Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was recommended to me by my Nan so obviously it was going to be a good'un. Really enjoyed this one as it involves a bit of archaeology which I already have an interest in, as well as some magic and history. It also made me laugh a few times too all whilst still being a detective/crime/murder mystery! I will definitely be carrying on the Ruth Galloway series. 11/10 Would recommend this!
Wow! Very powerful. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. I love when I’m positive I know “whodunnit”, but then something makes me rethink. I circled twice to the culprit, but ruled him out several times too. That’s good writing!
** 2.5 stars *** (why can't GoodReads have half stars?!?!)
A competent murder mystery. I had picked the murderer half way through as there is a very obvious clue (a bit of useless information given to the reader. Useless information is always a big clue). I do read a lot of murder mysteries though. The novel was paced well - I didn't feel the need to read ahead but I did want to read it to finish it. The characters were interesting enough and now we have the added complication of a child. It does make me want to read the next one.
I think the thing I struggled with the most with this book is all the fat talk. At 80kg she is overweight but hardly morbidly obese. All the insecurities about being overweight and being unfit and being out of breath and how Shona is so skinny which is mentioned SO much that it really interfered with my enjoyment of the book. (Maybe because I'm carrying more weight at the moment than I would like *G*. Maybe this is a reflection on my own insecurities? I really need to find a picture of the author) This makes me not want to read the next one.
This is a bookclub book and I am looking forward to hearing why it was picked.
A competent murder mystery. I had picked the murderer half way through as there is a very obvious clue (a bit of useless information given to the reader. Useless information is always a big clue). I do read a lot of murder mysteries though. The novel was paced well - I didn't feel the need to read ahead but I did want to read it to finish it. The characters were interesting enough and now we have the added complication of a child. It does make me want to read the next one.
I think the thing I struggled with the most with this book is all the fat talk. At 80kg she is overweight but hardly morbidly obese. All the insecurities about being overweight and being unfit and being out of breath and how Shona is so skinny which is mentioned SO much that it really interfered with my enjoyment of the book. (Maybe because I'm carrying more weight at the moment than I would like *G*. Maybe this is a reflection on my own insecurities? I really need to find a picture of the author) This makes me not want to read the next one.
This is a bookclub book and I am looking forward to hearing why it was picked.
3,5 STARS
Great Story, I like how the character and each character dynamics developed. But a bit cliches here and there.
A great book when you want something simple, nothing too complicated, but entertaining detective story.
Great Story, I like how the character and each character dynamics developed. But a bit cliches here and there.
A great book when you want something simple, nothing too complicated, but entertaining detective story.
I DNF this. I’m only rating it for 2 reasons:
1. The story seemed very familiar. I think I started it before and DNF. So I’m putting a reading so I won’t repeat.
2. Many of the bad reviews complain that the main character obsessed about her weight and feels she is grossly obese even though she weighs just 175 lbs. Body dysmorphia is a real issue that affects many people. It makes the character more real.
This book involves an abducted child being kept in isolation and killed. Also a pet is killed. These are the reasons I stopped.
In addition, the first part is very boring. And the probable murderer is clear early on. But the story might have turned out better if I had read on, so I gave it 3 stars to be fair.
1. The story seemed very familiar. I think I started it before and DNF. So I’m putting a reading so I won’t repeat.
2. Many of the bad reviews complain that the main character obsessed about her weight and feels she is grossly obese even though she weighs just 175 lbs. Body dysmorphia is a real issue that affects many people. It makes the character more real.
This book involves an abducted child being kept in isolation and killed. Also a pet is killed. These are the reasons I stopped.
In addition, the first part is very boring. And the probable murderer is clear early on. But the story might have turned out better if I had read on, so I gave it 3 stars to be fair.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Loved the plot and the pacing. Great mix of thriller and archeology. I will say there was a huge dollop of fat shaming throughout, and a dab of homophobia once or twice - the kind of thing that writers used to add for ‘colour’ to a character but is in fact just lazy writing. This managed to be a good book despite that.
The main character in this series is Ruth Galloway who is Head of Forensic Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk. Like Bones in the Reich novels, Ruth helps law enforcement solve murders. Also like Bones, she has emotional entanglements with the main law officer. I found the stories involved and intriguing. Although I often read books in a sitting or two, I found I was always putting this one down. It was laborious at times and I had to stop reading. Which might lead people to suspect I didn't like the book, but I truly did. I think the story is just a little like the main character, slow moving and ponderous at times, but lovable anyway.
I listened to the audiobook of this novel .... a new author to me. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the main characters, an unlikely combination of grumpy, brusque detective and a reclusive, cat-loving, expert archaeologist. I learnt about torques and pagan rituals and also about the power and beauty of the Fenland landscape. I correctly worked out who not to trust but only after following the plot down some enjoyable twists and turns.
Overall, an immensely readable mystery/thriller. Easy to read and easy to enjoy.
Overall, an immensely readable mystery/thriller. Easy to read and easy to enjoy.