The Janus Stone was the purchase I made at Elly Griffiths book launch at Manea Village Hall, hosted by Niche Comics Bookshop.
Ruth Galloway’s second outing sees her conducting an archaeological survey before new flats are built on the site of a soon to be demolished Victorian house in Norwich. The house had been at one time a family home and during the 1950s a Catholic children’s home. Two children went missing from the children’s home and were never found. However, it is when a headless child’s skeleton is discovered that a murder investigation ensues; DCI Harry Nelson leads the enquiry. Ruth works with Harry to uncover the history of the skeleton and solve the events leading to the death of the child. The enquiry delves into the mystery of the missing children and the history of the soon to be demolished house.
However Ruth has problems of her own these problems complicate her relationship with Harry and exposes her to feelings about herself she hadn’t previously known. The complicated relationship between Ruth, Harry, Ruth’s colleagues and friends provides an interesting twisty plot. The story is set in Norwich and in the North Norfolk coastal salt marshes. I was engaged from start to finish, I really enjoyed this book.
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Esther Chilton on June 4, 2024 at 4:31 pm
I’ve read a few books in this series and really enjoyed them.
Posted by Cathy Cade on June 4, 2024 at 8:00 pm
I’ve only read Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths but that was a single novel, not part of a series. I’ll have to give this deries a go…
Posted by fenlandphil on June 4, 2024 at 8:14 pm
Elly Griffiths, has I think from memory said she has written thirty books. I have only read the first two of her Ruth Galloway series. I will look out for number three when I get the chance.
Posted by purplesandyh on June 5, 2024 at 9:32 am
Your book reviews always make me want to read the book.
Posted by fenlandphil on June 5, 2024 at 1:10 pm
Thank you, Sandra.
Posted by summertime75 on June 5, 2024 at 9:48 am
I really enjoyed the Ruth Galloway series, my wife bought me the first in the series, The Crossing Places from a charity shop in November 2022 and I was hooked and had finished the series in time for the “final” adventure The Last Remains which was published in February 2023. Thankfully there is another book which includes a Ruth Galloway mystery The Man in Black which is due out on 18th June 2024. Another for the collection
Posted by Marsha on June 14, 2024 at 6:28 am
That sounds like a fabulous book, Philip, but sad. It’s always sad when someone young dies. Your review is excellent and makes me want to read the book. 🙂
Posted by fenlandphil on June 14, 2024 at 7:58 am
Thank you Marsha.
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