The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths is the 10th book in the “Ruth Galloway” mystery series. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, coming May 15, 2018
In this highly atmospheric mystery, Ruth Galloway—“a captivating amateur sleuth” (Louise Penny)—and DCI Nelson investigate a murder in a medieval Italian town where dark secrets are buried as deep as bones.
It’s not every day that you’re summoned to the Italian countryside on business, so when archaeologist Angelo Morelli asks for Ruth Galloway’s help identifying bones found in the tiny hilltop town of Fontana Liri, she jumps at the chance to go, bringing her daughter along with her for a working vacation. Upon arriving, she begins to hear murmurs of Fontana Liri’s strong resistance movement during World War II and senses the townspeople are dancing around a deeply buried secret. But how could that be connected to the ancient remains she’s been studying?
Ruth is just beginning to get her footing in the dig when she’s thrown off-guard by the appearance of DCI Nelson. And when Ruth’s findings lead them to a modern-day murder, their holidays are both turned upside down, and they race to find out what darkness is lurking in this seemingly picturesque town.
This is one of those series that I can’t wait to read as I have to know the relationship status of Ruth and Harry. Oh how I wish they would be a family raising their daughter Kate. Anyway, this was another enjoyable tale in the adventures of Ruth and Harry that I devoured. Bones and murder bring the iconic duo to Italy, separately of course, and it is in the aftermath that we discover the person responsible. The author did a great job in staging this well-written mystery with intrigue in regards to the murder of the local priest, the significance of the bones, and who is trying to prevent Ruth from discovering the answers. Also happening simultaneously, is the situation in Norfolk with a released convict and Michelle’s pregnancy. I especially loved how the scenes moved between characters, keeping me in tuned to every nuance until the moment where the scenes mirrored each other and I couldn’t read fast enough to see how it will end. And end it did with a few twists that enhanced how well this story was being told and I can’t wait to see how it will play in the next book in this captivating series.
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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This one has been on my library list since it became available there. I’m ninth in line!
I love Elly Griffith’s books but need to do some catching up. The Dark Angel’s setting in Italy is definitely intriguing
Dru, I love that you love this series, too! I wish Ruth and Harry could be together, too, but Elly/Dom won’t listen to me about killing off Michelle. Hahaha!