JK Rowling slammed as new book features a ‘transvestite serial killer of women’

Author JK Rowling has received a backlash for her latest Strike novel which features a cisgender man who wears dresses and kills women.

The Harry Potter author, 55, has come under fire in recent months as she spoke out on transgender issues.

Her latest novel Troubled Blood, written under her pseudonym Robert Galbraith, is the latest instalment in her Cormoran Strike detective series.

A review of the novel in The Telegraph by Jake Kerridge has gone viral as it describes the plot and themes of the latest crime outing.

It reads: “The meat of the book is the investigation into a cold case: the disappearance of GP Margot Bamborough in 1974, thought to have been a victim of Dennis Creed, a transvestite serial killer.

“One wonders what critics of Rowling’s stance on trans issues will make of a book whose moral seems to be: never trust a man in a dress.”

Following the best-selling author’s previous divisive remarks on transgender issues, this latest development has caused a backlash on social media.

Writer Heather Horgan tweeted: “There are so many pathetic things about JK Rowling’s new “cis man in a dress commits crimes” detective novel, but one of the main ones has to be that this writer who considers herself a master of mystery really just recycled the plot of Ace Ventura.”

Metro columnist Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir tweeted: “A serial killer in J. K.’s new book is trans. For someone who has said she ‘loves’ and ‘supports’ trans people, perhaps she should support them by avoiding deeply harmful tropes about our community. But she doesn’t care – this is deliberate. It’s gross.

“She has not spent months demonising and speaking out against trans people – and now publishes a book with a trans person as a violent serial killer. And yet she is surprised at the criticism she receives. Are we living on the same planet?”

BeLeave whistleblower Shahmir Sanni wrote on Twitter : “This is such an astounding example of how whiteness & capitalism work hand in hand to oppress & marginalise all for the sake of personal gain. I feel sick.”

Mirror Online has reached out to representatives of JK Rowling for comment on the criticism.

The novel is released after JK Rowling sparked controversy when she objected to the term “people who menstruate? “in June.

JK tweeted in response: “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”

She continued: “If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased.

“I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”

Her subsequent essay on transgender issues sparked further backlash.

In the piece she wrote: “When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman – and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones – then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside. That is the simple truth.”

Rowling’s essay and related tweets were condemned by by transgender activists and by stars of the Harry Potter films.

Hermione Grainger actress Emma Watson tweeted: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.”

Meanwhile, Sex and the City actress and open lesbian Cynthia Nixon has spoken out on Rowling’s comments as she herself is an ardent feminist and the mother of a trans child.

Nixon told The Independent: “The books seem to be about championing people who are different, so for her to select this one group of people who are obviously different and sort of deny their existence, it’s just… it’s really baffling.

“I know she feels like she’s standing up for feminism, but I don’t get it.”