There are a couple of departures from the format of the first books in the series too: Although it builds to another gripping climax, for once Ruth isn’t the centre of attention, in fact her role in this book is almost entirely reliant on her social connections with other characters rather than any professional involvement. The book opens tantalisingly with the planned opening of a recently unearthed medieval coffin in a Norfolk museum, although before the festivities can get underway an unexpected modern death occurs! Instead, she is racing through the King’s Lynn branch of Somerfield wondering whether chocolate fingers count as bad mothering and how much wine four mothers and assorted partners can be expected to drink. As an Australian, I found some of this plot great but was a little perplexed about the ignorance of the modern day English characters. There’s a formula (or balance) in my favorite mystery series— something like 70-80% mystery/crime threads to about 20-30% main sleuth/ regular character development.

She effectively conveys the hurt and complex feelings that can result from unthinking indiscretions and somehow these become integral to the narrative. Michele has figured out that Nelson is Kate’s father and has forbidden him from having any contact with Ruth or Kate, except professional. Kate only just escaped being born on 31 October, which, when combined with having a Pagan godfather, might have been one augury too far.The investigation leads Sergeants Judy Johnson and Dave Clough to the nearby racing stables owned by Lord Danforth Smith, whose aristocratic ancestor is celebrated by the museum in which the body was found. Griffiths applies a light touch, her Norfolk setting is admirably gloomy and Galloway is appealingly unglamorous.

Ruth doesn’t believe in an afterlife which, in her opinion, is all the more reason to treat human relics with respect. Michelle's deep love for Nelson is shown near the end of the book when she demonstrates how far she is willing to go to save his life. Ruth's parents, the born again Christians, have provided Ruth something to rebel against and she has become a materialist.

exciting and with a more satisfying crime and detection element this time round as the plot is more clever and more robust' Eurocrime. The plot explores the mystic aspects of legends and religion (as the previous novels have) - needing the reader to be open minded. As her convictions are tested, Ruth and Nelson must discover how Aboriginal skulls, drug smuggling, and the mystery of “The Dreaming” hold the answer to these deaths, as well as the keys to their own survival. The story opens just before Halloween, whilst much of the investigation takes place all the way up until Christmas so makes for a perfect wintery read. I am thinking about creating a new shelf for the Galloway series - "coronavirus escapes," which will include anything I have read since March 2020 that helps me avoid the present reality.