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A review by kba76
The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The Lantern Men is a well-known folk tale, telling of strange lights that lure fen walkers to their deaths. It becomes more sinister when applied to the case that Dr Ruth Galloway becomes embroiled in during the course of the novel.
She is now working in Cambridge, living with Frank and her daughter Katie. She still harbours feelings for Nelson and definitely misses her life in Norfolk. When she signs up for a writing retreat she could not have guessed that it would come to be so significant.
The owner of the retreat, Chrissy Martin, is the ex-wife of Ivor March, the man in prison for the killing of two women. Nelson is convinced he killed more…but he needs help to prove this.
March insists on meeting Ruth, believing her to be the best forensic archaeologist in the country. He tells where two further bodies are buried, knowing full well that she will - upon excavating the scene - discover a third body. This body seems to have been buried earlier than the others, and when a new body is found on the fens it seems they either have a copycat killer…or the killer is still at large.
Much of the story focuses on Ruth’s relationships and shifting personal circumstances. It definitely helps to have read the series beforehand (or at least some of the earlier books), but this is a solid read.
She is now working in Cambridge, living with Frank and her daughter Katie. She still harbours feelings for Nelson and definitely misses her life in Norfolk. When she signs up for a writing retreat she could not have guessed that it would come to be so significant.
The owner of the retreat, Chrissy Martin, is the ex-wife of Ivor March, the man in prison for the killing of two women. Nelson is convinced he killed more…but he needs help to prove this.
March insists on meeting Ruth, believing her to be the best forensic archaeologist in the country. He tells where two further bodies are buried, knowing full well that she will - upon excavating the scene - discover a third body. This body seems to have been buried earlier than the others, and when a new body is found on the fens it seems they either have a copycat killer…or the killer is still at large.
Much of the story focuses on Ruth’s relationships and shifting personal circumstances. It definitely helps to have read the series beforehand (or at least some of the earlier books), but this is a solid read.