Best book in the series so far

I really enjoyed the writing, plot development and characterisation in this book. Enjoyed hearing about Ruth's tv archaeologist experiences and her new love interest. I think it's been the best in the series so far and look forward to reading the next one. Well and truly comfortable now with change in narrator with this being Clare's second time reading this series.

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Another clever one

This was more archeological then some of the others in the series. Nice, interesting, recommend you read in order.

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I'm hooked

Number six in the series and probably my favourite since the first.

Firstly, if you’re thinking about reading this book and you haven’t read any of the others, don’t bother. There is no way you can fully appreciate anything about The Outcast Dead if you haven’t read the previous books in the series. And if you have read them and disliked them, I doubt you’d bother with this one. That is, my theory is, by this stage only real Ruth fans are still reading.

They can probably appreciate how I felt when reading this installment and how I believe Griffiths is the biggest tease evah. In fact, I’m not sure whose frustration is largest after reading this book: Ruth and Nelson’s, or mine.

Okay, okay, there is a mystery plot in amongst all the Ruth/Nelson stuff. In fact, Griffiths shows how much she’s matured in this area by including three pretty strong crime/mystery storylines.

The first has Ruth digging up the bones of a still infamous female child killer from the 1800s, dubbed Mother Hook, who was hanged for her supposed crimes. The second involves the death, apparently from natural causes, of a child and the suspicions which are raised when the authorities learn the child is the third to die from the one family. And finally, someone has kidnapped two children, leaving notes from ‘The Childminder'.

Whilst Nelson and co investigate, the reader wonders if the cases are linked in any way.

The Mother Hook story is being turned into a television documentary and before she knows it, Ruth is part of the show and catching the eye of a handsome American silver fox working as a history expert on the show, Frank. Yes, for someone who claims she’s plain and fat, Ruth has men lining up!

This leads me back to what is really important: the continuing soap opera-like drama of the characters. This book really reaches new heights in this area. We probably don't get enough Nelson in this installment, for my liking. There was much more focus on the lives of supporting characters, luckily all of whom I love. Cathbad and Judy and Darren broke my heart; Clough warmed it; and Tim had it jump with intrigue.

Obviously, given the crime plots, there’s strong a strong theme of maternal love and all its joys and heartbreaks throughout the book. In fact, I thought it was one of Griffiths’s most thought provoking books in the series. Griffiths shows Ruth’s feminist leanings and opinions on the subject with a deft touch. (If I had a complaint, I’d say she doesn’t always seem so subtle when it comes to Ruth’s atheism.) It also gives Ruth some poignant moments with her daughter, Kate. (How Griffiths manages to make a toddler have such a strong personality is beyond me.)

Of course, it’s Ruth and Nelson I’m really interested in and I adore every scene they have together. I especially enjoy how oblivious Nelson has become to his own feelings.

Anyway, if you’re thinking of starting this series, go back to Crossing Places. If you find you hate this series, you’ll never read this one, so it doesn’t really matter. But if you’re like me and find you adore this series, you’ll also love this book and agree with my 5 out of 5 rating.

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Great Series

Elly Griffiths has a marvellous way of making you care about the characters. You can really relate to their reactions and situations. Just love the Ruth Galloway books.

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improved narration to previous book

I felt that Clare Corbett handled the narration of this book far better than the previous one so a much more comfortable listen. Less archaeology in this one and perhaps some glaring gaps in the policework but Interested to find out where the character development goes next

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