A review by sandysmith
The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative 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? No

3.75

The 2nd book in the Ruth Galloway series and the main characters are back. DCI Harry Nelson is my favourite, although I do love a strong female lead. There is still the fat shaming that I can do without, but other than that, it's looking like a series I'm going to pursue. For those who've not met Dr. Ruth Galloway, she is a forensic archaeologist who is called in by police and, in particular, by Nelson. The crime mystery involves the body of a child with it's head missing being found in a children's home, but this, in a way, is a side story to the messy relationships of Ruth who is pregnant with married Nelson's baby. Other characters are back to, and I do have a soft spot for the druid Cathbad, but I am also pleased to see Judy and Clough from Nelson's team. My favourite Norfolk salt marshes where Ruth lives are also back, which have a character of its own. All in all, it is a gripping, fast-paced, and surprisingly humourous crime based read.
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