The Running Grave, Chapter 39 (Chapter 37): 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
Strike receives Robin’s letter from Chapman Farm, learning that Will Edensor has fathered a child with an underage girl inside the cult. Dev Shah is outraged and wants to inform Sir Colin, but Strike counsels patience. A tense exchange with Pat over subcontractor Kevin Littlejohn reveals that Pat is defensive about him, though other staff dislike Littlejohn. Midge calls to report catching a suspected cheating wife. Strike drives to Norfolk to visit Garvestone Hall, the former home of Jonathan Wace, reflecting on how the Aylmerton Community has spoiled the region for him.
Key Events
- Strike reads Robin’s letter, which confirms Will Edensor has a child with a minor inside the UHC.
- Dev Shah confronts Strike about telling Sir Colin; their exchange highlights differing views on morality and the cult’s internal norms.
- Strike questions Pat about Littlejohn’s conduct; Pat is unusually evasive and defensive.
- Ryan Murphy phones; Strike tells him there is no letter from Robin, which pleases Strike.
- Midge calls to report quick success on an infidelity case and confirms that none of the agency staff like Littlejohn.
- Strike drives to Norfolk, noting how the landscape reminds him of the Aylmerton Community and lowers his mood.
- He arrives at Garvestone Hall, the former estate of the “Stolen Prophet.”
Character Development
Cormoran Strike shows his investigative caution by not immediately sharing the news about Will’s child with Sir Colin. He also reveals a personal jealousy toward Ryan Murphy and continues to distrust Littlejohn. His reaction to the Norfolk landscape underscores his lingering trauma from the Aylmerton case.
Dev Shah emerges as a principled figure, willing to break from Strike’s cautious approach. His anger at the underage relationship is absolute, and he refuses to accept the cult’s exceptionalism as an excuse.
Pat is more opaque than usual. Her defense of Littlejohn suggests either a hidden loyalty or an unwillingness to admit her own discomfort. Her sharpness with Strike hints at underlying tensions in the office.
Robin Ellacott (absent but central) proves her effectiveness as an undercover operative; the information she sends drives the plot and moral dilemma.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Moral Relativism vs. Absolute Standards. Strike suggests the cult’s norms may differ from the outside world, but Dev rejects any justification for sex with minors. The chapter forces readers to weigh context against universal ethics.
Trust and Surveillance. Strike’s monitoring of Littlejohn and his questioning of Pat reveal that trust within the agency is fraying. The office itself becomes a site of covert observation.
Landscape as Emotional Mirror. The flat Norfolk landscape depresses Strike, linking the physical terrain to his traumatic memories of the Aylmerton Community. Garvestone Hall, the cult’s former home, adds a layer of foreboding.
The I Ching Epigraph. The quote about “resoluteness” and “coming to meet” foreshadows Strike’s determined but cautious approach to the new information: he must be resolute yet prepared for what will meet him.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 advances the UHC investigation by revealing a concrete crime (statutory rape) that could justify Sir Colin’s desperation and give the agency a legal lever. It also deepens the office subplot: Littlejohn’s problematic presence and Pat’s odd behavior suggest internal threats. The visit to Garvestone Hall reconnects the present case to the cult’s origins, hinting that Jonathan Wace’s history may hold the key to its downfall.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Strike hesitate to tell Sir Colin about Will Edensor’s child?
Strike wants more information first, fearing that a premature disclosure could jeopardize the investigation. He also seems uncertain whether the cult’s internal arrangements can be judged by outside legal standards, though Dev’s outrage pushes him to reconsider. -
What does Pat’s defensiveness about Littlejohn reveal about the office dynamics?
Pat’s evasion suggests she either has a personal connection to Littlejohn or feels uncomfortable with Strike’s scrutiny. Combined with Midge’s comment that none of the staff like Littlejohn, it indicates a rift between Pat and her colleagues. -
How does the Norfolk landscape function in this chapter?
The flat, open country lowers Strike’s spirits and reminds him of the Aylmerton Community. The landscape serves as a symbolic contrast to the murky, confined world of the cult, and foreshadows the bleakness of Garvestone Hall.