I am so mad at myself. I read this too fast and now I have no way to peek in on Ruth's life. How will I wake up and not know what is going on with DC Nelson, Cathbad and little Kate? I admit it. I am an addict and this is my very favorite series. I wish I could chain Elly Griffiths to her chair so she could just turn out Ruth Galloway books but she persists in writing other books. Yes, they are fine but they are not in the same league as this wonderful series.

Number 11 does not disappoint. A new henge is discovered and a relative of an old adversary/friend comes to work on the dig. This brings old memories and new disruptions and a really disturbing surprise. Bones, both new and old, are discovered so Ruth is called into investigate. The new bones lead to an investigation of an old missing child case that Nelson's wife, Michelle, has ties to.

Speaking of Michelle, she has the long awaited baby, George, and paternity is revealed. The family gathers around and family secrets are revealed. They are not received well.

The mystery is first rate. The interaction of the characters are captivating. There is nothing not to love about this book. Although it can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the books in order to really understand the backgrounds of everyone and why it is so special. If you are not reading this series, I do not understand why. I think it's the best series out there.

Thank you so much Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

In the 11th installment of the award-winning Ruth Galloway series, Ruth and DCI Nelson are haunted by a ghost from their past, just as their future lands on shaky ground. They have received letters similar to those from the past and Ruth has discovered more human bones during her present archeological dig called The Stone Circle, another henge on the saltmarsh. They are the bones of Margaret Lacey, a 12 year-old girl who went missing 30 years ago. The head archeologist is Leif Anderssen, son of Eric Anderssen, friend of Ruth's from years ago.

This series needs to be read in order as the characters drive the storyline. My favorite part of the series is reading about the complex situation between Nelson and the two loves of his life, his wife Michelle and his mistress Ruth. Nelson and Michelle are happy about their new baby, George, and decide it's time to tell their daughters that Ruth's Kate is also their sister. The secret is not received too well by Laura and Rebecca.

Elly Griffiths is a beautiful writer and I enjoy her descriptions of the Norfolk area and the saltmarsh. Her characters are well-drawn and the plots a mixture of archeology and murder. I'm looking forward to the 12th installment and recommend this series to those who love mystery thrillers from England.

It always takes a chapter or two to adjust to the present tense of the Ruth Galloway novels, but once I'm hooked I can't put them down. The Stone Circle is another great addition to the series. Griffiths sets the atmosphere perfectly, and the mystery is engaging. The characters, while sometimes quirky, are all-too-human and realistic. I strongly recommend The Stone Circle.

As Elly Griffiths dives into the series past, the reader will need to be familiar with both the characters and their interactions to grasp the full story. This is what I would call a “remember when” type of book. One designed to reminisce past storylines or parts that had been left dangling or unfinished. Or even as a refresher for things to come.

After receiving a note that has led to a newly found body, the usual characters are reminded of a time when their lives were set on a collision course. This book brings back old memories and relationships which cause DCI Harry Nelson to tackle a long-hidden secret much to the detriment of his overly emotional daughter.

As cases are sorted and another child goes missing, Harry and Ruth need to sort out their relationship and where their daughter fits within Harry's home. There are any number of triangle relationships in this book and the reader, if not familiar with the past, will be hard-pressed to keep everyone and everything straight.

The bronze age remains of a young girl are found in a henge on the North Norfolk coast, and nearby, the remains of an another, modern-day girl are discovered. This is where we join Dr. Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson in the eleventh installment of the Ruth Galloway series. Ruth and Harry must track down the murderer while managing their complicated relationship. Each book in this series is a treat and this book is no different. Ruth is smart, witty, and relatable, while DCI Nelson is a big-hearted neanderthal. Old characters return and new characters are introduced. I love this series and now have to suffer the long wait for the next book.

Harry Nelson has been receiving anonymous letters again, and they're eerily similar to letters he received relevant to an old case that he has not been able to forget. When Ruth also receives a letter appearing to be from the same writer, the two of them team up to figure out who is sending the letters, and to solve two murders – one recent, and one from decades ago.

This is one of my favorite series, and Ruth Galloway is one of my favorite characters, although I'm not sure I could explain why. In her professional life, she's very matter-of-fact and detached, but her personal life seems to be more than a bit of a shambles. The cast of recurring characters in these books is a good mix of thorough law enforcement personnel, analytical scientists and other educators and ordinary neighbors and parents. The mysteries presented in this story kept me guessing until the reveal in the book, as usual, and I can't wait to read about Ruth's next adventure.

Elly Griffiths forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway returns in her 11th novel The Stone Circle.
An archeological dig unearths two sets of bones which bring in Ruth and her daughter's father DCI Harry Nelson to work together again. The past in the form of Ruth's mentor Erik Anderssen's son as
Head archaeologist on the dig reminds readers of the first book in the series.
Ruth and Harry's relationship is always in the background and a question from book 10 will be answered early on. This time there is more involvement with Harry's fellow police comrades and
family.
Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Last year, Ruth was in Italy (The Dark Angel). This year she is back in Norfolk in a superb entry in a most favorite series of mine.

The first Ruth Galloway mystery, The Crossing Places, is referenced in this book. The murder and its solution are thought by the characters to have links to the current crime. I love this series so much that I urge you to start at the beginning. However, you can read this as a standalone.

There are mysteries here including a cold case and a current baby abduction. Both story lines are suspenseful and the pieces all come together with the clues there for the reader.

I think though that true lovers of this series read it for the characters and the updates in their personal stories. If that is part of what you enjoy in the Ruth books, you will not be disappointed. Every favorite character and relationship is here.

The only bad thing about having read this book is that now I have to begin the long wait for the next in the series.

Enormous thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

It's hard to believe that this is the 11th book in the Ruth Galloway series. I've read them all and I'm pleased to say that it's a strong installment that circles back to the first case that Ruth and Nelson worked on together. The shadow of Erik returns in the form of his son Leif, now a grown man and an archeologist like his father. Ruth and Nelson still have a messy relationship that apparently is going to continue that way, the mystery of Michelle's baby's father is revealed, and a big decision affecting Kate is finally made. I don't know how long Elly Griffiths intends to continue this series, but I hope it keeps going a bit longer because I've become so attached to all of these characters, even Cathbad the stay-at-home dad! Thanks to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In "The Stone Circle," by Elly Griffiths, forensic anthropologist and university lecturer Ruth Galloway is summoned to examine human remains that are discovered at an archaeological dig. This inquiry and others give King's Lynn DCI Harry Nelson an excuse to see Ruth more frequently than usual, and Ruth is uncomfortable in his presence. She has feelings for Harry but is trying to move on, especially since Harry is married and has no plans to leave his wife. Ruth has been dating Frank Barker, a fellow academic, who Is interested in taking their relationship to the next level.

The soap opera elements of this book are its most compelling aspects. Why are so many men attracted to Galloway, who freely acknowledges that she is no femme fatale? Perhaps Ruth's admirers are impressed with her keen intelligence, independence, and devotion to her precocious daughter, Kate. In addition to details about Ruth's affaires d'amour, Griffiths' story deals with the fate of Margaret Lacey, a twelve-year-old girl who vanished in 1981; the unexpected appearance of Leif, son of Erik Anderssen, Ruth's deceased mentor; an execution-style shooting; and a shocking abduction.

The author uses her setting to great effect. She captures the wild splendor and evocative atmosphere of the isolated Saltmarsh, a scenic bird sanctuary where Ruth lives with Kate and their cat, Flint. In addition, fans of Ruth will empathize with her ambivalence regarding her complicated love life. Unfortunately, Griffiths crams too many characters and subplots into "The Stone Circle." Although it is a treat to spend time with Ruth, DS Judy Johnson, Cathbad, and DS Dave Clough, whom we have gotten to know so well over the years, their presence is overshadowed by a series of melodramatic events that do not coalesce into a satisfying whole. "The Stone Circle" veers off in too many directions and concludes with a contrived and disappointing finale.

Digging deep as always.

Echoes of the Bronze Age meet distinct notes of the ever present in The Stone Circle.

Dr. Ruth Galloway has been called out to the Saltmarsh near King's Lynn in Norfolk. An archaeological team has uncovered the remains of an ancient young girl within their dig. Ruth's heart always quickens with "the thrill of the dig". She's dedicated many years as a senior archaeological lecturer at the University of North Norfolk.

As the team sifts gently through the remains, they've made an additional discovery. Next to the Bronze Age girl are bones reflecting more of the modern age. From Ruth's calculations, the bones appear to be of a young girl around twelve years old. Without hesitation, DCI Harry Nelson is called in. The area is now marked off as a crime scene.

As a side note: Ruth and Harry have a history of their own. Although still unmarried, Ruth is the mother of Harry's daughter, Kate. Harry is married to Michelle who is ready to give birth any day. He's committed to his family, but there's a raging flame always burning for Ruth. They remain professional in their relationship knowing that it can never develop any further.

Back to our mystery.........The bones test out as belonging to Margaret Lacey, a twelve year old girl who went missing back in 1981 at a city street fair. Her body was never found. It was always thought that a peculiar man by the name of John Mostyn was responsible. Mostyn lived with his aging mother who defended him until her death. Mostyn enjoyed showing the local children the rocks and shells that he found near the shore. With no evidence to prove otherwise, Mostyn was never charged. Was it a botched investigation or was it someone else?

Elly Griffiths reunites quite a few characters in this one. She does fill in gaps for the readers unfamiliar with this series. And as always, we are treated to folklore with stone artifacts that tell tales along the Neolithic sites. Rocks with holes, often called witch's rocks, guard against evil. But evil still seems to take hold here after an additional body is found in a cottage nearby. Are there any connections to this one and the bones of that young girl from so long ago?

The Stone Circle delivers with its multi-faceted characters and its intriguing mystery. There are certain series that you look forward to and the Ruth Galloway Series is one of them. Elly Griffiths knows how to fast-spin a plot and to deepen the complications involved with her chosen characters. A very satisfying read for sure.

I received a copy of The Stone Circle through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers and Elly Griffiths for the opportunity.

I'm very grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for giving this UK reader a chance to review the US edition.

This story is haunted by ghosts—echoes of the first book in the series, a crime that appears too similar to an earlier one, people appearing from the past...  As usual, the landscape plays a key part, nearly all in Norfolk, so the saltmarsh is weaving its tendrils through the atmosphere again.  But there is a foray into Somerset, to the stone circle at Stanton Drew, which I've not heard of before. I must visit...

The ever-expanding family of Ruth and her friends, the police and their wives, husbands, girlfriends and offspring, are all there in force, along with the ghost of Tim.  Sometimes I get them mixed up, especially when the crime is a family one. Then we get extended family and friends of the victims to follow, as well as to sort out whodunnit.  But hey, it keeps the reader on their toes!

The writing is excellent, as always, the plotting keeps you wondering what's coming next, the twists and turns raise and dash your hopes.  It's all satisfactorily finished off, while leaving a little more of the human interest part of Ruth's life for the next in the series.

I've awarded this one five stars, because all the clues were there, and I spotted them, but I missed the answer! I think Elly Griffith's writing is even better than usual. I certainly couldn't put it down.

Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC:

I always look forward to the newest Ruth Galloway mystery, because the characters are like family to me and I have been with them from the beginning and this is book 11!

This newest addition does not disappoint and takes you back to the very beginning of the series. A new archaeological dig reveals a bronze age skeleton, but also the skeleton of a child murdered some thirty years before. The child's disappearance was never solved. The new archaeologist has ties to the community - to Ruth and Cathbad, because he turns out to be Eric's son. Read the rest to figure out he plot!

I received a free advance review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have said in several reviews that one needs to read these books in order and this is particularly true of The Stone Circle, which draws on plot lines and characters from Crossing Places (the first book in the series) and The Outcast Dead to name just a few and this book contains spoilers for both of those earlier books.

Eleventh in the series and still quite a bit of fun, I am torn about this review because I don’t want it to sound critical. I have read each new novel in this series every Spring for the last 7 or 8 years and I look forward to each new installment. Still do. However, I agree with another reviewer that stated that these novels are now much more about the characters than the mystery, and The Stone Circle is no exception. Each year the new Ruth Galloway novel gives a loyal readership (and I am among them) a chance to catch up on the increasingly complicated personal lives of these wonderful fully realized characters--Ruth, Nelson, Michelle, Cathbad and the rest. I am also enjoying that some minor characters are being given larger roles. I am waiting for the (Ruth’s 7 year old daughter) Kate centered story that eventually will come. The mystery has taken a back seat to the character drama. In the recent books, somewhere along the way a mild mannered murder mystery will come along, get solved rather quickly and we will return to the endearing soap opera. In fact, the real jaw dropping events are personal, rather than criminal. And some of them are real doozies.

That is not the case with all the books in the series, however. Crossing Places, The Janus Stone, and The House at Sea’s End are really good mysteries with strong historical elements in additional to character dramas. My personal favorites, A Dying Fall and The Outcast Dead raised the bar to add a level of tense menace that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although I care quite a bit about all of these characters, I would really like to see Ruth once again face a real challenge to her forensic archeological/detective skills and Nelson and his crew go toe to toe with a worthy opponent.

As I said above, I don’t want to seem critical, because I love this series and consider Elly Griffiths to be a gifted storyteller. I enjoyed her other recent novel The Stranger Diaries for its darker gothic tone so she can pull it off. I just want someone really sinister to come to town and kick it up a real ruckus.

4 stars because it is always a pleasure to have a new Elly Griffiths book to read.

One of my favorite writers, but I just wasn't very excited about the back story this time around. I really wanted more Ruth and Nelson. Sad that I have to wait at least another year to find out what happens next!

I adore the Ruth Galloway series--it's one of my top 3 favorites. I was so happy to see this title come up on Netgalley, as it was not available through Audible or in either of my library systems.

This is another dark and haunting entry in the series, with deaths in previous books still casting their shadows over current events. I am not generally a reader of "character" books--I want plot! But Griffiths does such a fine job of bringing characters and their complicated relationships to life AND putting them into danger of various kinds. I will be awaiting the next title in the series!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway will enjoy this eleventh book in the series. Unfinished business from the past captures Ruth and Nelson's attention. A new excavation is underway in the salt marsh; cryptic letters appear, which sound as though they are written by the long-dead Erik; there are more missing child cases to investigate.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy feminist sleuths, a strong sense of place, archaeology, folklore, and suspense.

I read an electronic Advanced Reader Copy of the book, which will not necessarily be its final form when published. Thanks to NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read this book early in order to review it.

#TheStoneCircle #NetGalley "DCI Nelson has been receiving threatening letters. They are anonymous, yet somehow familiar. They read like the letters that first drew him into the case of The Crossing Places, and to Ruth. But the author of those letters is dead. Or are they?
The past is reaching out for Ruth and Nelson, and its grip is deadly."

Oh my how wonderful this book was! I reread a few parts of it immediately, just for savor.Very hard to believe it is the 11th book of a 10 book series as it is so riveting. The characters sparkle and seem to jump off the page, even recently introduced ones. Elly Griffiths is the very best whatever type of book she attempts.

Ruth Galloway is always my heroine as she is brilliant, somewhat untidy, a bit reclusive and loving. Harry Nelson yells, bangs on doors and drives too fast- and he loves his wife, daughters ( all 3 of them) and apparently Ruth also.

The archeology aspect of it are very well done and with my anthropology degree ( sadly without a dig) endear me even more to the series. The author does impeccable research so everything is plausible.

Get this book and meet Harry and Michelle's new baby and "see" what he looks like and experience the 3 sisters finally getting together. Another baby is kidnapped, 2 murders (one recent), a stone age burial and a suicide are encountered and dealt with by Kings Lynn Serious Crimes Unit.. The Stone Circle held many surprises for the residents of the Norfolk area as well as disclosing some character defects for several people.Get yours in May or Pre Order now.

This book, the eleventh in the Ruth Galloway mystery series, is as good as or better than any of the others in the series, which I love.

Ruth Galloway, 47, is a self-described overweight forensic archeologist at the (fictional) University of North Norfolk, who occasionally works with Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson, 50, of the Norfolk Police. Since Ruth is an expert on bones, the two have teamed up to solve a number of crimes, and Ruth became seconded to the Serious Crime Unit, which is headed by Nelson.

Nelson works at the King’s Lynn Police Station. In actuality, King’s Lynn is a seaport in Norfolk, England and Norwich is a town in Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of its most important. Thus old bones do in fact get excavated quite frequently. Griffiths integrates many interesting historical aspects of this region into her story lines.

Although Harry is married with two adult daughters (Laura and Rebecca), Ruth and Harry share a daughter, Kate, now 7. Harry’s wife Michelle allows Harry to see Kate but insists that Harry only see Ruth in a professional capacity. As this book begins, Michelle is about to have another baby, which may or may not be Harry’s; she had an affair with one of Nelson’s detective sergeants, Tim Healthfield. Everyone in the know is anxiously awaiting the birth, since Tim (who has since died) is black, and what the baby looks like will indicate who the father is.

Before Michelle’s announcement, Nelson had been considering leaving Michelle for Ruth. But Michelle’s pregnancy changed all that. Ruth has been dating Frank, a professor at Cambridge who wants more from Ruth but emotionally she is still tied to Nelson.

Meanwhile, a new discovery of bones once again draws Nelson and Ruth together. At an archeological dig, ancient bones are found but also bones perhaps only thirty-some years old of a young teenager. Nelson’s team reopens some cases of missing girls to try to come up with a match.

Members of the team are able to come up with the identity fairly fast and even a group of suspects, but as usual, everyone is hiding something and they have to sort it out at considerable danger to themselves.

Discussion: I enjoyed this installment a great deal because there was more focus on the relationships among the main characters, who are all likable and funny. The author’s sense of humor is so delightful that I find myself laughing out loud even while reading about murder, but that happens often with the Ruth Galloway series. The women in the book are especially witty in a self-deprecating way. I can’t wait to read more books in the series.

Evaluation: This is a very good series. The characters are complex and likable, and you learn quite a bit about ancient Celtic mythology and archeology.

Dr Ruth Galloway is working on an archaeological dig at an old burial site when she discovers not just the expected ancient remains but also much more recent bones. These turn out to belong to Margaret Lacey who went missing in 1981.
The findings point to the bones not being at this site the whole time and Ruth sets about trying to find out where they were originally buried while DCI Harry Nelson re-examines the old investigation to find out what happened to Margaret. Meanwhile Nelson’s wife Michelle is about to give birth and he has started receiving strange letters very similar to ones he received during a previous enquiry but that was Erik and he is dead. Are they relevant or just a misdirection?
Was Margarets killer the local “stone man” the police suspected of abduction at the time or is it someone closer to Margaret.
There were no violent confrontations, just a very sad story about a girl who disappeared and the effect it had on her family. and I personally feel this was the right way to tell this story.