Chapter 75: A Paternity Test at the Savoy
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Strike arrives at the Savoy, his mood still dark from learning that Robin and Murphy are moving in together. He checks into a costly room and tries to distract himself with television, but turns it off after a few minutes of Trump. Bored, he picks up a luxury magazine and reads a vapid interview with socialite Cosima Longcaster, who admits a passion for true crime. Bijou then arrives with her baby in a pushchair. She reports possibly being followed by a dark‑haired woman, but says she followed Strike’s instructions to go to the sixth floor first. Bijou produces a DNA test kit. Strike swabs his cheek in the bathroom; Bijou swabs herself and the baby. He hands over the sample and tells her to let him know when the results are in. Bijou tearfully complains about his coldness; Strike retorts that she has led a sheltered life and leaves.
Key Events
- Strike broods over Robin and Murphy’s cohabitation.
- He watches Trump on TV for a few moments, then switches it off.
- He reads a magazine interview with Cosima Longcaster, who mentions loving true crime.
- Bijou arrives at the hotel room with her baby and a DNA kit.
- She reports a possible tail but followed Strike’s counter‑surveillance instructions.
- Strike swabs his cheek in the bathroom to avoid Bijou’s watch.
- He tells Bijou to send him the results.
- Bijou becomes emotional at his detachment; Strike leaves after a sharp exchange.
Character Development
- Cormoran Strike: The chapter shows his emotional vulnerability. His brooding over Robin undercuts his usual competence, and his treatment of Bijou is unusually cold and defensive, suggesting his inner turmoil.
- Bijou: She appears more vulnerable than in earlier encounters, seeking a connection or at least warmth from Strike. Her tearful reaction reveals her own insecurities, though Strike dismisses her complaints.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Paternity and responsibility: The DNA test forces Strike to confront a possible fatherhood he did not choose. His retreat into the bathroom symbolises his wish to avoid emotional entanglement.
- Surveillance and secrecy: Bijou’s possible follower and Strike’s counter‑measures echo the detective work of the main case, highlighting how personal and professional spheres blur.
- Media and reality: Cosima Longcaster’s shallow magazine interview contrasts with the grim reality Strike faces. Her “true crime addict” comment foreshadows the novel’s mysteries but feels trivial compared to Strike’s actual investigation.
Why This Chapter Matters
This quiet, single‑scene chapter is pivotal for Strike’s personal arc. It brings the long‑standing paternity‑test subplot to a moment of decision, while also deepening his emotional conflict over Robin. The chapter demonstrates that Strike’s personal life is as fraught with risk and moral ambiguity as any case he works on.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Strike tell Bijou to go to the sixth floor before coming to his room?
He wants her to perform a simple counter‑surveillance move. If she was being followed, the tail would be forced to reveal herself by getting into the same lift or loitering on that floor. Bijou confirms that a dark‑haired woman might have followed her but did not get into the lift with her.
2. What detail in the Cosima Longcaster interview might be relevant to the novel’s larger investigation?
Cosima says her secret passion is “true crime” and that she is “a total true crime addict” who loves “anything about unsolved murders.” This casual remark hints at a public fascination with murder that parallels the Kea Niven case, and it may later provide a link between the socialite world and the crime.
3. How does Strike’s behaviour in this chapter reflect his state of mind about Robin?
The chapter opens with the leaden feeling of Robin and Murphy moving in together. Strike’s dismissive, almost cruel treatment of Bijou suggests he is projecting his frustration and sadness onto her. He refuses any warmth or gentleness, partly because he cannot afford to soften when his personal life is already in turmoil.