A Room Full of Bones: The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries 4

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Michele has figured out that Nelson is Kate’s father and has forbidden him from having any contact with Ruth or Kate, except professional. Meanwhile, Cathbad’s covert love affair with married DS Judy Johnson also comes to Ruth's attention for the first time and revelations towards the end of the book indicate fraught times ahead for this couple also. One could imagine a competent history teacher penning this who's favourite clothes are worn sandals and jumpers. Ruth Galloway is a remarkable, delightful character: brilliant, wry, determined, and independent, almost to a fault—readers are sure to clamor for the next book in the series. This story picks-up with Ruth still privately questioning her skills as a mother, and being slightly taken-aback when the house next door is sold and she meets her new neighbour.

Don't know what happened to the first review I wrote probably did something while playing with my phone! In her capacity as a forensic archaeologist, with a particular specialty in bones, she's asked to assess the boxed remains in situ at the museum - the titular “room full of bones”. Nelson's wife, Michelle having become aware of this fact in the closing lines of the previous book has created inevitable complications in Ruth and Harry’s professional and personal relationship. It reads like the kind of cosy, middle-class crime drama (with emphasis on the drama rather than the crime) that you’d watch with half your brain engaged on ITV on a Sunday night – and probably that’s what it’s aiming to be one day.The characters are constantly engaging - particularly the vulnerable Ruth - the writing is perceptive, as well as wryly humorous . The first half of the book includes much discussion of the exploration of Australia, the ravaging of Aboriginal holy relics, and efforts for the repatriation of human remains. She 'believes' she is being a good mother by eating the chocolates from her daughter's advent calendar, thereby saving Kate's teeth.

Instead, her daughter was born on 1 November, All Saints’ Day according to a Catholic priest who, to Ruth’s surprise, is almost a friend. As is the usual way of their interactions we see Nelson and Ruth tongue-tied and muddling along in a mix of misunderstandings and irritation when they come across each other. Ruth's story with Nelson continues and we wonder what will happen in subsequent books now that Michelle knows that Kate is Nelson's daughter.EXCERPT: At the end of the gallery she steps from tile to carpet and, to her surprise, finds herself in a red-walled Victorian study. Yet it would have been a darker and much more interesting book if Griffiths had just killed him off suddenly and then seen where all the pieces landed. As her convictions are tested, Ruth and Nelson must discover how Aboriginal skulls, drug smuggling, and the mystery of “The Dreaming” hold the answers to these deaths, as well as the keys to their own survival. Lord Danforth Smith couldn't be more pleased to welcome his long deceased ancestor to his museum but it seems he is alone with these feelings for he has a growing number of those in opposition to this transference and more than this.

As well as the museum there is the Smith wing in the hospital and the Smith Art Collection at the castle.Besides, the camera is meant to put ten pounds on you, which Ruth, at nearly thirteen stone, can well do without. Forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway investigates her most complicated case to date: two people affiliated with a museum housing aboriginal skulls succumb to a mysterious fever that later threatens the life of DCI Harry Nelson. Max, a fellow archaeologist who featured in book two, The Janus Stone, turns back up in Ruth’s life in A Room Full of Bones. By now we had two children and my husband Andy had just given up his city job to become an archaeologist.