I absolutely adore this series of books and The Lantern Men simply did not disappoint! I loved this book from start to end and finished it in one sitting. I can't wait to read more from the author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC

I get that we are now on book 12 so it would be a bit of an undertaking, but please, if you haven't already read then, please do start from book one and read in order. This is one of my top 5 series of books (and I read north of 300 books a year, most of them series books) and apart from being brilliant, there is also quite a bit of character development and backstory that you would miss out on if you don't.
It's all change in this book. Ruth has moved job away from UNN to Cambridge and is now living with Frank. When our story starts she has just spent some time at a writers retreat finishing her latest book. Meanwhile Nelson is less than happy with Ruth's new personal and professional situations but is happy when serial killer March is convicted of the murders of two young women. Problem is, there are two more missing and Nelson is convinced March is also guilty of killing these two so he visits him in prison to see if he can find out more. He agrees to show Nelson where the bodies are buried but on one condition... Ruth must be the one who digs them up...
This series just keeps getting better. Even though characters have come and gone throughout, which does keep a series fresh, those that leave often have a habit of popping up again, as in this book. I won't spoil things but I was so glad that a certain someone came back...!
All the usual familiar friends are also included - Cathbad and Nelson's family, etc, and they all have their parts to play in what is going on in the main story which in this book is one of the best ones of the series. I've always enjoyed the books I have read in this series but I do have to admit that sometimes the plots have not been as good and the books have instead relied on the characters to carry them. This is definitely not the case herein as the author once again mixes the modern with the myth to deliver a cracking tale that took me round the houses and back again as it ramped up to its conclusion.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already great series. I really can't wait for the next one. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Some books do really read themselves.
You can read one of 368 pages and it reads like it was barely 150 pages in total. Others remain unfinished or drag on indeterminately as 320 pages feel like 700 plus pages with no end in sight.
Elly Griffiths is a natural story teller. Her words flow off the page like the breaths you take. The Lantern Men is the 12th novel in the Ruth Galloway series. Where others may in a formulaic fashion just perpetuate their characters Elly imbues them with life and vitality. So this apart from the central tension between Nelson and Ruth is a fresh and original outing for the gang. 2 years have passed; much has changed but some things may never change.
Ruth has taken a new post in Cambridge; academic recognition for her work and experience. She is living with Frank who is devoted to Ruth and doted on her daughter Kate. Nelson is getting on with his life still with Michelle and his focus is perhaps more centred on their son George. Nelson is frustrated that despite getting a guilty verdict on serial killer Ivor March he has been unable to link him to two other missing women whose bodies have not been found.
This is a wonderfully woven crime mystery that is based on a police procedural in the stunning location of Norfolk, England. From the opening prologue the sense of menace never eases up and the story unfolds like a well wrapped Christmas present. There is no tearing away of sheets of paper. It is like a dance of the seven veils as layers are laid bare, like a expectant game of pass the parcel.
The skill of the book is the premise of The Lantern Men and the sense of foreboding that draws women to danger like moths to a candle. This mystical tale of a malevolent presence over marshland and the fens is as scary as Candyman or Dracula. You are brought fully into this sense of myth and legend especially as you perceive a human element buying into the folklore. As characters within find to their cost. It is heart-stopping and breath-taking.
The author has brought us one of the most memorable episodes of this series; reconnecting to the salt marsh and those liminal places between land and sea.
There is also that sense of threat to love ones that makes crime personal and hits home.
The cast of characters are well formed, balanced and all get an outing here; but you quickly guess that the outcome might not favour all.
A writer comfortable with her craft, bringing thought to her work and as always joy to her growing list of readers and fans. A must read in 2020.

Words cannot really describe how I feel about this book, or any of Elly's. They are magnificent. The writing is superb, well edited and the storylines are truly a work of art. I wish I could be Ruth! The Lantern Men is very fast paced and there were times when I couldn't put the book down. I just wanted to see what was going to happen next and it didn't disappoint. Without giving anything away I'm so glad it ended like it did, opens up doors for so much more with the next one. I've been to Norwich/Norfolk a few times now, have even found some of the locations, and while I'm reading it I can imagine myself there.
I love the style of writing and just wish there was more than one book a year! I read it fast as I can't wait to see what happens, but also try and slow read as I know when I've finished it I've got nearly a whole year to wait for the next one!

It is very hard for an author to continue a high standard of writing throughout a series. Elly Griffiths has succeeded in doing this throughout her series of Ruth Galloway books and this latest one is no exception.
I don't want to say too much about Ruth, her friends and colleagues - I shall leave the reader to discover their lives for themselves. Suffice to say that things have changed and people have moved on in their lives. All the old favourites are back - Nelson, Ruth, Judy, Clough, Cathbad, Shona.......It really is like meeting old friends again.
In this book the successful conviction of Ivor March for the murder of two young women is a high for Nelson & his team. When March offers to tell them the resting place of two other missing women it is too good a chance to miss. His insistence on Ruth running the dig is an opportunity for the team to work together with Ruth again - what could go wrong?
I loved this book. The plot was strong with good characters and hidden motives. It would be possible to read this as a stand alone book but I strongly recommend starting at the beginning of the series to get the best from each book. The Crossing Places is the first.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.

This is book #12 of the Ruth Galloway series. It can be read as a standalone book, but it would make sense to read the books in order as events which happened in the previous books are mentioned.

I loved the Ruth Galloway books and have read them all. Ruth returns in this book, living in Cambridge with a new partner and in a new home. DCI Harry Nelson is also back and on the search for a confession from convicted murderer Ivor March about the whereabouts of two missing women. March has only agreed to help Nelson if Ruth is involved in the search for the bodies, so this means that Nelson and Ruth are brought back to working together again…

I really like Ruth’s character and have, throughout the series, wanted to see whether her and Nelson finally get together. I felt quite sorry for Ruth in this book initially as it’s obvious that being in Cambridge in her new job isn’t what she really wants. It’s also been obvious to followers of the series that Nelson is the “love of her life” so I was waiting eagerly to see if her relationship with Frank will last. It was great to see that spark back in Ruth when she agrees to help find the missing women, as although she doesn’t want to admit it, she misses this work, her little cottage in Saltmarsh and of course Nelson! I love Nelson’s character and have done throughout the whole series. Grumpy and set in his ways, Blackpool born Harry Nelson has been a Norfolk DCI for so long yet he never seems to have settled there. His on/off relationship with Ruth resulted in their daughter, Kate and whilst part of me likes him and wants to see them both make a go of it, the other part thinks he will never leave his wife and will ultimately always end up hurting Ruth.

This story involving missing young women and old folklores of mysterious men roaming the marshes at night with lantern gives the book a dark and creepy feel to it. The archaeological aspect is great as usual and filled with interesting and well researched information. The crime aspect was gripping with the plot twisting and turning with many suspects to choose from. As I’ve read all of the series, you feel like the characters are old friends and so well known to you. It was great to see the supporting characters return also, especially Clough, who I did like in the other books!!

With tales of legends and mysteries, this book is not only fascinating in hearing these, but gives non believer Nelson ample opportunities to raise his eyes and curse at the nonsense of it all!! Superbly filled with enough mystery and murder to send chills down your spine, there is also a dash of humour to lighten the mood. Roll on the next book of the series – may the stories of Ruth Galloway and Harry Nelson go on forever!!

I am a huge fan of Dr Ruth Galloway and all the books I read in this series were highly appreciated.
This one is amongst the best and once I started I couldn't put it down.
I loved this story is well written and gripping and usual but there is a plus that made me love it more than usual.
It can be the complex plot full of twists and turns or the fact that Ruth's life changed since the last book and we are reading about her life in Cambridge.
Or maybe it's the solid mystery that keeps you guessing and you don't want to end because you're having a lot of fun reading it.
TBH I don't know nor I care, I know this was an excellent read and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

The twists and turns kept me guessing to the end! Lots of drama, intrigue and clues.
Nelson and Ruth’s relationship is also subtly suggested at throughout, showing the turmoil and raising questions of you can love two people at once? I haven’t read many of the previous books in this series...yet...but I plan to go back and fill in the gaps!
All set in the gloomy marshy fens...perfect setting for sinister crimes.
A great crime writer!

It was so brilliant to be reunited with Dr Ruth Galloway and all the rest of the excellent and consistently drawn characters. I'd say this is definitely one for aficionados of the series, I don't know that it could stand alone as a novel, but if you've read the others how could you resist wanting to know the latest developments in Ruth's personal life? I enjoyed the mix of local mythology, historic and recent crime and the slow reveal was enough to keep me guessing to the end.

I adore Elly Griffiths’ character driven Dr. Ruth Galloway series. A large part of the charm is getting to know these characters in great detail; finding out about their relationships, their children and how their personalities bring different things to the cases they investigate.

If you are a regular reader of this series, I guarantee that, like me, you will have urged Ruth to move on from her on/off relationship with the married D.C.I. Nelson, and shouted at her when she seems unable to do so. Not because Nelson is married, but because Ruth deserves so much more. Nelson doesn’t like Frank; he’s far too smooth and American for his liking and he’s not happy that Frank is so close to his and Ruth’s daughter, Kate.

So for me, it was something of a relief to find that in this 12th book, Ruth has literally moved on. She’s accepted a new job in Cambridge University and she, her current partner Frank and her daughter Kate are now living in Cambridge. Frank is kind and supportive and Ruth has recently finished a book, enabled by Frank to take time out at Grey Walls, a writers and artists retreat, run by Crissy Martin.

Though she doesn’t want to admit it, despite all of Frank’s attentions, Ruth misses her salt marsh cottage almost as much as she misses her regular interactions with Nelson.

So when Nelson is prompted to ask Ruth for help with a case, she can’t help but jump at the chance.

Ivor March has been convicted of the murder of two young women, found buried in his girlfriend’s, garden. But two women are still missing and Nelson knows that Ivor is responsible. He visits him in prison, looking to get Ivor to say what he has done with their bodies.

March agrees to co-operate, but only if Ruth is involved in the excavation. The previous forensic archaeology work on Ivor’s case had been carried out by Phil Trent, Ruth’s former boss. Predictably, Ruth jumps at the chance to be involved.

When it transpires that Ruth’s involvement is partly a result of her visit to Grey Walls, it’s clear that this artists retreat has a larger role to play in the disappearance of these two women than either Ruth or Nelson could have guessed. Weaving myth and folklore of the marshes with these cases, Griffiths evokes the Lantern Men of yore in this tale of women lead across the marshes to their deaths.

As Ruth digs for the truth, more than one life will be put in jeopardy before this case is over.

All of our favourite series characters are here, even Cloughie, who now has a patch of his own. Cathbad is in his element, dealing with the spirits of the marshes and never failing to be the solid dependable Druid.

Verdict. Unmissable for all Galloway fans. Griffiths cast of likeable and fabulously drawn characters come together again to solve a neatly plotted and elegantly told mystery.

This is Dr Ruth Galloway's 12th outing and this series shows no signs of becoming predictable or tedious. I love the police procedural element combined with the expert archaelogicl contribution by Ruth. The characters are familiar and yet Griffiths keeps them fresh.
As usual, part of the appeal of this series is the supernatural elements and folk tales that griffiths seamlessly weaves into the narrative. The Lantern Men, malevelant spirits luring folk to their deaths, is a chilling idea and combined with the creepy killer Ivor March, an unidentified real life Lantern Man and the almost cult like behaviour of March's associates, this is a mesmerising read.
I love the way that Griffiths juxtaposes Nelson's down to earth dismissive attitude with the mystical druid, Cathbad's belief in other worldly things and Ruth's more open-minded, yet doubtful philosophy.

A cracking series and a cracking addition to the series.

What a superb series this is! Twelve instalments in and the quality never falters. Great characters and fascinating interpersonal relationships, intriguing crimes combined seamlessly with the archaeological element. Elly Griffiths' writing seems effortless and long may she continue to enthrall us!

I really didn’t get along with this book.

I gave it to 35% before DNF.

The writing style, the storyline with the far fetched lantern men aspect, and the characters.

This really wasn’t for me.

Thank you for the arc

This is another great Ruth Galloway novel which will not disappoint fans of the series. A couple of years have passed since the last novel - Kate is now 9 - and there’s been some changes which take a while to get used to. But the mystery is great and I didn’t guess this one (I sometimes correctly guess whodunnit in this series). You don’t want to miss this next instalment and if you’ve never read a Ruth Galloway I advise you to start with book 1 so you get a true appreciation of the character arcs.

Enjoyable read, very engaging and a bit of a roller coaster of storylines to weave through. I think the ‘who’s who’ list would have been better placed at the front of the book as I wasn’t familiar with all the characters. Read online so hard copy may be different. Would read more by Elly Griffiths.

Thank you NetGalley and Quereus for the opportunity to read and review..

Ruth has only gone and moved to Cambridge! She can’t stay away for long though as she’s called upon to investigate a case in the area. A man has been jailed for killing two women and DCI Nelson thinks there’s more. The prisoner then says he will reveal more bodies if Ruth Galloway does the excavation. Ooh I do get invested in a serial killer taunts the police dilemma as I always get invested in the cat and mouse game.

The change of setting, the return home, the unusual challenge takes this series a step up for me. There’s still lots to love in this series and this move and new Ruth really gives it a refresh (not that it needed it but then a change is as good as a rest) The characters are as strong as ever with Cathbad taking a prominent role. I cheered.

The mysteries in the Ruth Galloway books are always ones involving a small cast of characters and this works well as it’s the characterization which shines for me. Plenty of time to meet everyone and suspect each one in turn. Is the criminal really the one at fault here?
Ruth heads back to Norfolk - to the old Jolly Boatman put deep in the heart of the forest and it’s clear she misses home. The area comes to life again here as we see it through Ruth’s eyes who is clearly homesick. The stories of folklore are richly examined and I was pleased to see that the Lantern Men of the title are as intriguing as they sound. In the olden days, lantern men would try and lead people away to their deaths. Has this old folk tale suddenly become alive again?

A brilliant new instalment in a series I love. Ruth is on form and Nelson is still so very Nelson. I love the setting and cannot wait for the next book.

Really good, as I would expect from this series. The characters feel like old friends and the use of Norfolk folklore and the saltmarsh again lend themselves well to a truly creepy story. Can't wait until the next installment.

Big changes have occurred for Dr Ruth Galloway, a new location, the chance to work with the owner of an artists retreat and a completed book. Meanwhile in Norfolk Dci Harry Nelson is dealing with trying to locate two missing women who he feels may have been the victims of a convicted serial killer

Totally enjoyable read

This book is everything you expect from Elly Griffiths and her Ruth Galloway series. Brilliant characterisation, great plotting that keeps you guessing until the end, and just enough tension to keep those pages turning and the heart beating a little faster.

Forensic archaeologist Ruth may have moved to Cambridge, but the old team are soon back together, digging for the truth in the East Anglian saltmarshes. Local folklore, a community of artists, a series of historic murders, a new crime, the lives, careers and loves of familiar and new characters - these are the weft, held secure by the warp that is Ruth, Nelson and the Norfolk location. The resulting tapestry is the work of a mistress of her craft.