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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
A murder investigation; organized crime elements; some physical danger for Ruth
Language
Barely any
Mild language
Sexual Content
Barely any
Mild romantic content
Substance Use
Some
Drinking; the drug ring involves substance trafficking
Emotional Intensity
Some
The gap between the ancient past and the present crime; Ruth's discomfort being away from her professional context
What this book is about
Dr. Ruth Galloway is invited to examine bones in a small Italian village — apparently Anglo-Saxon remains that have been venerated as a local saint. She takes her daughter Kate and is joined unexpectedly by DCI Nelson. The Italian investigation connects to a drug ring operating between Italy and Norfolk, and the village's ancient history conceals a recent crime that someone is willing to kill to protect. Elly Griffiths's ninth Ruth Galloway mystery is her most atmospheric — the Italian village setting gives the series a vacation-noir quality — and the development of the Nelson/Ruth dynamic in an unfamiliar context is well handled.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
ninth of the Ruth Galloway series; set partly in Italy
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