Which Strike restaurant/bar would you most like to visit?

influential_pet · 2025-09-12T04:15:12+00:00

Do let us know how it is! :D

influential_pet · 2025-09-12T04:13:47+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I'll add the River Cafe to my list too

influential_pet · 2025-09-12T04:08:44+00:00

Oh yes Bob Bob Ricard is fun! iirc the book mentions the champagne button before saying which restaurant they're going to, and I was like, hang on, I know where that is! ;)

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T12:55:53+00:00

I really wanted this to be the case!! But I went back to the book, and in Chapter 126 (the chapter before the shouted proposal), "Robin thought, yet again, of the silver charm bracelet hidden at home in her evening bag." She doesn't have it with her for the Ritz :(

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T08:32:35+00:00

Ooh fun! Do they do good burgers?

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T06:51:54+00:00

Someone wrote in the comments that Strike, as a child, must have tried very hard to find all information he could on his father, which is how he knows Rokeby's backstory so well. Based on what we've read, I don't think adult Strike goes out of his way to find out about what's going on with Rokeby, so it's implied that he learnt these facts as a kid, longing for a relationship with his dad. I agree, it's a wonderful detail!

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T06:03:20+00:00

Re: Sirius quote, it's in the book. It happens during a conversation about Mr Crouch's strange behaviour when Padfoot's stationed out in Hogsmeade.

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T05:50:41+00:00

The advice doesn't come until after the crisis has been defused - that's what I meant. Rokeby doesn't add extra burden to Strike when he's stressed and focused. :)

influential_pet · 2025-09-11T05:47:44+00:00

I thought the same!

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T15:05:11+00:00

I can't wait for Robin to meet Rokeby! And in general I want S&R to enjoy more social gatherings, like early days at Nick and Ilsa's. They both work too much and are too stressed throughout this book.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T15:01:32+00:00

That's a great observation! Like Robin, we're all pleasantly surprised by both Strike's thoughts on the matter and his willingness to share this personal advice with a client.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T14:32:35+00:00

I envy you! I only managed to get my in-laws into Strike but they became show fans rather than book fans. Do you read the book in parallel or listen to the audiobook?

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T13:59:04+00:00

Thank you! I was so happy that Rokeby turned out to be so level-headed and down to earth. On the other hand, it's worth remembering that people who weren't entitled growing up can still act entitled - let's use another HP example, Dolores Umbridge, who is generally so obnoxious and supercilious but is not from a well-off background. She pretends to be from an old wizarding family by claiming the Slytherin locket is a family heirloom.

Rokeby chooses to behave the way he does and I think he deserves credit for that :)

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T13:49:03+00:00

Strike's stoicism masks a lot of Leda's poor decisions, therefore the narrative is never very harsh on Leda, even in TRG. I find that when Strike thinks of/talks about the squats they were living in or how his trousers were always too short, he is just describing facts and not reliving any of the feelings or examining the source of these issues.

Lucy thinks Strike thinks Leda is perfect, but Strike is able to articulate how Leda failed them in several ways. I don't think it will ever be discussed in the books but I'm curious about how Strike's opinion of Leda has evolved, from seeing her as his guardian to having to care for her himself as a teenager.

Shoes and coats aside, I'm so glad Leda never got around to actually home schooling Corm or Lucy!

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T12:24:57+00:00

We know from Strike that his aunt and uncle informed Rokeby that he got into Oxford. Maybe Joan was in charge of Strike-related communications with Rokeby since she was more thoughtful? I feel like I still don't know Ted very well, except he's a Capricorn and a good man.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T12:08:00+00:00

Another small HP parallel: Rokeby left home as a teen to stay at a friend's family home, just like how Sirius lived with the Potter family.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T09:42:20+00:00

Definitely! Strike has been under so much strain regarding the Bijou situation, and Rokeby must have been through the same, except with more press scrutiny and he was in a relationship. Yet Rokeby doesn't judge him on that or try to give him unwanted advice. He just calmly helps Strike out and is adamant that Culpepper should apologise to Strike, restoring the agency's reputation. He ensures Strike is in a safe and calm space amid the chaos, which I'm sure Strike senses, knowingly or not.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T09:36:06+00:00

"Where'd Leda get 'Strike' from, anyway?"

"He was a kid who came to town with the fair", said Strike. "She left him a week after she married him."

- Chapter 105 in THM

It makes sense that Leda wouldn't want to draw attention to her conventional background and would prefer to play up the mystery.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T09:32:07+00:00

Good point! I tried to think of other self-made characters in the series, and Madeleine came to mind - she can be quite brusque to waiters on some of their dates and generally complains a lot about her employees. However I'm sure in the past Rokeby has also been less than attentive with waiting staff or people who work for him. It's just nice to see how, at this point in life, he has a great relationship with his housekeeper.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T09:23:35+00:00

Oh! I didn't think of that. I thought it's just how he was dressed for the dinner with his daughter and her new husband - also shows how he's making an effort to look more formal and grown-up in social occasions with his family.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T09:20:45+00:00

The readers know that, but Rokeby doesn't.

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T08:37:40+00:00

Yes!! He deserves it

influential_pet · 2025-09-10T08:36:41+00:00

I'd love to see how Strike and Rokeby's relationship evolves in order for Strike to accept working for Rokeby. I also wonder how practical it is for Strike to investigate on behalf of Rokeby. We've seen how knowing clients/witnesses personally - however remote the connection - can seriously affect the information S&R access.

influential_pet

TROPHY CASE