Firstly thank you to Quercus Books and NetGalley for this ARC of the latest story featuring Dr Ruth Galloway. Wow what can I say but this story is absolutely gripping from the first page to the last It is full of twists and turns and it hurtles along, taking you on a rollercoaster of a ride. Everyhing is there with a lovely dose of humour. There is nothing better than curling up with the latest Elly Griffiths novel and I love how the folk tales etc are woven into the story, which just flows along.
This series just gets better and better and I cannot wait for the next one. My only disappointment was turning the last page and knowing I have to wait for the next one.
5 stars all the way.

‘The Night Hawks’ marks a welcome return to the world of archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway and is the 13th addition to the highly successful series and by Elly Griffiths.
I’ve read a number of the series but have missed out on some of the more recent books, so it was with joy that I sat down to catch up on the adventures of some old friends in Norfolk this weekend. And yes, reading a Ruth Galloway novel, does indeed feel like a return to a place of comfort – this is not a negative but a compliment to the author as she has a knack for catching the reader’s attention with both an engaging plotline and enjoyable characters.
A few brief sentences scattered throughout the novel are sufficient background for old readers and newcomers alike to quickly orientate themselves with the characters and their history. There is also just enough of the past plotline referenced so that readers will be curious and want to investigate the previous stories. A nice touch from the author as one of my pain points when new to a series is trying to catch up without having to either wade through lots of background material or alternatively feeling lost until I start ‘googling’. Griffiths is skilled enough to avoid this error and whet our appetites for more. She has also included a handy appendix called “Who Is Who” at the end of the story, just in case any further clarity if required.
There are plenty of humorous moments scattered thoughout the story such as when Ruth is considering Nelson’s possible reaction to some comments by Cathbad, or how she has reacted to become the Head of Dept and at least she hasn’t introduced Flint (her cat) to the staff. At times, there is a sense of wry commentary from the author when she is voicing the character of Ruth. And Ruth is a strong character who has adapted her life since we first met her back in ‘The Crossing Places’. She has become a mum, changed jobs, moved country and finally decided to return to where she feels most comfortable. She is also more confident, though her relationship with Nelson and feeling towards him, will always be, difficult.
As always, there are plenty of bones in the story – a group of amateur archaeologists called the Night Hawks have come across a body (recent) along with some bones and swords on the local beach. Ruth is called in to excavate the site and after confirming that the body is indeed recent death, DCI Nelson and team, commence their murder hunt. It’s not long before a few more victims are found, and the investigation becomes increasingly complicated as science and legends clash. Meanwhile, Ruth is concerned about her new colleague who seems to be involved with the murder case and there are some local myths which are proving to be less myth and more fact! There are several layers to the murder story but each one is neatly woven together, leading to a satisfactory conclusion to the case. The twist in the story comes courtesy of Nelson and his need to make a decision about his future – something that will keep fans guessing and waiting excitedly for the next book.
For the previous Galloway books, I’ve listened to the e-audio version and I found that I was much more engaged with the storyline when reading this e-book. For me, the story suits the format of reading and I will continue with this approach in future.
To summarise: ‘The Night Hawks’ is an entertaining, read a story of murder with lots of laughter.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for the ARC in return for an honest review.

It is only this year that I found the pleasure of reading Elly Griffiths.
When the early opportunity to read this latest Ruth Galloway title came along I was quick to put the book I was reading to one side and immediately dive into the Norfolk countryside once again.
Elly Griffiths never disappoints and this continues along a similar path to the others and leaves you wanting the next episode to come along sooner rather than later.
Recommend as always.

It’s hard to believe that this is the 13th novel featuring Dr Ruth Galloway, now head of Archaeology and back living in Norfolk. In this novel, a group of metal detectorists, the Night Hawks, discover a body when they had hoped to discover buried treasure. When the body is that of a local lady, Jem Taylor, the police focus on the motives why he was left on a beach and who was responsible (an accident is quickly proved wrong). However, Ruth is more interested in a collection of Bronze Age weapons – but nevertheless, she’s drawn into Nelson’s case, realising just how deep her feelings for him run. But when there’s another incident at a remote farmhouse, where a husband and wife lie dead, the police – and Ruth –have to wonder whether everything is connected. I love Ruth’s sense of humour and timing and her thoughts on those around her really add to the highly researched, multi-layered plots.

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