I literally did a little happy dance when I was approved for the latest in the Dr Ruth Galloway series.

This is the 13th book in the series and for me, I think its the best so far.

It had me hooked from page one, if I wasn't engrossed in the crime solving, I was engrossed by the relationships of the characters. All the favourite characters were back and the tension between Ruth and Nelson is still growing, but even after 13 books, it isn't boring me.

As usual, a brilliant ending with the twist you never see coming but THAT ENDING!!!!

The only disappointing thing is the fact I devour these books in 2 days and I need to wait for the next one to be written!! The struggle is real!!

This is book #13 of the Ruth Galloway series. I love this series and have read all of the books. Whilst it can be read as a standalone book, I would recommend reading it as part of the series for better understanding of the characters back stories. Ruth is back in Norfolk following her relationship break up, and has now taken over her previous boss’s job at the University. The Night Hawks are a group of metal detectorists who sweep the Norfolk beaches at night in search of treasure, but when they discover a body, DCI Harry Nelson again asks Ruth for help on the case.

I love Ruth’s character and have done from the beginning of the series. Whilst she seems happier being back at her own home again, there always seems to be a big Nelson shaped cloud hanging over her! I can connect to her character on so many levels – middle aged, juggling home and work, and always feeling that she’s not good enough! DCI Harry Nelson is a grumpy Northern detective who never seems happy being in Norfolk rather than his native Blackpool. He’s reaching his early retirement age and is desperately trying to hold onto his job despite his boss pushing him towards a life of gardening and childcare. He’s such a drole and sullen character, but I do like him and I never fail to raise a smile with every roll of his eyes that he makes, particularly when myths and fables are mentioned by Ruth’s druid friend, Cathbad!!

This book focusses on the discovery of a body on the sands during one of the Night Hawks searches. When a murder-suicide occurs not too far away at Black Dog Farm, Nelson thinks the cases may be linked, but just can’t figure out why. Black Dog Farm seriously gave me the creeps and with the myth of the Black Shuck, a dog which only appears to people who are about to die, I have to admit I would have hot-footed it out of there without so much as a backwards glance. Nelson isn’t taken in with all the myths and legends, unlike the locals, and methodically works through the case, being helped by his hardworking team!

The storyline is gripping and keeps you hooked throughout. Whether it’s focussing on the murder investigation or Nelson and Ruth’s complicated relationship, it’s enough to keep you turning the pages trying to work out what is going on. The Norfolk coastline has always appeared bleak in most of the books, and this book is no different with its cold and wet weather chilling you to the bone. I’ve spent 13 books now waiting to see if Nelson’s cold exterior will ever thaw out enough to declare his love for Ruth as she so deserves some happiness in her life, and the author yet again keeps you waiting to find out!

There was a great twist with the murder storyline which I just didn’t see coming, and I love how the author manages to make you think it’s going one way, and then turns it all around at the last minute. Full of great characters, an interesting plot with lots of local mysteries and legends and plenty of suspense, this is a fabulous addition to this series! Every time, I’m so excited to start a new Ruth Galloway book and then I’m really disappointed when I finish it as I know I have to wait again for more! Enjoyable, thrilling and the perfect read! Would definitely recommend!

Another excellent book. A good storyline with all the usual characters who are still developing. Ruth and Nelsons relationship is interesting especially with what is left hanging at the end of the book.

Number 13 in the Ruth Galloway series and yet again Elly has written a brilliant book. All the usual characters are here and also a new Lecturer to assist Ruth in her new role as Head of Department. This book concentrates on the Night Hawks who are metal detectorists who go out at night time. On one such night they come across a body on the North Norfolk coast. This leads to Ruth being called in to excavate another grave. There is then a murder suicide at a local farm, are they linked and how? This book has plenty of twists and turns with Norfolk folklore intertwined.
I received this book from Netgalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review

Christmas came early for me, when the long awaited e-mail arrived, giving me access to The Night Hawks, prior to publication. Reading about Ruth and Nelson feels like having a drink, and catching up with old friends.

In this thirteenth book, The Night Hawks, a group of metal detectorists make a find on the beach of Ruth’s beloved North Norfolk coast. This find leads us to a body, and the starting point for the case. There are many little nods to current times and situations, that resonate with thoughts and concerns of 2020.
Cathbad, as ever, brings his own take on events, giving the places and story a great sense of atmosphere, linking the old ways into modern life.

There is only one problem with an Elly Griffiths book. I read them far too quickly, leaving me desperate to read the next book, which hasn’t even been written yet. If by any chance you haven’t read the first 12 books, I would highly recommend reading them first, so you can enjoy the full backstory of the realistic, and very human characters, expertly brought to life by the author. Having said that, the story works beautifully well as a stand alone read.

Ruth is a character I feel that so many women can relate to. Middle aged, balancing a busy work and home life, feeling like she should, somehow, be doing better or more. Then dealing with the niggling feelings of associated guilt. Her character is so real, so relatable, so genuine.

For me, The Night Hawks has been the best read in the 13 book series. The ending, a really touching scene with Maureen, Nelson’s Mother, has left me eager for book 14 already. I was engaged to the very last word. I have no hesitation in giving The Night Hawks 5*, if I could give more, I absolutely would.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review. My views and comments are my own.

I love Griffiths’ work, and the 13th instalment of the Ruth Galloway series is another superb blend of crime and the personal - weaving in the lives of detectives solving the crime into the events in the Night Hawk perfectly.

I’ve read the whole series, and it’s a delight to spend a couple of days in their company again.

The story revolves around some detectorists, a Bronze Age discovery, talk of a disease brought over by Eastern European Beaker tribes, and drug trials to treat the ‘Flu. It feels topical given the events in 2020, but that makes sense, for a book written in lock down.

I didn’t guess the connections or the ending, and I gasped (yes GASPED), at the very last pages.

More of Ruth, Katie, Cathbad, Judy, Nelson, Tanya and Tony please!

An excellent instalment in this long running series. As always the North Norfolk coast is as much a character as Ruth and Nelson. In this book some of the old legends of the area are explored and one in particular is brought to life in an unnerving way. I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend the whole series.

All our favourite characters are back - including the love triangle of archaeology academic Ruth Galloway, cop Harry Nelson and his wife Michelle - and faced with a body discovered by the metal detecting Night Hawks.
If you haven’t read the rest of the series, this is a stand-alone novel but I’d thoroughly reading recommend the lot and seeing the characters develop.
This has the wryly observed humour of the other novels and a good plot into the bargain.
I also enjoy the push and pull of the relationship between Nelson and Ruth. In this novel Ruth is now head of department at her university and has an irritating new colleague which makes for some amusing asides.
Recommended, as are all Elly Griffiths’ novels.

This is the 13th in the Ruth Galloway series and Ruth returns from Cambridge to North Norfolk where she has taken up the post of Head of Department at the University. A body is found on the beach by a group of metal detectorists and Ruth once again becomes caught up in Nelson's investigations.
I am a huge fan of this series, it's probably my favourite crime series and I've read each novel several times. I love the characterisation, the relationships and the atmospheric North Norfolk setting. This novel does not disappoint, I loved it and read it in a couple of sittings. If you are new to the series I would recommend starting with book 1.
Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC

Another great edition to this series. One comment I hope we will see some resolution for Ruth and hopefully Nelson will strive for happiness.

I wasn’t always such a fan of Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway books. They’re written in present tense, which I often find irritating to read, and I didn’t warm to Ruth herself at first. However, the combination of tense, twisty thriller with sometimes soap opera-ish (and I mean that in the very best way) development of regular characters and their lives kept me coming back for more. Also and just as importantly, I adore the setting. Over the last few years we’ve started to holiday on the North Norfolk coast where these books are set, drawn to the big skies and otherworldly landscapes. This setting is often used to great effect in these books and sometimes find myself choosing to visit places because I’ve read about them in the series.

Usually I save these books for when I’m on holiday, reading them within landscape adds an extra layer to the story. But I’m up to date with them, having glommed at least four on my last trip to Norfolk and couldn’t resist when I saw the Night Hawks on Net Galley. After a brief session in Cambridge, Ruth has returned to her beloved cottage on the marshes-and left the easy-going American academic behind. Her relationship with Nelson, her daughter’s father, is as complicated as ever and addition she is now head of Department, to her horror finding herself sympathising with her old boss as she juggles paperwork and bureaucracy and has to deal with a new and irritating member of staff. So it’s a relief when the body is unearthed at Blakeney Beach and she is called in to do what she does best, date the bones. But the body was discovered by a group of treasure hunters, the Night Hawks of the title, and they discover another body that night, one of much more recent vintage. When one of the Night Hawks is witness to a second murder, Nelson and Ruth find themselves working together once more to uncover their secrets and discover what really is buried at Black Dog farm.

The Night Hawks is both a page turning crime novel and another satisfying saga in the lives of the Norfolk murder squad and Ruth and Nelson. Enjoyable, chilling and very readable, I just hope the next one is out by the time I return to the endless skies.

I finished this novel and felt bereft, needing the next in the series to continue reading about Dr Ruth Galloway and DCI Nelson! Griffiths has created a series of crime novels with engaging and fascinating characters leading complicated but realistic lives.
The setting of these novels is like a character itself, the brooding marshes and flat lands in Norfolk create the perfect atmosphere for the dark crimes which take place. I enjoy the element of mysticism and folklore/ legends introduced in each novel as it helps develop understanding of place and characters.
This novel has the usual twists and turns and unexpected developments which make all Griffiths’ novels worth reading, with moments of heightened drama skilfully described.
I’ll be waiting impatiently for the next instalment!

In this, the 13th book with Ruth Galloway, we find her returned to Norfolk as head of Archaeology. It’s not long before she is called in by DCI Nelson to look at a body found by the Night Hawks, a group of detectorists who hunt for treasure at night. The death toll mounts and the list of suspects becomes more interesting when Ruth’s new lecturer, David Brown keeps pushing himself in the fray.

I love the characters from this series, particularly Judy and Cathbad. I know the area where the book is set , quite well, so it is lovely to imagine the scene in places like Blakeney and Cromer. For anyone who hasn’t read any of the previous books it is still easy to pick up the back stories of each character, so works well as a stand alone read. This is a very easy and enjoyable book, with various plot lines twisting together, and the pace increases as the end gets nearer. A very satisfying ending without having guessed the murderer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Body On The Beach.....
The thirteenth in the Dr Ruth Galloway series finds the bright forensic archeologist investigating another case in North Norfolk. When a group of metal detectorists (The Night Hawks) discover a body on a beach it’s not long before an intimation of murder is raised. Well written and well researched as is usual for this author. Engaging reading and a worthy addition to the series.

The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths
I really enjoy the books in this series and having recently visited the North Norfolk coast this was a really interesting read for me. I also loved the fact that Black Shuck plays such an important role in the book. I have a dear friend from Sheringham who has often entertained me with tales of Black Shuck.
In this story there is as usual a body which needs to be assessed by Ruth Galloway now the head of the Archaeological Department at the North Norfolk University. Ruth has a new lecturer on her team and she finds herself frequently annoyed by him. The body is discovered by the Night Hawks who are a group of metal detectorists who frequently go out in the dead of night to search for hidden treasures. Alongside the ancient skeleton they however discover a much more recently deceased body and so Nelson again becomes involved bringing Ruth back into contact with the father of her daughter Katie.
There are further bodies to be investigated and throughout there are links to the folk lore of the area. As always you are led in different directions you think you have solved the mystery only to have your ideas confounded with interesting twists. A gripping read which I finished all too quickly. The usual characters are there and for those familiar with the series it is a delight to meet up with them again. As always you are left eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I would thoroughly recommend the book and if you have not read any Ruth Galloway novels yet you have the joy of working through the whole series. I would like to thank the author, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

I received an advance copy of The Night Hawks and it was really hard for me to put it down. The plot is very well structured and developed, it also includes great knowledge and details about archeology, police procedures, history, and legends. It was a pleasure to read this book.

This is the 13th book in the Ruth Galloway series by author Elly Griffiths and was is an excellent addition.All the usual characters are here and they do get better with every read. Interesting plot and plenty going on to make this another entertaining read.

The Night Hawks are a group of metal detectorists and they are searching for buried treasure in North Norfolk. While searching the nearby beaches they find a dead body who the police initially think may be an asylum seeker. DCI Nelson is leading the case and discovers that the body is that of a local boy, Jem Taylor who was recently released from prison. First assumptions are that it is an accidental drowning but when a second death occurs it all points to murder. The second murders look like the murder-suicide of a couple at the isolated Black Dog Farm.

Local legend talks of the Black Shuck, a spectral hound that appears to people before they die. DCI Nelson ignores this, even when the owner’s suicide note includes the line, ‘He’s buried in the garden.’ Ruth excavates and finds the body of a giant dog. All roads lead back to this farm in the middle of nowhere, but the place spells serious danger for anyone who goes near. Ruth doesn’t scare easily. Not until she finds herself at Black Dog Farm.

There are so many good characters in this series, Ruth, Nelson, Clough, Cathbad to mention a few and I believe they are the strength of the books. The plots are good but for me it is the group of characters with all their foibles that make this series special.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Quercus for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant. Ruth has moved back to Norfolk with its wonderful atmospheric landscape, myths and legends. She is now head of department and there is an irritating new lecturer who seems to want to push his way into everything. Nelson is still Nelson and all the usual familiar figures make an appearance. For me it is a bit like the long awaited Christmas special of my favourite programme finally making an appearance, I absolutely loved it!

It’s always a treat to read the latest In the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths who is definitely one of my favourite authors. I almost danced round the room in joy when I was informed by NetGalley that I had been granted review access to The Night Hawks. It was an amazing early Christmas present!
Everything was put aside for a few days whilst I became engrossed in the book and once I started I just couldn’t stop, despite trying to slow my reading down so I didn’t finish it too quickly.
Ruth and the wonderful cast of characters are back and now Ruth is boss of the Archeology Department at her university, having returned to Norfolk after splitting with Frank, her ex boyfriend. She’s still in love with DCI Harry Nelson who has steadfastly remained with his glamorous wife, Michelle for the sake of their young son.
There’s a new lecturer at the university, David Brown who seems to irritate and infuriate Ruth as she tries to learn the ropes of being the boss. He keeps suggesting things and trying to spend time with her when she just wants to get on with her work. Is there a romantic intention or is it something more sinister?
When the Night Hawks, a group of metal detector enthusiasts discover a dead body on the beach, Nelson calls in Ruth as there is also a skeleton which needs looking at. This leads to further investigations when more bodies turn up and Ruth and Nelson are once again thrust into danger.
Not only does Elly Griffiths write an excellent detective story she also describes perfectly the difficult situation that Ruth, Nelson and Michelle find themselves. They are trying to behave as adults but it’s incredibly difficult when deep feelings are involved. The will they won’t they question is still there, Ruth yearns to be a normal family with Nelson and their daughter, Kate whilst he is still torn between the two women in his life. The characters are all so real for me - they feel like old friends which is obviously the sign of an expert and talented author.
There is lots of drama in the murder investigation and even more drama on the last page. I can’t wait a whole year for the next book : what will I do?
This is another winner from this excellent author and comes as a highly recommended five star read from me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.

Metal detectorists The Night Hawks are searching for buried treasure when they find a body. A recent one.

Nelson thinks he may be an asylum seeker, but he's local, recently released from prison. Ruth, however, is more interested in the Bronze Age treasure.

However, the Night Hawks are further embroiled when two of their members are first on the scene of an apparent murder-suicide....

Another brilliant outing in Norfolk for this marvellous cast of characters