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.

I've cast Sam Morton as Ruth and that's my final word on the matter.

Having said that (!) I could also see the wonderful Jessica Hynes as Ruth.

The latest instalment - the 14th in the series - is out in February and is called The Locked Room. It will be interesting to see how Ruth, Nelson and company cope with the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown!

Thanks Salt, I've reserved book 14 in my local library. 14th in the queue as well, as it happens.

I've just read a library copy of the latest Brighton mystery, The Midnighg Hour. Between nos 4 and 5 in the series the writer has jumped forward a few years and the most recent 2 books are set in the 1960s. It's now 1965 and the original central characters are now supporting cast, with two women, Emma and Meg, taking the lead. Emma was originally a police detective, but now married with kids she's subject to the marriage bar and has become a PI instead. Meg is a very junior detective constable at 19, a working class girl from an Irish family who live in a council estate area.

I've just finished my second read of the first ten Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries. I think it might be my Mastermind specialist subject! I'm hoping that I've just got time to catch up with pps and read books 11-13 for the first time, before the latest release next month.

Ooo! I love these books, didn't know a new one was out, what a treat.
MiL lives near KL and, yes the logistics are dodgy, but the books have such warmth and charm, and the area is amazing.

I was a bit disappointed with the beginning of book eleven, The Stone Circle. It seemed repetitive and Leif appeared far-fetched. I carried on with it though, reminding myself that Elly and her Ruth had kept me entertained through ten books read twice! I'm glad I persevered, because it became another engaging book.

The fourteenth book, The Locked Room, is out in the UK on 3 February. I've read a preview of the prologue and first two chapters, and it's looking very good, but I hear we might really need our hankies for this one...

@bibliomania @hoochyhag

I'm on the library waiting list, SaltMarsh!

I remember, @bibliomania - are you still number fourteen in the queue?! I'll probably wait for the paperback to come out and re-read books 11-13 in the meantime.

I've just seen @upinaballoon 's pp that there are also five chapters of The Locked Room in the most recent paperback edition of book thirteen, The Night Hawks. I've just started book twelve, The Lantern Men, so I'm going to be strict with myself and not sneak-read ahead!

Probably still number 14. Looking forward to it! Not going to read the opening chapters as it would just be tantalizing having to wait.

I'm enjoying the plot of The Lantern Men so far, but I had to double-check that I hadn't missed a book out after The Stone Circle, such are the changes in the lives of Ruth, Clough and Judy. I wanted to know how it all had come to pass and that there should be a book in between, but perhaps all will become clear as I read on.

@bibliomania

I'm on the library waiting list, SaltMarsh!

Heck, I haven't put my name down yet. I'll be 984th in the queue. It will come out in paperback next autumn before I get offered it. I'll have to avoid discussions on here for months. A friend gets it on Kindle as soon as it comes out.

The new one's set in 2020, when we were washing our hands to two verses of Happy Birthday, because Mr. Gove told us to.

You know fish finger sandwiches are one of Kate's favourites, and someone else's, well, there's this little cafe/sandwich shop in Cromer which offers Croomer crab sandwiches, but I opted for their fish finger sarnies instead, and wasn't disappointed. I felt close to Elly in that moment.

Ruth is only five foot five - I think we'd all got the impression she was taller!

Received my copy of the locked room yesterday. Couldn't put it down. No spoilers but read half the book and it's 11/10 from me!

I'm on a library waiting list - 4 reserves for 2 copies still showing as on order - think I'm #2 so will have to start and read quite quickly once it comes through. I do have other books in hand I'm really looking forward to and it's nice to have a new Elly Griffiths book to look forward to.

I read The Night Hawks a little before publication but had to wait for her most recent novel, #6 in another series, and now this one, from the library.

'I have also seen that she has another "other" book due in September - new series character and setting in London, but the series character's boss sounds familiar from The Stranger Diaries and The Postscript Murders

Well finished the book in the early hours. You won't be disappointed. And as usual a cliff hanger

@drinkingwineoutofamug

Well finished the book in the early hours. You won't be disappointed. And as usual a cliff hanger

You are a little honey for not putting any spoilers in your message. I am about 140 on the library waiting list - sigh.

I agree - very grateful for the lack of spoilers! Glad to hear it's worth waiting for though...

I've just started reading the last three again, starting with The Stone Circle, to keep me going and refresh my memory. I like to get my money's worth from books!

This book is the best of the series. I'd forgotten what the start of lockdown was like.

That is good and tantalising to know! Still reading The Stone Circle here. I found myself wondering whether Ruth would be a mumsnetter and what sort of response she would get if she posted threads about her relationship dilemmas?!