2025 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2025 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Booklist Queen's 2025 Reading Challenge
2025 52 Club Reading Challenge
2025 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
2025 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
2025 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge
2025 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2025 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge
2025 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge
The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge
The Life Skills Reading Challenge
Showing posts with label Archaeology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archaeology. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Fourth Ruth Galloway Mystery Offers Another Entertaining Foray Into Forensic Archaeology
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for A Room Full of Bones, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Ruth Galloway mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
When Dr. Ruth Galloway—head of the Forensic Archaeology Department at the University of North Norfolk—is invited to supervise the opening of a medieval coffin, the last thing she expects to find is a dead body. A fresh one, anyway. But that's exactly what she discovers when she arrives at the Smith Museum for the unveiling. The corpse of the curator, Neil Topham, is on the floor with no visible cause of death. What caused his untimely demise?
Another mysterious death related to the museum makes it obvious that something strange is going on. DCI Harry Nelson takes the case, calling on Ruth to help with the investigation. Their digging leads them down strange paths that only create more questions. As single Ruth and the very-married Harry race to solve the case, they also must deal with their awkward personal connection—their toddler.
I always enjoy my forays with the understated, but always entertaining Ruth Galloway. A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths, the fourth book in the series, is no exception. It features an intriguing mystery, a cast of interesting characters, and a plot that kept me turning pages. The mystery didn't go where I thought it was going to, which is always a nice surprise. Overall, then, this is another entertaining installment in a mystery series I enjoy.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Ruth Galloway series, including The Crossing Places; The Janus Stone; The House at Sea's End; A Dying Fall; The Outcast Dead; The Ghost Fields; The Woman in Blue; The Chalk Pit; The Dark Angel; The Stone Circle; The Lantern Men; and The Night Hawk)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Okay, Now I'm Invested ... (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers from The Clue in the Trees, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Enchantment Lake. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
After a harrowing summer at her aunts' lakeside cabin, 17-year-old Francie Frye has decided to stay in little Walpurgis. As far as excitement goes, Brooklyn has nothing on the Minnesota Northwoods. Not that Francie is looking for anything more thrilling than the normal, everyday life of an average, ordinary high school senior, mind you.
When a surly archaeologist is strangled to death while manning an important dig near the aunts' cabin, everyone expects their own northwoods Nancy Drew to take up the case. Francie couldn't be more disinterested. Been there, done that. Then her older brother shows up unexpectedly, trailing trouble in his wake. Francie hasn't seen Theo in three years. There's plenty she doesn't know about him and it's obvious he's hiding some big secrets. Could one of them be that he's a murderer? With Theo as the prime suspect in the murder of the archaeologist, Francie's got no choice but to launch her own investigation. She has to prove her brother innocent. With mounting evidence against him, though, she's forced to ask a chilling question: Is Theo guilty? In a situation where nothing is as it seems, Francie must solve a complex puzzle before time runs out for her brother and herself ...
You might remember that I wasn't overly enthusiastic about Enchantment Lake, the first book in the Northwoods Mystery series by Margi Preus. I'm happy to report that I'm much fonder of its second installment, The Clue in the Trees. While there are a few incongruencies in the tale that I'm still trying to figure out, overall, the book provides a fast, fun mystery that surprised me in the end. The vibrant lake setting remains the star of this particular show, but I did find Francie more likeable this time around. I'm also enjoying the continued mystery surrounding her parents' suspicious demises. After reading Enchantment Lake, I had little desire to continue with the series. Now, though, I'm invested and looking forward to Francie's next adventure.
(Readalikes: Enchantment Lake by Margi Preus; also reminds me a bit of the Jess Tennant series [How to Fall; Bet Your Life; Hide and Seek] by Jane Casey)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Clue in the Trees from the generous folks at University of Minnesota Press via those at Fantastic Flying Book Club. Thank you!
--
Want more opinions on The Clue in the Trees? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking on the banner below:
Feeling lucky? Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter a giveaway (U.S. only) for one copy of The Clue in the Trees:
Not feeling lucky? Use the following links to buy the book:
Barnes & Noble—https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-clue-in-the-trees-margi-preus/1126190722?ean=9781517902193
Book Depository—https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Clue-in-the-Trees-Margi-Preus/9781517902193?ref=grid-view&qid=1505923243501&sr=1-1
Kobo—https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-clue-in-the-trees
About the Author:
Margi Preus is a New York Times bestselling author of several books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book, Heart of a Samurai, the Minnesota Book Award winning West of the Moon, and Shadow on the Mountain, a Notable Book for a Global Society. New in 2015 is Enchantment Lake, a northwoods mystery, and The Bamboo Sword, which Bookpage says is “historical fiction at its best.”
“Margi Preus has a remarkable ability to create fascinating, page-turning stories that transport readers to faraway times and places. Whether she’s evoking Norway during World War II or 19th century Japan, Preus combines impeccable research with strong characterization and plot—the very elements that draw readers into history and spark the curiosity to learn more.” Bookpage, Sept. 2015
Links:
Website-http://www.margipreus.com
Twitter-https://twitter.com/MargiPreus
Monday, April 18, 2016
Masterful Canadian Mystery Series Gives Me All the Feels
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Bury Your Dead, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Armand Gamache mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Haunted by his role in a recent investigation gone horribly wrong, Armand Gamache retreats to Québec City for a much needed respite. Though his face has been splashed all over the news of late, he's hoping to keep a low profile while he licks his wounds. But, he is not the only visitor to the historic, walled city. Despite the bone-chilling winter temperatures, a crowd of tourists is in town for the annual Winter Carnival. While he enjoys seeing the faces of delighted revelers, Gamache wants no part in the festivities. He desires only to be left alone with the memories that haunt his mind, breaking his heart and wounding his soul over and over again.
Gamache finds solace in the peaceful quiet of a forgotten library run by the Literary and Historical Society. When a body is discovered in the building's basement, the chief inspector's days of tranquil study come to an abrupt end. Local police are stumped by the murder of Augustin Renaud, an amateur archaeologist obsessed with finding the remains of Samuel de Champlain; reluctantly, Gamache agrees to help with the investigation. As he searches for clues in Québec City's history, culture, and political climate, he makes startling realizations that reveal enough motives and suspects to keep him busy. In the meantime, Gamache dispatches Jean-Guy Beauvoir to quietly re-open the investigation into a murder that occurred several months earlier in Three Pines. Although Olivier Brulé has been deemed responsible, his partner, Gabri, refuses to believe it. He's been writing Gamache daily letters begging him to find the real killer. Jean-Guy is attempting to do just that, but will there be anything to find? Or will further inquiries only confirm that Olivier deserves to be exactly where he is—behind bars?
As Louise Penny masterfully oscillates between the two stories, the tension mounts for both police officers. Will they find the killers for whom they are searching before they become targets themselves? Can Gamache exorcise his demons enough to move on? Or has the most revered cop in Québec reached the end of his professional rope?
Although I adore the village of Three Pines, I'm always intrigued when Penny sets one of her Armand Gamache mysteries outside the town. And what setting could be more fascinating than Québec City? I'd never heard of the place before, but Penny brings it to such vivid life in Bury Your Dead that I felt as if I'd walked its streets before. Everything about the old fortress intrigued me. The mystery at the center of the novel is similarly compelling. Like all the books in this series, Bury Your Dead combines a colorful setting, a cast of complex characters, and a gripping mystery to create an engrossing detective story that will keep readers guessing. Penny, as I've mentioned before, isn't afraid to toy with the emotions of her dedicated fans. The resolution in Three Pines satisfied, but it also made me sad. Despite the bruising I've taken from The Brutal Telling especially, I'm more dedicated than ever to this series with its trademark warmth and humor. If you haven't "met" Chief Inspector Armand Gamche yet, introduce yourself, will you? You won't regret it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny, including Still Life; A Fatal Grace; The Cruelest Month; A Rule Against Murder; The Brutal Telling; The Hangman [novella]; A Trick of the Light; The Beautiful Mystery; How the Light Gets In; The Long Way Home; The Nature of the Beast; and A Great Reckoning)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs plus milder expletives) and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Authentic Characters, Intriguing Mystery Make For Another Appealing Ruth Galloway Adventure
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The House at Sea's End, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from previous Ruth Galloway mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway loves a good puzzle. And there's nothing more baffling than figuring out how to balance a career and a baby. At four months old, Kate demands most of her mother's time, not to mention the majority of her energy. Still, 40-year-old Ruth is committed to her job, which lately has required a bit of consulting with the local police department. Considering the head of the force is DCI Harry Nelson, Kate's married father, these meet-ups can get a tad awkward for Ruth. Especially since Harry wants to be involved in the baby's life, despite the fact that no one (including his wife) knows he's her father. The situation is too complicated to mess with, especially when there are cases that require the duo's attention.
When a group of archaeologists finds human skeletons under a cliff on a remote patch of Norfolk beach, both Harry and Ruth are called in to investigate. The remains appear to belong to six German soldiers, deployed to England during WWII. With bullet holes in their skulls, it looks as though the men were murdered. The big question is: why? And by whom? As Harry and Ruth look into the very cold case, several deaths occur that cannot be coincidental. Someone is keeping a dark secret, someone knows how the German soldiers really died, and that someone will kill to protect their secret. Can Harry and Ruth figure out the truth before it's too late? Or will someone stop the pair from digging into the past, possibly forever?
The House at Sea's End, the third installment in Elly Griffiths' enjoyable Ruth Galloway series, offers another intriguing mystery. While the main plot twists and turns, things heat up for Ruth at home, giving readers a little relationship and domestic drama. Our heroine handles everything with her usual pragmatism, peppered with a dry wit that makes her a particularly appealing narrator. She's an understated character, a smart, successful nerd who's just as authentic as they come. Harry, who's both sincere and befuddled, likewise comes off as incredibly real. I love this duo because they're unique, yet familiar. Their antics kept me as engaged by The House at Sea's End as I have been by the other books in this series. It's quickly becoming one of my very favorites.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Ruth Galloway series [The Crossing Places; The Janus Stone; A Room Full of Bones; A Dying Fall; The Outcast Dead; and The Ghost Fields]; also a little of Kathy Reichs' Temperance Brennan series)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Ruth Galloway Continues to Charm in Second Intriguing Mystery
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Janus Stone, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, The Crossing Places. As always, I recommend reading series in order.)
Fresh from helping police find a kidnapped child—and narrowly escaping with her life—forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway isn't expecting to be thrown into another case quite so soon. But, when a construction crew discovers bones beneath an old mansion they're tearing down, she's called in to help. Because the remains are those of a child with a missing head, Ruth suspects the bones may be of ancient Roman origin. She's wrong. The victim died much more recently, which leads Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson to wonder if he/she could be one of the kids who went missing years ago when the mansion was used as a Catholic orphanage.
Ruth is eager to help Nelson, who's become a little more than a friend, figure out what happened to the child. The fact that she's pregnant doesn't slow her down. Eerie happenings at the construction site, however, give her pause. Is her spooked imagination working overtime? Or is someone trying to warn her away from the investigation? To what lengths might that someone go to stop her from finding the truth?
The Janus Stone, which takes place a few months after The Crossing Places, brings back many of the delightful characters from the first book in Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series. My favorite is Ruth. I love that her character is ordinary and understated, but never dull. Besides her newest mystery, she's got plenty going on in her life, which makes The Janus Stone an engaging and compelling read. My only complaint with the novel is that it lacks the vivid, atmospheric setting that made the first book so memorable. Because of that, I liked The Crossing Places better. Still, I'm continuing to enjoy this series with its exciting puzzles, enjoyable characters, and twisty plotlines.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Ruth Galloway series [The Crossing Places; The House at Sea's End; A Roomful of Bones; A Dying Fall; The Outcast Dead; and The Ghost Fields)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder invectives), blood/gore, violence, and references to sex
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, July 24, 2015
Understated Heroine Makes Intriguing British Mystery Series Especially Appealing
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
No one understands Dr. Ruth Galloway's choice to live out on the Saltmarsh, a remote area of coastland near Norfolk. Sacred to its ancient inhabitants, the marsh is an in-between place—part earth, part sea. Known for its eerie atmosphere and extreme, unpredictable weather, the location suits Ruth just fine. The 39-year-old delights in solitude, especially when it can be found in a place that stirs her imagination and stokes her soul. The Saltmarsh is, in fact, the perfect spot for an archaeologist who prefers her cats to human company, ancient bones to live people.
When remains are found near her home, Ruth is called on by Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson to help identify the bones. Nelson believes them to be those of Lucy Downey, a young girl who disappeared ten years ago. Although Nelson is off on the age of the skeleton—by about two thousand years—Ruth can't stop thinking about young Lucy. When another child vanishes, her abductor sends police cryptic letters with puzzling references to archaeology and mythology. Out of his depth, Nelson again seeks Ruth's help, this time to decipher the letters. Obsessed with finding the person responsible for the little girl's disappearance, the detective and his unlikely new partner chase down every lead they see. With the clock ticking, they will risk everything to solve the case. Can they do it? Or will another child suffer the same unknown fate as Lucy Downey?
Libraries and bookstores are full of mystery novels, some good, some not so much. When I need help deciding which is which, I rely on one source—Kay's Reading Life. One of my favorite bloggers, Kay always has great recommendations. Case in point: the Ruth Galloway series by English author Elly Griffiths. The first installment, The Crossing Places, offers everything I love in a mystery—a rich, atmospheric setting; complex, intriguing characters; and an exciting plot that keeps me guessing. I especially love our understated heroine, whose intelligence, generous heart and subtle humor make her very appealing. All of these elements combined to create a compelling mystery that I had a difficult time putting down. With its unique, but subtle blend of science, drama, mystery, and even romance, The Crossing Places makes an excellent first book in a series that I've been enjoying immensely.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Ruth Galloway series—The Janus Stone; The House at Sea's End; A Room Full of Bones; A Dying Fall; The Outcast Dead; and The Ghost Fields)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Reading
The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor
Listening
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Followin' with Feedly
-
Sunday Salon: September 14, 202524 minutes ago
-
The Shakespeare Secret by D J Nix2 hours ago
-
-
-
Week in Review #378 hours ago
Grab my Button!
Blog Design by:
2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
