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

[Sheila]

Got it Laura. I'll start The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths tomorrow. It will be my reward after hubby and I do our taxes, haha.

Thanks for giving me the heads up Laura. I'll post a spoiler at about 25%. Does that work for you?

[Laura]

wonderful! Storm day for me, stuck in the driveway and my neighbour helped me back in the driveway.I love reading days!!! (hehe the housework can wait until tomorrow!)




chapter 1-3(view spoiler)[I didn't care for the first chapter and started this a couple of times, and discarded it. I plowed through and this one is captivating the more you read.
This one is already envoking all kinds of emotions. (hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Laura wrote: "wonderful! Storm day for me, stuck in the driveway and my neighbour helped me back in the driveway.I love reading days!!! (hehe the housework can wait until tomorrow!)


[bookcover:The Outcast Dead..."

As soon as I finish taxes here I will get started Laura. We hit a snafu when the printer gave me an out of ink message.

Snowdays are the best. I actually got stuck in a driveway yesterday but persistent rocking got me out. My own stupidity there.

[Laura]

I'm not too far in. I did some baking this morning, you'll catch up in no time! I find once you start and get engrossed in Ruth's story it takes no time to finish the book!

[Sheila]

Laura wrote: "wonderful! Storm day for me, stuck in the driveway and my neighbour helped me back in the driveway.I love reading days!!! (hehe the housework can wait until tomorrow!)


The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

Chapter 1 - 3

(view spoiler)[

I didn't think it started badly Laura. I love this series.

We have Ruth making a possibly astounding discovery followed by her coworker/boss Phil pouncing on it ready to take the credit and get all the publicity HE can possibly get.

We have Ruth feeling left out when her coworkers all get together at the pub for drinks and poor Ruth having to pick up her daughter from daycare and go home to a lonely isolated house.

Then you have DCI Harry Nelson wishing he could go home to an empty house and wondering what Ruth is doing.

Then we have the 2 different possible mother killers. The one Ruth may have unearthed from history/legend and the possible Munchausen's mother that Harry is interviewing.

BTW I actually tried to look up to see if there was a Mother Hook in history. All I came up with was Captain Hooks mother from Peter Pan.

Onward

(hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

Chapter 4-10

(view spoiler)[

I just think it is so bizarre that Nelson's wife Michelle interacts with Ruth and Kate. I certainly wouldn't be that understanding.

I wonder why Cathbad is so convinced that Liz is innocent. Liz's demeanor certainly is odd in my opinion considering she has lost 3 children. I she didn't smother David, I wonder who did? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: " The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths

Chapter 4-10


(view spoiler)[
its a weird complicated situation isn't it between the 3 of them?
Griffith throws out so many red herrings I can't tell if Liz murdered her own children or not. It certainly is very fishy.
(hide spoiler)]
We will have fun figuring it out together, Shelia!

up to chapter 13
(view spoiler)[
Ruth is being filmed!! I love it!
I think there are sparks on Ruth's side towards Frank (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "Laura wrote: "wonderful! Storm day for me, stuck in the driveway and my neighbour helped me back in the driveway.I love reading days!!! (hehe the housework can wait until tomorrow!)


[bookcover:Th..."
(view spoiler)[
Phil and I would not get along. His character annoys me! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

up to chapter 21
(view spoiler)[
it was a little scary when Ruth couldn't find Kate. Scarier when Liz's husband snuck in and had Kate.

The husband is now suspected and I can't decide if he killed his boys or his wife did. Still trying to figure out Justine the childminder and Cathabad's daughter in all of this.

Simon, Ruth 's brother is coming for a visit? Should be interesting. Perhaps he needs a break from the wife, maybe a troubled marriage.

Griffith has surprised me with the minimal interaction between Nelson and Ruth... perhaps foreshadowing there will be no relationship?
(hide spoiler)]

Now I can't put it down and want to know how it all ends.

[Sheila]

wowza, you are leaving me in your dust Laura!

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "wowza, you are leaving me in your dust Laura!"

its good Shelia!

[Cynthia]

I'm only on Chapter Four
(view spoiler)[ I can't help but think about the British baby farmers like the Angel Maker ( I don't know her real name). She took in babies from desperate women, promising to care for them for a fee and then she killed them and kept the money.

Baby farming was more common in Victorian Britain than in the U.S., but I believe we also had a couple that were baby farmers and eventually started killing the babies.

I wonder why we didn't have more baby farming over here? We certainly had our share of poor and desperate people during that time period. Interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Rosina]

I'm #7 on the holds list. Probably won't get to this for 2 months. :(

[Sheila]

Laura and Cynthia I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be tied up all day so won't be able to post, but never fear I am still reading. I'm on chapter 19 now and as always am loving the book.

I agree Laura that there isn't much interaction between R and N but they are both thinking about one another. Love this series. Next book due out in May I believe.

Love that Kate speed dialed Dada!

There seems to be a major theme throughout this book regarding parentage. Have you noticed? Cathbad, Nelson, shona, Ruth, The Donaldsons?

[Laura]

Finished
I liked this one. I gave it a 3*.
(view spoiler)[
I liked that both Clough and Judy were given bigger roles to play in this one. Griffith doesn't seem to give happily ever afters in her relationships between characters but I am happy that Judy and Cathabad finally are together. I also liked that Griffith didn't touch upon Ruth and Nelson's relationship so much in this one. Maybe, Ruth is finally moving on?

I didn't like that Liz and the death of her babies was forefront and then seemed to go on the back burner.
I didn't figure out too early who the Childminder was. (hide spoiler)]
Now we have to wait until May for the next Ruth installment!

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "Laura and Cynthia I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be tied up all day so won't be able to post, but never fear I am still reading. I'm on chapter 19 now and as always am loving the ..."

(view spoiler)[
Yes I loved that she speed dialed Nelson too! Kate is beginning to get her own little personality now that she is older! (hide spoiler)]
I have enjoyed this series very much.. May seems like so far away to wait for the next book

[Laura]

No worries Shelia!

Shelia and Cynthia have you read by Elly Griffiths? I am going to see if my library has it and see how it is in comparison to the Galloway series.

[Sheila]

Laura wrote: "No worries Shelia!

Shelia and Cynthia have you read by Elly Griffiths? I am going to see if my library has it and see how it is in comparison to the Galloway ..."

They probably won't have it.

Expected publication: May 19th 2015

You only gave 3 stars to the current one?

Thanks for doing the buddy read with us Laura. You are certainly a speed demon.

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "Laura wrote: "No worries Shelia!

Shelia and Cynthia have you read by Elly Griffiths? I am going to see if my library has it and see how it is in comparison to..."

I am getting more stingy with my ratings. I definitely liked it and the whole series. Thanks for being so patient and waiting for us to read it with you Shelia!!

[Cynthia]

Laura wrote: "No worries Shelia!

Shelia and Cynthia have you read by Elly Griffiths? I am going to see if my library has it and see how it is in comparison to the Galloway ..."


I thought that The Ghost Fields was the next Ruth Galloway book? (after The Outcast Dead). I've requested my library to purchase, and I think they will since they have the first six.

[Cynthia]

I had to find my Kindle so I could check what chapter I was on!

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[I'm so glad we're learning a bit about Tim in this book. I liked him in the last one, and it's great he's in Norfolk now.

What's up with Cathbad's daughter? I'm completely suspicious about her. Not that I think she's involved in murder, that would devastate Cathbad. I just think it's odd that she shows up and Boom! staying with Nelson. She seems to be manipulating the players. Calling the husband and telling him where Ruth lives? That's crossing a line and driving a block past.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm liking this one better than Dying Fall, which I gave only 3 stars.

[Cynthia]

Laura, You're so lucky! The next one doesn't come out until September here in the states.

I've finished, and given it 5 stars. It's the best of the Ruth Galloway books so far, IMHO. A great balance between the personal and the mystery.
(view spoiler)[
I like that the Ruth/Nelson relationship is coming to a natural state. They have a child, but aren't in a relationship. All of this time spent on them is unproductive.

Does anyone else think that Michelle may be considering stepping out on Nelson? What's up with her giving Tim the sexy eye at the pool?

I thought Liz was guilty all along, but I was wrong in that I thought she killed all three children. If husband (I can't hold his name in my head!) had a long history of stepping out, which it seems like he did, then she could have been striking out at him/trying to draw him back all along. I'm still not certain she didn't kill them all. Maybe she didn't want to be remembered as a monster.

I would have put together Dani and Danielle (from Tanya's search) if I had noticed a mention that Dani was American. Was her accent ever discussed? Were the clues that she and Frank had worked together extensively and I missed them? The mention of the American nanny case stood out to me because I would have included 'Great Britain' or 'British' in my search terms if I were looking for local suspects, and Tanya didn't. But I didn't connect it with Dani the director.

In all honesty, I was suspicious the most of Cathbad's daughter. Especially after she admitted to having an affair with Liz's husband. I think I was tying the two cases together. (hide spoiler)]

Great read! I like Ruth more with every book.

[Laura]

Cynthia wrote: "Laura wrote: "No worries Shelia!

Shelia and Cynthia have you read by Elly Griffiths? I am going to see if my library has it and see how it is in comparison to..."

It is Cynthia... ha, I meant to ask if you both had read . It is not in the Galloway series.

[Sheila]

No, have you read it Laura?

[Laura]

Cynthia wrote: "Laura, You're so lucky! The next one doesn't come out until September here in the states.

I've finished, and given it 5 stars. It's the best of the Ruth Galloway books so far, IMHO. A great balanc..."

(view spoiler)[ I like Ruth more with every book too. I was my favorite too. I also had lots of suspicions about Cathabad's daughter as well (hide spoiler)]

I'm quite sure my library will get it .. I 've been told I am great for their stats!!

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "No, have you read it Laura?"

No , I m going to try to find it though. I didnt do a inter library loan search, it may come up in one of the bigger library systems.. I would just have to wait for it longer!

[Sheila]

I did a search at the Los Angeles library ebook catalog and they didn't have it and that library is huge.

[Laura]

lol.. its not as popular as her Galloway series then. I likely won't be able to find it through my library system then.

[Cynthia]

Laura wrote: "lol.. its not as popular as her Galloway series then. I likely won't be able to find it through my library system then."

I did a search for the Zig Zag Girl on Amazon, and it's available for pre-order only. Due out Sept 15, same as The Ghost Fields. It has an interesting premise. I hope my library gets it.

[Sheila]

that explains it

[Sheila]

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths 384 pages 2/8 ★★★★

the End

(view spoiler)[

Well I had it all figured out that Maddie was going to be the ChildMinder. Screwed up from losing her sister. Glad it turned out she wasn't the baddie in this. I'm also glad that Judy and Cathbad ended up together and Michael is fine. I'm also glad that Ruth was able to show that Jemima was not the monster everyone thought she was.

Another wonderful book in this series. Now the long wait until the next one.

(hide spoiler)]

Thanks for the buddy read Laura and Cynthia.

[Cynthia]

Lots of fun, Sheila. Sorry you had to wait so long for us to catch up!

[Sheila]

No problem Cynthia. I always like to hold one last book in a series back so the wait for the next one doesn't seem so long.

What a great series. I am so glad I stumbled across it.

[Laura]

Sheila wrote: "No problem Cynthia. I always like to hold one last book in a series back so the wait for the next one doesn't seem so long.

What a great series. I am so glad I stumbled across it."

Me too!!