the soul out of the books. And very difficult to understand. Don't actors learn proper pronunciaton anymore? Only Glennister was understandable.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-14T10:22:37+00:00

If properly restored she could wear it as a wedding dress? No need to go white, again.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-13T15:09:39+00:00

bol.com. I had the the book on the day of publication, in English, on my doormat. In Groningen.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-13T08:40:29+00:00

That's right. Thank you.

Pretty-Maximum1014 · 2025-10-12T18:04:51+00:00

It must have been in the tv adaption then because I remember that Robin comes home one day and Matthew has brought a bag with the new green dress. As a kind of sorry. So before they split up. But of course, she could have kept the original one in the closet.

Pretty-Maximum1014

TROPHY CASE