When a troubled model falls to her death from a snow-covered Mayfair balcony, it is assumed that she has committed suicide. However, her brother has his doubts, and calls in private investigator Cormoran Strike to look into the case.

Strike tells the police that the circumstances of Rochelle's death merit further investigation but is dismissed. He seeks out Lula's friends and learns that Lula was looking for her biological family.

Robin gets key information from a salesgirl at the boutique Lula visited. Strike arrives just as Robin tries on a stunning green dress and awkwardly averts his eyes as he explains his CCTV breakthrough.

Strike is approached by Leonora Quine with a plea to locate her husband, the notorious writer Owen Quine, who has disappeared without a trace.

In Yorkshire, Robin watches a TV interview with Fancourt where he accidentally reveals that he's read Bombyx Mori - despite his previous denials.