The Lantern Men: Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries 12 (Ruth Galloway, #12)

by Elly Griffiths

ACCLAIMED AND BESTSELLING REGIONAL CRIME FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE STRANGER DIARIES

'My favourite current series' Val McDermid

'Ruth Galloway is one of the most engaging characters in modern crime fiction' Kate Mosse

'Elly Griffiths writes with a sharp, smart eye and great elegance' Peter James

Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway.

She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police's resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Ivor March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried - but only if Ruth will do the digging.

Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.

Is Ivor March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?

• ISBN10: 1787477533
• ISBN13: 9781787477537
• Publish Date: 6 February 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Quercus Publishing
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Mystereity Reviews]

I started and stopped this one several times when other books popped up that I wanted to get through first. The beginning just didn't suck me in like this series usually does and I kept finding excuses to set it aside. But when the latest book became available on Netgalley and I was lucky enough to be approved, I knew I had to sit down and finish it.

The story starts out with Ruth now a professor in Cambridge, one of several changes from previous books. I think that's what jarred me, it was a jump into the future from the last book, which confused me for a chapter or two, but the plot was very well done (as only Elly Griffiths can do!) A man in prison for several murders of young women offers to disclose the location of the bodies if Ruth will lead the excavation, which brings her into the another of Nelson's cases. After excavating the two bodies, Ruth uncovers a third. The ensuing investigation into an artist's retreat at the heart of the mystery holds many secrets and suspects.

I loved how thing one played out, and the culprit came as a surprise for me, I thought sure it was a different character. I love the ups and downs of these books as the investigations winds its way through, it all feels so realistic and natural. And as always when I read these books, the end is always a thriller and always ends right when I want more. Always a pleasure to read one of these books and I always look forward to Cathbad (who didn't wear his purple cloak in this one. *sigh*)


I just have one question: how did Ivor know where the bodies of Jenny and Nicola were?