As most of us know, JK Rowling has long used her Twitter header as a way of giving readers clues about what she is currently writing. Strike fans, like myself, eagerly await the moment when a new header will arrive and head straight to Google to work out the clues. For Christmas this year, JK Rowling gave readers the perfect gift: a new header that contained not just one, but thirteen clues!
This gold charm bracelet features thirteen charms; thirteen clues for Strike 9. We’ll be going charm by charm (just like we did in Episode 10) to discuss what each charm could mean for Strike and Robin.
Two-stoned ring in a heart shaped box:
In addition to the Strike 9 emojis, this is the second diamond ring clue we’ve been given! The best thing about this ring is that, since there are two stones, we know this isn’t the sparkling shackle bought by Ryan Murphy. As Kenz said in Episode 10, this is called a “toi et moi” or “you and me” ring. Anyone else want to sing along to the Strike TV show theme song? “You and me. Me and you…:
My current theory is that the case for Strike 9 is going to involve an engaged couple, which would allow for a wonderfully tension filled connection to Robin who has two men who want to marry her. This ring could belong to this hypothetical case-couple. However, I do think that Strike is going to make every effort to show Robin just how serious he is about wanting permanence with her. I’m guessing that Strike’s efforts are going to include two major purchases: a new place to live (coincidentally suited for two) and a ring. Could this be the ring that Strike buys for Robin?
Kenz suggested another possibility, equally as swoon-worthy. The “toi et moi” ring was still quite popular in the 1960’s which would have been around the time Ted and Joan got engaged (after seven years of courtship!). Maybe Lucy has another memento of Joan’s that can be passed along to Strike!
This one is a bit of a mystery as to how it could connect with Strike 9. Faberge Eggs are well known for elaborate designs that open up to reveal beautifully crafted surprises inside. In fact, there is a bit of a theme with a lot of these clues being things that open up to reveal something hidden. Maybe this will connect symbolically with Robin opening up her heart to find what’s really hidden inside (spoiler alert: she loves Strike!) or maybe we will see Easter celebrated as the most famous Faberge creations were made as Easter gifts.
We also know that Robin is still (sort of) contemplating what to do about her eggs. I suspect we will see her make a final decision in Strike 9.
Anchor:
This charm was impossible to find. There are way too many options and not enough of the charm is visible to narrow it down; however, it IS on the same link as the Faberge egg. If this was a deliberate move by JK Rowling, maybe these clues must be put together.
According to this, “In 1909 Faberge produced an egg with a replica of the yacht “Standard.” This Easter masterpiece immortalized the beloved yacht of the last Russian monarch, who referred to it as his “dear Standard.”
Another here. I’ve also learned that an anchor is a key part of the official Russian hallmarks used on authentic Faberge items. Are we looking at a connection to Russia?
The first thing that came to mind when seeing this charm was a previous header of Tower Alley near Portsmouth and the connection to the Navy. Honestly, I want this to be true just to see Strike’s term of endearment for them!
Kenz reminds us that an anchor stands for stability, grounding, hope, and strength. We’re hoping for lots of settling down and anchoring in place for Strike and Robin!
Two Angels:
The angel in white was another charm that I wasn’t able to find and, unfortunately, the link for the angel in pink is no longer working. I honestly have no clue how this is going to connect to the book, but I can’t help but notice a slight resemblance to the creepy doll header!
It’s must be noted that this bracelet also includes a devil-in-a-box charm and the Book of Psalms. It seems possible that there will be some sort of spiritual element to Strike 9.
We all know what a Trojan Horse is, but how it will come to play in Strike 9 is still a mystery. We kind of had a Trojan Horse situation in The Hallmarked Man, so we can’t wait to see how it shows up – maybe we’ll get to see Strike ride a horse after all!
It was surprising to learn that the Jack-in-the-Box actually started out as devils instead of clowns. According to this, they were inspired by the story of a rector who trapped a demon inside his shoe. People later made intricate boxes with charming music with the intent of trapping demons. I’m really excited to see how this shows up in the book (especially since JKR said it was her favorite) and, again, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a connection with the angels and the Psalms. While we wait, I am reflecting on Robin’s need to face her own demons that she’s locked away for so long.
The hourglass is exciting because it could indicate a time sensitive case! A race against time to save someone?
White Rose of York:
We already knew from JKR’s York Minster header that we’d be traveling to Yorkshire, but this might suggest that we’ll be spending more time there than we had originally thought! This is a very exciting possibility for me because I would love to see Strike interact more with Robin’s family, especially Linda.
On its own, this one was a real mystery to me. However, because it’s on the same link as the white rose of York, I did some digging and think I’ve found an exciting possibility!
Crocodile Rock is a popular landmark in Northern Yorkshire and only about a thirty minute drive from Masham. Could there be a reason that Strike and Robin need to visit this rock during the course of their investigation?
While I have no idea how this crow connects to the book, it’s not surprising to see a bird represented in charm form since we know JK Rowling has a thing about birds!
This is yet another clue we have for Strike 9 where something opens up to reveal something hidden inside. This charm features Psalm 23.
It’s hard to say right now whether the important part of this clue is Psalm 23 or if the whole book of Psalms will be relevant. My current theory, until we hear otherwise, is that the Psalms could be one of (if not the only) epigraph sources!
Recently, I made a post expressing how much I love when J.K. Rowling gives us insights into her characters through the epigraphs. Strike has been compared to a noble soldier (The Silkworm), the champion of true justice (Troubled Blood), and the superior man (The Running Grave). My friend and fellow Strike enthusiast, @happyrachy, shared that in the Psalms, the Hebrew word geber means man, strong one, or warrior. A geber is upright, with true integrity. Just a thought!
Beatrice Groves wrote a fantastic piece that suggests we might see the Psalms used to hide clues!
The Persephone charm is one of my favorites because of the idea it has sparked for me. Persephone is seen in the Story of Psyche and Eros when Psyche goes down into the underworld to collect Persephone’s beauty cream, but Persephone has her own story to tell.
Daughter to a loving, but slightly overprotective mother named Linda- sorry, I mean Demeter – Persephone is kidnapped by Hades and brought to the underworld to marry him and rule as Queen. Demeter is heartbroken and eventually finds out what happened to her daughter and they are eventually reunited (forgive me for the very brief overview).
My current theory is that the case of this book is going to revolve around an engaged couple (ring emoji and charm) and the mother of the soon-to-be-bride comes to Strike and Robin to ask them for help in finding her missing daughter. The hourglass charm makes me think that we might have reason to believe this woman is still alive, but she might not have much time left.
JK Rowling has already told us that Cupid and Psyche are important to the story and we are all extremely excited about what that means for Strike and Robin, but if Persephone connects with the victim of this case, I think we might see Robin (as Psyche) go into the underworld to rescue Persephone.
Given that Robin has two men who want to marry her and Linda as a mother, I have to imagine that Robin would feel a strong connection to an engaged woman with a loving, but slightly overprotective mother!
Side note: Is it just me or does this version of Psyche look a lot like Holliday Grainger?
Let us know what you think about the charms and if you agree with any of our theories! I can’t wait to read Strike 9 and see how wrong I am about everything!
I just hate it when I trap a demon in my shoe. What a pain!
Wonderful piece, loved it.
Those must be the shoes that cause blisters and always hurt my feet!
The hour glass makes me think of time turners. Will the narrative jump back and forth between the present tense and the past, similar to how we got chapters from the killer’s POV in CoE?
In the Pacific Northwest, many Native American stories have a crow as The Trickster, highly intelligent, sometimes helpful, always sneaky. And of course there is the expression, “ a murder of crows”.
I like that- a murder of crows!
JKR said that THM focuses a lot on parenthood, esp fathers. I suspect #9 may also focus on parenthood, but more toward mothers. Linda, Demeter, Leda, Lucy, Ilsa and Robin’s eggs just for starters. I think we will learn more about Leda, like in #8 we learned more about Rokby
Yes, I can see that!
Just a thought that doesn’t really go anywhere but feels fun- crows are known to engage in gift giving and receiving with humans. Maybe we could see a quiet communication between Strike and Robin through the gifts of a few new charms for her bracelet in addition to the always thoughtful gifts that Robin gives to Strike.
when Leda met Zeus ( disguised as a Swan) their daughter was Helen (latterly of Troy) born from a Golden Egg.
In 2022 a Russian Oligarch’s yacht was seized by US authorities and one of the supposed lost Imperial Fabregè eggs was found. It turned out to be a fake, though. But that could be another link between the egg and the anchor.
In 2022 a Russian Oligarch’s yacht was seized by US authorities and one of the supposed lost Imperial Fabregè eggs was found. It turned out to be a fake, though. But that could be another link between the egg and the anchor.
Great blog.
I am intrigued by the story of Psyche in the underworld as I think it could relate to Robyn’s PTSD. She Is decending into a bad place and by the end of THM she is in a bad way emotionally.
Eros (Strike) asks Zeus (Rokeby) for help in rescuing Psyche from the underworld. I am twisting myself in knots trying to analyse what could happen!
Could Persephone, who helps Psyche be based on the new shouty therapist or another female character, even Prudence?
I like the notion of Demeter (Linda the over protective mother) searching madly for her daughter.
Great stuff!
And it ends with the beautiful painting of Psyche and Eros together after their many trials at the wedding table of Jupiter’s/Zeus’.
I was in Tasmania last year and totally missed seeing it. Damn!
It is such an evocative painting.
Good evening,
The Charm Bracelet has thirteen (13) tokens. Four (4) are doubled-up, Leaving nine (9) (3 x 3) Book 9 Adding in the Twitter Headers and Emoji’s, perhaps we can see some groupings:-
Seven (7) Dolls – Strike’s girl friends ending with BW in RG the 7th book.
Three (3) hinged items: Double diamond ring, Jack in the box, Book of Psalms
Three (3) items that slide or open apart: Faberge egg, Trojan Horse, Coffin
Three (3) White Rose of York, Crocodile and Tree House
2 x Three (3) a) Butterfly, Cupid & Psyche picture, Persephone & b) Psalm 23 – three (3) stanzas.
Angels (2) Investigating partners (Angels RAF fighter pilot slang for their planes, Bandits for Luftwaffe)
Total of Twitter Headers (to date), Emoji’s and bracelet charms = twenty one (21) 3 x 7 (or, Seven items in one group)
Enjoy messing the items up and around to create scenarios, personal favourite groupings etc.
Loved this, Lindsay, especially your “crocodile rock” reference. After all, “Elton” is the name of the fish that replaces the one that died at the end of THM. Is it foreshadowing or a red herring? Can’t wait to find out!
Oh, and read somewhere (probably google) that crows “remember” if a human treats them kindly or rudely. Not sure that has anything to do with anything, but I’ll laugh if someone in ST,E has an unexpected encounter with a crow.