The Janus Stone: Ruth Galloway Investigation 2: A Case for Investigator Ruth Galloway, Forensic Archaeologist [Versión Kindle]

Elly Griffiths has crafted an engaging mystery that keeps the reader in suspense to the very end. The tale begins when a child's headless skeleton is discovered by archaeologists, sparking a police investigation that attempts to identify the victim and murderer. The setting is the Norfolk coast of Great Britain, so the reader is treated to English geographical references and colloquialisms that add an element of charm to the story. The cast of characters is delightful: a spunky female forensic archaeologist who is dealing with the dilemma of an unwed pregnancy, the brusque Detective Chief Inspector on the case who just happens to be the father of her baby, members of a prominent, wealthy family as well as Catholic clergy that have ties to the site of the archaeological dig, and an array of quirky intellectuals fascinated by ancient mythology. This was my first exposure to Elly Griffiths' work, as I won this book from Goodreads.com, and I am definitely motivated to read her previous novel as well.

The Janus Stone, Elly Griffiths' second Ruth Galloway mystery, is a great whodunit for the most part. This was my introduction to the series, having not read her first installment The Crossing Places (Ruth Galloway), and can say I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery part of the story. My only issue is the author in trying to develop the characters in to more complex people strayed into almost turning it into a soap opera. There were a few times in the story where that got a bit annoying.

Galloway is a forensic archaeologist whose expertise is called upon when bodies turn up on digs. At these times she teams up with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson to determine how old the bones are and who they belong to. For mystery fans there is a lot to like here. The author throws quite a few suspects out for our review without ever pointing the finger too strongly at one in particular. There are many twists and turns as someone tries to scare Galloway off the investigation. Finally when the culprit is revealed we are then treated to an exciting and somewhat satisfying ending. One thing I really like is the author does not just focus on Galloway and Nelson as the only two individuals smart enough to figure the mystery out. From the members of Nelson's team (Clough, July & Tanya), to Max Field (in charge of the dig), to a druid named Cathbad, all at times had revelations that led to solving the puzzle. It really makes it a fascinating and enjoyable read.

What is keeping me from rating this at five stars is, again, the soap opera feel that pops in too many times. Ruth Galloway is pregnant (revealed on page 18) and has not told the father who, of course, is married. Since she is single her parent's have all but disowned her. This theme runs in-and-out throughout the book with even the birth father's wife getting involved without realizing her husband is responsible. While this sub-plot is used as part of the exciting finale it still tends to push the story from mystery to romance at inopportune times. At times it takes away for the hard edge of the story, in my opinion.

Since I enjoyed the mystery immensely I plan to go back and read the first book and will at least look at her upcoming third installment, The House at Sea's End. Elly Griffiths. With a few minor reservation I would recommend this to those who love a good mystery.

Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist with a special interest in bones, teaches postgraduates at the University of North Norfolk and participates in the occasional dig. She lives with her cat in England's wild, desolate, and beautiful Saltmarsh, but will not be alone for long. She is three months pregnant and plans to keep the baby, even though it will mean raising her son or daughter as a single parent.

In "The Janus Stone," by Elly Griffiths, Ruth is preparing for the end of the school term and spending time with a fellow archaeologist, Dr. Max Grey, an expert on Roman Britain. As Grey informs Ruth and her friend, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson, "the Celts and the Romans sometimes used to bury bodies under walls and doors as offerings to the Gods Janus and Terminus." Ruth is called in when the headless skeleton of child is discovered on the site of a luxury apartment complex that is under construction. The body was buried "right under the main doorway." Ruth carefully retrieves and examines the bones, and DCI Nelson of the Serious Crimes Unit takes charge of what will turn out to be a complex and troubling homicide investigation. One individual who may have important information to impart is Father Patrick Hennessey, a retired priest and ex-principal of the Sacred Heart Children's Home, which once stood on the grounds where the small skeleton was found. Once again, Nelson and Ruth will discover that "disturbing the dead [and] meddling with the past" can lead to unforeseen consequences.

Ruth is an immensely appealing protagonist who is unpretentious, resigned to being overweight ("she's never going to look good in a bikini"), highly intelligent, and extremely independent. She has offbeat friends, including a Druid, Cathbad, who sometimes wears a robe and flowing purple cloak, and a flaky university lecturer named Shona, a beautiful woman with a weakness for married men. Ruth is a bit of an amateur detective; she cannot resist the lure of an intriguing case. However, when an anonymous perpetrator threatens her repeatedly, Ruth must decide whether it is time to back off for her own safety.

As in "The Crossing Places," the author depicts her characters skillfully. The dialogue is sharp and witty and the narrative is fast-paced and involving. Griffiths creates evocative settings and provides enough red herrings to keep us guessing. The story's sole weakness is its melodramatic and far-fetched conclusion, during which the psychopath's identity is revealed and a terrified Ruth struggles to keep her wits about her. Aside from this quibble, "The Janus Stone" is an entertaining blend of romance, mythology, mystery, and psychological suspense. Fortunately for Ruth Galloway fans, Elly Griffiths is talented enough to keep her plucky heroine knee-deep in engrossing dilemmas for some time to come.