The latest novel in the Robert Galbraith ‘Strike’ series is published today, with at least some of the story set in Sark.
Written by the author of the Harry Potter series under her pen name, ‘The Hallmarked Man’ follows the fictional British private detective, Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott.
Seven novels have so far been published in a planned series of ten, with the latest entry coming almost two years after the last release.
That was titled ‘The Running Grave’, and was released in September 2023.
According to JK Rowling, on her website dedicated to publications under the Robert Galbraith pseudonym, the eighth book will set its stage on Sark which she visited last year for research purposes.
‘The Hallmark Man’ is understood to be thematically linked to the island’s old silver mines.
She credits much of her inspiration to the novel ‘A Maid of the Silver Sea’, by British writer John Oxenham, which was first published in 1910.
Another novel set in Sark, it focused on the lives of two children, Nance and her half-brother Tom, as a new mining industry transforms the island in front of them.
Sark’s silver mine history also inspired Ms Rowling’s husband to buy her a gift while they were visiting the island.
The new release by Ms Rowling, under the Robert Galbraith name, has already seen some local reaction, with ‘Sark Island’ and ‘Stocks Hotel’ both sharing the “exciting news” on their social media platforms.
Book shops across Guernsey, and retail outlets in Sark, are expected to have the novel for sale from today.