When she's not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth Galloway lectures at the University of North Norfolk. She lives happily alone in a remote, wild place called Saltmarsh overlooking the North Sea under Norfolk's vast skies. For company she has her cats Flint and Sparky, and Radio 4.
When a child's bones are found in the marshes near an ancient site that Ruth worked on ten years earlier, Ruth is asked to date them. The bones turn out to be two thousand years old, and DCI Harry Nelson, who called on Ruth for help, is disappointed. He'd hoped they would be the bones of a child called Lucy who's been missing for ten years. He's been getting letters about her ever since - bizarre notes with references to ritual and sacrifice and quoting the Bible and Shakespeare.
Then a second girl goes missing and Nelson receives another letter similar to the ones about Lucy. Soon it becomes clear that Ruth is in grave danger from a killer who knows that her expert knowledge is being used to help the police with their enquiries.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Archaeology and crime often walk hand in hand in crime fiction, and seem a natural fit as they have in common both bones and quests for the truth. I've never before, however, read a crime novel in which the two blend as successfully as in The Crossing Places … Elly Griffiths' characterization is as good as her writing, and I can't wait for the next in the series - Shotsmag.co.uk.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From the Inside Flap
When she's not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth Galloway lectures at the University of North Norfolk. She lives happily alone in a remote, wild place called Saltmarsh overlooking the North Sea under Norfolk's vast skies. For company she has her cats Flint and Sparky, and Radio 4. When a child's bones are found in the marshes near an ancient site that Ruth worked on ten years earlier, Ruth is asked to date them. The bones turn out to be two thousand years old, and DCI Harry Nelson, who called on Ruth for help, is disappointed. He'd hoped they would be the bones of a child called Lucy who's been missing for ten years. He's been getting letters about her ever since - bizarre notes with references to ritual and sacrifice and quoting the Bible and Shakespeare. Then a second girl goes missing and Nelson receives another letter. Soon it becomes clear that Ruth is in danger from a killer who knows that her expert knowledge is being used to help the police with their enquiries.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ruth Galloway is in her late 30', has cats, is slightly overweight and orders loads of books from Amazon (what¡¯s not to love?). She is a forensic archaeologist at the University of Norfolk, specialising in bones, and is called out to the saltmarshes on the Norfolk Coast by Police Detective Harry Nrelson when a body is unearthed. The body is discovered to be that of a young girl from the iron age, but it brings to the surface the disappearance of a five year old girl, Lucy Downey, who has never been traced and whom Harry Nelson can¡¯t get out of his head. He then shows Ruth a series of letters he has been sent over the years with cryptic clues about Lucy¡¯s disappearance and asks Ruth to help him decipher them. In the midst of this, and almost 10 years to the day since Lucy vanished, a four year old girl is snatched from her back garden and Harry fears that the perpetrator has struck again.
What I loved most about this books is the setting and the characters. The saltmarshes on the north Norfolk coast sounded so bleak and wind swept that I longed to be there in Ruth¡¯s little stone cottage sipping coffee and reading books while rain hurled itself at the windows. I loved the image of the sand dunes and sea spray and the solitude. Ruth and Harry are wonderful leads too: Ruth is a woman after my own heart and Harry is a straight-talking northern bloke (and being a northerner myself I loved his tell-it-like-it-is attitude but also recognising his warm heart under his no nonsence exterior).
Reading this book made me want to do two things: 1) go for a long weekend on the north Norfolk coast ¨C which we are now doing in October and 2) want to rush out and buy the second in the series, The Janus Stone (which I have also now got and it is high on my pile!)
What I loved most about this books is the setting and the characters. The saltmarshes on the north Norfolk coast sounded so bleak and wind swept that I longed to be there in Ruth¡¯s little stone cottage sipping coffee and reading books while rain hurled itself at the windows. I loved the image of the sand dunes and sea spray and the solitude. Ruth and Harry are wonderful leads too: Ruth is a woman after my own heart and Harry is a straight-talking northern bloke (and being a northerner myself I loved his tell-it-like-it-is attitude but also recognising his warm heart under his no nonsence exterior).
Reading this book made me want to do two things: 1) go for a long weekend on the north Norfolk coast ¨C which we are now doing in October and 2) want to rush out and buy the second in the series, The Janus Stone (which I have also now got and it is high on my pile!)
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By herladyship
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I really hope this will be the first of many novels featuring Ruth Galloway and Harry Nelson. Both are likeably flawed and the relationship between them is intriguing. Wonderful descriptions of the Norfolk coastline.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By L. J. Roberts
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
First Sentence: They wait for the tide and set out at first light.
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a single, overweight woman who lives with her two cats on the edge of the Saltmarsh. DCI Harry Nelson asks for her help when human bones are found on a nearby beach. Nelson is haunted by the case of Lucy Downey, a young girl who disappeared ten years ago. A second child now disappears. Nelson believes the two cases are linked.
It is always a treat to start a book by an author I'd not previously read and discover it is a very enjoyable book.
The opening is particularly effective and creates a strong sense of place. In fact, it is the evocative quality of Ms. Griffiths' descriptions that entranced me and held me fast into the story. Add to that fascinating historical, geological, archeological and forensic information that enhances the story, but never overwhelms or slows it down.
The characters are only slightly less effective. I loved Ruth. She is definitely a character with whom I can identify. It is so refreshing not to have a young, slim, gorgeous protagonist. She is smart, strong and independent. A slight criticism would be that the author focused more than needed on Ruth's weight and being single. There's a point where you say, "Okay, I've got it."
Detective Nelson, on the other hand, seemed rather anachronistic in his view toward women and I was rather amazed at some of the things he didn't know, particularly with a British education. The other characters felt contrived.
I did guess the villain fairly early on, but there were enough twists and red herrings that I wasn't completely certain. There is an incident with one of Ruth's cats I felt was predictable and not really necessary to the plot.
The story does have a bit of a Gothic feel, which I enjoyed, and some very good suspense. It kept me reading from page one straight through in one sitting. I was surprised by the very ending, but not particularly in a good way.
Still, taken all together, the positives far outweighed the negatives and I look forward to more books by Ms. Griffiths.
THE CROSSING PLACES (Trad Mys-Ruth Galloway-England-Cont) - G+
Griffiths, Elly - 1st in series
Houghton, Mufflin, Harcourt, 2009, ARC - ISBN: 978547339898
Archaeologist Ruth Galloway is a single, overweight woman who lives with her two cats on the edge of the Saltmarsh. DCI Harry Nelson asks for her help when human bones are found on a nearby beach. Nelson is haunted by the case of Lucy Downey, a young girl who disappeared ten years ago. A second child now disappears. Nelson believes the two cases are linked.
It is always a treat to start a book by an author I'd not previously read and discover it is a very enjoyable book.
The opening is particularly effective and creates a strong sense of place. In fact, it is the evocative quality of Ms. Griffiths' descriptions that entranced me and held me fast into the story. Add to that fascinating historical, geological, archeological and forensic information that enhances the story, but never overwhelms or slows it down.
The characters are only slightly less effective. I loved Ruth. She is definitely a character with whom I can identify. It is so refreshing not to have a young, slim, gorgeous protagonist. She is smart, strong and independent. A slight criticism would be that the author focused more than needed on Ruth's weight and being single. There's a point where you say, "Okay, I've got it."
Detective Nelson, on the other hand, seemed rather anachronistic in his view toward women and I was rather amazed at some of the things he didn't know, particularly with a British education. The other characters felt contrived.
I did guess the villain fairly early on, but there were enough twists and red herrings that I wasn't completely certain. There is an incident with one of Ruth's cats I felt was predictable and not really necessary to the plot.
The story does have a bit of a Gothic feel, which I enjoyed, and some very good suspense. It kept me reading from page one straight through in one sitting. I was surprised by the very ending, but not particularly in a good way.
Still, taken all together, the positives far outweighed the negatives and I look forward to more books by Ms. Griffiths.
THE CROSSING PLACES (Trad Mys-Ruth Galloway-England-Cont) - G+
Griffiths, Elly - 1st in series
Houghton, Mufflin, Harcourt, 2009, ARC - ISBN: 978547339898
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elly Griffiths' characters are so real
I am a great Kathy Reichs fan, so as this book deals with bones and archaeology, and at the moment there are none of Kathy's books I haven't already read I was looking for a new... Read more
Published 4 hours ago by Beryl
5.0 out of 5 stars
The crossing places
This kept me enthralled from the beginning to the end. Constant twists and turns. Would highly recommend it. Can't wait to read more by Elly Griffiths.
Published 15 days ago by MRS D E HUGHES
4.0 out of 5 stars
A different approach!
This is my first time of reading a Ruth Galloway story. The mix of university life, her personal relationships all blends nicely into a story which is very enjoyable and... Read more
Published 18 days ago by michael dance
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lens view on crossing places
Very good read but I read this book after reading book 2, however this did not spoil it for me. Nice to read something based in the UK as l feel that l can relate to the places... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Kenneth Bailey
4.0 out of 5 stars
A cosy crime for those who are fed up with too much ugliness.
The pace was good and kept me interested. The book was well written and researched with characters who were realistic and a plot that was not too far vetched.
Published 1 month ago by D F Shelton
4.0 out of 5 stars
A believable female lead!!
Loved this book - normally I don't bother with reviews but felt this one warranted one!
Characters are likeable and realistic.... Read more
Characters are likeable and realistic.... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs J Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Books
I purchased the set of 5 of these books in this series after attending a book reading by various authors. The only one that stood out for me was Elly Griffiths. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Wassell
5.0 out of 5 stars
The crossing place
A new forensic archaeologist. Well written and with personal angst thrown in for good measure. I am reading the sequel which says it all. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Published 1 month ago by fransfantasyfiction.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addictive
Normally I avoid lead characters with 'forensic' in their job description, but forensic archaeologist, Ruth Galloway, is absolutely not that kind of character. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Annie Dalton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising!
If you're looking for a series which is a bit different to the usual crime thriller, then this is it. The main characters are believable, and Ruth is a bit like a good friend. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brenda Worthington
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