In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (1997), a letter reveals to orphan Harry that he is a wizard and opens the doors of Hogwarts to him. This entry into a hidden world begins a seven-novel series that follows his life at the school of magic and his adventures with his friends.

A series that expands its world

The later novels extend the story from school life to mysteries and conflicts of wider scope: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Goblet of Fire continue the adventures before Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows complete the series, published between 1997 and 2007. The saga also gave rise to companion books set in its universe, including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard.

Fiction for other readers

With The Casual Vacancy (2012), Rowling left the fantasy setting behind to write a contemporary social satire set in an English town. In 2013, it became known that she had published the crime novel The Cuckoo’s Calling under the name Robert Galbraith. The book launched a series starring detective Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott, his secretary and later partner.

From fantasy adventure to crime investigation

The Strike series continues her work in mystery fiction, with an investigative duo who solve complex cases while developing a close relationship. Rowling also expanded her children’s writing with The Ickabog, a fairy tale she described as an exploration of truth and the abuse of power, and The Christmas Pig, about a boy who embarks on a fantastical quest after losing his favorite toy.