A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
On Halloween night, the Smith Museum in King’s Lynn is preparing for an unusual event — the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop. But when forensic archaelogist Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise, she finds the curator, Neil Topham, dead beside the coffin. Topham’s death seems to be related to other uncanny incidents, including the arcane and suspect methods of a group called the Elginists, which aims to repatriate the museum’s extensive collection of Aborigine skulls; the untimely demise of the museum’s owner, Lord Smith; and the sudden illness of DCI Harry Nelson, who Ruth’s friend Cathbad believes is lost in The Dreaming — a hallucinogenic state central to some Indigenous Australian beliefs. Tensions build as Nelson’s life hangs in the balance. Something must be done to set matters right and lift Nelson out of the clutches of death, but will Ruth be able to muster herself out of a state of guilt and foreboding in order to do what she does best?
My Thoughts:
I absolutely love the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, but I’m slightly disappointed by this fourth offering.
The House at Sea’s End, (review Here.) the third novel in the series, ended with a personal life cliffhanger for the Ruth/Nelson dynamic and that played out well during this book and promises to be interesting to follow for fans of the series.
What I found disappointing was the lack of Ruth being involved as a forensic archaeologist. With a series based on the protagonist’s job being just this, and readers I presume being interested in that side of the story, I found the only reason I continued reading the book was my investment in the main characters.
The blurb states “but will Ruth be able to muster herself out of a state of guilt and foreboding in order to do what she does best?” but she doesn’t do anything. During any of the entire book. She seems to be more of a bystander to events.
As for the plot itself, it’s confusing. There’s a snake theme. A very confusing theme. I’m more confused about it now I know the ending.
I will be reading the next in the series. I am hoping this is just a bump in the road. Elly Griffiths has just been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library, so I am very hopeful.
You can also read my glowing review of the first Ruth Galloway novel, Crossing Places, Here.
Do you keep reading if one in a series drops down a level in your usual expectations?
Find all my reviews on Goodreads.
janetemson says
It’s a shame when an instalment in a series you love doesn’t quite hit the mark. I do persevere though due to love of the characters etc. Usually it’s only one miss amongst many hits 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
It is a shame, and I really do like this series. I have been told that this is just a one off though and it does pick back up. I shall be reading the next one I’m happy to say 🙂
cleopatralovesbooks says
Don’t worry Rebecca she does get back to form – it is disappointing when one book doesn’t quite hit the mark though.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Cleo, I’m really pleased to hear that because I was enjoying the series and was enjoying working my way through it before moving on to the S J Bolton series I want to read.
cleopatralovesbooks says
Oh I do love the SJ Bolton books too and they are consistently excellent.
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s great to hear, I’m looking forward to picking the series back up, I read the first one which is what made me want to read the series.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Sorry to hear this one didn’t do it for you. I think that’s especially disappointing when you’re a real fan of the author’s work. But Cleo’s right: the next one’s very good. I’ll be hoping you enjoy it.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot, I’m so glad, as I’ve just said to Cleo, I was really enjoying the series and was looking forward to reading my way through it all. Now I can pick up the next one with confidence! 🙂
Jacqui Murray says
I adored the first few Ruth Galloway books. She is clever, intelligent, no-nonsense, and seemed to have her priority ducks in a row. In the Dying Fall, I tired of her short-tempered, curmudgeonly attitude (lots of people disagree–Goodreads gave her 3.95/5). I was hoping it was just me or an outlier and Galloway would return to her earlier writing. Like Kay Scarpetta (who I have officially given up on after devouring at least a dozen of her early books), I guess I too will wait for the next one.
crimeworm says
Agree with you regarding Scarpetta – the books got tired. And Lucy drives me insane! Another series I enjoyed, but which I feel has gone off the boil, is Linda Fairstein’s Alex Cooper books. I’ll generally give a series a chance for a poor book – or two, if I really enjoyed previous novels – but after that, I generally give up on them. If only if every author could be as consistent as Michael Connelly and his Bosch series.
Rebecca Bradley says
I also went off Scarpetta, I didn’t really read much of Fairstein or Reichs, but I am a massive fan of Slaughter and she has never gone off the boil!
Rebecca Bradley says
I have also given up on the Scarpetta books and my mum has finally given up, (a couple of books in front of me, she had more patience!) and I didn’t want to do it again, but I’ve been told that the next one is a return to form which I’m glad about because I was enjoying the different slant on the crime novel and the characters and was looking forward to reading up to the current book in the series before starting on the S J Bolton series I want to read.
FictionFan says
I haven’t read this one, but her most recent one was definitely back on form – so stick with her! I should hopefully be reading her new book ‘The Zig-Zag Girl’ this weekend – not part of the series, though, it’s a standalone.
crimeworm says
I like the sound of it – be looking out for your review of that!
Rebecca Bradley says
I’ll also look for the review! 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m really glad to hear that. I was enjoying the series and didn’t really want to give up on it. I shall be picking the next one up. I shall also look up The Zig-Zag Girl!