Series Read: Griffiths, Elly - Ruth Galloway Series; Informal Buddy Read: Starts November 24, 2014

[Michelle]

I didn't have a chance to start until tonight. I'm just reading now, so I will come back and chat with you about it too, Laura.

[Michelle]

Up to chapter 9
Similar to the first book in a lot of ways--definitely a formula, not that it is a bad thing.
(view spoiler)[Ruth is still down on herself for her weight. Seriously, girl, men clearly are attracted to you. Be confident! Surprised that Cathbad is back in this one. I didn't expect him to be a recurring character.

More dead kids! And dead animals. Not loving that.

Harry bugs me. Is he happily married, or not? What will come of Ruth's pregnancy? Can't figure out where the author is going with this long-term storyline.
(hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I agree Michelle, I was very (view spoiler)[ surprised to see Cathbad back.
Harry is interesting and I'm not sure where this is going either. It is an interesting storyline to start so early in the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "I didn't have a chance to start until tonight. I'm just reading now, so I will come back and chat with you about it too, Laura."

thanks, Michelle & Karen!

[Michelle]

Up to chapter 12
(view spoiler)[How did Cathbad guess she was pregnant with Nelson's baby?? Maybe he really is a druid.

I still think Shona is a lousy friend. I'm not sure what Ruth sees in her besides a cat sitter.

My early guess for the cat killer: the missing 5-year-old girl. She is a crazy sociopath and her big brother killed her, then disappeared into the night. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Michelle - Cathbad seems to have a pretty good "sixth sense" about things.
Shona is pretty lousy, but seems to be the only friend she has. which is a bit sad.

[Cynthia]

Karen wrote: "Michelle - Cathbad seems to have a pretty good "sixth sense" about things.
Shona is pretty lousy, but seems to be the only friend she has. which is a bit sad."

I think it's shared history more than shared interests that keep Shona and Ruth together. It's comforting to have someone that's known you a long time around.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's true, but they aren't always the best kind of friends to have. Shona doesn't seem that interested in Ruth. Maybe she will change over time

[Michelle]

Up to chapter 23
(view spoiler)[I am so mad at Harry. I just don't understand his reaction to his marriage, Ruth's baby, the future. Gah! She should cut him out completely and let Cathbad be her nanny.

And now that Michelle knows Ruth is pregnant and wants to help? No good can come of this. None. So many people are going to get hurt over this.

I guess I was way off about the killer and the body. I love guessing along to way just to see how right or wrong I am!
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapter 1-4

(view spoiler)[poor Clough... gets a passing mention about his breakup with Trace. I didn't think they were a good fit anyway!
Ruth is on her way to being wrapped up into another case

(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapter 5-13
(view spoiler)[
Did Judy name her baby boy after Cathabad or after a member of her husband's family? (as he seems to think)

Most times I'm left with the impression that Ruth is still attracted to Nelson and Nelson is trying to make his marriage work. I think in his own weird way Nelson is still attracted to Ruth. I am still trying to figure out where Griffiths is going with their relationship.

I love how Cathabad is playing a prominent role in Ruth's life as her friend and Kate's godfather. The misconceptions about Cathabad being her husband and Kate's dad are funny. When I go for a walk with my brother and nephew we often get the same thing.... people assume we are married rather than brother and sister. We've had people say " oh what a beautiful family" I have tried to correct them but as my brother says.. its just easier to not explain (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Gaah! I slowed down to wait for Rebecca, and now I so far away from the two of you that I'm all alone!!!

I need to finish #4 tonight and get started on #5. To be honest, I've had some trouble getting into it. I suppose the best thing is to just plug on. You did say the 2nd half was better. I'm taking your word.

[Rebecca]

Man I need to hurry it up. #4 will be the next book I get to (hopefully).

[Laura]

Finished

(view spoiler)[
there were so many possibilities of who the murderer could be that I had no idea. I thought it was Clayton and perhaps his wife .. until Clayton was also murdered!

I really liked how Ruth and Cathabad's relationship grew and I'm a little sad that he decided to stay behind. It was no surprise that Ruth and Max are no longer together. I think eventually... Ruth and Nelson will be together.
I don't want to read anymore about Kate being in trouble (hide spoiler)]

@Cynthia.. the 2nd half was much better than the first.
@Cynthia & Rebecca, I am back to work on Monday and real life kicks in once again.. and too many buddy reads, I am sure you will have no trouble catching up! They are fairly quick reads.

[Laura]

chapters 1-10

(view spoiler)[
Nelson is suspicious about Ruth and already suspects she may be pregnant.
I was disappointed to see that Ruth's parents were not very supportive when she told them she was pregnant. I am still trying to figure out if the bones are from the missing kids or something else entirely.
I think Griffith has a thing for cats being killed. Poor kitties!
Griffiths' books are quick, easy reads.
(hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Reading The House at Sea's End. Up to chapter 10.

(view spoiler)[I don't like this one as much as the other two. The plot isn't drawing me in very well.

Now I am really feeling bad for Michelle and not loving Nelson. I just can't see how this storyline is resolved to my satisfaction. Everyone loses in this scenario.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "
Up to chapter 9
Similar to the first book in a lot of ways--definitely a formula, not that it is a bad thing.
Ruth is still down on herself for her weight. Ser..."

(view spoiler)[
I am not a fan of the dead kids and cats either! Enough is enough

I think eventually Ruth is going to be either by herself ( which I 'm ok with, or with a new character that we haven't been introduced to yet.

Harry to me.. seems unhappily married, but I do not want him to be Ruth.. just as colleagues and friends.
(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

@Laura. I agree! (view spoiler)[ colleagues and friends only. I would rather see Ruth with someone completely new. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Michelle, are you liking The House at Sea's End any more than your last post?

[Michelle]

Laura wrote: "Michelle, are you liking The House at Sea's End any more than your last post?"

I think I liked it the least of the three books. (view spoiler)[I like the archaeology tie-in, and I like the mysteries. I even like Cathbad and Judy. My main issue with this series is I don't like Harry. I think he is a jerk, and I can't imagine what either woman sees in him. And the rampant infidelity at every turn is driving me crazy. Is no one faithful in their town? It bugs me. Everyone is selfish. (Rant over--I give the mystery a B- this time. I just didn't care about the German soldiers or the British ones in the past.) (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@ Michelle
(view spoiler)[
All good points. I agree with you. Though I am hooked and want to see how it all ends. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapter 19
(view spoiler)[
Harry just makes me frustrated in this chapter.. so you care if Ruth dies, you care if something happens to the baby. You want to help Ruth, but you aren't going to tell Michelle! Man up!!!

I haven't figured out who wants to hurt/scare Ruth and why. Leaving her name in blood at Max's dig site is creepy. Its not Max.. too predictable. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

chapter 24
(view spoiler)[
I may not like the infidelity, but I certainly love the "wow" moments! I didn't see that coming at all. Max is Martin the little boy who ran away (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
I gave it a 3*
(view spoiler)[
Another action packed ending. How does Cathabad always know when Ruth is in trouble? I think Harry jumps in the water because of his feelings for both Ruth and his unborn daughter.

Harry acts like a typical father when he catches his daughter about to have sex. I thought Michelle was very mature in her outlook to this by inviting him to dinner. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

I am starting chapter 23 in .
(view spoiler)[At least Ruth finally slept with someone besides Nelson. Seems like it will be unfair to Max, though, because she can't. stop. thinking. about. Harry.

Michelle finding out about Kate has created so much drama and tension that it is taking away from the mystery and this one is barely about archaeology at all! Frustrating. Not getting into this plot. I keep hoping the mystery will get better instead of this series being about infidelity, babies, and Ruth feeling like she is overweight and unworthy of the world. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Michelle wrote: "I am starting chapter 23 in .

(view spoiler)[ it does get better Michelle.. the last half shifts toward solving the mystery and less on the craziness,although it is a weird mystery.

Max is definitely getting the shitty end of the stick. He seems to genuinely care for Ruth but as you say she can't stop thinking about Harry. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Michelle wrote: "I am starting chapter 23 in ..."

(view spoiler)[ The mystery is unfolding slowly, but the pace seems to have picked up in the last couple of chapters.

I don't mind the stuff about Ruth's personal life. Compared to other books with male MCs, I think at least Ruth's life and her insecurities are something I can relate to. You know Ruth is going to the hospital when she finds out about Harry. That won't go over with Michelle. Do you think Michelle is catting about?

I was surprised that Danforth died. I thought for sure that the horses were somehow tied into the drugs. Especially after they mentioned finding hay with some drugs. I thought the threatening letters to the first dead guy could be from a drug dealer whose turf they've stepped on. I suppose it could be Randolph somehow tied up in it. He's a spoiled do nothing and running drugs for money would certainly suit him.
(hide spoiler)]
Back to reading!

[Cynthia]

Done!!! I thought it was great. I wasn't entirely fooled, but I wasn't entirely wrong, and that's better than figuring it all out early on.

(view spoiler)[
I think Harry's brush with death is going to change something with him, as it Ruth's new relationship. I can't wait to read the next one! (hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

I started The House at Sea's End last night, and this one doesn't seem to be moving quite as quickly for me as the first two.



Prologue - Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[Interesting thing, that, when Harry answered the question as to how many children he had and Michelle corrected him. She obviously doesn't know yet about the baby he and Ruth have. That can't play out good.

Trace and Cluff (sp??) seem to be very difficult. I wonder how these two will fit into the whole scheme of things.

I wonder too, just how recent the bones are. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

jingles wrote: "I started The House at Sea's End last night, and this one doesn't seem to be moving quite as quickly for me as the first two.



Prologue - ..."

(view spoiler)[
I picked up on that reference to 3 daughters as well Jingles. (hide spoiler)]
Keep reading!! It gets better

[Laura]

Cynthia wrote: "D
(view spoiler)[I like trying to figure it out too , I prefer not to figure it out too soon!

Maybe Harry will be less obnoxious?? lol... probably not!! Maybe softer?? (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

@ Laura - That would be nice! I didn't pick up book 5 at the library today because I have so many buddy reads piled up. I hope to start it in a week or so.

[Laura]

Cynthia wrote: "@ Laura - That would be nice! I didn't pick up book 5 at the library today because I have so many buddy reads piled up. I hope to start it in a week or so."

I have book 6, but didn't start it yet. Shelia, is probably (im)patiently waiting for us!! Jingles and Michelle may be caught up by then!
I will do my best to wait.. I am wanting to read Walt (Longmire) a bit more right now than Ruth so you may be safe.

[Cynthia]

Yes, she is! She's been very patient, I think. When I finish my 'currently reading' I'll check out the next book. I need to get these 3 BRs done.

[Michelle]

I'm ready to start A Dying Fall, but I am trying to finish some of the challenges I am in this month so I may not get to it for a couple of weeks.

[jingles]

Oh my goodness....well, I got a little sidetracked (imagine that!), but was able to get through a few more chapters today.

The House at Sea's End


Chapter 6 - 15

(view spoiler)[I think I've said this before, but this whole thing between Ruth, Nelson and their little baby, Kate is just a big mess! Not sure how that's going to end up. And Michelle, she still doesn't even suspect anything at this point. Hmmm...bad situation, that.

Lots of people turning up dead all of a sudden. I wonder what Wycliff's (sp??) connection is? He lied to Harry about seeing his grandfather at least once a week. His grandfather is also one of the people who dies suddenly.

Jack Hastings seems kind of strange. Wonder what is going on there.

If I hear "Jesus wept" one more time, I might throw this ipod across the room. It's time for a new swear word! I don't care what it is, but change needs to happen. This particular problem reminds me of the same thing that goes on with the Jack Reacher series and the phrase - "no doubt about it".

It's interesting that this whole thing somehow ties to Harry's boss's grandfather (Wycliff). (hide spoiler)]

I'll pick it up again tomorrow :)

[Michelle]

@jingles
(view spoiler)[Oh, seriously, the whole "Jesus wept" thing was driving me batty, too. Over it. Find something else to say.

And the mess with Kate, Ruth, Nelson and Michelle? No place to end up but heartache with it.
(hide spoiler)]

[jingles]

I finally finished The House at Sea's End over the weekend, and I must say, I'm glad it's over.


This one was a bit of a disappointment.

Chapter 15 - End

(view spoiler)[It all seemed so contrived to me. And the ending with things between Nelson, Ruth, Michelle, and the baby. Seriously? I know this is fiction, so some sense of suspending disbelief is required, but this was just way to easy a way out for the author.

All in all, it was a 3 star read for me, and I had to fight with myself about that. I think I'll leave book 4 alone for awhile. (hide spoiler)]

@ Michelle, (view spoiler)[I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one that was annoyed with that saying the same old thing over and over. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Jingles - (view spoiler)[ I agree with you about this book. It definitely was my least favorite of the first 3 I read. The Nelson/Ruth/baby/Michelle thing is being so drawn out and doesn't really feel realistic to me. I'm hoping this situation changes or something gets better in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Michelle wrote: "I'm ready to start A Dying Fall, but I am trying to finish some of the challenges I am in this month so I may not get to it for a couple of weeks."

I picked up A Dying Fall yesterday, so I can start if/when anyone's ready.

[Cynthia]

Finished (view spoiler)[
I was a little let down with this one. The mystery was slow to unfold, not a lot of tension there, either. I didn't connect with either Pendragon or Dan, so cared little about finding out what happened.

I felt like the time was too divided between the mystery and Ruth's personal life, with neither one getting the time it deserved. The only movement forward was Cathbad moving to Pendle Hill. If the mysteries are going to be so dull, at least the relationships could have some depth. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Ahh ok I am trying to catch up!

I'm starting A Room Full of Bones tonight!

I just wish I could stop everything and read my huge pile of books

[Laura]

Cynthia wrote: " Finished
I was a little let down with this one."

(view spoiler)[
Cathabad moving was the part I didn't like. I have no idea where she is going with the Nelson/Ruth relationship.

(hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Up through chapter 6

(view spoiler)[ So the author has skipped ahead a bit in the Nelson/Ruth/Michelle saga. Though I'm sad that it didn't turn out well for Kate, I am kind of glad that it's all in the open now. I'm sure Nelson will still sneak around and unfortunately I'm sure he'll still lie to his wife. There's no way he can just ignore Kate. I wonder if his wife will give up on him.

As for the mystery. The Australian neighbor is interesting, but I have a feeling it's a red-herring. I bet the murder had more to do with the drugs and less with the heads, but we shall see. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

UP to page 105.

Not too much has happened yet. But mostly I love Cathbad and wish I could be his friend (it's always nice to have a crazy/guardian angel friend)>

[Rebecca]

Up through Chapter 23


Ooh I have an idea about the drug thing. (view spoiler)[I bet they are somehow bringing in the drugs in the stomachs of the horses, which is why they said their stomachs look strange. Also Billy denied having heard of the horse Fancy before. I bet old Len is in league with the museum guy getting drugs in. That would also account for the straw found with the drugs! (hide spoiler)]

Also (view spoiler)[ obviously something is going on with the people that were there for the coffin opening. I think maybe someone (Caroline?) is intentionally getting them sick for some reason. It's very strange though and I can't quite figure it out. (hide spoiler)]

[Rosina]

Hey Rebecca. I love cathbad too. Big e teddy bear actually also hagrid in HP. I found first part slow and then it picked up. I have the next in series and will probably start by mid feb.

[Laura]

RebeccaS wrote: "

Up through Chapter 23


Ooh I have an idea about the drug thing. [spoilers removed]

Also [spoilers removed]"
Do you like this one Rebecca? I'm starting the next one soon!

[Rebecca]

I like this one. It's gotten better as the story has developed a little. I'm almost to the end and so much is going on, I don't want to stop reading.

[Laura]

Shelia are you ready to start ?? I waited to try and let the others catch up but my copy goes back on Monday and I have already renewed it once. I plan on starting this tomorrow night after work!