alba_marie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, and Misogyny
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
2.0
Seriously how many of these books must I read before Nelson and Michelle realize that an open relationship is kind of the solution to all their problems.
stacylmoll's review against another edition
5.0
Once again Elly Griffiths does not disappoint. I found this one as good as the rest and can't wait until I can read the next one. I think from the beginning my favorite character is the druid Cathbad. I wish I had someone like him as a friend, because life would not have a dull moment.
fuzzybob_249's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
charlotte_hampson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emmap2023's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
zosiablue's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Best book in the series since the first one! We have a intriguing mystery about murdered lady priests, then one of those classic "beautiful young drug addict murdered in a ditch" plots, and more cheating and baby drama (unrelated to the priests or murder). The final tension takes place during a Passion Play! What more can you ask, really. The anti-fat author asides have cooled and I feel desperate for the protagonists to finally get together already, so on to the next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Addiction, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Death, and Drug use
eleanorew's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.0
This is the second book I’ve read from this series (completely out of order) and I have enjoyed them both. The character have an ongoing storyline that runs through the series but I really enjoy the murders. It’s standard for a crime novel, the writing is quite lighthearted which prevents it from feeling tense though so the climax often feels a bit flat.
mojoshivers's review against another edition
4.0
One technique of mystery writers I love is to have two perpetrators, one who does a heinous crime and one who is guilty of a benign crime in comparison. Human nature being what it is, the reader’s mind immediately goes to the thought that “Well, if he is capable of A, and that’s pretty bad, he’s totally susceptible to being the person who could do B as well.”
But the truth is there’s always levels different people are willing to go, there’s always different depths different folks will reach when pushed. If it wasn’t for our tendency to read mysteries as if there’s one guy running away doing different acts of evil, we’d be more open to the idea that there’s people committing crimes left and right. More often than not in real life, in any given group, there going to be more than one evil doer.
That’s why this book tricked me. I bit hard idea on the idea that the intertwined stories of murderous threats and actual murders would be the same person. But, all in all, it was a great conclusion and a great story—even if Cathbad had a more minor role than he normally does.
The Ruth and Nelson subplot was good. As was the Tim and Michelle stuff. This series just gets better with every book.
But the truth is there’s always levels different people are willing to go, there’s always different depths different folks will reach when pushed. If it wasn’t for our tendency to read mysteries as if there’s one guy running away doing different acts of evil, we’d be more open to the idea that there’s people committing crimes left and right. More often than not in real life, in any given group, there going to be more than one evil doer.
That’s why this book tricked me. I bit hard idea on the idea that the intertwined stories of murderous threats and actual murders would be the same person. But, all in all, it was a great conclusion and a great story—even if Cathbad had a more minor role than he normally does.
The Ruth and Nelson subplot was good. As was the Tim and Michelle stuff. This series just gets better with every book.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
The shrine at Walsingham has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years and draws many visitors each year. When the body of a young woman is found in a ditch DI Nelson finds himself investigating the murder of a young model with a troubled past. However Ruth Galloway is also drawn to Walsingham by an old archaeologist friend turned female vicar who has been getting a series of threatening letters. It could be coincidence or it could be that the two are linked - either way, when Nelson's wife is attacked, it becomes very personal.
A new Ruth Galloway book is always a treat and this is no exception. Focusing less on archaeology and more on the complicated relationships between Nelson and the women in his life, The Woman in Blue is more than just a formulaic police procedural. Whilst never hugely original in plot nor complex in characterisation, Griffiths has a knack of writing a clever and entertaining story that is a joy from start to finish.
A new Ruth Galloway book is always a treat and this is no exception. Focusing less on archaeology and more on the complicated relationships between Nelson and the women in his life, The Woman in Blue is more than just a formulaic police procedural. Whilst never hugely original in plot nor complex in characterisation, Griffiths has a knack of writing a clever and entertaining story that is a joy from start to finish.