When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway live...
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Aug 21, 2011
Bettie
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Jan 31, 2012
Jenn
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In The Crossing Places, Dr. Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist, teaching at North Norfolk University and then coming home to her house on the saltmarshes, a desolate area in Norfolk where the earth meets the sky. Her life is routine, full of her cat and good Ian Rankin novels, and she's content with it until DCI Harry Nelson requests her assistance. Lucy Downey disappeared a decade ago, but Nelson has continually received odd letters with archaeological, biblical, and mythological ref
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Jan 10, 2012
Julia
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This is the first in an ongoing series, about a forensic archeologist named Ruth Galloway. Single and in her late 30s, she teaches at a university in northern Norfolk. A local girl was abducted ten years ago and the case has never been solved, although DCI Harry Nelson periodically receives anonymous letters about the case. When bones are found in the local saltmarsh, Nelson thinks they may belong to the missing girl and asks Ruth's assistance in identifying them. The two begin to work together
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Jul 31, 2011
Susan
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First of a new series starring forensic archaeologist Doctor Ruth Galloway, The Crossing Places is infused with the haunting atmosphere of the Saltmarsh, a landscape at the edge of the sea that is half land, half water, and continually shifts with the tides, where Iron Age prehistoric inhabitants constructed a sacred henge circle.
Ruth makes her home in a cottage at the edge of the lonely and elemental Saltmarsh, and teaches at nearby University of North Norfolk. She enjoys her solitude and the c More...
Ruth makes her home in a cottage at the edge of the lonely and elemental Saltmarsh, and teaches at nearby University of North Norfolk. She enjoys her solitude and the c More...
Jun 28, 2011
Suzanne
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I love a good UK mystery suspense novel, so when I came across a review for The Janus Stone, I thought it best to start with The Crossing Places. I was able to get right into the scene and the characters from the get-go. I wasn't at all bothered by the fact that it was written in present tense, and in fact, didn't pick up on it until I read through some other reviews. I loved the straightforward personality of Ruth. She was very human, easy to relate to, despite the fact that I have little i
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Jun 24, 2011
Mary
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Like its sequel, "The Janus Stone", this is an excellent mystery, well-plotted and with a vivid setting and intriguing characters. It also shares the sequel's weaknesses - it's difficult to write a long narrative in present tense, first person, and Griffiths does it as well as anyone, but cannot help but lapse in a few places. It's not a point of view I'm comfortable with; I find it distancing and distracting. It says a lot for the quality of Griffith's writing that I admire her books
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Jun 05, 2011
Laisterdyke
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This is Elly Griffiths' first book about Ruth Galloway - forensic archaeologist - who teaches at North Norfolk University, lives on the saltmarshes on the edge of the world with her cat, and somehow gets caught up in a terrifying collection of crimes and criminals. If you like Phil Rickman's 'Merrily' books, or you like the sound of the Ice King, you'll love this. Once you've got over the slightly unusual way it's written (basically, it's written in the present tense - which works well, but need
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May 12, 2011
Marleen
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Ruth Galloway is an archeologist living in a remote, wild place called Saltmarsh where she's perfectly happy with just the company of her two cats.
Her peace and quiet is disturbed when she's asked by DCI Harry Nelson to investigate bones which have been found on the marsh. The bones turn out to belong to a child, but much to Nelson's disappointment they are also hundreds of years old. Nelson had hoped the bones would belong to a girl who disappeared 10 years ago, a case he never managed to More...
Her peace and quiet is disturbed when she's asked by DCI Harry Nelson to investigate bones which have been found on the marsh. The bones turn out to belong to a child, but much to Nelson's disappointment they are also hundreds of years old. Nelson had hoped the bones would belong to a girl who disappeared 10 years ago, a case he never managed to More...
Nov 24, 2010
Jennifer
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Probably more of a 3 1/2, but I'll take off a half star because of the present tense (love it in reality - not so much in my fiction...). The character of Ruth Galloway is quite believable - in fact, I identify with her in too many ways. We're both overweight, single, and nearing the big 4-0. So, in other words, I could completely relate. I liked the idea that she was more down-to-earth and intellectual; she wasn't one to get into hysterics or let emotions take control, no matter what showed up
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Mar 24, 2010
Linda
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Ruth Galloway is not your typical literary heroine. For one thing, she's middle aged and overweight, and her last romantic attachment ended ten years ago. Now she's developed into a first rate archaeologist, specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages. The police have sought her assistance with the identification of a skeleton discovered in the salt marsh near her remote Norfolk cottage, fearing that the remains are those of a missing little girl. Ruth also reviews a series of sinister letters that
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Feb 25, 2010
Jean
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Another mystery writer - I forget where I heard about her. She writes about an area in Norfolk, England, a saltmarsh where Ruth Galloway, a forensic archeologistt, finds some Iron Age bones. But the Detective who takes Ruth to the bones is hoping for a more recent set of bones - of a young girl who disappeared 10 years ago.
The book is written in the present tense, which was distracting. I'm not sure why it was necessary, and I don't usually like books in present tense, but I did More...
The book is written in the present tense, which was distracting. I'm not sure why it was necessary, and I don't usually like books in present tense, but I did More...
Feb 03, 2010
Erin
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Against the eerie backdrop of the Saltmarsh—a dangerous, desolate stretch of coastline that’s not quite earth, not quite sea—forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway stirs up fears and passions among the living even as she unearths ancient remains.
Although she’ll admit to being a walking cliché—she’s an overweight, unmarried, cat-loving academic—Ruth Galloway actually defies such slender classification. She’s an uncommon heroine whose acute insight, wry humor, and depth of feeling make h More...
Although she’ll admit to being a walking cliché—she’s an overweight, unmarried, cat-loving academic—Ruth Galloway actually defies such slender classification. She’s an uncommon heroine whose acute insight, wry humor, and depth of feeling make h More...
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Jan 16, 2010
Nicole
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THE CROSSING PLACES marks the beginning of a captivating new crime series featuring an irresistible heroine.
I actually took my time reading this book, as I wanted to relish it, and still got thru it in 3 days! The characters were so well evolved and I loved it that the heroine was older (40s) and unabashed about it, yet was satisfied with her life and placement within the University she works for. The sexual chemistry between her and Det. Nelson was totally believable and flowed n More...
I actually took my time reading this book, as I wanted to relish it, and still got thru it in 3 days! The characters were so well evolved and I loved it that the heroine was older (40s) and unabashed about it, yet was satisfied with her life and placement within the University she works for. The sexual chemistry between her and Det. Nelson was totally believable and flowed n More...
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Jan 04, 2010
LJ
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First Sentence: They wait for the tide and set out at first light.
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a single, overweight woman who lives with her two cats on the edge of the Saltmarsh. DCI Harry Nelson asks for her help when human bones are found on a nearby beach. Nelson is haunted by the case of Lucy Downey, a young girl who disappeared ten years ago. A second child now disappears. Nelson believes the two cases are linked.
It is always a treat to start a book by an aut More...
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a single, overweight woman who lives with her two cats on the edge of the Saltmarsh. DCI Harry Nelson asks for her help when human bones are found on a nearby beach. Nelson is haunted by the case of Lucy Downey, a young girl who disappeared ten years ago. A second child now disappears. Nelson believes the two cases are linked.
It is always a treat to start a book by an aut More...
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Dec 02, 2009
Susan
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Ruth Galloway likes living near the lonely salt marsh. It suits her personality as an introvert who gains her strength from aloneness. Much to the dismay of her parents, friends and former lovers, she is content to live alone with her cats. She is her own person and enjoys it. Sometimes she wonders if there should be more for her in life, but usually it is because of her parents and friends.
An archaeology professor, getting involved in a murder mystery was not in her plan, but she f More...
An archaeology professor, getting involved in a murder mystery was not in her plan, but she f More...
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Jan 19, 2012
Mary
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I have read these books in reverse order, stupidly, so it did give away some of the suspense of this one. I knew at least one person who was not involved in the murder, but it still did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. There are some laugh out loud lines in the book, it is peppered with some great wit. Ruth is a real woman, she worries about her weight (as we all do), she is 12 and a half stone, not thin and fabulous as are most heroines, Detective Harry Nelson is happily married an
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Oct 11, 2011
Blair
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The Crossing Places was an incredibly quick and easy read. The first in a series of mystery/thriller novels based around the character of forensic archaelogist Dr Ruth Galloway, this book begins with the disappearance of a child on the gloomy Norfolk coast, a case which seems to mirror that of a still-missing girl from ten years before. When a body is dug up, police suspect it's the first girl, but it turns out to be an Iron Age sacrifice, preserved by the peat. This finding brings Ruth into the
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Jul 03, 2010
Shell
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Ruth Galloway lives with her 2 beloved cats in a remote house on the salt marshes near
Norfolk. She loves to look out of her window and see the open land and does not feel in the least bit nervous about having very few neighbours. When she is asked by the police to give her professional oppinion on the age of some recently discovered bones, she becomes interested and involved in the case of 2 missing local girls.
Ruth Galloway is a great new addition to the mystery More...
Norfolk. She loves to look out of her window and see the open land and does not feel in the least bit nervous about having very few neighbours. When she is asked by the police to give her professional oppinion on the age of some recently discovered bones, she becomes interested and involved in the case of 2 missing local girls.
Ruth Galloway is a great new addition to the mystery More...
May 20, 2010
Bernadette
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When some bones are discovered in marshland at Norfolk DCI Harry Nelson calls on the expertise of forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway to date them. Nelson is hoping they are the bones of a child who disappeared 10 years previously in a case that still haunts him. Disappointingly for Harry, though excitingly for Ruth, the bones turn out to be of an Iron Age girl and she is able to initiate a new archaeological dig in the marshes. Based on his assessment that Ruth is smart and probably knowledgea
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Apr 14, 2010
Cheryl
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Apr 07, 2011
Dana
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A rare event occurred tonight, I finished a book, by a British author, that I thoroughly enjoyed. I love a mystery novel that keeps me guessing until the author is ready to start unravelling the plot for me. This is such a book. The heroine is just a fantastic lady. Someone that I would like to hang out with. Ruth Galloway is not that young, overweight and lives on the marsh with her cats. She is also independent, smart, sensitive, sexy and fun. As an archaeologist, Ruth is called in when
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Feb 16, 2010
Leslie
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Dec 05, 2009
J.R.
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When a child’s bones are found on a desolate Norfolk beach, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls on archaeologist Ruth Galloway for help. The bones turn out to be several thousand years old, but their discovery soon involves Ruth in Nelson’s desperate search for a child missing 10 years. The case becomes even more pressing when another child disappears.
Since the disappearance of the first girl, Nelson has been receiving strange letters with references to ritual sacrific More...
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Sep 28, 2011
Greg
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Elly Griffiths has created one of my favorite mystery characters in Ruth Galloway. She's smart and aggressive. While she appears very self-confident, especially in her field of archaeology, she has her own insecurities. I found it really enlightening the way she grew as a character, most notably in her relationship with her parents. Harry Nelson, the other main character and Ruth's foil (and possible love interest) was drawn equally well. I'm sure we've all known his type: outwardly gruff men wh
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Jan 09, 2010
Amanda
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In this novel Ruth Galloway, An expert in archeology, Gets pulled into the dissapearance of two small children. When Ruth is called down to part of the salt marsh by where she lives to date a body that is found, she discovers an Iron age body. She questions Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson why he had called her to investigate the body. With his reply Ruth finds herself intrigued. Harry Nelson was hoping it was the body of a girl that has been missing for a decade. Mean while another girl g
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Dec 16, 2011
Sam
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I can’t quite remember who recommended this book. I know I read about it on a forum and thought it sounded worth a read. The same of it is if I could remember I would like to thank them as this book is well worth any recommendation. For the first novel from the writer it shows a maturity some writers take ages to achieve. The characters are well designed and have the perfect amount of human flaws in them. The book has an easy story line which is east to follow unlike some more in-depth crim
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Jan 07, 2010
Ryan
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Per FTC Regulations, I should mention that I received this book via Goodreads.com as a First Reads Participant. I am not receiving any other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are of my own.
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"The Crossing Places" is the debut novel by British author Elly Griffiths. The novel's storyline is based around a woman named Ruth Galloway, who is an archaeologist as well as a professor at the local University. She is More...
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"The Crossing Places" is the debut novel by British author Elly Griffiths. The novel's storyline is based around a woman named Ruth Galloway, who is an archaeologist as well as a professor at the local University. She is More...
Nov 14, 2011
Spuddie
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This first book in series featuring forensic archaeologist and professor Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson started off with a real bang and sucked me into the story right away. Bones have been found in the salt marsh near King's Lynn and Nelson has been led to Ruth to check them out. He believes they might be the bones of a young girl who went missing 10 years previously. They end up being about 2000 years old, but when another girl goes missing in similar circumstances, and Ruth's cat is bruta
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Aug 14, 2011
Cynthia
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Higher Learning Meets Street Smarts
I loved the atmosphere in this book. It was set in Norwich which is on the central eastern coast of Britain. There’s a sacred site that was created by Iron Age people which consists of a wooden circle near the salt marsh overlooking the sea and a long promenade leading inland. Modern folks have built their houses without regard or maybe even awareness of the site so it’s not too surprising when Iron Age and modern civilizations encroach on one an More...
I loved the atmosphere in this book. It was set in Norwich which is on the central eastern coast of Britain. There’s a sacred site that was created by Iron Age people which consists of a wooden circle near the salt marsh overlooking the sea and a long promenade leading inland. Modern folks have built their houses without regard or maybe even awareness of the site so it’s not too surprising when Iron Age and modern civilizations encroach on one an More...
Aug 11, 2010
Boof
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Despite being a lover of crime fiction I hadn’t heard of this book or author before I was invited to go to the Harrogate Crime Fiction Awards last month. Elly’s book The Crossing Places had been shortlisted along with people like Ian Rankin and Mark Billingham and it was what she said on stage about her book having many layers that piqued my interest. What an acolade to have your book nominated and then shortlisted for such a high profile event as this, and I love that there was two debut author
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