The Running Grave Chapter 13 – Surveillance, Gossip, and a New Lead
⚠️ 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 and fellow subcontractor Barclay conduct surveillance on two brothers (nicknamed Frank One and Frank Two) who are stalking actress Tasha Mayo. The stalker has escalated from trivial annoyances to posting a dead bird through her letterbox and gluing her keyhole. Robin follows Frank One by train into London, hoping he is the culprit heading toward the theatre district. Strike calls to update Robin: he has arranged a meeting with journalist Fergus Robertson, who wrote critically about the Universal Humanitarian Church (UHC). Strike also spotted Will Edensor collecting for the church in Soho, looking emaciated and miserable. After the call, Robin receives an angry phone call from Ilsa, who reveals that Strike slept with Bijou Watkins (standing up against a wall). Ilsa warns that Bijou is a gossip and wants a rich husband. Robin processes this news while continuing her surveillance. Frank One visits a comic‑book shop in Soho. Robin then phones Sheila Kennett, a former Chapman Farm resident, and arranges to interview her the following Thursday. While watching the shop, Robin sees Will Edensor with three other collectors; the second man appears to be supervising and berates Will, who looks defeated. When Frank One leaves the shop, Robin resumes following him.
Key Events
- Robin and Barclay discuss the unusual silence of subcontractor Clive Littlejohn.
- Tasha Mayo’s stalking case is introduced: the perpetrator has sent a dead bird and glued her keyhole.
- Robin tails Frank One from Bexleyheath to London, hoping to catch him approaching the theatre.
- Strike informs Robin he will meet journalist Fergus Robertson and has spotted Will Edensor looking extremely thin and unhappy.
- Ilsa reveals Strike’s sexual encounter with Bijou Watkins and warns that Bijou will spread the story.
- Robin calls Sheila Kennett, who agrees to meet and talk about her time at Chapman Farm with the Pirbright family.
- Robin witnesses Will Edensor being lectured by a fellow church member, his demeanour suggesting resignation.
Character Development
- Robin Ellacott: Maintains professional composure during Ilsa’s revelation about Strike, though she experiences a mix of emotions. She efficiently secures an interview with Sheila Kennett and continues surveillance despite personal distractions.
- Strike: Off‑page, his liaison with Bijou shows a lapse in judgment that may have consequences. His focus remains on the UHC case, as shown by his pursuit of Robertson and his observation of Will.
- Ilsa: Protective of Strike, she is furious about his involvement with Bijou and worries about gossip spreading in legal circles.
- Will Edensor: His physical decline and submissive posture reinforce the oppressive environment of the UHC. He appears broken and unable to resist.
- Sheila Kennett: Cautious but willing to talk, she asks about Kevin Pirbright’s murder and agrees to an interview.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Surveillance and hidden lives: The dual strands of stalking investigation and UHC case both rely on watching people without their knowledge. Robin’s beanie hat and covert movements underline the theme of concealed identity.
- Displacement and distraction: Ilsa’s phrase “displacement fuck” suggests Strike’s encounter with Bijou may be an attempt to avoid dealing with his feelings—possibly for Robin. This motif of deflected emotion recurs in the chapter.
- Power imbalances: The stalker’s harassment of Tasha Mayo and the UHC supervisor’s berating of Will both depict individuals exerting control over vulnerable targets.
- Comic‑book shop as escape: Frank One’s choice of destination—a comic‑book shop filled with male customers—may symbolise a retreat into fantasy, away from his real‑world role as a stalker.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter advances two major investigative threads. The stalker case introduces a new client and highlights the agency’s growing reputation in handling harassment. More crucially, Robin’s successful arrangement of an interview with Sheila Kennett opens a direct line to a former resident of Chapman Farm, promising firsthand insight into the UHC’s practices during the Pirbright era. The revelation of Strike’s affair with Bijou introduces personal tension that may affect his working relationship with Robin and his credibility. Finally, Will Edensor’s degraded condition deepens the reader’s sense of urgency about extracting him from the church.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Robin agree to follow Frank One even though she is not certain he is the stalker?
Robin’s assignment is to gather evidence on both brothers. Following Frank One into London gives her a chance to see if he heads toward Tasha Mayo’s theatre, which would strengthen the case against him. She also needs to maintain surveillance continuity.
2. What does Ilsa’s attitude toward Bijou Watkins tell us about Strike’s social circle?
Ilsa’s anger and her description of Bijou as “a total nutcase” who is open about wanting a rich husband suggest that Strike’s friends disapprove of reckless behaviour. They see Bijou as a threat to Strike’s reputation and to his emotional stability, given his history with Charlotte.
3. How does the description of Will Edensor mirror the “Stolen Prophet” image?
Robin notes that the shadows under Will’s eyes give him an “unpleasant likeness” to the Stolen Prophet fresco she saw on the temple ceiling. This visual parallel implies that the church’s ideology physically marks its members, reducing them to hollow, suffering figures.