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    The Chalk Pit
    The Chalk Pit
    The Chalk Pit
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Chalk Pit

    Written by Elly Griffiths

    Narrated by Jane McDowell

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    In the ninth Ruth Galloway mystery, Ruth and Nelson investigate a string of murders and disappearances deep within the abandoned tunnels hidden far beneath the streets of Norwich. Norwich is riddled with old chalk-mining tunnels, but no one's sure exactly how many. When Ruth is called in to investigate a set of human remains found in one of them, she notices the bones are almost translucent, a sign they were boiled soon after death. Once more, she finds herself at the helm of a murder investigation. Meanwhile, DCI Nelson is hunting for a missing homeless woman, Barbara, who he hears has gone "underground." Could she have disappeared into the labyrinth? And if so, is she connected to the body Ruth found? As Ruth, Nelson, and the rest of their team investigate the tunnels, they hear rumors of secret societies, cannibalism, and ritual killings. When a dead body is found with a map that appears to be of The Underground, they realize their quest to find the killer has only just begun-and that there may be more bodies underfoot.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMay 30, 2017
    ISBN9781501946646
    The Chalk Pit
    Author

    Elly Griffiths

    Elly Griffiths is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway and Brighton mystery series, as well as the standalone novels The Stranger Diaries, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Novel; The Postscript Murders; and Bleeding Heart Yard. She is the recipient of the CWA Dagger in the Library Award and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She lives in Brighton, England.

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    Reviews for The Chalk Pit

    4/5

    284 ratings29 reviews

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    • 4/5
      I found the storyline intriguing. I particularly appreciated the homeless/rough sleepers characters portrayed as human beings, and not as a cliche in the plot.
      My problem with the book was the constant change in the point of view between characters. I also struggled with some of the characters having names that started with the same initial- like Jo and Judy. But that’s is probably my addled brain, hahaha.
    • 5/5
      I'm very happy to have found a great new series!
    • 4/5
      Good installment in the series -- Kate's growing up, scary moments for the team, new developments in the romantic triangle -- all set against an underground society of rough sleepers. Fascinating to hear a little bit more about how homelessness works in Britain, given that it is such a prevalent issue here. Loved the compassion and thoughtfulness displayed by these police.
    • 3/5
      I started this series as I know King's Lynn pretty well. However in this book it turns out to be a disadvantage. Nelson and the Serious Crime squad we follow in these books are based in King's Lynn, however they spend an awful lot of time in this book in Norwich. Which is a city, as opposed to a town, and likely more highly resourced. I find it doubtful that the King's Lynn squad would be dealing with issues in Norwich, and certainly not taking the fire brigade with them, especially considering the time it takes to get between the two places. I also found the crime in this book to be somewhat far fetched - and the starting investigation remains open. Having said that, time spent with Ruth is never entirely wasted and this was enjoyable enough, despite the reservations above.
    • 5/5
      Just when I thought the series could not get any better Griffiths just blows me away again! The character of Ruth is perfection and the history she has with Nelson just keeps me wanting more.
    • 4/5
      Elly Griffiths’s series of novels featuring Dr Ruth Galloway, Head of Forensic Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk, goes from strength to strength. I often worry when reading a sustained series of novels featuring the same cast of core characters that the author might succumb to a formulaic approach, rehashing similar plots and having the characters go through new versions of the same old interactions. This is (I think) the ninth novel featuring Ruth Galloway and her circle of friends, colleagues and police associates, and there is no sign yet of any weakening of the quality.One of Griffiths’s strengths is her ability to interlace separate plot strands. In this novel, the principal story revolves around the murder of two homeless people in Norwich while other homeless people seem also to have disappeared. Meanwhile, bones have been discovered during preparatory work for a new construction development, and Ruth is called in to review them, to consider whether they are of historic or recent vintage.There is a lot of emotional hinterland in the novel, with many of the principal characters involved in a complex web of relationships – indeed, it may be best for readers to work through all the books from the first instalment (The Crossing Place) rather than starting in mid- sequence. The complications and unavoidable awkwardnesses that arise from this all add to, rather than detract from, the power of the novel.All very enjoyable, and it left me looking forward to the next instalment.
    • 5/5
      I was a little disappointed by the last book in this series, 'The Woman in Blue'. I said that I hoped Elly Griffiths would be back to her best for this tome: SHE IS!!!!I couldn't put this one down. One of the things that I love about this series of books is that I can never predict the next event. I was genuinely surprised by several of the events in this book. I also like the way that not all the loose ends are tied up. One of the strings within this tale is left unanswered in a 'you can't win them all' way. Because of the pleasure of the solutions to the book's other conundrums, (interesting, I thought that was 'conundra', but I was wrong!) there is no sense of an unfinished work.This is one of the best fables within the series, to date. I can't wait to read the next one...
    • 4/5
      Predictably good mystery that Ruth is able to solve; underground tunnels, murders of homeless men and kidnapping of local women. Ruth and Nelson's relationship is becoming more of a compelling soap opera - can't wait to start next book!
    • 4/5
      In The Chalk Pit, Ruth Galloway is called in to analyze bones found in a development site in Kings Lynn. At the same time, DCI Nelson and his team are investigating a missing person within the homeless community. Then a local woman goes missing, and things get even more serious when a homeless man is found murdered. The investigation goes deep into the challenges faced by the homeless and their support systems. Alongside the mystery, there are interesting developments in the lives of Ruth and Nelson. They seem to have fallen into a comfortable routine, with Nelson regularly spending time with their daughter Kate as well as his wife and adult daughters. When Ruth’s mother is suddenly hospitalized, Nelson doesn’t hesitate to take Kate for an afternoon. And when Nelson is injured during the climactic chase scene … well, let’s just say Ruth and Nelson have “a moment.” But that’s not all -- the book ends on a cliffhanger with significant implications for Nelson. Bring on the next book!
    • 4/5
      Buddy read with Hilary. We’re racing through this series. We’ve read the first 9 books in 2019, and started buddy reading them not too many books from the start. I’m hoping to make book 10 my first book finished in 2020. I have one other book to finish in 2019.I am grateful that at the end of each book there is an author’s note where she explains what is real, what is changed, and what is completely made up with places & people, etc. The general settings are real and the characters seem so much like real people so I’m glad for this information. I love these books. I love the characters and the relationships (though could do with less soap opera style content) and the humor is great. I love Kate and seeing her grow & change. I love the settings, though I know some of the uses of some of the ones in this book are made up for the story, but so much is real too. One reason it’s particularly fun reading with Hilary is that she is a local so she knows so many landmarks, towns, etc. that appear in these books. I appreciate that these books are not too gory and that most violence is off the page or at least not over the top. I like that there are scary parts but they’re not too scary for my taste; I do scare easily. I always love coming back to the regular characters, and all of the new and/or temporary characters are also always interesting. I always enjoy not only the people but the dogs & cats in the stories too. In this particular book I loved the inclusion of the storylines about rough sleepers (homeless people) and appreciated how they and the well-off people interacted and how each were depicted realistically and all with their faults and assets, problems and strengths. That was important to me and made for good stories. My first guess/main guess(?) of the culprit was correct but there were several other candidates (as usual with the books in this series) and I really didn’t know until the reveal who did the murders and the kidnappings. As always, I had fun guessing. Just as Ruth does with her cat Flint I also used to tell my dog exactly what time I would be back or how many hours I would be gone. I love it!I am enjoying the identity of Nelson’s new boss.Ruth seems like a good mother and her relationship with her daughter gets more interesting as Kate gets older. I do wish there was more of Kate in the books but I love what is there. I like how Ruth takes Kate seriously. Because Hilary first mentioned the poor food choices, I now almost laugh when I read about what Ruth feeds Kate, what Kate eats and Ruth often too, when specific foods are mentioned. I hope the nutritional quality of foods improves. The next book is partly set in Italy. Maybe there? They now have at least one person they know with a vegetable garden and a fruit tree so maybe they’ll get some of the harvest?I hope Kate’s experience with a night terror does not become a regular event for her! I was wrong about its implications, but I like Kate and don’t like to think of her and Ruth suffering like that on any kind of regular basis. I think if Kate’s new interest remains an interest I will enjoy that. There is one event in particular that happens at the end of this book that has me even more curious about and eager to go on and read book 10. Michelle’s third pregnancy, when Ruth’s Kate is six. I like that this mystery was excellent. The mysteries have been improving as the series goes on. I still care most about the characters, settings, etc. I like how in this book there is quite a bit more of the story after the mystery is solved. I’m hoping that means the author feels as I do, that these aren’t only mysteries, but general fiction too. I’ve been meaning to write the author or a mutual friend, someone I know on Goodreads who has gotten to know the author. (a couple tiny spoilers but one huge spoiler if readers haven’t read through book 9): I hope to find the “right time” to do it soon. I love this series. I’m racing my way through it. One annoying thing though is that the author sometimes seems to forget what’s she’s said about her characters. At one point near the start Cathbad was introduced as a vegetarian, then it was obvious from what he was wearing and particularly what he was eating that he wasn’t a vegetarian. A woman character in a later book was introduced as a vegan then seemed to definitely not be given what she was eating. Most recently it was said that Kate’s parentage was out in the open with everyone, including Nelson’s two oldest daughters but in this book, Laura and Rebecca don’t seem to know that Kate shares their father and while Kate knows Nelson is her father she doesn’t know that his other two much older daughters are her half-sisters. It gets confusing. It’s a relatively minor quibble but it's still annoying. I love the books and that makes these things even more distracting for me. Wow! We read this one in only three days! 4-1/2 stars
    • 4/5
      I'm finding the series seguing into something of a soap opera trope. I liked this story anyway, because I'm interested in ancient civilizations as well as how forensic archaeology contributes to solving present-day mysteries. I admired the author's handling in writing of homeless folk and the tremendous difficulties they face. Chalk tunnels under Norfolk towns are very interesting, although I'm not sure how extensively these occur in reality. The familiar characters, especially Ruth and Cathbad, continue to be entertaining. But the final twist was bizarre and really, was it credible? Not wishing to spoil the suspense in this novel, so that's all I'm saying. Highly recommend that people read the RG books in sequence, though.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this one, although there was a lot going on: missing women, stabbed men, mysterious holes, underground tunnels. The ending was utterly bonkers and unrealistically successful. I'm a bit confused about Michelle's baby, but no doubt all will be revealed in the next instalment. Nelson's panic when Laura met Kate was very entertaining.
    • 5/5
      9th in the series. Love the stories and the evolving relationships, but the resolution of the mystery is becoming more tenuous with each entry. In the Chalk Pit Ruth and DCI Nelson investigate the maze of old mining tunnels below Norwich to find a homeless woman and the reason homeless men are being murdered.
    • 4/5
      This is quite superior to the previous [The Woman in Blue], nicely paced and connected just a bit more to archaeology. But Griffiths throws quite a curve at the end of the book regarding the relationships between Nelson and his wife, on the one hand, and Ruth, on the other. There's always the next book.
    • 5/5
      This series is without a doubt one of the best. They have believable plots as well as characters that grow with each addition, giving the reader more insight into just who they are. That ongoing character evolution is one of the enjoyable aspects of this series. That angle is present here along with plenty of informative history and social commentary. Can't wait to see if the twist at the end means what I think it does.
    • 3/5
      I think this may be the best one in the series yet! Or at least as good as the first one. And the last sentence...I can't wait for the next one!
    • 4/5
      I still enjoy this series, the characters have evolved well; the first will always be a favorite. I do recommend starting this from the beginning "The Crossing Places".
    • 5/5
      Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway mysteries are hands down one of my favourite series. The ninth entry is The Chalk Pit.The series takes place in the Norfolk area of Britain. The area is home to lots of history - and bones. (I find I always learn a little something reading these books.) Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist. She is a lecturer at the university, but is often called by the police for assistance. This time 'round, Ruth is called in when bones are found in an old chalk mine tunnel that an entrepreneur is turning into an underground restaurant. DCI Nelson and his team are also busy - a number of 'rough sleepers' have disappeared - amongst rumours that they may have gone 'underground'.Griffiths' blending of historical fact with a mystery is always fascinating. Her plotting is excellent and always captures my interest. But what brings me back, book after book, are the characters. I have become so engaged in their lives. As I've said before.."Griffiths has created a wonderful protagonist in Ruth. I just really like her. She's decidedly unique and different. She is a single mother at forty plus, overweight, messy, introverted, but highly intelligent and curious. Griffiths has not endowed her with super sleuth abilities, rather she comes off as an actual person - unabashedly and happily herself." The supporting cast is just as interesting and engaging. Cathbad, the enigmatic, self proclaimed Druid is a perennial favourite of mine. For those that also follow this series and taking care not to spoil things....Griffiths provides some surprising twists in the lives of Ruth....and Harry. I can't wait to see what transpires next!This is the first time I've chosen to listen to one of the series. I always find that I become more immersed in a book through listening. And it depends on the narrator doesn't it? Well, reader Jane McDowell did an excellent job of interpreting Griffiths' work. My mental image of Ruth didn't change - it was only enhanced by McDowell's voice. She provides different tones and inflections for other supporting characters. Her voice is easy and pleasant to listen to. I think I would chose to listen to the upcoming tenth novel as well. The Dark Angel, due out mid 2018.The Chalk Pit is wholeheartedly recommended! (As is the entire series - do yourself a favour and start at the beginning with The Crossing Places)
    • 4/5
      Another perfect forensic archeology mystery from Elly Griffiths and her Ruth Galloway Mystery Series. This ninth book in the series is equally as suspenseful and engaging as its predecessors. It delicately and respectfully brings to light the lives of those who choose to live on the streets and the challenges and dangers which many face each day. What happens and who truly cares for those among them who disappear? Would society even notice? Someone did and now they're gone.Synopsis (from author's website):Boiled human bones have been found in Norwich’s web of underground tunnels. When Dr Ruth Galloway discovers they were recently buried, DCI Nelson has a murder enquiry on his hands. The boiling might have been just a medieval curiosity – now it suggests a much more sinister purpose.Meanwhile, DS Judy Johnson is investigating the disappearance of a local rough sleeper. The only trace of her is the rumour that she’s gone ‘underground’. This might be a figure of speech, but with the discovery of the bones and the rumours both Ruth and the police have heard that the network of old chalk-mining tunnels under Norwich is home to a vast community of rough sleepers, the clues point in only one direction. Local academic Martin Kellerman knows all about the tunnels and their history – but can his assertions of cannibalism and ritual killing possibly be true?As the weather gets hotter, tensions rise. A local woman goes missing and the police are under attack. Ruth and Nelson must unravel the dark secrets of The Underground and discover just what gruesome secrets lurk at its heart – before it claims another victim.
    • 4/5
      Note: Spoilers for previous books in this series.This is the ninth book in the Ruth Galloway Mystery Series. Ruth Galloway, now 46, is a self-described overweight forensic archeologist at the (fictional) University of North Norfolk, who occasionally works with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson, 48, of the Norfolk Police. The two teamed up to solve several crimes since Ruth is an expert on bones, and she became seconded to the Serious Crime Unit, which is headed by Nelson.Nelson works at the King’s Lynn Police Station. King’s Lynn is a seaport in Norfolk, England and Norwich is a town in Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of its most important. Griffiths integrates many interesting historical aspects of this region into her story lines.In this book, Griffiths features the famous chalk pits of Norwich. Beginning in the Middle Ages, Norwich was mined for chalk and flint, and today many of the mines still exist under the city. These tunnels can cause instability when construction cuts into them, and occasionally holes open up in the city. Famously, a large red bus fell into a hole in Earlham Road in 1988, and in this book, the residents often refer to that event. Tales have proliferated about secret tunnels and possible uses to which they have been put.As this story begins, excavation for an underground restaurant has opened up one of these tunnels, and bones have been found in it. Ruth is called in, and Harry as well after analysis shows the bones not to be medieval but recent.Ruth and Harry share a daughter, Kate, 6. Harry’s wife Michelle allows Harry to see Kate but insists that Harry only see Ruth in a professional capacity. But because there are always bones being dug up in the Norwich area, their liaisons occur rather frequently, although not as often as either of them would like (even if neither will admit it to themselves). Members of Nelson’s crime team are also recurring characters, and in this story Judy Johnson, one of Nelson’s detective sergeants, plays a large role, as does her partner David (Cloughie) Clough. All of the characters have to juggle the demands of their professional duties with the needs of their private lives, especially because of the young children involved. This story also focuses on the homeless people of the area, called “rough sleepers.” One of them has gone missing, and a couple of others soon turn up stabbed in the heart. The detectives speculate that there could be some relationship between these occurrences and rumors of an underground refuge for homeless people in the old chalk mines. But none of the rough sleepers want to talk about it, because when they do, they end up dead.The book ends with a build-up of tension as the danger increases for those getting close to the truth. In addition, there are a couple of surprising cliff-hanger type developments in the characters’ personal lives. I can’t wait to see what happens next!Evaluation: I really like this series, with its well-drawn characters who seem very much like real people. Both Nelson and Ruth have wonderfully wry senses of humor. I also love that one comes away from these books learning a great deal more than how to commit a murder.
    • 4/5
      This is a really interesting book in the series. Ruth discovers a bone in one of her archaeological digs and this involves notifying the police. Meanwhile a homeless woman goes missing, a housewife and mother of 4 is missing, another homeless man is found stabbed on the steps of the police station and then Cluffs partner goes missing. It all centers around the underground site that is being developed as a shopping, dining and condo mall. There is a secondary storyline involving Ruth’s parents and one involving Nelson’s family.
    • 4/5
      I thoroughly enjoy this series about forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, who finds herself repeatedly teaming up with the police whenever some bones need deciphering. In this case, it's a partial skeleton found far beneath Norwich, England, on the site of a proposed restaurant/pub. Meanwhile, DCI Nelson and his team are investigating a series of murders of homeless persons, or rough sleepers as they are apparently more commonly referred to in the UK. Could the two cases be connected?I thought the mystery here was well done and the homeless community were portrayed very sympathetically but not sentimentally, if that makes sense. All the usual characters had their stories moved forward, and although I'm not a big fan of the latest development in Ruth's personal life I'm willing to wait and see how Griffiths works it out in the next book.
    • 5/5
      With The Chalk Pit, Elly Griffiths adds another highly satisfying and intelligent installment to her Ruth Galloway series. The Chalk Pit is the 9th book, and the characters and plot line remain outstanding, likeably quirky and original. The Chalk Pit centers around Norwich’s hidden underground tunnels and the discovery of human bones. Initially the bones are thought to be medieval, but Ruth quickly determines that they are recent, and as a result, DCI Nelson and Ruth must work to solve a murder. Meanwhile, women are going missing and homeless men (rough sleepers as they are called in Norwich) are being murdered. As the story unfolds, Ruth, DCI Nelson and the rest of the crew work to figure out whether these incidents are related and attempt to solve the various crimes.The characters in this book are simply fantastic. I love reading about them all and seeing them develop over time as the books continue. Ruth and DCI Nelson’s interactions are always interesting, and for a while I had high hopes that things might resolve themselves in a manner that I would like, but apparently that is for another book. However, that did not lessen my enjoyment of The Chalk Pit. Griffith’s portrayal of the homeless population is empathetic and kind, and the underground tunnels are an intriguing inclusion in the story.I highly recommend this entire series and specifically The Chalk Pit. Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      Yet again Elly Griffiths has woven her magic throughout a story of abandoned mining tunnels, murder, the homeless, and the personal lives of those trying to stop a killer. The archaeology and the history of the old chalk tunnels under Norwich are integral to the mystery, but-- as always with Griffiths-- it's the characters who make her Ruth Galloway books something special. Nelson is saddled with a boss whom he refers to as "She Who Must Be Obeyed." In so many books that I read, that's how the boss remains-- a one-note piece of cardboard. Not here in The Chalk Pit. Readers get to see a different side of Nelson's boss that just might change their opinions of her a bit. Griffiths also puts names and faces to several members of the homeless community in the Norwich area-- what they have to do and where they have to go in order to survive. It is a personal and much-needed look at a maligned segment of many countries' populations.Even in this serious mystery, we're treated to a bit of levity now and again, as when single mother Ruth mourns the days when she could leave the house with just her small purse and her cell phone-- something all mothers undoubtedly miss. The Chalk Pit's mystery I found to be a bit easier to solve this time around, and the solution did strain my credulity a bit, but this is still a very good read. Be forewarned: while the mystery is solved by book's end, it does end on a cliffhanger involving the personal lives of the two main characters. Fellow fans of this series are going to be as eager as I am for the next book to discover what happens. And if you've yet to sample this wonderful series, you need to do something about that, like getting the first book The Crossing Places. You've got a lot of fantastic reading in store for you!
    • 3/5
      This is my first Ruth Galloway novel. I'm always hesitant to jump into a series this far along, but I was pleasantly surprised to find this reads well as a stand-alone. The story starts out slow. In fact, the first half reads more like a drama than a mystery. The characters personal lives all intertwine with friendships and love interests. We spend a lot of time managing child care with various characters and obsessing over a love triangle. While some of this was interesting, for me the focus was too much on the drama and not enough on the mystery and police work.The murder mystery aspect is centered around underground tunnels and the homeless population, and we spend time with various members of the investigative team as they search for answers. The pacing picks up through the last third of the book, with the plot finally taking precedence over the personal dramas. I thought the plot had immense possibilities beyond the small amount of time allotted to the crimes. It's a fascinating concept that was overshadowed by the characters' personal, and often mundane, lives. That being said, the writing style is certainly engaging. And, given all the glowing reviews, I'm in the minority with my complaints. *I received an advance copy from the publisher, via Amazon Vine, in exchange for my honest review.*
    • 4/5
      Anthropologist Ruth Galloway and her sometime lover DCI Nelson return in Elly Griffiths’ ninth Ruth Galloway mystery ‘The Chalk Pit.’This time they’re searching in the chalk tunnels beneath the city of Norwich for missing women. But the true heart of the novel, is, as always, the relationship between Ruth and the married Nelson. The mystery merely serves as a vehicle for their story.However, the erstwhile plot does deserve at least quick notice. A local developer planning to build an underground restaurant in the chalk tunnels beneath the city discovers a human remains. Ruth is sent to investigate the bones and determine their age.Meanwhile homeless men are dying and women are going missing. Nelson and his team are charged with determining whether there’s a tie to the tunnels.I enjoyed my read. Ruth and Nelson do seem to have a strong attraction to each other, but Griffiths should be warned - this is a storyline that’s getting worn. It’s time to provide resolution. I enjoy a light mystery, but I’m not a fan of the continuous plot contrivances of soaps.[A free publisher's copy was provided the reviewer.]
    • 5/5
      4.5 One of my top five series, a series that I wait impatiently for the next offering. Adore the mix of archeology, police procedural and the personal lives of these oh, so interesting characters. The pace is always swift, and the plot intriguing.In this one though she outdid herself, as she tackles the homeless, the danger, lack of awareness and sympathy they endure daily. Well I guess in the UK they are called rough sleepers, here in the U.S we call them homeless, or if one is being politically correct, housing challenged. I have never before, though there may be some out there, read a book that made these unfortunate people so, sympathetic, so real, individuals with past lives and talents. Treating them with respect and care, making us take notice. It is these kind of details that make this such a great series.She applies the same talent to her characters, they are flawed but real. Dealing with many of the same things we deal with daily. In this book, I came to appreciate Judy, her quest to do right by those forgotten by most of society. As for Ruth, an incident that looks promising come to an abrupt and startling halt. Or does it? Well that's the cliffhanger for the next book, form which I will now wait impatiently. ARC from publisher.
    • 5/5
      The Chalk Pit – An Ingenious Detective SeriesElly Griffiths is one of the UK’s best crime writers and has the award to prove it, but one of her biggest fans is Val McDermid who knows a thing or two about crime writing. Her prose, and deft skill at being able to make the complicated seem simple is a thoroughly modern crime thriller with Dr Ruth Galloway as the forensic archaeological expert, and DCI Harry Nelson a battle-hardened detective and leader of a great team. Elly Griffiths, has created fantastic characters, a great backstory, plenty of human interest and blended them into an ingenious story.Bones have been found in one of the many chalk tunnels below Norwich and Dr Ruth Galloway has been called in to deal with the matter, and any excavation and testing of the bones. She notes that the bones been boiled which is not something medieval, but could be suggesting something far more serious.Nelson is investigating the murder of Aftershave Eddie, a rough sleeper who always sleeps on the steps of the station, is it coincidence that this has happened shortly after he had informed Nelson about Babs, one of the few female rough sleepers, who has gone missing. Ds Judy Johnson is leading the investigation into Babs and is getting to know a large number of rough-sleepers in Kings Lynn during the search. As another murdered victim who also happens to be another rough sleeper, appears, Nelson realises finding out information is going to be a lot tougher.When a local woman goes missing, while her children watch the TV and awaiting the arrival of their father, Nelson cannot find any clues to where she has gone. As this is happening in full view of the press he is aware that he is under pressure to get a result quickly.The relationship between Galloway and Nelson, who have a child together, but he is still married with two adult children, is complicated to say the least. Things will not get any easier for these two especially as they will come in to contact through their work, and their daughter, who still does not know she has older sisters. Galloway’s life gets more stressful, especially when her mother has a stroke and her daughter is asked to perform in a play.One thing that Elly Griffiths’ writing does do is not sacrifice her characterisation for her prose, but it aids it, and makes it even more enjoyable. This really is a fantastic crime series that continues to develop and getting better with every book.
    • 4/5
      Warning! Spoilers for the earlier books in the series...Another compelling installment in the series of crime fiction about Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist. Ruth is called in to investigate when bones are found underground, at the site of a planned restaurant development. Meanwhile her friends in the police try to work out why homeless people are going missing.For me, the most engaging part of this series is seeing Ruth's life change: her daughter is growing up, and there are some lovely references to children's books.