The House at Sea's End (Ruth Galloway Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Elly Griffiths (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 10, 2012 | Series: Ruth Galloway Mysteries

There is already a neat trench in the narrow gap between the tall cliffs. Nelson looks at it with pleasure . . . Then he looks closer. The trench appears to be full of bones.

Elly Griffiths’s Ruth Galloway novels have been praised as “highly atmospheric” (New York Times Book Review) and “remarkable” (Richmond Times-Dispatch). Now the beloved forensic archeologist returns, called in to investigate when human bones surface on a remote Norfolk beach.

Just back from maternity leave, Ruth is finding it difficult to juggle motherhood and work. The presence of DCI Harry Nelson—the married father of her daughter, Kate—does not help. The bones, skeletons of six men with their arms bound, turn out to be about seventy years old, which leads Nelson and Ruth to the war years, a desperate time on this stretch of coastland. Home Guard veteran Archie Whitcliffe reveals the existence of a secret the old soldiers have vowed to protect with their lives. But then Archie is killed and a German journalist arrives, asking questions about Operation Lucifer, a plan to stop a German invasion, and a possible British war crime. What was Operation Lucifer? And who is prepared to kill to keep its secret?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is the third in the quirky, compelling series starring British forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, the first of which, The Crossing Places (2009), won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. A group of archaeologists are surveying northeast Norfolk beaches for evidence of coastal erosion. Incidentally, the team has discovered a Paleolithic ax, a Roman bracelet, and shipwrecks. At Broughton Sea’s End, they discover human remains in a gap in the cliff. The remains are a big find—six skeletons in all. Galloway is called in, along with Detective Chief Inspector Nelson, her married lover and the father of her newborn (things are complicated all around). The bones point back to WWII, the Home Guard, and a long-kept, incendiary secret. Moreover, the WWII vet who lets the police in on only the existence of the secret is found murdered. Solid characterization, believable forensic science, great atmosphere, and a mystery that stretches back decades all make this another winner from the talented Griffiths. --Connie Fletcher

Review

Praise for The House at Sea's End

"A wonderful atmospheric mystery."- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Praise for The Ruth Galloway Mystery series:

"Elly Griffiths draws us all the way back to prehistoric times...Highly Atmospheric."--New York Times Book Review

"Griffiths’s third (The Janus Stone, 2010, etc.) offers not only an excellent mystery but a continuing exploration of the lives of complex...characters." -Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"Expect to be swept away by Griffith’s third compelling forensic anthropology entry (after The Crossing Places and The Janus Stone). The author is a past Mary Higgins Clark Award winner, and her gothic, romantic-suspense workmanship is superb."-Library Journal (starred)

"Solid characterization, believable forensic science, great atmosphere, and a mystery that stretches back decades all make this another winner from the talented Griffith." -Booklist "Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway stirs up fears and passions among the living even as she unearths Iron Age remains. She’s an uncommon, down-to-earth heroine whose acute insight, wry humor, and depth of feeling make her a thoroughly engaging companion." –Erin Hart, Agatha and Anthony Award nominated author of HAUNTED GROUND and LAKE OF SORROWS "Forensic archeologist and academic Ruth Galloway is a captivating amateur sleuth - an inspired creation. I identified with her insecurities and struggles, and cheered her on. The Saltmarsh where Ruth lives in isolation conjures a background of intense menace propelling this gripping story to a surprising and terrifying ending. This is a book rich in plot, character and setting and heralds an exciting new voice on the crime scene."-- Louise Penny 　

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (January 10, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547506147
• ISBN-13: 978-0547506142
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Elly Griffiths was born in London in 1963. Her first crime novel The Crossing Places is set on the Norfolk coast where she spent holidays as a child and where her aunt still lives. Her interest in archaeology comes from her husband, Andrew, who gave up his city job to retrain as an archaeologist. She lives in Brighton, on the south coast of England, with her husband and two children.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great mystery novel by Elly Griffiths February 4, 2011

By William D. Curnutt TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been very pleased with Elly Griffiths series regarding Archeologist Ruth Galloway. I so enjoyed the first two books that I pre-ordered this third book. I was not disappointed.

Griffiths has a wonderful way of developing her characters, holding their character traits through each book and actually building on each trait to make the characters even more inviting and personable as the series moves on.

The mystery itself this time is the find of six skeletal remains along a cliff side at Broughton. These six bodies are discovered by a team that is mapping the coastland and mapping the erosion that is happening. While they are working they find the six bodies which have been exposed because of the failure of part of the cliff and the erosion of the salt water waves against the cliffs.

It is obvious that the six bodies were meant to never be found, but that hasn't happened. Ruth Galloway and Chief Inspector Nelson will team up again to try and solve this mystery.

It is soon realized that the murders are fairly recent since all deaths happened as result of gun shot wounds and five of them appear to be execution style. Who are these murdered men? Who killed them? And why did they kill them?

Ruth is able to determine through carbon tests that the bodies are approximately 50 to 70 years old and that each man has German roots, to the same region in Germany.

As the story unfolds this was a small platoon of German soldiers who were trying to infiltrate England but were discovered by the Home Guard of Broughton Sea. But why were the men executed? That is still the pressing story.

As Galloway and Nelson dig into the story they discover two of the men of the Home Guard are still alive, but not for long. Each of the men dies within the same week. When Nelson has one body exhumed and autopsied it is determined the man was murdered.

Further a German Historian shows up and says he knows who the six men were and why they were there. But, he also is murdered. So, who is now murdering people and trying to keep this story a secret? What are they trying to hide? Or who are they trying to protect?

All the while we are also dealing with Ruth's new life with a young baby, Kate. How will she work and yet raise a child as a single parent.

All of these things plus more are woven together in a story that will keep your attention. I love the way that Elly Griffiths pulls things together. Ties in history as well as archeology and police work. She does a wonderful amount of research and it shows in the depth and realism of her stories. There is also enough tension to keep you on your toes and frankly, you will never guess who the murderer is until the end of the book.

It's fantastic. Enjoy!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome new book from Elly Griffiths March 4, 2011

By mvb

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't say much more about the book that the 3 previous reviewers wrote

The book keeps your attention from the first to last page. I read it in one night, couldn't put
it down.

As far as I know this is still only avail in UK, that's where I ordered from and had my book in 2 weeks, was surprised
how fast it got to the states!

If you have not read any of Elly's books, start with the first one, The Crossing Places as this is a series and books are a continuation.

Elly is a great writer. These are not a traditional cozy but are not thrillers either. I'd call them a modern mystery with some suspense in parts of book - just enough to where you don't want to set the book down for 5 minutes.

Looking forward to the next one - I hope there will be many more to come in this series

Mar

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From Strength To Strength February 8, 2011

By annie

Format:Hardcover

I'm hooked on this series. I dislike reviews that outline the plot so completely that reading the book becomes superfluous so, suffices to say: The plot is interesting and believable, the setting is atmospheric and finely honed, and the characters are "flesh and blood" rather than cookie-cutter people. Ruth Galloway is a realistic and likeable main character; a strong, intelligent woman who knows and accepts her flaws. If you're new to the series, start with "The Crossing Places" and go forward. You'll soon be hooked as well and eagerly awaiting the next installment.