Elly Griffiths is one of my favourite authors and I absolutely love her Ruth Galloway mysteries. These feature Ruth (a forensic archaeologist) and Nelson (a Detective Chief Inspector) investigating a series of murders, usually with some historical connection. There are also other reoccurring characters, such as the druid Cathbad (I adore Cathbad!), along with Ruth's friends and Nelson's police colleagues.

I loved this book! (You knew I was going to say that, didn't you?) Ruth heads off on a working holiday to Italy at the invitation of old friend (and ex-lover) Dr Angelo Morelli, taking her friend Shona and both their children along too. Angelo, has found an old skeleton he wants her opinion on, but fails to mention that someone has got it in for him - which becomes a bit of an issue when Ruth finds unpleasant surprises on the doorstep of the apartment she's borrowed from him. Along with the Romans and Volsci, topics covered are WW2, the Italian Resistance, immigrants and refugees, and Nelson and Cathbad also make an appearance.

The engaging characters are the reason I enjoy these books so much. I also like the history, the humour, and the fact that they are not too 'gritty'. However, while I'm happy to rate this book as a five-star 'must read', new readers would probably get more out of the series if they start with the first book, The Crossing Places. Much of The Dark Angel is about the characters' ongoing relationships, which I loved, but I can see it would completely go over your head if you were not already familiar with who is who.


I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book, which will be published on 8th February 2018.

Thank you to Elly Griffiths, Quercus and NetGalley for my copy of this book, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Feeling troubled by the events in the previous book, Dr. Ruth Galloway is pleased when a face from her past, Dr. Angelo Morelli, contacts her, seeking her assistance on bones that have been discovered in a small Italian village. Accompanied by her friend Shona and their children, they head off to the continent, where they find a village still clinging on to memories of the Second World War and the Resistance. The past and present collide however, when the body of a local is found in the church. What secrets lurk that would make someone kill to protect?

I was very late in discovering the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths but since reading my first one two years ago, I have devoured the books and was eagerly anticipating this one. Taking Ruth out of her comfort zone is a big gamble but is one that’s has definitely paid off and it has enabled us to take a peek into her past whilst also exploring more of her relationship with best friend, Shona. Although Ruth is brought to Italy on the premise of assisting with recently discovered bones, the archaeology takes a bit of a back seat as she realises that there are more pressing matters that threaten their idyllic break. Somebody clearly doesn’t want Ruth there and she begins to fear, rightly so, that her life may be in danger.

I had feared that with the story being set in Italy, we would see less of the other characters we have come to know and love, but this was not to be the case. Running alongside the main plot, is a sub-plot about a released prisoner who bears a grudge against DCI Harry Nelson. Despite having this and huge upheaval in his personal life to contend with, Nelson finds his way out to Italy, accompanied by Cathbad, when news of a disaster reaches him. Throughout the books, we have seen Nelson struggle with his feelings for Ruth and this becomes even more heightened due to everything that is currently going on in his life. He is becoming more and more of a tortured soul and, depending upon the climax of a particular storyline, we could soon see him being tipped firmly over the edge!

The most shocking part of the book is reserved for the final chapters when a major event occurs that will have repercussions for several of the characters. Without going into too much detail, I was genuinely upset by what happened but, at the same time, can’t wait to see what the consequences will be.

If you have never read any of the Ruth Galloway series, please do as I don’t feel you will be disappointed. For anyone who is already a fan, The Dark Angel is a welcome addition to an already brilliant series.

This is the tenth in the series featuring Dr Ruth Galloway, the forensic archaeologist set in Norfolk. Ruth has been experiencing an emotionally stressful time when her hopes of cementing a relationship with DI Harry Nelson are dashed with his wife, Michelle, becoming pregnant. It is the summer holidays, and Ruth is contacted by Professor Angelo Morelli asking her for her expertise in a excavated skeleton in Italy. Angelo is a famous TV archaeologist, and is an ex-lover of Ruth's from her past. This bolsters Ruth's ego which is badly in need of a boost, and with her best friend, Shona, Louis, and her daughter, Kate, sets off for a break in the sun, with Angelo providing them with accommodation in the beautiful Liri valley, at the fictional village of Castello di Angeli. Nelson is disturbed to hear that Mickey Webb, a man responsible for the death of his wife and two children in a fire, has been set free after seeing the light and becoming a committed a Christian, who married again whilst in prison. Webb uttered threats promising retribution when Nelson arrested and charged him, suspicious events have the police keeping an eye on him. This latest addition in the series focuses less on the two crime storylines in Norfolk and Italy, instead giving us a welcome insights into the returning and familiar characters and their relationships.

Nelson is out of sorts when he finds out that Ruth and Kate have gone to Italy without informing him, although hearing about an earthquake has him boarding a flight with Cathbad in tow, to ascertain that Ruth and Kate are okay. Ruth is greeted by unwelcome graffiti on the apartment walls, and a wolf's skull left by the door. The local community has a strong history of the partisans and the resistance fighters fighting the Nazis. Ruth finds herself caught up in the media interest in Angelo's skeleton which appears to have been subject to a deviant burial, given the stone in the mouth. Nelson's departure has an insecure Michelle pondering on the quandry she finds herself with her uncertainty as to who is the father of her unborn child and contemplating getting involved with Tim who loves her unconditionally. Ruth once again comes across a murder, that of the old priest, Don Tomaso, who had wanted to share some information with her. Ruth finds herself in danger, that extends to her precious daughter, Kate, Shona and her son, Louis. Meanwhile, in Norfolk a scary scenario unfolds with deadly consequences that has a fearful Nelson wracked with guilt racing back to his lawful family in England.

It is always a pleasure to catch up with this wonderful cast of characters that have wormed their way into my heart. I was particularly pleased to experience a little more time in the company of Cathbad, who has had a miniscule part in recent books. Ruth remains entangled and subject to her emotional need for Nelson, a married man who remains loyal to Michelle and his two daughters. He is ripped apart though by his feelings for Ruth and his daughter, Kate, fuelling ongoing trauma in his life, destined to continue for some time yet. I enjoyed the Italian location and the intrigue and the continuing passions that are inflamed by the past. All in all, this was a terrific read, highly entertaining and wonderful to once again be immersed with this great cast of characters that Griffiths continues to develop in a compelling manner. I can't wait for the next book! Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

This is the latest Ruth Galloway story and is, unusually, set abroad. Ruth is fed up after learning that Michelle is pregnant and takes up the offer to consult with an old friend. Whilst on ‘holiday’, a local priest is murdered. Nelson flies out to check that Ruth and Katie are okay after stories of an earthquake, This did feel very contrived and led this to being my least favourite book in the series. Back at home, a newly released prisoner is suspected of seeking revenge against the people he blames for sending him to prison. Nelson (and his family) are on the list. I’m afraid the tension didn’t really get going for me in either story. Also, Nelson really needs to sort himself out and Elly Griffiths should let Ruth find someone else to be happy with.

This is the tenth book in the Ruth Galloway series. I loved it so much I didn't want it to end! This book takes Ruth to Italy to help an old archeologist friend. I could really imagine myself there. We also got to see a bit more of old friend Shona who went with her which was fun. Events conspired to lead Nelson over there too, leaving wife Michelle at home to face some shocking twists and turns. I think this has been my favourite of the whole series so far and I can't wait for the next one as there are some questions that need answers. I love the whole Ruth/Nelson dynamic. This book was satisfying in every way!

I am a big fan of Dr Ruth Galloway, the forensic archaeologist heroine of Elly Griffith’s wonderful series and I was over the moon to receive the tenth book in the series ‘Dark Angel’ as a review copy from NetGalley and Quercus books. I must say I was not disappointed- Ms Griffiths is bang on form and I could not put this book down from the moment it appeared on my Kindle!
The story takes Ruth out of her normal Norfolk milieu and transports her to Italy where half the action is set as Nelson, her daughter Kate’s married father is at home with his pregnant wife Michelle.
Kate is in a low state at the beginning of the book; her mother has just died and her married lover’s wife has just announced she is expecting a baby. There seems little chance that Nelson will leave her to move in with Ruth and Kate while his wife is expecting a baby.
She jumps at the chance to fly to Italy to do some forensic consulting for an old colleague Angelo and takes Kate, her friend Shona and Shona’s son Louis along for company. They stay in Angelo’s dead Grandfather’s appartment in a hill top village.
As Ruth starts to enjoy the Italian sun a murder occurs and she gets sucked into events as she is the one who discovers the body. Meanwhile back in Norfolk an ex con with a grudge is after Nelson. To add to the intrigue Michelle suspects that the baby she is expecting might not be Nelson’s.
This is such a good read and I love the way the author slips effortlessly between the two places. As ever the descriptions of Norfolk are wonderful but the Italian village and scenery were equally well described. Obviously the author knows both locations well!
A lot of emphasis was put on family situations and also family secrets in this book; Nelson’s wife has a secret as does Nelson himself. Angelo’s Italian family have secrets from the Second World War when his Grandfather was in the resistance and this impacts on present day events.
As ever the style Of writing is perfect. Ruth’s self deprecating comments about her figure and Cathbad’s presence serve to add a lighter touch.
My only criticism is that I will now have to wait a very long time for book 11 to find out some very important information which was left up in the air when I finished the book.
A brilliant read- if you haven’t read this series you’ve got a real treat in store. Five stars from me - don’t forget to purchase when it comes out in February.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publisher, Quercus Books, for this review copy which was given in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 10th book in the Ruth Galloway Series. It can be read as a standalone novel but it does obviously make sense to read them in order to understand the back story of the characters. There is helpful Who’s Who at the end of this book though for those who haven’t read the previous books.

Ruth is back in the latest instalment of this series. She has received a letter from an old colleague, Italian archaeologist Dr Angelo Morelli, who is asking for her help. She decides to take her daughter Kate, her best friend Shona and Shona’s son Louis to Italy on a working holiday. Meanwhile, back in Norwich, DCI Nelson is put out when he hears Ruth has gone to Italy without telling him. He is also warned that Mickey Webb, who he helped convict some years ago has been released from prison. On his conviction Mickey threatened to make Nelson pay for what he did, and now he has been released will he carry out his threat? Nelson warns Mickey off when he finds him hanging around his house, but doesn’t feel he is any threat. When he hears that there has been an earthquake in the area of Italy where Ruth and his daughter Kate are staying he takes himself off on an impromptu holiday to make sure they are okay, leaving his pregnant wife Michelle at home on her own. Whilst in Italy, Ruth and Nelson find themselves caught up in the murder of a local priest.

Welcome back Ruth!!! I have so missed you! As you can guess I love the Ruth Galloway series, and have read and enjoyed every single one of them. I was so excited to read this one and its felt such a long time since the previous book, The Chalk Pit, was out. This book returns with all the same characters that I’ve come to love from the other books. Ruth is still holding a torch for DCI Harry Nelson and is reminded about this every day when she looks at her daughter Kate. Nelson is also still in turmoil over his feelings for Ruth and finding out that his wife, Michelle, is pregnant has really helped. There’s also the added mystery as to who is the father of Michelle’s baby following her affair with Nelson’s colleague Tim. Thrown into that, the murder of an Italian priest and a vengeful newly released prisoner, and you have yourself another great book in this series.

The story switches between the Italian storyline and back home in Norwich. I love how it shows Ruth out in the beautiful Italian sun with handsome Italian men, enjoying herself, and then switches to Nelson in dreary, rainy Norwich, shuffling paperwork and walking the dog. There isn’t as much archaeology in this book as there has been in previous ones, but I can cope with that just to have more of Ruth and Nelson! I love their relationship, or maybe lack of it, and it has always looked like they would get together for it to then all fall apart! Ruth tries to put some distance between them for a bit of breathing space but this doesn’t really work when Nelson hot foots it to Italy following the earthquake to make sure Ruth and Kate are okay. Why can’t they just see that they are made for each other! I know Nelson’s married, but let’s face it, Ruth is so much more suited for him!!

The 10th book in the series and the story is still going strong. I literally can’t wait for the 11th book to find out the answers to some pressing questions which were left hanging at the end of this book! Trust me, you have to read this series!!

I've read all the Ruth Galloway books and this is a great addition to the series. I like the character of Ruth very much - self-deprecating, overweight, uncertain, always surrounded by glamorous friends and also a great mother, highly competent and professionally recognised in her field.
This is set in Italy rather than her native north Norfolk and this gives a freshness, to be honest the plot - particularly the ending to the murder mystery - needs a little suspension of belief but I don't mind this as much of the pleasure is in seeing the ongoing relationships develop between the central characters - especially Nelson and Ruth.

Dr Ruth Galloway is asked to go to Italy to look at some bones by an eminent Italian archaeologist, Angelo Morelli. It just so happens that Angelo is quite attractive and they had a quick fling in the past. So Ruth and her daughter Kate decide to have a working holiday acompanied by Ruth's friend Shona and her son Louis. Unsuprisingly a murder is involved with a dash of intrigue. Nelson is not happy being left at home.

I love Ruth Galloway as a character. She is the wrong side of 40 and not stunningly attractive. In fact she is a fairly ordinary middle aged woman who happens to be very intelligent and an eminent forensic archaeologist. She has ordinary struggles that other people have - running late to collect her daughter, insecurities about her parents opinion of her, her appearance etc. This is a woman I can relate to. She also fell in love with the wrong man, Nelson, who is married.

The old friends from the series are back as well - Cathbad, Judy, Nelson, Phil, Michelle but unfortunately a lack of Clough's politically incorrect opinions! I have got to know these people as their characters have developed over the series & they have become old friends. Though admittedly I have never been friends in reality with a robe wearing druid!

This is not the strongest of the books in the series. In fact the plot including a murder is actually fairly weak. The enjoyment in this book is the development of the characters and their relationships. It certainly wouldn't stand alone as a detective novel.

I really enjoyed this book as I have the others in the series. I am very keen to see how the characters develop in the next book - will Nelson ever leave Michelle for Ruth?

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley.

The 10th book in a great series that always leaves you wanting more! The story is partly set in Italy but this doesn’t detract from the usual atmosphere of Norfolk. I did wonder how Nelson would react to Ruth’s holiday and wasn’t disappointed, I did miss Clough though but found I liked the way we are seeing Michelle’s character showing more backbone than in earlier books. Personally this series is now more about the interaction of characters than the crime but we are treated to a double whammy of well constructed murders, whilst leaving us in suspense for the next instalment especially the arrival of George. I recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book in the Ruth Galloway series.

I am a fan of Ruth Galloway mysteries and was really happy to be approved for this one.
I started one evening and ended the day after as once I started I couldn't stop.
Being Italian it was really interesting to see my country thru a non Italian eyes and the descriptions are quite realistic.
On a general level it is a page turner, full of plot twists. It develops the already existing relationships amongst the different characters and the mystery is very good.
Even if there are a lot of explanations this book cannot be read as a standalone but needs to be read as part of the series.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy of The Dark Angel, the 10th novel in the forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway series.

Ruth, while not perhaps unhappy, is feeling dissatisfied and unsettled so when ex-flame Dr Angelo Morelli invites her to Italy to consult on some bones he has found she doesn't think twice and together with best friend Shona and her son Louis she and Kate take a much needed break. Unfortunately things don't go as smoothly as she anticipates and a series of unsettling events have her on edge. In the meantime Kate's father DCI Harry Nelson is trying to deal with his wife's pregnancy and the potential threat from a released prisoner.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Angel which held me riveted from start to finish. I would caution, however, that it may not be for everyone as the crime elements of the novel do not really get going until about half way through and even then are not really the main focus of the novel which is all about the characters and their interactions. I think that this is really a novel for readers who want to see character development, how Ms Griffiths moves them on and is familiar with the backstory.

The ongoing saga of Michelle's late in life pregnancy is at the heart of the novel. I love the various reactions to it although ambivalence seems to be the main one. There is a major twist at the end which throws more doubt into the situation and I can't wait to see the outcome of it. I feel heart sorry for Ruth as Harry dithers about what to do and blows hot and cold. She does not have her usual upbeat approach in this novel.

The setting of Lazio sounds very interesting with a wealth of history and beautiful beaches. I really felt the sunshine and warmth although in keeping with her mood Ruth often finds the heat unbearable. I guess that, at the moment, her glass is half empty.

The Dark Angel is another fine addition to a great series which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thanks Quercus Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Elly Griffiths knows her audience, her stuff, and I''ll be a fan for life. This is one of the best mystery series out there today. It's always growing, new, and fresh. Seeing Italy thru Ruth's eyes will be a experience. I loved the sense that everything is coming to a explosive head soon. Can't wait for the next book.

What a fantastic opening paragraph! A real, wham bam, no messing about start to a book.

Ruth is taken out of north Norfolk and flies to Italy. Elly Griffiths mixes her genres and introduces Ruth to her Italian side more usually seen in her books written as Domenica de Rosa. There is a love interest in the dashing Angelo and mysteries abound as the skeleton is joined by strange graffiti, skulls and a few deaths.

Back in England Nelson’s wife is pregnant, however Michelle is not sure as to who is the baby’s father. Just to add to the mix a murderer with a grudge against Nelson has been released from prison.

A cracking read, a great mystery and always a pleasure to catch up with the complex Ruth-Nelson-Michelle relationship.

I really love the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths and I am genuinely excited when she releases a new book so as soon as I saw that this new one, The Dark Angel was available I downloaded it and read it straight away! I wasn't disappointed - I loved the plot, the pace was spot on and I adored the writing style.

In this book we find Ruth heading off to Italy to help an old friend with some bones that he had uncovered, but whilst she is there, some unsettling things occur. I loved that we got to see more of Shona too and that the focus was away from Norfolk in the main for this one giving Ruth's character a chance to develop outside of that area and for her to evaluate her 'relationship' with Nelson.

A shocking ending and I loved it - another excellent addition to add to the Ruth Galloway series - no hesitation in giving this book 5 stars and I highly recommend it!

For long-time fans of the delightful Ruth Galloway (newbies should start at the beginning of the series), this takes Ruth out of her usual setting and places her in Italy. With some plot manipulation, Griffiths gets Nelson there, too, and we have two rather thin crime plots unravelling, one at home and one in Italy.

As ever, plot is shown to be Griffiths' weakness - but Ruth is such a great character, and the narrative voice so slyly funny that I can forgive a lot. Here the long-term characters don't have much to do, and we tip into overheated soap-opera in places.

3.5 stars for one of the weaker entries in a favourite series - hopefully Ruth and friends will be back to their witty best next time.