There are words that cannot be unsaid or forgotten and a few of them are fighting to slip past Strike's lips as he stands there on these stairs, freshly released from a hug that feels a little forbidden and far too right.

Post Chiswell case, Strike and Robin both feel they deserve a lovely, relaxing evening with friends but Robin is still feeling the effects of a traumatic couple of years. Good food and wine will no doubt help but may also make it more difficult for her to suppress the growing feelings she has towards her boss.

It picks up a few months after the ending of Lethal White. Robin lives in her new flat and she is finally in a good place, as is Cormoran. But his past comes back to give him another case.

After the wedding

In the aftermath of the Shacklewell Ripper case, Strike and Robin follow the trail of a missing cop. While Robin's new marriage hits the rocks, Cormoran does his best not to deal with his growing feelings for his partner.