The first entry in the acclaimed Ruth Galloway series follows the “captivating”* archaeologist 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. 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 … 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 child s 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 Ruth s remote home?
*Louise Penny”
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I loved the characters in this book. I read the whole series in about a week and a half.
It’s hard to describe why I like The main character Ruth Galloway. I love her. She’s so herself. Content with her herself. Certainly not the most beautiful or fit. She’s so real. And I love that men find her attractive. But, I always love the setting in England and the beauty of the salt marshes. So empty and haunting yet so peaceful. Once I …
This book hooked me on the whole series. I couldn’t wait for the story to continue. The characters are so real with complicated personalities. Definitely not people with all the answers. They try to navigate the lives they have been dealt with love, bravery and a sense of humor. I would love to have Ruth as a friend. She is heroic in her own way.
Love this series. Flavia is one of my all time favorite characters!
Keeps you interested
Have read the whole series and can’t wait for the next one in May!
One of my favorite series, I have read every single one of them. This first book in the series is one of the best.
Really enjoying this series.
Interesting read if you are a lover of archeologists.
Reading this book requires a pot of hot tea and an Afghan—or Wellies and wool if you plan to go outside. The main character of this novel is the moors and marshes of the English coast, their impact on history, and their hidden secrets. Even here in Florida, the descriptions made me shiver.
I’m a sucker for good settings, and this in the ‘wild marshes’ of Norfolk England, is most unusual and very atmospheric. I also enjoyed and zany characters and original plot. Again, this is the first of a fun series.
A fair number of police procedurals feature archaeology in the plot, but this was more archaeology first and police investigation second. As such, it was an original first outing for what has become a popular series.
Archaeologist Ruth and policeman Nelson were believable characters and Ruth’s various acquaintances enthusiastically filled the …
I love this series!!! The main character is so realistically portrayed and her male “romantic” counterpart is very likable although a bit gruff at times. The plot is suspenseful – an excellent page-turner. The archaeology is fascinating – I’ve learned so much! I just hope the author can keep producing these. I’m nearly caught up with the series …
Well written, excellent characters. My favorite series.
I quite enjoyed this because Ruth isn’t your average detective. The stories are always interesting and this one drew me in. A slight knock down on recommendation as it’s in present tense which threw me for the first chapter, but I quickly got used to the style.
Even though there are quite a few characters introduced who could conceivably be our villain, I had guessed correctly about halfway through this one. It was still highly engrossing with its eerie archeological element, and I was impressed with how well the author turned the starkly harsh, isolated beauty of the Saltmarsh into a stand-alone …