Elly Griffiths's archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway series set in Norfolk is always a delight and this new addition gives us the opportunity to catch up with our much loved characters once again. Ruth has returned to her beloved cottage in Norfolk, having relinquished her prestigious post as a Cambridge lecturer, broken up with Frank, and with Phil Trent's retirement is now head of department at the University of North Norfolk. The eponymous Night Hawks are metal detectorists who go out hunting at night in search of ancient treasures such as Bronze Age coins and other artefacts the area is well known for. On one such excursion they make some interesting finds that include coins, in Cley at Blakeney Point. However, at the same time a dead body is found on the beach and DCI Harry Nelson of Norfolk Police Serious Crimes Unit and his team think it might be an asylum seeker.

An excited Ruth is called in to excavate an ancient body buried with the detectorists finds, accompanied by a recent appointment she has made in her department, David Brown, a man she is finding irritating and who refuses to recognise her position as head of department. The dead body with its distinctive tattoo of the Norfolk Sea Serpent turns out to be a local man recently released from prison, Jem Taylor. Nelson finds himself called out in the middle of the night when the Night Hawks call the police after hearing gunshots at the Black Dog Farm, reputed to be haunted, according to East Anglian folklore and legend, by a giant spectral dog, the Black Shuck, with eyes of hellfire, that appears to people prior to their death. In a narrative with a high body count, at the farm the police discover what appears to be the murder-suicide of research scientist Dr David Noakes and his wife, Linda, a primary school teacher.

The best part of this series are always the characters, such as the offbeat druid, Cathbad, Ruth's dad Arthur, living in Eltham in London, planning to get married again to Gloria, and Ruth's 11 year old daughter, Kate, is going to be a bridesmaid. Nelson is being harassed by Superintendent Jo Archer to take early retirement, something he refuses to consider, although he worries that DI Judy Johnson might leave if there is no possibility of promotion for her. The complicated relationship between Ruth and Nelson continues to play out amidst the grave dangers they find themselves in. This is another terrific addition to what is a favourite series, it is an entertaining and engaging read, although you will need to suspend your sense of disbelief at some of what occurs. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

While Griffiths' plotting may not be the best in class, her story-line is never more than a skeleton (haha!) on which to hang her real strengths: her eccentric bunch of characters, the complications of their entangled lives, and the marvellous, witty writing which has just the right amount of snark to be funny while remaining good-natured.

In this one there is an unusually high body count and some intriguing plot points that never get fully explored. But, you know, it never bothers me that we know there'll be a silly climax where Ruth is enticed yet again into a blatantly obvious trap - and that's because the emotional fall-out, particularly emotive in this outing, is always worth the contrivance.

It's a shame that Cloughie has been sidelined though it's entirely fitting for his character arc, and his brief visits are like meeting an old friend. And the subversive nature of Ruth's relationship with Nelson continues to undercut the simplistic moralising about fidelity that we so often find in popular fiction: relationships *are* complicated and it's to Griffiths' credit that she goes there.

This series remains an utter delight and I just can't help but greedily consume each book far too fast!

I'm a massive fan of Ruth Galloway Mysteries and I could read and appreciate Elly Griffiths' shopping list.
That said I think this is one the best instalment in this series.
I read it in one afternoon and couldn't put it down as I kept on thinking about the plot.
It's complex, tightly knitted, gripping and highly entertaining.
I was happy to catch up with Ruth, Nelson and the cast of characters. There's a lot going on and I can't wait to read the next book because I want to know what next.
The mystery is excellent, full of twists and turns. I couldn't guess the culprit and the solution came as a surprise.
I loved and I look forward to the next story, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine