ambscray's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.5/5
Things I didn't like:
There wasn't a lot to this story I didn't like. I'm not a huge fan of gratuitous romances but seeing as it didn't outweigh the overall mystery I didn't mind it.
Every once in a while I had a bit of difficulty keeping up with the archaeological terms used, not because there weren't proper explanations given, but because there were quite a few. Once again, this didn't take away from the story so it was fine. I got to make use of my Kindle's built-in dictionary! ;)
The one thing I'm still not sure how I feel about is
Things I liked:
Firstly I enjoyed the main character, Ruth Galloway. She was likable from the start and there were only a few times throughout the book when I just wanted to yell at her. (Usually it happened when she was potentially walking right into a dangerous situation without even stopping to think that it might be a dangerous situation.) I enjoyed the fact she was a strong woman who still had plenty of vulnerable moments. She had flaws which she eventually came to acknowledge. All of this made her feel extremely relatable.
I enjoyed the fact that it stayed true to itself as a mystery/crime novel even though it had hints of a blossoming romance. I also enjoyed the fact it didn't tie wrap itself up at the end with a perfect little “and they all lived happily ever after” bow at the end, but that it was still able to end on a high note.
I liked the twist at the end. I did have a suspicion of what might happen, but even when it did I was still taken by surprise.
A good mystery introduces plenty of viable suspects. This book did that, as well as giving the reader multiple characters who were by no means innocent. While there was only one person guilty of the two biggest crimes in the novel, most of the other suspects were by no means harmless or innocent people.
In other words...
This novel was a very fun read. I would've gotten through it a little more quickly had I not been so busy while I was reading. I would definitely recommend it to ladies who love a good mystery (especially if you're like me and enjoy trying to solve the case before the answers are revealed). This story gives plenty of little hints along the way. I will definitely be continuing this series in the near future. I feel like it has potential and I look forward to seeing where it goes.
Things I didn't like:
There wasn't a lot to this story I didn't like. I'm not a huge fan of gratuitous romances but seeing as it didn't outweigh the overall mystery I didn't mind it.
Every once in a while I had a bit of difficulty keeping up with the archaeological terms used, not because there weren't proper explanations given, but because there were quite a few. Once again, this didn't take away from the story so it was fine. I got to make use of my Kindle's built-in dictionary! ;)
The one thing I'm still not sure how I feel about is
Spoiler
the fact Ruth is revealed pregnant at the end. I suppose I'll just have to wait and see where that goes.Things I liked:
Firstly I enjoyed the main character, Ruth Galloway. She was likable from the start and there were only a few times throughout the book when I just wanted to yell at her. (Usually it happened when she was potentially walking right into a dangerous situation without even stopping to think that it might be a dangerous situation.) I enjoyed the fact she was a strong woman who still had plenty of vulnerable moments. She had flaws which she eventually came to acknowledge. All of this made her feel extremely relatable.
I enjoyed the fact that it stayed true to itself as a mystery/crime novel even though it had hints of a blossoming romance. I also enjoyed the fact it didn't tie wrap itself up at the end with a perfect little “and they all lived happily ever after” bow at the end, but that it was still able to end on a high note.
I liked the twist at the end. I did have a suspicion of what might happen, but even when it did I was still taken by surprise.
A good mystery introduces plenty of viable suspects. This book did that, as well as giving the reader multiple characters who were by no means innocent. While there was only one person guilty of the two biggest crimes in the novel, most of the other suspects were by no means harmless or innocent people.
In other words...
This novel was a very fun read. I would've gotten through it a little more quickly had I not been so busy while I was reading. I would definitely recommend it to ladies who love a good mystery (especially if you're like me and enjoy trying to solve the case before the answers are revealed). This story gives plenty of little hints along the way. I will definitely be continuing this series in the near future. I feel like it has potential and I look forward to seeing where it goes.
eleanorkt93's review against another edition
4.0
An Elly Griffiths fan. A few fat-shaming style comments that I didn't think we're needed but apart from that I liked the plot and writing style.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Is it just me, or is this book criminally under the radar? I’m not even sure where I heard about it or how it ended up on my list, but it’s certainly not one I’ve seen bandied about much. I didn’t even have any immediate plans to read it—I used an Audible credit on it out of desperation one night when the two other books I planned to read next in audio turned out not to be available in the format (#firstworldproblems).
My sweet spot when it comes to mysteries and thrillers is somewhere between cozy and brutal, which in my experience can be a pretty narrow target to hit. I am weirded out by books that are too cutesy or jokey about death, but I also can’t stomach outright gore. So my ideal mysteries are the kind that take crime seriously, but don’t wallow around in the bloody details. As I flipped through my TBR, desperately searching for anything that might fit the bill, I reread the synopsis of The Crossing Places and thought, yeah, that sounds about right. And it totally was!
Ruth Galloway is my jam. I don’t know when I’ve more closely identified with a character. She’s an antisocial nerd, a bit overweight, much more confident in her field of expertise than interactions with people. Her work as an archaeologist leads the police to seek her help on a case dealing with bones found in a salt marsh near her home. The bones turn out to be thousands of years old, and not those of a missing girl, but Ruth gets sucked into the case anyway, partly out of her own interest and partly by forces out of her control. While I’m a little miffed that I hadn’t heard of this series before now, I’m tickled that there are eight other books for me to enjoy, no waiting required.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
My sweet spot when it comes to mysteries and thrillers is somewhere between cozy and brutal, which in my experience can be a pretty narrow target to hit. I am weirded out by books that are too cutesy or jokey about death, but I also can’t stomach outright gore. So my ideal mysteries are the kind that take crime seriously, but don’t wallow around in the bloody details. As I flipped through my TBR, desperately searching for anything that might fit the bill, I reread the synopsis of The Crossing Places and thought, yeah, that sounds about right. And it totally was!
Ruth Galloway is my jam. I don’t know when I’ve more closely identified with a character. She’s an antisocial nerd, a bit overweight, much more confident in her field of expertise than interactions with people. Her work as an archaeologist leads the police to seek her help on a case dealing with bones found in a salt marsh near her home. The bones turn out to be thousands of years old, and not those of a missing girl, but Ruth gets sucked into the case anyway, partly out of her own interest and partly by forces out of her control. While I’m a little miffed that I hadn’t heard of this series before now, I’m tickled that there are eight other books for me to enjoy, no waiting required.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
jessicabeel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
jasbah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stopherjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
chloelouise_xiv's review against another edition
2.0
This book has been on my want-to-read list FOREVER, but it sadly couldn’t hold my interest past about 40%. Felt very predictable and on-the-nose with who the culprit was, and as enjoyable as the character of Ruth could be at times, the insta-relationship between her and Harry was an immediate no from me
calcitestar's review against another edition
4.0
Nicely read, good story. A bit of a "who done it" but I guessed the ending. The final chapter felt like a science conclusion where all points are discussed and an ending given.