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leneliest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Suicide, Murder, and War
zosiablue's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There was a good mystery here about WWII, German corpses, and family secrets, but it was so over complicated that I didn't remember meeting the killer earlier in the book when they were later revealed. Regardless, the interpersonal relationships continue to shine here. Griffiths paints a delicate and honest portrait of motherhood (I assume, not being one). And I'm going to guess she didn't mean for me to think this deeply about this next one, but I liked how she illustrated how being near beauty is sometimes the same key in the lock as being beautiful (the gruff policeman likes how his beautiful wife gives him social cred, despite being in love with brilliant but plain Ruth). Let's see what happens next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, and War
awebofstories's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
One would think that archeological murder mysteries would start to get old, but Ruth Galloway is still going strong.
Ruth is as delightfully awkward as ever, and now she's a mom with all the mom insecurities. There is a lot of Ruth trying to juggle motherhood and her career, but it is done endearingly and not the same-old, same-old. She now also has an official relationship with the police department, which allows her presence in these murder cases actually make sense.
I quite liked the mystery here. There are a couple of levels to it, and I was surprised at the reveal, even though I realized retrospectively that the clues were all there. Ruth's supporting cast is still here, and they are becoming more fully formed characters in their own right.
My issue with this book was including a friend from Ruth's past. I'm not sure why she was there, but I also felt that her story was given the short end of the stick. She seems like she would be an interesting character, and we are given enough of her backstory to entice us, but then it doesn't go anywhere with no promise that we'll ever see her again.
While that additional character was a distraction that took me out of the story, I still enjoyed the bulk of this novel. I'm here for Ruth and can't wait to see what she digs up next.
Ruth is as delightfully awkward as ever, and now she's a mom with all the mom insecurities. There is a lot of Ruth trying to juggle motherhood and her career, but it is done endearingly and not the same-old, same-old. She now also has an official relationship with the police department, which allows her presence in these murder cases actually make sense.
I quite liked the mystery here. There are a couple of levels to it, and I was surprised at the reveal, even though I realized retrospectively that the clues were all there. Ruth's supporting cast is still here, and they are becoming more fully formed characters in their own right.
My issue with this book was including a friend from Ruth's past. I'm not sure why she was there, but I also felt that her story was given the short end of the stick. She seems like she would be an interesting character, and we are given enough of her backstory to entice us, but then it doesn't go anywhere with no promise that we'll ever see her again.
While that additional character was a distraction that took me out of the story, I still enjoyed the bulk of this novel. I'm here for Ruth and can't wait to see what she digs up next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Murder, and War
gemin1reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Really enjoyed the next one in the series, though I was less intrigued by the murder and more enjoying the ongoing storyline between Ruth & Nelson and their friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity, Murder, and War
Moderate: Fatphobia, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
There is a completely unnecessary - and negative - mention of the main character’s exact weight which is entirely unneeded and could be triggering if that’s an issue for you.cpachet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: War