Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 4
First Line: They wait for the tide and set out at first light.
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway loves her life out on the Saltmarsh in England. It's land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants; a land that's not quite earth, not quite sea.
Blackpool native Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson has a Northerner's eye for land and hasn't a clue what anyone would see in this desolate place. All he does know is that he's been getting bizarre letters referring to Lucy Downey, a young girl who's been missing for over ten years. When he finds remains out on the Saltmarsh, he calls in Ruth to tell him the facts.
The facts are that the remains are two thousand years old, but Ruth finds herself drawn into the Downey case. She reads the letters and finds the archaeological knowledge of the writer intriguing. Then another child goes missing, and Ruth finds herself in very real danger.
The Norfolk landscape of The Crossing Places seemed like a character in this book, and it's a place of which I'd like to know more. It certainly lent atmosphere and a sense of stubbornness to the plot. The characters of Ruth Galloway and Harry Nelson were layered and interesting and a pleasure to read. Although I have to admit that the murderer in this case was as clear to me as the freckled stub nose on my face, the landscape and the characters are so interesting that I can forgive that one failing. I want to read more about Ruth as soon as I possibly can!
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway loves her life out on the Saltmarsh in England. It's land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants; a land that's not quite earth, not quite sea.
Blackpool native Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson has a Northerner's eye for land and hasn't a clue what anyone would see in this desolate place. All he does know is that he's been getting bizarre letters referring to Lucy Downey, a young girl who's been missing for over ten years. When he finds remains out on the Saltmarsh, he calls in Ruth to tell him the facts.
The facts are that the remains are two thousand years old, but Ruth finds herself drawn into the Downey case. She reads the letters and finds the archaeological knowledge of the writer intriguing. Then another child goes missing, and Ruth finds herself in very real danger.
The Norfolk landscape of The Crossing Places seemed like a character in this book, and it's a place of which I'd like to know more. It certainly lent atmosphere and a sense of stubbornness to the plot. The characters of Ruth Galloway and Harry Nelson were layered and interesting and a pleasure to read. Although I have to admit that the murderer in this case was as clear to me as the freckled stub nose on my face, the landscape and the characters are so interesting that I can forgive that one failing. I want to read more about Ruth as soon as I possibly can!
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book. Hope that it is the first of many in a very intriguing series.
Finally an author brings to the reader a very down to earth "normal" lead character. A later 30'ish college professor who is more at home with her cats and radio then out in bars or quilting bees. Granted she is a little quirky in her total devotion to archaeology and living on a rather isolated salt marsh, but Ruth Galloway is a woman who thinks she knows what she wants and thinks she is leading the right life for her.
When bones are found nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls upon Ruth to help identify if they are human and if they happen to be those of a missing child. Lucy Downey has been missing for ten years and since that time, Nelson has been receiving very strange letters involving philosophy, poetry, archaeology and generally bizarre stuff.
Unfortunately, the bones date back to the Iron Age, but that doesn't stop Ruth, especially when a second child disappears. Ruth's old friends and lovers appear on the scene and a wicked storm comes up and traps Ruth and a killer on the salt marsh.
Though a third of the way in I thought I had the killer pegged, Grifiths' does a remarkable job in leading the read down many a winding path only to have them question their own conclusions. This book makes you think, cheer on the characters, laugh at their plights and also gasp at a very intriguing conclusion that has you waiting for the next book in the series.
Finally an author brings to the reader a very down to earth "normal" lead character. A later 30'ish college professor who is more at home with her cats and radio then out in bars or quilting bees. Granted she is a little quirky in her total devotion to archaeology and living on a rather isolated salt marsh, but Ruth Galloway is a woman who thinks she knows what she wants and thinks she is leading the right life for her.
When bones are found nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls upon Ruth to help identify if they are human and if they happen to be those of a missing child. Lucy Downey has been missing for ten years and since that time, Nelson has been receiving very strange letters involving philosophy, poetry, archaeology and generally bizarre stuff.
Unfortunately, the bones date back to the Iron Age, but that doesn't stop Ruth, especially when a second child disappears. Ruth's old friends and lovers appear on the scene and a wicked storm comes up and traps Ruth and a killer on the salt marsh.
Though a third of the way in I thought I had the killer pegged, Grifiths' does a remarkable job in leading the read down many a winding path only to have them question their own conclusions. This book makes you think, cheer on the characters, laugh at their plights and also gasp at a very intriguing conclusion that has you waiting for the next book in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
A dark and suspensefull read..... loved the characters and descriptive scenery of the salt marshes. Very atmospheric ! Would like to see Ruth on another case with Nelson.
Helpful Score: 1
The best compliment I can bestow is to say I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. I know nothing about archeology and even less about the Norfolk coast, so I learned a lot reading this yarn full of intriguing clues. I found the character of Dr. Galloway to be a very realistic portrayal of an academic nearing middle age drawn somewhat unwillingly into a disturbing police case. The landscape was also skillfully drawn.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, Bk 1) on + 1726 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Gotta say that I really enjoyed this story and meeting the main characters.
They were interesting and quirky and I am looking forward to more time with them.
This is a nicely paced story, unfolding a bit at a time, it is not fast paced or a thriller by any means but a well written and enjoyable book.
Little twists here and there and beautiful descriptions without being overly done. Looking forward to reading this series.
They were interesting and quirky and I am looking forward to more time with them.
This is a nicely paced story, unfolding a bit at a time, it is not fast paced or a thriller by any means but a well written and enjoyable book.
Little twists here and there and beautiful descriptions without being overly done. Looking forward to reading this series.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, Bk 1) on + 989 more book reviews
I wanted the main character, Ruth to speak up more, otherwise I would have given this book a 4 star review. I still enjoyed it, and will try the next books in this series, to see if she discovers her voice in later books. The setting is beautifully explained, and I kept thinking this book (series) would make a great Masterpiece Mystery series.
Vivian Q. (bellasgranny) -
First book in the Ruth Galloway series set in the Saltmarsh near Norfolk, is really well written and very entertaining read. I absolutely love the characters and the setting. The storline is very interesting and educational. I've already started the second in the series, The Janus Stone. Highly recommended.
Margaret H. (ExPeruanista) -
An excellent beginning to a mystery series. British archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a very believable and sympathetic character. I look forward to reading the later books.
I was given this book to review by Goodreads.com. Here is that review.
"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 then asked by local Detective Inspector Harry Nelson to look at some bones that were discovered.
We learn that the bones are from thousands of years ago and not of a missing girl named Lucy Downey like Harry Nelson had thought. You see, Harry has been investigating Lucy's case for ten years and wants to give the family closure and had believed the discovery of her body would do so.
From there on, Ruth becomes more involved in this investigation after another girl turns up missing. Harry Nelson begins to receive letters giving hints to her location, which occurred when Lucy went missing and allows Ruth to read letters and get her thoughts. Obviously I don't want to give too much info away, but I will tell that's just the beginning of this intriguing story.
I will admit though, the novel started off a bit slow, but I can understand why as the author really had to get us to understand the main character Ruth. You see, Ruth is your plain Jane character who believes she is overweight and not very pretty, yet she seems to have sorts of men interested in her, including four men involved in the main storyline.
We learn of her past failures in her relationships and given a glimpse into her boring life alone in the country and her unwillingness to go outside her comfort zone. You really do see the character grow throughout the novel.
I'm not a person who knows much about archaeology, but what I do appreciate is that we are given detailed information about it without it being too much, where it becomes boring. The details are also important to the novel's central storyline, so you should pay attention as you read.
Like I mentioned before the novel, for me at least did start slow, but after all the introductory details were taken care of and the investigation was the main focus, things really picked up. Ruth learns of things about her friends and their past that shock her. As things unravel, I found that I couldn't put the book down as I needed to find who was responsible for these heinous acts. The author also does a great job at providing several viable suspects making it difficult to guess the ending, which I appreciated because I read many mystery/thriller novels that make it easy to make those type of predictions.
As much as the Ruth Galloway character grew within this novel, there's still room for more growth and even more adventure, which I expect in the follow up novel "The Janus Stone".
My recommendation is that you do give this first time author a shot and make sure you do not give up on the book. You'll definitely enjoy it, especially if you are a fan of the "smart thriller".
"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 then asked by local Detective Inspector Harry Nelson to look at some bones that were discovered.
We learn that the bones are from thousands of years ago and not of a missing girl named Lucy Downey like Harry Nelson had thought. You see, Harry has been investigating Lucy's case for ten years and wants to give the family closure and had believed the discovery of her body would do so.
From there on, Ruth becomes more involved in this investigation after another girl turns up missing. Harry Nelson begins to receive letters giving hints to her location, which occurred when Lucy went missing and allows Ruth to read letters and get her thoughts. Obviously I don't want to give too much info away, but I will tell that's just the beginning of this intriguing story.
I will admit though, the novel started off a bit slow, but I can understand why as the author really had to get us to understand the main character Ruth. You see, Ruth is your plain Jane character who believes she is overweight and not very pretty, yet she seems to have sorts of men interested in her, including four men involved in the main storyline.
We learn of her past failures in her relationships and given a glimpse into her boring life alone in the country and her unwillingness to go outside her comfort zone. You really do see the character grow throughout the novel.
I'm not a person who knows much about archaeology, but what I do appreciate is that we are given detailed information about it without it being too much, where it becomes boring. The details are also important to the novel's central storyline, so you should pay attention as you read.
Like I mentioned before the novel, for me at least did start slow, but after all the introductory details were taken care of and the investigation was the main focus, things really picked up. Ruth learns of things about her friends and their past that shock her. As things unravel, I found that I couldn't put the book down as I needed to find who was responsible for these heinous acts. The author also does a great job at providing several viable suspects making it difficult to guess the ending, which I appreciated because I read many mystery/thriller novels that make it easy to make those type of predictions.
As much as the Ruth Galloway character grew within this novel, there's still room for more growth and even more adventure, which I expect in the follow up novel "The Janus Stone".
My recommendation is that you do give this first time author a shot and make sure you do not give up on the book. You'll definitely enjoy it, especially if you are a fan of the "smart thriller".
I have read the first three books in this series and love Ruth Galloway. I find her an interesting character and I also enjoy reading about her job and actually find her love life so realistic. Great books.
Novel about Forensic archeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway who is called upon to identify some bones found in a remote area that once was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants. The book was OK although, I thought the character of Detective Chief Inspector Nelson was stronger than the archeologist. Could have been shorter and would still have told its tale. Surprise ending was not totally unexpected.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This book was on my shelf for awhile and I finally got around to reading it due to several recommendations from trusted fellow readers about how good this series is. I can see why. The mystery was well done and I thought I knew the murderer but I didn't. I also loved the atmosphere of the marshland. I mostly liked the protagonist but I haven't quite warmed up to her completely. However, there were things I did not like so I can't say I would recommend. My issues with the book are mostly the suffering of animals and children. Both are really hard to take for me and if this is a standard thing in this series I won't be continuing. Even though it ended with some positive resolution it left me bereft.
Carolyn A. (carolynalt) reviewed The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. It was recommended by a friend and I finally got around to it. You wouldn't think that anything story about archaeology would be described as exciting or fast-paced. This one is. A good mystery. Good characters. Great location. Now I can recommend it to you!
Solid opening to a series, introducing the characters, and the premise. Readable, good sense of place. A bit predictable, but you could argue that it was more about how Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, gets sucked into the world of crime solving, rather than the solution to this particular crime.
