Chapter 27 (Chapter 25) Summary & Analysis – The Running Grave
⚠️ 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 takes over surveillance of Bigfoot outside the Chelsea Cloisters hotel. Subcontractor Shah reveals that their colleague Littlejohn was sacked from a previous job and had lied about his employment gap. Strike receives a suggestive text from Bijou, which he ignores. After hours of waiting, Bigfoot emerges and Strike follows him. During the tail, Abigail Glover calls back. She admits knowing about Pirbright’s book and agrees to meet Strike on Sunday at the Forester pub, though she refuses to be identified publicly.
Key Events
- Strike relieves Shah outside the Chelsea Cloisters, following standard handover protocol.
- Shah informs Strike that Littlejohn was fired from a job at Pattersons and had concealed this.
- Strike receives a second ignored text from Bijou, hinting at a sexual rendezvous.
- Two teenage girls leave the hotel in pyjamas and return with snacks.
- Bigfoot exits the hotel after about 90 minutes; Strike films him.
- While following Bigfoot, Strike answers a call from Abigail Glover.
- Abigail confirms she knew Kevin Pirbright was writing a book and asks about Strike’s client.
- Strike assures her he isn’t finishing Pirbright’s book and that witnesses can remain anonymous.
- Abigail agrees to meet Strike at the Forester pub on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Character Development
- Cormoran Strike – Demonstrates professional discipline by ignoring personal distractions (Bijou) and focusing on surveillance. His trust in Littlejohn is shaken, and he remains tactful when handling Abigail’s reluctance.
- Littlejohn (off‑page) – New information paints him as deceitful: he hid his dismissal from a previous security role.
- Abigail Glover – She is cautious but curious; she called back of her own accord and shows willingness to talk, even though she fears exposure.
- Bijou – Her persistence and objectifying texts underline Strike’s ambivalence about their brief relationship and hint at his emotional distance from her.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Surveillance and Mistrust – The handover and tail scenes emphasize the agency’s need for reliable operatives. Shah’s tip about Littlejohn undercuts the trust Strike placed in his references.
- Secrecy and Its Costs – Abigail’s fear of being identified shows the high personal price of leaving the UHC. Strike must balance her need for privacy with his client’s goal.
- Misogyny and Power – Bijou’s messages reduce sexual intimacy to a display; Strike’s silent dismissal reflects broader patterns of male privilege in the novel’s world.
- The I Ching Epigraph – The quote about “woman within, man without” frames the gender dynamics at Chapman Farm and perhaps contrasts with Robin’s infiltration.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 27 advances two crucial subplots. First, Littlejohn’s hidden past becomes a ticking clock—if he proves untrustworthy, the agency’s internal security is compromised. Second, Abigail Glover’s tentative agreement to meet gives Strike a direct line to a former UHC member who can verify (or refute) Pirbright’s allegations. Meanwhile, Strike’s persistent thoughts of Robin heighten the tension of her undercover mission, and his neglect of Bijou hints at a deepening emotional commitment to his partner.
Study Questions & Answers
1. What new information does Strike learn about Littlejohn, and why is it concerning? Shah tells Strike that Littlejohn was sacked from his previous job at Pattersons and lied about his employment gap. Strike had checked his references and believed Littlejohn had not worked for two months before joining the agency. The concealment undermines Strike’s trust and raises doubts about Littlejohn’s reliability during sensitive operations.
2. How does Strike handle Bijou’s suggestive text, and what does this reveal about his character? Strike ignores the text, finding two casual encounters insufficient to warrant a formal breakup. He acknowledges that most women would disagree, indicating his awareness of his own flawed conduct. The refusal to engage shows his focus on work and a growing emotional detachment from casual relationships, especially as his thoughts are occupied by Robin’s safety.
3. What does Strike promise Abigail Glover about the investigation into Pirbright’s claims? Strike assures Abigail that he is not trying to finish Pirbright’s book or to expose former church members. He states that witnesses will decide whether to go on the record, and he wants only to verify the truth of Pirbright’s accounts for his client. This promise helps persuade Abigail to meet him despite her fear of being identified.