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awebofstories's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Grade: B+
Ruth Galloway is back, bringing her entourage of colorful characters with her. Ruth is called in this time when a WWII plane is found in a field with a pilot still in the cockpit. Ruth immediately realizes that this pilot did not die in a plane crash--and did not die in this plane--and everyone finds themselves in a murder mystery.
Central to this mystery is a strangely bizarre aristocratic family who has been in the area for a long time. Also central is DNA research. This book was published in 2015, which was when sites such as 23andMe and Ancestry were at their height, so it makes sense for Griffiths to enter this into Ruth's world.
We also get the messiness of Ruth's world. Ironically, Ruth seems to be the least messy of the bunch. Yes, there is a potential new love on the horizon, but there is also Nelson, who is still married to Michelle, who is...well, you need to read it. Cathbad is back in the story, although he does not play a central part in this one. Still, he belongs in Norfolk. Dave Clough, one of Nelson's detectives, takes a more central role, and getting to know him better is a nice element.
I enjoyed this romp into the skeletons of the old guard. However, I felt at times that Griffiths got so wrapped up in all the interpersonal issues that she forgot to have the characters work on the mystery. The mystery itself is quite good, but I felt the solving of the mystery seems to happen quickly at the end after idling for most of the novel.
This is a crucial element in the Ruth Galloway series. However, it is more important in the development of the various characters' series-long arcs than it is in terms of mystery. But, honestly, I'm okay with that.
Ruth Galloway is back, bringing her entourage of colorful characters with her. Ruth is called in this time when a WWII plane is found in a field with a pilot still in the cockpit. Ruth immediately realizes that this pilot did not die in a plane crash--and did not die in this plane--and everyone finds themselves in a murder mystery.
Central to this mystery is a strangely bizarre aristocratic family who has been in the area for a long time. Also central is DNA research. This book was published in 2015, which was when sites such as 23andMe and Ancestry were at their height, so it makes sense for Griffiths to enter this into Ruth's world.
We also get the messiness of Ruth's world. Ironically, Ruth seems to be the least messy of the bunch. Yes, there is a potential new love on the horizon, but there is also Nelson, who is still married to Michelle, who is...well, you need to read it. Cathbad is back in the story, although he does not play a central part in this one. Still, he belongs in Norfolk. Dave Clough, one of Nelson's detectives, takes a more central role, and getting to know him better is a nice element.
I enjoyed this romp into the skeletons of the old guard. However, I felt at times that Griffiths got so wrapped up in all the interpersonal issues that she forgot to have the characters work on the mystery. The mystery itself is quite good, but I felt the solving of the mystery seems to happen quickly at the end after idling for most of the novel.
This is a crucial element in the Ruth Galloway series. However, it is more important in the development of the various characters' series-long arcs than it is in terms of mystery. But, honestly, I'm okay with that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail