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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This is really a 3.5- setting and mood were well crafted, characters interesting. I down-graded a bit because the mystery needed work. I figured it out at about the second chapter... Will definitely keep reading this series.
Honestly, I was really excited about this book. An archeologist who helps solve murders?? Right up my alley! But I wasn’t 30 pages in before I threw the book across the room.
From the first 30 pages, here’s what I know. We have two main characters. Three chapters in, and this is what I know about them.
Ruth, an archeologist- “Fat” (she weights like 150 lbs) and never stops talking about it. She has two cats, which apparently makes her weird and sad. If it weren’t for the occasional archeological insight, our girl Ruth wouldn’t even pass the Bechdel test when talking to herself. The only time she ever mentions another woman, it’s her mother, who she hates, and her friend’s wife who is “pretty, but not in a way that makes you feel bad about yourself.” Whatever that means. Speaking as a woman, I have literally never felt bad about myself because someone else was pretty. Seems like a stereotype. A lot of people were annoyed by Ruth’s Atheism. I’m wasn’t bothered by the anti-religious sentiments, so much as being “fat” and an Atheist seemed to be her entire personality. The author clearly had some things to work through when writing this book.
Harry, a detective- Abuses his power to be a bad driver and likes Ruth because she doesn’t feel the need to “dress like a ****.” But she’s too “fat” to be a cop. Did I mention that he also liked her because she was pretty smart for a girl and could “look him in the eye like an equal”??? Super skeevy, hates his wife and three daughters, and from what I understand, ends up in an affair with Ruth. And we’re supposed to root for this guy?
Definitely not worth the read. Super disappointing.
From the first 30 pages, here’s what I know. We have two main characters. Three chapters in, and this is what I know about them.
Ruth, an archeologist- “Fat” (she weights like 150 lbs) and never stops talking about it. She has two cats, which apparently makes her weird and sad. If it weren’t for the occasional archeological insight, our girl Ruth wouldn’t even pass the Bechdel test when talking to herself. The only time she ever mentions another woman, it’s her mother, who she hates, and her friend’s wife who is “pretty, but not in a way that makes you feel bad about yourself.” Whatever that means. Speaking as a woman, I have literally never felt bad about myself because someone else was pretty. Seems like a stereotype. A lot of people were annoyed by Ruth’s Atheism. I’m wasn’t bothered by the anti-religious sentiments, so much as being “fat” and an Atheist seemed to be her entire personality. The author clearly had some things to work through when writing this book.
Harry, a detective- Abuses his power to be a bad driver and likes Ruth because she doesn’t feel the need to “dress like a ****.” But she’s too “fat” to be a cop. Did I mention that he also liked her because she was pretty smart for a girl and could “look him in the eye like an equal”??? Super skeevy, hates his wife and three daughters, and from what I understand, ends up in an affair with Ruth. And we’re supposed to root for this guy?
Definitely not worth the read. Super disappointing.
Page turner
I was over half way through this book before I was able to put it down to eat. Fun high paced story
I was over half way through this book before I was able to put it down to eat. Fun high paced story
Well, it got there, via some banal detail, improbable situations, gratuitous if not interesting sex, slipping tenses and not very effective writing. I do like the archaeology, and the beach. And I've been meaning to go to Norfolk for ages.
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
Even though there are quite a few characters introduced who could conceivably be our villain, I had guessed correctly about halfway through this one. It was still highly engrossing with its eerie archeological element, and I was impressed with how well the author turned the starkly harsh, isolated beauty of the Saltmarsh into a stand-alone character of its own. Dr. Ruth Galloway is a character that lingers with you, and I’m looking forward to reading more about her!
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love finding a new author, especially if there is a series to discover.
I like Dr Ruth Galloway and the not very enlightened DCI Nelson. The writing of the salt marshes is atmospheric and you can understand both the pull of it and the dislike inspired by the desolation.
A great mystery book and I’ve just started the second already.
I like Dr Ruth Galloway and the not very enlightened DCI Nelson. The writing of the salt marshes is atmospheric and you can understand both the pull of it and the dislike inspired by the desolation.
A great mystery book and I’ve just started the second already.
The first Ruth Galloway book. I loved it right away and 2024 would be the year I read the whole series. The atmosphere on the Saltmarsh is at all-time high in this book and so many of the events in this book would be referenced again and again throughout the series. I loved Ruth immediately (she would annoy me mid-series but remains one of my favorite heroines ever) and adored Nelson and his dry humor and grumpiness. I was pleasantly shocked that they slept together in this first book rather than just having UST for many volumes. Little girls die in this book, which is always hard for me to read. It's a great first book and introduction to an all-time series for me.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
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
Enjoyed this book which surprised me as I don't read crime as a general rule, good description of place and people. I did guess the killer early on but that didn't detract from the plot