Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway novels (*possible spoilers)

[Bloodybridget]

I've seen Elly Griffiths recommended on MN several times, so I picked up The Chalk Pit the other day. I do think she writes well, and am enjoying her dry humour, but baffled by logistics! The police officers are based in King's Lynn, but they're investigating incidents in Norwich, and seem to be travelling between the two locations in no time at all - which anyone who has spent time in North Norfolk, or even looked at a map, would know is impossible unless by helicopter. Example: two officers are in Norwich getting information, a colleague in KL police station wonders aloud "what's taking them so long" - well, it'll be the hour, minimum, each way on the A47, for a start!

Could it really be feasible that Norwich wouldn't have its own CID department to cover local cases? The author says she spends lots of holidays on the Norfolk coast so she must know how long it takes to get around.

Ah, but you haven't realised yet how Harry Nelson drives.

I love these books and all the characters but have the benefit of knowing nothing of the geography of Norfolk so all that just passes me by. If it was written about my home county I do agree it would drive me nuts.

I like them too. But the same characters involved in every single story is ring a bit boring. Cathbad knows all of Norfolk.

@upinaballoon right at the start of the novel I'm reading, The Chalk Pit, Nelson is reluctantly attending a speed awareness course! But no wonder the poor sod feels the need to put his foot down!

@Toddlerteaplease, I pm’d you. Don’t worry it’s nothing weird.

I really liked these but then they all got very samey. I couldn't finish the last one I started which was set abroad.... Italy maybe?

Bloodybridget - you've made me smile. I'm from Norwich and thought the same thing. Still enjoy the books though.

I quite like these but I have to switch off half of my brain. After the last one though I won't be reading anymore, the end was infuriating.

I think my reading comprehension is failing me anyway, because having read a bit further, it now seems some of the witnesses are in KL . . But they're definitely carrying out other investigations in Norwich . . aargh

I can't believe Nelson's wife hasn't chucked him out!

Me too @Toddlerteaplease. If she was on here it would be full on LTB and get an STD. check.

I wish I could enjoy these because I love archaeology and forensics, but I can't bear novels in present tense.

Yes. Same with the Thursday murder club. It's going to date really badly. (Though it's crap anyway.)

I am reading these at the moment and enjoying them, I find the repeated themes quite relaxing. I know Norfolk a bit but not well enough to notice the implausible geography. after the first couple I did think the characters needed to invest in some tide tables - surely no excuse for people who live by the sea to be so constantly surprised by the tide coming in/threatening to cut them off with consequent peril and near death...

The new one is 99p in the Kindle Daily Deal today!

Love,love,love elly griffiths books! Done the whole Ruth & nelson saga about 12 and the magic men & the stranger dairies . Reading a room full of bones atm.

I finished The Chalk Pit this evening and will definitely read more of the series. Unfortunately I hate reading on Kindle!

You need to start at the being, before Ruth and nelson get together and she meets cathbad .
The crossing places
Janus stone
House at sea's end
Room full of bones
Dying fall
Outcast dead
Woman in blue
Chalk pit
Dark angel
Stone circle
Lantern men
Night hawks (total cliff hanger)

Brighton mysteries
Zig zag girl
Smoke and mirrors
Blood card
Vanishing box
Now you see them

The stranger diaries
Postscript murders

She has also written some children's books
And as Dominenica de Rosa written 3 books

Enjoy!

I was always intrigued by Kate's child minder - Ruth was often hours late picking her up, or she'd take her round at weekends at the drop of a hat! Think the child minder is a saint!

@drinkingwineoutofamug thanks very much, I will try to read them in order now.

@drinkingwineoutofamug I went into a charity bookshop today hoping to find an EG novel, and there was The Crossing Places just waiting for me! What luck, eh?

I picked up the Stone Circle which DH had been given for Xmas (and then failed to read/open) - Loved it and then gradually read them all in order - I say gradually...5 weeks of a newborn and I only have Night Hawks to go. Ruth & Nelsons relationship baffles me slightly (v trauma based) but I'm invested! (with a bit of a crush on Cathbad )

@Maidenofthespear I can see I'm going to be hooked. It's great tho' because I've barely been reading books for ages, so anything that grabs me is welcome.

Oh I love these too, I had read them all and read the latest then realised I had forgotten some things so I reread the whole series over a 3 week period!!! I don’t know Norfolk so I have no idea how ridiculous the CID and the level of crime is. But I love the history - and finding out about amazing characters like the woman bishop from the Middle Ages.

I get annoyed at all the will they won’t they re Ruth and Nelson and I too cannot understand how his wife is still with him! Or why Ruth won’t go and make a life with someone else. All the other men sounded better than Harry🤔

I love these books too. I like the repeated themes and the developing relationships too.

Nelson will not leave Michelle. He and Ruth would send each other bonkers if they lived together. Or perhaps that's it...Elly Griffiths will document the decline of their relationship too.