Another great book in this series. I can't believe I've read them all. The beginning worried me a bit, but the end was good. #TheLanternMen #NetGalley

3 1/2 Stars

I have read The Stranger Diaries by this author and I enjoyed it. I didn't know the author has written a series of mystery novels so when I saw this book, I had to request it. I normally would not recommend starting a series right in the middle, but this just made me want to go back and read the others. I fell in love with Ruth Galloway and I think I was able to get into the story even though I hadn't read the previous books. I love a series and getting to follow a character so I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is another wonderful entry in the Ruth Galloway series. Ruth is a forensic anthropologist and, as always, the mysteries need her talents to solve. Reading about Ruth though is so much more than a murder or multiple murder mystery. She is funny and smart and lost and stumbling and competent and somewhat insecure. She is a joy to read about as well as her partner in crime and life, DI Harry Nelson. The Stone Circle was my favorite in this series until now, The Lantern Men shows growth in Ruth and her cast of very interesting characters.  I can't wait to read the next in the series. The audio book has a great narrator, Jane McDowell, who does a wonderful job with the many characters. If you haven't read any of the Ruth Galloway series, start with The Stone Circle as you will enjoy the progression. I can't wait for the next in the series!

For those who love the Dr. Ruth and her circle, they are back for the twelfth installment of the series. 
There's more mystery, tension, and of course, dead bodies. 
Folklore takes a dominate place in this story, specifically about The Lantern Man, a man of legend who lures people to their deaths in the marshes, but of course Dr. Ruth has to determine if the stories are nothing but over active imaginations or something more sinister in mind. 

Quick and fun read.

The next offering in Griffiths series does not disappoint. I find myself recommending this author and series to a wide variety of readers and know they won’t be disappointed. I certainly wasn’t.

The Lantern Men is the twelfth book in the Ruth Galloway series by award-winning British author, Elly Griffiths. Forensic anthropologist, Dr Ruth Galloway has settled into a new teaching position in Cambridge, living there in a townhouse with her daughter Kate, her cat Flint (of course!) and Frank Barker.  And while Kate’s father, DCI Harry Nelson isn’t too happy about her absence from north Norfolk, Ruth felt something had had to change.

Nelson is relieved that Ivor March has been found guilty of the murder of the two women whose bodies were dug up from his girlfriend’s garden, but he is convinced that March is responsible for the earlier disappearance of two young women of similar appearance, and not willing to leave things as they stand. Yet despite the overwhelming trace and DNA evidence several of March’s women still protest his innocence: the man is apparently charismatic. 

Then March offers to reveal the location of the other two if, and only if, Ruth Galloway does the excavation. Ruth agrees to accompany Harry to the prison, where she meets March, finds him very creepy, but agrees to his terms. But both Ruth and Harry are aware, at each encounter, of the flicker of a flame between them, still not doused. 

Then Ruth’s former boss, who did the first excavation, is attacked and has his laptop stolen, a third body is found with the other two, and another woman is murdered on the marshes, in much the same manner as the first four. But Ivor March is in prison, so…

As Harry Nelson and his competitive subordinates re-examine the circumstances of the four earlier disappearances, it’s those that attended the Grey Walls retreat that come under the greatest scrutiny, several of whom talk about the local legend of The Lantern Man.  

Once again, Griffiths gives the reader an enthralling tale that presents several possible killers whose motives can only be guessed at, and keep the pages turning until the thrilling  climax and beyond. Again, excellent British crime fiction. 
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishers

This is an excellent book that is an easy fast read.  Once you start to read it you will find it hard to put it down.  This is the first book I read in this series.  Although I caught on to the story lines and managed just fine in following along, the characters are very complex and have a deep history with one another, so I will go back in the series and read from  the first book on to see them develop. This is a murder mystery of a man who is convicted of killing 2 women, although the police are sure her killed two more.  He does agree to say where the bodies of the other two women are.  This is a gripping novel that you won't want to miss.

The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths

Forensic archaeologist, Ruth Galloway, changed her life — until a convicted killer Tells her that four of his victims were never found, drawing her back to the place she had left.

It was a good book.  About cold cases and current murders.  Did get confusing with the different families, their  Kids,, and their ex’s .  Well-written plot.  
\great characters.

Thank you Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for review.

I really enjoyed this mystery. The main character was a bit annoying at times but she goes in waves for me. Sometimes she is strong and sometimes she is not. I look forward to Griffiths' books every year.

Ruth has moved to Oxford and is teaching at a new university.  She is unexpectedly pulled into another investigation after an imprisoned serial killer agrees to reveal the location of several victims, provided that Ruth handles the excavation.  In addition to the investigation, Ruth has mixed emotions for her live in beau vs. the father of her child.  The book has an intricate plot with rich characterization.  I thoroughly enjoined this novel  -  another great book in the Ruth Galloway series.

I love Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series and this is no exception. This was perfectly paced and a just twisty enough to be surprising. My favorite thing about this series is that the stories are very place-based and atmospheric. Even though Ruth and Kate have moved away from the salt marsh, that atmosphere is still front and center of the story, which draws on a local legend for a spooky mystery that Ruth and company get drawn into.

Absolutely loved this--just like all the books by this author. I thought it was very well written and highly recommend. I can't wait for the next in this series.

I'm annoyed as heck that I didn't review this book!
I rated it at 4 stars. That's all I can say. Yes, I want to read more. I have the early books in my t.b.r lists.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an ebook of The Lantern Men for an honest review.
 This is #12 in the Ruth Galloway series and this edition finds Ruth living in Cambridge with her daughter Kate and of all people, Frank! Fans of this series will be surprised that Ruth agreed to leave her beloved home near Norfolk and start a new life away from DCI Harry Nelson. Of course, Ruth sees to it that Harry is still apart of his daughter's life and a murder case makes Harry a part of Ruth's life..again.
 Is the murderer telling the truth about the dead women or is someone else involved? 
 There is an intriguing twist with the folk legend of the lantern men that figures in the plot of this story. 
As a side story, it's interesting to see if Frank can hold on to Ruth or is the pull of Harry too much for her to resist.

Basically, Elly Griffiths never fails to deliver, and has produced another rivetting Ruth Galloway thriller.

Top notch mystery with complex and believable characters!   I've followed this series from the beginning and unlike other series that get stale and dropped by the wayside, this one keeps going strong.  The main character is interesting and believable and has a multitude of friends and colleagues that have their own stories going on as well.  Everything weaves together to create a complex tapestry of situations and emotions revolving around an interesting mystery..  The core story of Ruth and Nelson never fails to keep the interest, and such an interesting story it is!   No spoilers here, but I was glad the book ended on the note that it did.  Can't wait for the next one!

I lnow I'm  late with this and , as I'm not quite finished, I'll post my review straight onto Amazon

I haven't read Elly Griffiths before and was excited to have a chance to try her new book. I highly recommend! It has all the suspense, thriller, whodunit vibes a reader could ask for. Even though this is book 12 in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series, I found it easy to get into and enjoy. I will be going back and reading the previous books to catch up on the characters backstory and histories.

Much like the characters in this book, I finished it with mixed emotions. I enjoyed it overall, yet at times was frustrated by it. And perhaps that's one of the draws of this series for me - I love a good mystery series, but the added factor in this one is that the characters are all too human.
Much has changed in Ruth Galloway's life since the events of the previous book in the series. She's in a new job at a different university and town, and she and her daughter are living with the new man in her life. On the surface it's all just fine, and she and her daughter have settled in nicely. But when she finds herself drawn back to her old life when an anonymous letter says she should be consulted on a murder investigation, the flames of her doubts are fanned. Pulled back into closer proximity to her old haunts and old friends, she begins to question what (and whom) she really wants. The mystery here is a good one, the human relationships feel all too real (the tension between what the head knows is good and what the heart really wants). The familiar supporting characters are here, with their own charms and issues. I look forward to whatever may be next for Ruth and friends.
My thanks to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Elly Griffiths continues the forensic archaeology misadventures of Ruth Galloway in The Lantern Men.  Ruth has left archaeology behind and moved to teach at Cambridge along with her partner Frank. Then DCI Nelson, the father of her daughter Katie, gets her involved in a multiple murder case of young women.  His convicted killer Ivor has asked that Ruth dig up another two victims and he will identify the site.  Three women are found.  Whodunit? There is some doubt that Ivor is the killer.  Others are acting strange.  Meanwhile Ruth's life is entangled again with Nelson.  Where is this all going?