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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A quick little read that keeps you engaged well enough throughout. The characters are quite goofy at points, especially some of Ruth's decision-making (why is she still friends with Shona at all in the end?). However, the story itself is interesting enough as a cozy mystery read, and I appreciate the pacing.
Very intense and suspenseful! I made the mistake of reading it late at night, which made it even scarier! But I couldn’t put it down, staying up past midnight to finish. Definitely recommend!
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Crossing Places is the first in a series featuring forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway and Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson. I'd already read #4 in this series over the summer (I have a bad habit of reading books out of order) but made the effort to track down the others as I enjoyed it so much. The story, as you might expect, is a mix of present day murder mystery and a bit of history. It is set in a fictional area of Norfolk, beside the sea.
DCI Nelson is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of a young girl and the mocking letters he received from the perpetrator; now another girl has gone missing in much the same circumstances. Is it the work of the same person, or a copycat? When the body of a young girl is found in the salt marshes opposite her home, Ruth is called in to determine whether the bones are contemporary or historic. She becomes more involved with the case as she realises the letters the abductor sent to the police contain many references to archaeology. Is the perpetrator someone she knows?
Unfortunately, because I'd read #4 in the series already, it was fairly easy for me to work out the villain - so make sure you read these books in order! I loved the characters, particularly Harry, Ruth and Cathbad, and the atmospheric descriptions of the salt marshes meant the location was almost a character on its own. I've now bought the next six books in the series, and I'm planning on having a lovely time reading them back-to-back!
Recommended, particularly if you like murder mysteries with gentle humour and not too much violence, served up with a slice of history on the side.
DCI Nelson is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of a young girl and the mocking letters he received from the perpetrator; now another girl has gone missing in much the same circumstances. Is it the work of the same person, or a copycat? When the body of a young girl is found in the salt marshes opposite her home, Ruth is called in to determine whether the bones are contemporary or historic. She becomes more involved with the case as she realises the letters the abductor sent to the police contain many references to archaeology. Is the perpetrator someone she knows?
Unfortunately, because I'd read #4 in the series already, it was fairly easy for me to work out the villain - so make sure you read these books in order! I loved the characters, particularly Harry, Ruth and Cathbad, and the atmospheric descriptions of the salt marshes meant the location was almost a character on its own. I've now bought the next six books in the series, and I'm planning on having a lovely time reading them back-to-back!
Recommended, particularly if you like murder mysteries with gentle humour and not too much violence, served up with a slice of history on the side.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Ruth Galloway had me the minute she threw shade at Time Team, a television guilty pleasure in my household. A cosy cottage in the remote countryside plus archaeological investigations make for a perfect mystery setting. The circumstances of this case were almost too spooky, but I'm curious to see what other puzzles Dr. Galloway gets into. Sometimes getting through the world-building introduction of a new series is a slog, but that was not the case here.
Archaeology, mythology, love affairs and missing children. A busy crime drama with plenty going on. The Norfolk coast is one of the best characters in the book.
Every character was unlikable to a degree that made no sense, and the mystery was terrible, honestly if this were a real case the DCI should be fired.
4. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of the Norfolk coastline, Griffiths skillfully weaves a tale of suspense, archaeology, and complex characters that leaves readers craving for more. Indeed, I will go further into this series!!!
The main character, Ruth Galloway, emerges as a truly remarkable protagonist, flawed yet captivating.
One of the book's major strengths lies in its intricate plotting. Griffiths gradually reveals clues and secrets, pulling readers further into the intricate web of the mystery. The twists and turns are deftly executed, and just as you think you have it all figured out, she throws in surprising revelations that keep you guessing until the very end.
The main character, Ruth Galloway, emerges as a truly remarkable protagonist, flawed yet captivating.
One of the book's major strengths lies in its intricate plotting. Griffiths gradually reveals clues and secrets, pulling readers further into the intricate web of the mystery. The twists and turns are deftly executed, and just as you think you have it all figured out, she throws in surprising revelations that keep you guessing until the very end.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No