The Running Grave Chapter 117 (Chapter 115) Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
Robin Ellacott tells her boyfriend, Detective Ryan Murphy, that she finally persuaded Will to accept their plan: on Monday evening, they will take him to Prudence’s place. The turning point came when Pat explained that Lin may not be fit to have sole charge of Qing immediately after release, so Will’s best contribution is to stay out of jail and help later. Although Murphy says “Great,” his demeanor is cold. Robin senses a constraint.
Murphy questions why Robin didn’t call him the previous night when a man in black tried to break into the office. Robin explains she changed the locks, was never in danger, and saw no reason to disturb him at work. Murphy then presses why she didn’t tell Strike she was staying overnight or ask where he had been after his religious meeting. Robin admits she didn’t hear Strike return because the inner office is soundproof, and she had not decided to stay until 1 a.m. She could have taken a taxi but was too tired and still worried the intruder might be outside. Murphy asks if she was concerned about Strike’s whereabouts. Robin replies that she is not his wife and he can handle himself.
The conversation escalates. Robin tells Murphy to just ask outright whether she slept upstairs. When she insists she slept in the office, Murphy’s tone carries the same edge Matthew once used. Robin snaps that she has “done this shit before” and will not do it again. Murphy claims it is not about trust, but Robin counters that he was trying to catch her in a lie. To defuse the tension, she lies that Strike is dating a lawyer. Murphy’s expression clears; he apologizes, explaining that his ex-wife Lizzie left him for a “friend.” Robin accepts his apology but internally worries about what might happen if Nick, Ilsa, or Strike himself reveals that Strike’s brief affair with Bijou is over.
The rest of the evening passes amicably, but Robin knows the lie may come back to haunt her.
Key Events
- Robin informs Murphy of Will’s agreement to go to Prudence’s, crediting Pat’s persuasive argument.
- Murphy interrogates Robin about not calling him during the office break‑in attempt.
- Robin defends her decision to stay overnight, explaining the practical reasons.
- The argument intensifies, with Robin comparing Murphy’s jealousy to Matthew’s.
- Robin lies that Strike is dating a lawyer to reassure Murphy.
- Murphy reveals that his ex‑wife’s infidelity fuels his insecurity.
- The couple makes up, but Robin privately worries about the lie being exposed.
Character Development
- Robin Ellacott: Shows growing assertiveness and refusal to be controlled. Her willingness to lie to preserve peace marks a pragmatic, if risky, maturity. She clearly separates her professional partnership with Strike from her personal relationship.
- Ryan Murphy: Displays deep‑seated jealousy and a need for reassurance, rooted in past betrayal. His immediate apology suggests self‑awareness but does not erase the underlying distrust.
- Strike’s relationship status (discussed): Though not present, his fictional dating life becomes a tool Robin uses to manage Murphy’s emotions, revealing how the partners’ private lives intersect with the investigation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Jealousy and Trust: The chapter examines how past relationships cast shadows on new ones. Murphy’s suspicion mirrors Matthew’s behavior, forcing Robin to confront a painful pattern.
- Lies and Consequences: Robin’s lie about Strike’s love life is a temporary solution that risks larger complications. It underscores the fragility of trust and the moral compromises she makes to keep peace.
- Partnership vs. Romance: Robin’s insistence that she is not Strike’s wife highlights the boundary she draws between work and romance, a boundary Murphy struggles to accept.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the personal conflict between Robin and Murphy, paralleling her earlier marriage to Matthew. It shows Robin’s growth in standing up for herself, yet also her willingness to deceive when cornered. The lie about Strike’s dating life plants a time bomb that may explode later, raising the stakes for both her romantic and professional relationships. It also reinforces the central theme of trust—both in investigative partnerships and intimate ones.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Robin lie about Strike dating a lawyer, and what does this reveal about her priorities?
Robin lies to immediately defuse Murphy’s jealousy. It reveals that she prioritizes the immediate peace of her relationship over strict honesty, and that she understands Murphy’s insecurity stems from his past. The lie also shows she is willing to manipulate information to protect her professional partnership with Strike. -
How does Murphy’s jealousy compare to Matthew’s, and how does Robin handle it differently?
Both men suspect Robin of being romantically involved with Strike. Murphy’s questioning is more subtle than Matthew’s open accusations, but it provokes the same frustration. Unlike her earlier marriage, where Robin often remained silent, here she confronts Murphy directly, tells him she “won’t do this again,” and demands he state his suspicions outright. -
What does this chapter suggest about the intersection of personal and professional lives in the novel?
The chapter shows that Robin’s work with Strike inevitably bleeds into her private life. Murphy’s jealousy is triggered by events at the office, and Robin’s lie about Strike’s dating status is a direct attempt to keep her personal and professional spheres separate. The tension suggests that complete separation may be impossible.