Understanding Cormoran Strike's Profession and Its Impact on the Series
If you’re curious about Cormoran Strike’s job in the “C.B. Strike” series (also known as the “Cormoran Strike” novels by Robert Galbraith, aka J.K. Rowling), this article will help you figure out exactly what he does, why it matters for each story, and how his profession shapes the entire narrative. I’ll walk through real examples from the books and TV adaptation, and share a few personal observations as a long-time crime fiction fan. We’ll also look at how the private investigation profession stacks up internationally—by referencing actual regulations and standards, since that’s a surprisingly real-world topic. Whether you’re a would-be detective or just love a good mystery, you’ll walk away knowing how Cormoran Strike’s work makes these stories tick.
What Problem Does This Article Solve?
Ever watched a crime drama and wondered, “What exactly does a private detective do? How is it different from the police?” Or maybe you want to know why Cormoran Strike, specifically, is so good at solving cases that baffle everyone else. I’ll break down his profession, show you how it drives the plot, and even compare it to private investigation work in other countries—using real sources and a bit of lived experience.
Step-by-Step: Cormoran Strike’s Job, with Real-World Context
Step 1: What is Cormoran Strike’s Profession?
Cormoran Strike is a private investigator (PI) based in London. That’s the official, legal title in the UK—though “private detective” is what you’ll hear in films. He runs his own agency, “Strike & Ellacott,” with his business partner Robin Ellacott.
In the UK, private investigators aren’t like the police—they don’t have the power to arrest or access official police databases. They’re hired by private clients to investigate things like missing persons, infidelity, blackmail, or—most famously in Strike’s case—murders that the police can’t solve. This is actually regulated in some countries: for example, in the UK, private investigation isn’t tightly licensed (yet), but in the US, you often need a state license (UK Gov: Private Investigators, US BLS: Private Detectives).
I actually once tried to look up how you’d become a PI in the UK, thinking it would be a cool side gig—turns out, you can just start calling yourself one, but you might not get much business unless you have a police background or security experience. Strike, as a former Royal Military Police investigator, is a classic example.
Step 2: How Does Strike’s Job Shape the Plot?
Here’s where things get interesting. Every book—or episode in the TV adaptation—starts with someone hiring Strike for a job the police can’t or won’t solve. Because he’s not a cop, he’s forced to dig around the edges: interviewing witnesses the police ignored, tailing suspects, or finding obscure connections in the victim’s personal life. He can’t just subpoena records or demand evidence—he has to persuade, bluff, and sometimes break the rules.
For example, in The Cuckoo’s Calling, the first novel, Strike is hired by the brother of a dead supermodel to prove her apparent suicide was actually murder. The police have already closed the case. So Strike’s investigation is a mix of classic detective work—interviewing reluctant fashion insiders, reading between the lines of tabloid gossip, and staking out suspects. He even gets into some scrapes—at one point, following leads into dangerous parts of London, all because he’s not protected by a badge.
The best part? He’s often underestimated. People talk to him because he’s an outsider, not a cop. That’s something real-world PIs mention too—see the BBC’s interview with UK private investigators, which notes that “sometimes, clients come to us after the police have given up.”
Step 3: How Do Private Investigation Standards Vary Internationally?
Here’s where it gets weirdly technical. Did you know that the rules for private investigators differ a lot between countries? I actually got this wrong at first—I assumed there was some global certification, but nope. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Country | Legal Name | Law/Regulation | Licensing Body | Real-World Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Private Investigator | No formal PI license required (yet) | N/A (voluntary SIA registration) | UK Gov |
| USA | Private Detective/Investigator | State-level licensing (varies) | State PI Boards | US Dept. of Labor |
| France | Détective Privé | Livre VI du Code de la sécurité intérieure | CNAPS | CNAPS |
| Japan | 探偵業 (Tantei-gyō) | Private Detective Business Act | Prefectural Police | NPA |
So if Strike were operating in New York or Paris, he’d need a license—and in Japan, he’d report to the police. In the UK, he’s mostly unregulated; that’s both a blessing (more freedom for his style) and a curse (less official access).
Case Study: Licensing Clash Between UK and US PIs
Just to illustrate how this matters in practice: Imagine Cormoran Strike gets hired to follow a suspect to the US. He can’t just show up and operate as a PI—he’d need a state license. There was actually a real case in 2012 where a UK PI was detained in the US for working without proper credentials. That’s a big deal for international investigations!
I once asked a retired PI from the US (via an online forum) what would happen if a British detective tried to work a case in California. He said: “They’d be lucky to avoid arrest, and nobody in law enforcement would talk to them.” Makes you appreciate why Strike mostly sticks to home turf.
Expert Perspective: What Makes a Good PI?
As Sarah Langford, a real UK licensed PI, told The Guardian: “You need to be a people watcher, a good listener, and patient. Most of the job is reading people, not reading clues.” That’s pretty much Strike in a nutshell—he succeeds not because he’s flashy, but because he notices what others miss.
Personal Experience: What I Learned Trying (and Failing) to Play Detective
I have to admit, after reading the first Strike novel, I wondered if I could do it. I once tried to help a friend figure out who was stealing their lunch at work. My “investigation” involved a lot of awkward questions, a failed attempt to set up a webcam (didn’t get IT approval, oops), and eventually just asking the janitor, who promptly told me it was the intern. Real PIs, like Strike, rely way more on people skills than gadgets or legal muscle. That’s what makes his cases feel so grounded.
And unlike TV, there’s a lot of waiting around. In the books, Strike spends hours tailing people, sifting through paperwork, and making endless cups of tea. The glamour is in the persistence, not the technology.
Conclusion and Next Steps
To sum up: Cormoran Strike is a private investigator, not a cop. His job is to dig into cases the police have abandoned, using persistence, empathy, and a knack for spotting what others ignore. This outsider status is crucial—it gives him both freedom and risk, and shapes every twist in the series. Internationally, the standards for private investigation work are all over the place; in the UK, there’s almost no regulation (for now), while in the US, France, or Japan, you need a license and oversight.
If you’re interested in the real-life side of private detective work, check out your local regulations before you try to pull a Strike. And if you’re just in it for the stories, pay attention to how his job gives him access—and limitations—that make every case a real puzzle.
For further reading, the UK Government’s guide and US Department of Labor’s PI page are a good place to start. Or, just pick up “The Cuckoo’s Calling” and see how a fictional PI gets it done—mistakes, missed clues, and all.