Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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

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.

I stumbled on this author by accident. I read her first novel, The Crossing Places, and was hooked. Each book has not failed to grab my imagination. Her main character, Ruth Galloway, a forensic anthropologist,is down to earth, flawed, intelligent,a self doubting human being with a heart of gold. Ruth finds her way through life as best she can. Just like the rest of us.
Elly Griffiths has a voice that stays with me after I put the book down. In this story, on the coast of Norfolk,we are returned to a time of fear and hatrid during WWII. When six decomposed bodies are found by a survey team after the sea eroded away a cliff face, Ruth is called in to help with identification. I don't want to give anything away but I do want to point out that through the authors descriptions I felt the sea spray and the chill of the wind and the grit of the sand in my eyes. I would recommend this book to anyone who injoys a mystery with thoughtful insights, intelligent detail, and a surpising ending.

All three of Elly Griffiths' mysteries have scored high in my estimation. I am already anxious for the next one. For anyone who enjoys the description of the sea and a desolate landscape, the beauty of the snow at the end of winter, and the wonder of darkness as the tide comes in, Elly Griffiths is for you. She invokes all of the readers' senses. You feel the ocean, smell it, and experience the same wonder that Ruth does, who lives in a cottage in a remote location near the sea.

There are several unusual features about her books: one is that they are narrated, not told from the perspective of one character, so the reader actually knows more than any of the characters. Another unusual feature is that there is a dry humor in her writing which is very enjoyable. Also, the characters develop over time--in fact, time becomes a theme of the books--and the reader finds that over time some of the characters become very appealing. Cathbad is one who started out being a rather strange individual but has in this book become a very endearing person. I suggest as some other reviewers have that it's best to read one or both of the previous books first in order to enjoy this progression in the characters and get to know them. This book can be read alone and enjoyed, but it's much more special when you know the characters and recognize what their good and bad qualities are. You may not like some of them at times, but that's a part of the experience, and Elly Griffiths' mysteries are a wonderful experience. Even the cat, Flint, has an endearing personality!

First Sentence: Two people, a man and a woman, are walking along a hospital corridor.

A team of archeologists studying coastal erosion uncover a number of skeletons neatly placed within a cleft of a cliff. Archeologist and forensic expert Ruth Galloway is brought in to work with DCI Harry Nelson, to determine the age and identity of the remains. The more they discover, the less someone wants them to find and others die trying to keep secrets buried.

Every now and then there is a review which I find difficult to write; this is one. Let me start with all that I found very well done:

I love the illustration at the beginning of the book. I admit to being a map person so anything which provide a prospective as to the settings, I appreciate. Additionally, Ms. Griffiths' descriptions are wonderful a establishing a sense of place and enhancing the action of the story. She describes both the tension of driving in a heavy snowstorm as well as the beauty it creates with equal skill.

History is a driving thread through the plot of the story. I particularly appreciate her perspective of someone in the present being unable to comprehend the fear of those living in vulnerable areas during the war. One can empathize, but never really understand without having the experience.

The mystery itself is very good. While you, as reader, know some of the events have a direct impact on the story, it's Ms. Griffiths' ability to bring together a lot of small pieces into solving the complete puzzle that is admirable. There is heart-pounding suspense, surprises, twists and an ending which was wonderfully set up but not contrived.

The characters themselves are complex, interesting and very realistically human. There is a wonderful diversity among them and I've certainly come to have my favorites. Relationships are complicated; and nowhere is that point made more clear than in this series.

The aspect of the book with which I had reservations, and thus dropped my rating from "VG," is based on the relationship between two of the characters. It is my personal view only. Yet because it is such a significant part of the series and accounts for a considerable portion of each story, it's not something I can ignore. The event is a moral decision, not one of legality, and while I realize may this may seem silly, being the characters are fictional, but it is just not something acceptable to me. Had an event which occurred in the first book of the series not reoccurred, I am certain I would feel differently. However, that was not the choice made by the author. That's fine, it is her choice, but it is one that clearly impacts the way I feel about the book.

So, the big question is: Will I continue with the series? Yes, I shall. For as much as I am uncomfortable with the relationship, I have to believe the author has a purpose for making this, and other, relationships such a focus of the books. That, the quality of the writing, and the author's ability to create a compelling mystery is enough to bring me back--for now.

THE HOUSE AT SEA'S END (Lic Inv/Archeo-Ruth Galloway/DCI Nelson-England-Cont) - Good
Griffiths, Elly - 3rd in series
Quercus, ©2011, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9781849163675

In the third book of her "Ruth Galloway" mystery series, "The House at Sea's End", author Elly Griffith presents us with a complex set of characters: half a dozen buried corpses, three new murder victims, and a host of potential suspects -- all being trailed by a team of law enforcers assisted by a score of secondary characters. It's enough to make your head spin:

"Nelson gets Judy to fax through the list of titles (Ruth is almost the last person in the world still to have a fax machine). Ruth reads through the names while Nelson plays peek-a-boo with Kate. Ruth wishes Clough could see him."

... three sentences reference five characters, two of whom aren't even in the room.

I enjoy character-driven fiction, and I appreciate that even fictional characters have friends, but sometimes less is more. As DCI Harry Nelson says, "Don't make things too complicated." I realize that I read an ARC (prone to typos), but at least one minor character changes names in the story, and it wasn't a plot device. Too many details can play heck with continuity. Locations and timelines in many cases were confusing or even contradictory.

I am a fan of the classic English mystery; Griffith has the setting, the characters, and the crime down pat, there is just too much and the story's readability suffers. "The House at Sea's End" sets the stage, but gets lost in the scenery changes.

The House at Sea's End: A Case for Ruth Galloway, Forensic Archaeologist

Possible SPOILERS if you have not read the first two Ruth Galloway books!

This is the third book in the Ruth Galloway series. This is a character driven series and if you want the background of the character development, I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series. ( The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway) and The Janus Stone (Ruth Galloway) )
I think this book has a more interesting and more in depth plot(WW11 war crime) then the last two books.
Bones have been discovered on the beach and Ruth has been called in to determine where and when they are from. DCI Harry Nelson is also called in to secure the area.
I am not into romance books or the like but what I really enjoy about this series is Ruth and her interactions with Nelson. I do find it interesting how Ruth interacts with Nelson's wife and I can't wait to see how this all pulls together. I am finding it a little disconcerting that Ruth isn't putting herself in Michelle's shoes. I hope there are fireworks when the truth finally comes out. Another great thing about this series is that the author ties everything up about the plot, no loose strings.
How this books ends really has me eagerly awaiting the fourth book in this series, hopefully in the Spring of 2012, A Room Full Of Bones.

"The House at Sea's End" is another fun Griffiths' mystery. Archeologist professor and sometime police adviser Ruth Galloway is in the throes of new motherhood as she turns 40. She's feeling happy but a bit freaked out trying to do it all by herself. She doesn't want the father's help so she muddles on. Then a friend from decades past who she's shared some traumatic history with invites herself on an extended stay with Ruth. They met on a Bosnian dig where their goal was to recover and identify massacred people. Not a fun job.

As the book opens Deputy Chief Inspector Nelson calls on Ruth once again to help date and possibly identify a stash of bodies found right off the coast of Norwich. The bodies have just recently been found due to unprecedented beach erosion. Together Ruth and Nelson begin to unravel long hidden war secrets and how or if those secrets relate to the bodies. As their working relationship continues to evolve their personal lives become more intertwined. Neither can decide whether this is a good or a bad thing. Another fine Griffiths' plot. She has a flair for bringing history alive.

Thier are a lot of things in this story I liked and some I did not. Personally all the different affairs dont like. I have not read the other books that are before this one, But I want to now.
Ruth is a brand new mom. Her daughter is Kate. Kate father is Nelson, but no one knows that. Nelson is a Policeman and happily married man.
Ruth is a professor teaches archaeologie and helps the police when old remains are found. Ruth is struggling the whole way through the book with being a new mom. Feels quilty when she leaves kate to go to work. Finding baby sitters.
Thier are 6 bodies buried by the ocean ane once they start moving the rocks they have only till the high tide comes to get everything out or be lost to sea.
They have to find out how old and where they came from.
Its a good mystery and good insight to her friends and coworker's. A little hard for me with the English meaning of some of the police terms like DCI. I would read more of her books.
I was given the ebook in exchange for honest review.