Strike and Robin work out that Kea Niven and Inigo have been talking online, and so they decide to head over in Strike’s BMW to the Upcotts’ house to question him. As they arrive, they see Gus and Inigo Upcott pulling out of their driveway in a Range Rover, so they decide to follow them.

Gus and Inigo drive a lot farther than Strike and Robin had expected, however. After an hour’s driving, they reach the Dartford Crossing, “the long, cable-stayed bridge crossing the Thames” (The Ink Black Heart, Chapter 76).

They continue following the Upcotts along the M2 for another hour, and then they turn into a road called Borstal Hill. Robin suspects they’re heading for Whitstable.

“Robin followed the Range Rover into the heart of the pretty little town, past timbered houses …”

“… and terraces of cottages in ice-cream colours…’

‘…then along Harbour Street, which was lined with art galleries and curio shops.”

“At last, the Range Rover made a couple of right turns, which took them into Keam’s Yard car park” (The Ink Black Heart, Chapter 76).

Gus pushes Inigo in his wheelchair round the corner and out of sight, and Strike and Robin wait for him to come back for his father’s bags before getting out of the BMW.

Strike and Robin set off after Gus. “Island Wall, which lay right around the corner from the car park, was a narrow street that sloped downwards” (The Ink Black Heart, Chapter 77).

“The terrace of painted houses on the right hand side would have an unimpeded rear view of the sea.”

Aquarelle Cottage itself appears to be fictional.

Robin and Strike knock on the door and Inigo reluctantly lets them in. Whilst they are speaking to Inigo, Gus goes out to buy some provisions for his father, and returns with bags of Sainsbury’s shopping. There is a Sainsbury’s Local just around the corner from Island Wall.

After Inigo asks them to leave his house, Gus, Strike and Robin walk back to their cars in the car park together.

Back at the car park, Strike climbs the steps up to the sea wall and watches the sea whilst avoiding Madeline’s calls.

He then books himself and Robin a room each at the Marine Hotel before returning to Robin in the car.

Find these locations on the map below:

Follow the route that Strike & Robin took to Whitstable here: