Publication: 6th February 2020 – Quercus
Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway.
She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police’s resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Ivor March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried – but only if Ruth will do the digging.
Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.
Is Ivor March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?
Amazon.co.uk: https://amzn.to/2vgr8Eb
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A few years ago, I randomly picked up a copy of A Room Full of Bones, the fourth book in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths and I started reading it. I hadn’t heard of this series before, but I find archaeology fascinating and I enjoy watching Indiana Jones movies and the TV series Bones, so I thought I would like it. I was wrong. I became addicted to it and every year I wait for a new story. I love the suspense, the complicated relationship between Ruth and her on-and-off lover DCI Harry Nelson, and the great variety of characters that come back each book.
In The Lantern Men, Ruth has left Norfolk behind and has found a new man and a new job in Cambridge with her daughter Kate. However, she is drawn back to Norfolk (and Nelson) when a convicted fellow wants to reveal the location of the bodies of two murdered women, but he’ll reveal it only to her. As Ruth and Nelson team up again, new bodies turn up and new mysteries and folklore fill the pages.
I enjoyed the plot. For this novel, there is a big cast of possible suspects and, of course, I didn’t figure out the truth until it was revealed. As in the previous novels, legends and folklore are still essential to the story and this time we learn about the Lantern Men, dark figures that wander in the night with a torch in search of travellers to kill.
The regular characters are all back. I was sorry to see less of detective Clough who, like Ruth, moved to Cambridge after a promotion. He is one of my favourite characters and his constant eating and his devotion to Nelson keep me entertained. Of course, my all-time favourite is Cathbad, the druid full of fantastic stories and spiritual beliefs (and also I enjoy how he exasperate Nelson).
The Lantern Men is a brilliant and engrossing new addiction to this series and it’s a fantastic read for all crime readers out there and it’s out today so go and pick up a copy!!!
A huge huge thank you to Ella and Quercus for providing me with a copy of the novel.
Book After Book 