Laura

The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths

Title: The Ghost Fields
Series: Ruth Galloway #7
Author: Elly Griffiths

Synopsis:

The chilling discovery of a downed World War II plane with a body inside leads Ruth and DCI Nelson to uncover a wealthy family’s secrets in the seventh Ruth Galloway mystery.

Norfolk is suffering from record summer heat when a construction crew unearths a macabre discovery—a downed World War II plane with the pilot still inside. Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway quickly realizes that the skeleton couldn’t possibly be the pilot, and DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat who had been reported dead at sea. When the remaining members of the Blackstock family learn about the discovery, they seem strangely frightened by the news.

Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk’s deserted air force bases, the so-called Ghost Fields, which have been partially converted into a pig farm run by one of the younger Blackstocks. As production begins, Ruth notices a mysterious man lurking on the outskirts of Fred Blackstock’s memorial service. Then human bones are found on the family’s pig farm. Can the team outrace a looming flood to find a killer?

Laced with dry humor and anchored by perennial fan favorite Ruth, The Ghost Fields will delight fans new and old.

My review:

Since reading The Outcast Dead after a work colleague lent it to me, I’ve wanted to read more of Griffith’s Ruth Galloway series so was excited to be able to read an Advance Reading Copy of her newest novel, The Ghost Fields! 

Once again Elly Griffiths has produced an entertaining, enjoyable novel which combines Detective and archaeology work with family history, and a touch of romance too- in her trademark way of writing which has become so popular, and for a good reason!
 
The main storyline, which concentrates on the Blackwell family history and slowly unravels what happened to some of the family members all those years ago, is entertaining and I think Elly Griffiths writes this well. Although there were parts of this novel that is perhaps a little over-dramatic, particularly towards the end, it all adds to the tension and mystery which kept me wanting to read on.
 
In The Outcast Dead we left Ruth having got together with American TV presenter Frank and I expected her to have continued the relationship in the meantime. even though he’s returned to America. However she’s not heard from him for quite some time when he gets in touch and says he’ll be returning to Norfolk to film a new documentary about the case Ruth is helping on. Their subsequent relationship, as well as various other character’s love lives throughout the story, added some human, grounded elements to the story which I really enjoyed amongst all the mystery. 
 
I now need to read the earlier novels in this series which I’ve yet to read- it will be interesting to see whether Ruth’s character has changed much as the series has gone on. 
 
I’m also intrigued as to whether there will be any more Ruth Galloway novels to come or whether this will be the last- I hope not!– as the end of the book had a preview of what looks to be the first novel in a new series by Elly Griffiths…
 

Rating: 4/5

 
Many thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in return for an honest review!
 
The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths is released in the UK on 26th March 2015.
 
– Have you read any of this series? If so, what did you think?

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