Synopses & Reviews
“Ruth is a terrific character: unglamorous, smart, down-to-earth and completely believable.” — San Jose Mercury News “Readers will look forward to learning more about [Ruth Galloway].” — USA Today
It’s a blazing hot summer in Norfolk when a construction crew unearths a downed American fighter plane from World War II with a body inside. Forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway determines that the skeleton couldn’t possibly be the pilot, and DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat long presumed dead — news that seems to frighten his descendants. Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk’s deserted air force bases, the so-called ghost fields, which the Blackstocks have converted into a pig farm. As production begins, Ruth notices a mysterious man loitering at Fred Blackstock’s memorial service. Then human bones are found on the family’s pig farm and the weather quickly turns. Can the team outrace a looming flood to find the killer?
“Ruth Galloway is a captivating amateur sleuth — an inspired creation. I identified with her insecurities and struggles, and cheered her on.” — Louise Penny
“An uncommon, down-to-earth heroine whose acute insight, wry humor, and depth of feeling make her a thoroughly engaging companion.” — Erin Hart
Review
Praise for the Ruth Galloway Mystery Series "Elly Griffiths draws us all the way back to prehistoric times . . . Highly atmospheric." —
New York Times Book Review "Galloway is an everywoman, smart, successful and a little bit unsure of herself. Readers will look forward to learning more about her." —
USA Today "Ruth Galloway is a remarkable, delightful character . . . A must-read for fans of crime and mystery fiction." —Associated Press
"Forensic archeologist and academic Ruth Galloway is a captivating amateur sleuth—an inspired creation. I identified with her insecurities and struggles, and cheered her on. " —Louise Penny, author of the best-selling Armand Gamache series "These books are must-reads." —Deborah Crombie, author of the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series "[Ruth Galloway’s] an uncommon, down-to-earth heroine whose acute insight, wry humor, and depth of feeling make her a thoroughly engaging companion." —Erin Hart, Agatha and Anthony Award–nominated author of Haunted Ground and Lake of Sorrows "A wonderfully rich mixture of ancient and contemporary, superstition and rationality, with a cast of druids, dreamers and assorted tree-huggers as well as some thoroughly modern villains . . . A great series." —Guardian "[An] excellent series . . . Skillful and engaging." —Globe and Mail "Griffiths is one of England’s freshest mystery writers. Her novels combine a dramatic sense of place with a complicated mystery, and with each new installment, her character of Ruth Galloway becomes more complex and dynamic." —Curled Up with a Good Book "Griffiths does a lot to humanize forensic archaeology and serves up great dollops of historical details in her Ruth Galloway series . . . Griffiths is great at conveying the archaeologist’s passion for finds, forensic or historic." —Booklist, starred review "Griffiths is a true mystery writer." —Ann Arbor News
Review
The Saltmarsh, a mystical place, provides the stunning backdrop for a new mystery series.Ruth Galloway is an overweight 40-ish forensic archaeologist living happily and quietly with her two cats in a Saltmarsh cottage when DCI Harry Nelson calls on her to establish the age of some bones found on a lonely beach. Nelson has never given up the search for Lucy Downey, taken from her parents home 10 years ago and presumed dead. But these bones, to Ruths delight, are those of an Iron Age child ritually buried. Despite their disparate backgrounds, the tough cop is sufficiently impressed by Ruths calm professionalism to show her a series of taunting letters hes received over the years, presumably from the killer. Shes struck by the use of biblical and literary quotations and some arcane archaeological knowledge. The Iron Age find brings interest from both the university where Ruth teaches and her former mentor Erik Anderssen. The dig they worked together at the Saltmarsh now provides a shoal of suspects for Nelson. Reputed magician Cathbad, Ruths former lover Peter, her friend Shona and Erik were all around at the time. When one of Ruths cats is killed and left on her doorstep and another child goes missing, shes sucked even deeper into the challenging and terrifying hunt for the truth.A winning debut. Aficionados may guess the killer early on, but the first-rate characters and chilling story are entrancing from start to finish.
Review
Griffiths, Elly.
The Crossing Places. Houghton Harcourt. Jan. 2010. c.304p. ISBN 978-0-547-22989-8. $25. M
Dr. Ruth Galloway lives on the remote English beach of Saltmarsh and teaches archeology at a small local university. When a child's bones are found on a beach nearby, DCI Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. He thinks they may be those of a missing child from a ten-year-old cold case that involved bizarre letters mentioning rituals and sacrifices. But the bones turn out to be nearly 2000 years old. Then another child vanishes, and Galloway stays on the case. More letters turn up, and these pull Galloway deeper into the hunt and into real danger. VERDICT Crime solving and anthropology have gone hand in hand through other successful mystery series such as those by Erin Hart and Aaron Elkins; Griffiths's debut stands well with them. Both Nelson and Galloway are captivating characters, and Griffiths's story is strong, well plotted, and suspenseful, leaving the reader eager for more adventures on the windswept Norfolk coast. Highly recommended.�Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA
Review
The Saltmarsh, a mystical place, provides the stunning backdrop for a new mystery series.Ruth Galloway is an overweight 40-ish forensic archaeologist living happily and quietly with her two cats in a Saltmarsh cottage when DCI Harry Nelson calls on her to establish the age of some bones found on a lonely beach. Nelson has never given up the search for Lucy Downey, taken from her parents home 10 years ago and presumed dead. But these bones, to Ruths delight, are those of an Iron Age child ritually buried. Despite their disparate backgrounds, the tough cop is sufficiently impressed by Ruths calm professionalism to show her a series of taunting letters hes received over the years, presumably from the killer. Shes struck by the use of biblical and literary quotations and some arcane archaeological knowledge. The Iron Age find brings interest from both the university where Ruth teaches and her former mentor Erik Anderssen. The dig they worked together at the Saltmarsh now provides a shoal of suspects for Nelson. Reputed magician Cathbad, Ruths former lover Peter, her friend Shona and Erik were all around at the time. When one of Ruths cats is killed and left on her doorstep and another child goes missing, shes sucked even deeper into the challenging and terrifying hunt for the truth.A winning debut. Aficionados may guess the killer early on, but the first-rate characters and chilling story are entrancing from start to finish. - Kirkus Reviews
Issue: November 15, 2009
The Crossing Places.
Griffiths, Elly (Author)
Jan 2010. 304 p. Houghton, hardcover, $25.00. (9780547229898).
Nearing 40 and overweight, forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway is content with her life, teaching at the
University of North Norfolk and living in a cottage on remote Saltmarsh with her two cats. When DCI
Harry Nelson enlists her help in identifying the bones of a child unearthed in the marsh, he anticipates
closing the case of five-year-old Lucy Downey, snatched from her bed 10 years earlier. But Ruth confirms
that the bones date from the Iron Age, an exciting find that recalls memories of a dig led by her mentor,
Erik, at which she met her former lover, Peter. Impressed with Ruth, Nelson shares his file on the missing
child and calls on her when another little girl goes missing, putting Ruth herself at risk. Griffiths combines
elements of archaeology, mythology, and even ornithology with the foreboding mood of the marsh. The
result is an atmospheric mystery with a pulse-pounding climax and starring an oh-so-human protagonist
who deals with life realistically. A knockout start for a series that should have broad appeal across the
crime genre, from thriller fans to lovers of slightly edgy cozies.
Michele Leber (Booklist)
Dr. Ruth Galloway lives on the remote English beach of Saltmarsh and teaches archeology at a small local university. When a child's bones are found on a beach nearby, DCI Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. He thinks they may be those of a missing child from a ten-year-old cold case that involved bizarre letters mentioning rituals and sacrifices. But the bones turn out to be nearly 2000 years old. Then another child vanishes, and Galloway stays on the case. More letters turn up, and these pull Galloway deeper into the hunt and into real danger. VERDICT Crime solving and anthropology have gone hand in hand through other successful mystery series such as those by Erin Hart and Aaron Elkins; Griffiths's debut stands well with them. Both Nelson and Galloway are captivating characters, and Griffiths's story is strong, well plotted, and suspenseful, leaving the reader eager for more adventures on the windswept Norfolk coast. Highly recommended.�Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA - Library Journal
Review
"Ruth's second appearance (The Crossing Places, 2009) is an enthralling page-turner that delights in complex characters." --Kirkus, STARRED review
Synopsis
In this thrilling installment of the Ruth Galloway mysteries, Ruth investigates a collection of Aboriginal skulls that seems to be cursed, causing people to die from a mysterious fever—one that threatens to claim Det. Inspector Harry Nelson.
Synopsis
In this thrilling mystery, "brilliant, feisty, independent" forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson investigate a seemingly cursed collection of Aboriginal skulls that are causing people to die from a mysterious fever -- and the next person to fall ill is Nelson himself (Richmond Times-Dispatch).
When Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop, she finds the museum's curator lying dead on the floor. Soon after, the museum's wealthy owner is also found dead, in his stables.
DCI Harry Nelson is called in to investigate, thrusting him into Ruth's path once more. When threatening letters come to light, events take an even more sinister turn. But as Ruth's friends become involved, where will her loyalties lie? As her convictions are tested, Ruth and Nelson must discover how Aboriginal skulls, drug smuggling, and the mystery of the "Dreaming" hold the answers to these deaths, as well as the keys to their own survival.
"Lovers of well-written and intelligent traditional mysteries will welcome Griffith's] fourth book . . . A Room Full of Bones is a clever blend of history and mystery with more than enough forensic details to attract the more attentive reader." -- Denver Post
Galloway is an Everywoman, smart, successful, and a little bit unsure of herself. Readers will look forward to learning more about her. -- USA Today
Synopsis
Forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway investigates her most complicated case to date: two people affiliated with a museum housing aboriginal skulls succumb to a mysterious fever that later threatens the life of DCI Harry Nelson. When Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop, she finds the museum's curator lying dead on the floor. Soon the museum's wealthy owner lies dead in his stables, too.
These two deaths could be from natural causes, but when he is called in to investigate, Nelson isn't convinced, and it is only a matter of time before he and Ruth cross paths once more. When threatening letters come to light, events take an even more sinister turn. But as Ruth's friends become involved, where will her loyalties lie? As her convictions are tested, Ruth and Nelson must discover how Aboriginal skulls, drug smuggling, and the mystery of “The Dreaming” hold the answer to these deaths, as well as the keys to their own survival.
Synopsis
On Halloween night, Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop. But upon arriving she finds the museums curator lying dead beside the coffin. It is only a matter of time before she and Detective Inspector Nelson cross paths once more, as he is called in to investigate.
Together they discover that before the curators death the museums owner, Lord Smith, had received threatening letters demanding that he hand over the museums collection of Aborigine skulls. When he finds a dead snake in his stable yard, hes convinced its an evil portent.
Following another senseless death, Ruth and Nelson become further embroiled in the case. But as Ruths close friends become involved, where will her loyalties lie? She and Nelson must discover how Aborigine skulls and drug smuggling may hold the answer to these deaths and their own survival in the latest installment of this “must-read” series (Associated Press).
Synopsis
“Rich in atmosphere and history and blessed by [Griffiths] continuing development of brilliant, feisty, independent Ruth . . .
A Room Full of Bones, like its predecessors, works its magic on the reader's imagination.” —
Richmond Times-DispatchWhen Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop, she finds the museums curator lying dead on the floor. Soon after, the museums wealthy owner is also found dead, in his stables.
These two deaths could be from natural causes, but once again Ruth and DCI Harry Nelson cross paths during the investigation. When threatening letters come to light, events take an even more sinister turn. But as Ruths friends become involved, where will her loyalties lie? As her convictions are tested, Ruth and Nelson must discover how Aboriginal skulls, drug smuggling, and the mystery of “The Dreaming” hold the answers to these deaths, as well as the keys to their own survival.
“Lovers of well-written and intelligent traditional mysteries will welcome [Griffiths] fourth book . . . A Room Full of Bones is a clever blend of history and mystery with more than enough forensic details to attract the more attentive reader.” —Denver Post
"Galloway is an Everywoman, smart, successful and a little bit unsure of herself. Readers will look forward to learning more about her." —USA Today
Synopsis
The start of an exciting new crime series featuring quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway as she investigates a child's bones found on a nearby beach, thought to be the remains of a little girl who went missing ten years before.
Synopsis
Forensic archeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway is in her late thirties. She lives happily alone with her two cats in a bleak, remote area near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants—not quite earth, not quite sea. But her routine days of digging up bones and other ancient objects are harshly upended when a childs bones are found on a desolate beach. Detective Chief Inspector Nelson calls Galloway for help, believing they are the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing a decade ago and whose abductor continues to taunt him with bizarre letters containing references to ritual sacrifice, Shakespeare, and the Bible. Then a second girl goes missing and Nelson receives a new letter—exactly like the ones about Lucy. Is it the same killer? Or a copycat murderer, linked in some way to the site near Ruths remote home?
Synopsis
The chilling discovery of a downed World War II plane with a body inside leads Ruth and DCI Nelson to uncover a wealthy family’s secrets, in the seventh Ruth Galloway mystery.
Synopsis
When shes not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants - not quite earth, not quite sea.
When a childs bones are found on a desolate beach nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. Nelson thinks he has found the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing ten years ago. Since her disappearance he has been receiving bizarre letters about her, letters with references to ritual and sacrifice. The bones actually turn out to be two thousand years old, but Ruth is soon drawn into the Lucy Downey case and into the mind of the letter writer, who seems to have both archaeological knowledge and eerie psychic powers. Then another child goes missing and the hunt is on to find her. As the letter writer moves closer and the windswept Norfolk landscape exerts its power, Ruth finds herself in completely new territory and in serious danger. THE CROSSING PLACES marks the beginning of a captivating new crime series featuring an irresistible heroine.
Synopsis
The second Ruth Galloway mystery from the author of THE CROSSING PLACES.
Synopsis
Its been only a few months since archaeologist Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large old house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus its skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?
Ruth and Detective Harry Nelson would like to find out—and fast. When they realize the house was once a childrens home, they track down the Catholic priest who served as its operator. Father Hennessey reports that two children did go missing from the home forty years before—a boy and a girl. They were never found. When carbon dating proves that the childs bones predate the home and relate to a time when the house was privately owned, Ruth is drawn ever more deeply into the case. But as spring turns into summer it becomes clear that someone is trying very hard to put her off the trail by frightening her, and her unborn child, half to death.
The Janus Stone is a riveting follow-up to Griffithss acclaimed The Crossing Places.
Synopsis
"Elly Griffiths draws us all the way back to prehistoric times . . . Highly atmospheric." —New York Times Book Review
"Galloway is an everywoman, smart, successful and a little bit unsure of herself." —USA Today
"A must-read for fans of crime and mystery fiction." —Associated Press
It’s a blazing hot summer in Norfolk when a construction crew unearths a downed World War II plane with a body inside. Forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway realizes that the skeleton couldn’t be the pilot, and DNA tests match Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat long thought dead. When the rest of the Blackstock family learns about the discovery, they seem frightened by the news. Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk’s deserted air force bases, the Ghost Fields, which have been converted into a pig farm run by the Blackstocks. As production begins, Ruth notices a mysterious man loitering at Fred Blackstock’s memorial service. Then human bones are found on the family’s pig farm and the weather quickly turns. Can the team outrace a looming flood to find the killer?
About the Author
ELLY GRIFFITH's Ruth Galloway novels — The Crossing Places, The Janus Stone, The House at Sea's End, A Room Full of Bones, A Dying Fall, The Outcast Dead, and The Ghost Fields — have been praised as "gripping" (Louise Penny), "highly atmospheric," (New York Times Book Review), and "must-reads for fans of crime fiction" (Associated Press). She is the winner of the 2010 Mary Higgins Clark Award.