For the first time in some years, I am so immersed in a book series that I don’t even like to surface to write something of my own. The author, Elly Griffiths, is British and the series, the Ruth Galloway Novels, is set in Norfolk County, England, in an area that reminds me of the saltmarshes and tide flats of Willapa Bay. Protagonist, Dr. Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist — an “old bones expert.”
The books fall into the “mystery” category which doesn’t do them justice by half. Right now I’m in the midst of The Lantern Men — the 12th in the (so far) 14-book series — and like all of the others it contains a good deal of folklore, scientific information, modern-day relationships and complicated family arrangements. The mysteries are almost secondary — almost!
One of the pleasures of these books is the language — British English, sometimes explained and sometimes not. And, I’m not always sure I agree with the explanations, anyway. In this book, for instance, an American friend explains that “biscuits” are called “cake” in the United States. Really? I thought English biscuits were more synonymous with our “cookies” or “crackers.” And who knew that “pudding” at the end of an English meal really means “dessert”? Or that children “paddle” in the shallow water at the beach — so much more colorful than “wade.”
Author Elly Griffiths, 2018
Besides all that, who among us wouldn’t love a protagonist who describes herself as weighing a bit over “twelve stone” (168 pounds), who eats with enjoyment and laments her plain-Jane wardrobe, yet has more than her share of sex appeal and charisma — and besides all that she is very intelligent, sensible. and conflicted like every really interesting person I know! She seems so real and so approachable that I sometimes want to climb right into the book and go for a walk with her!
I’m not too concerned about overtaking Elly Griffiths’ Dr. Ruth Galloway series, though I’m sure it will happen within a week or so. I am pleased to say that she has written at least one stand-alone novel as well as another crime series, “The Brighton Mysteries,” under her Elly Griffiths pseudonym. In addition, there are several novels under her real name, Domenica de Rosa. (When her first crime novel came along her agent told her she needed a crime novelist’s name – and so Elly Griffiths was born.) By the time I finish all of those, perhaps Number Fifteen in the Dr. Ruth Galloway series will be at our local library! Or maybe I’ll get back to writing something, myself.
Hi Sydney
I love Elly Griffiths too and have gotten my daughter hooked on her as well. I’ve real all her books. .both series and the stand alone. I’m waiting for the latest one from my library. There’s a waiting list.
Our Stanford Class notes got a publishing glitch. Your entry will be in the December issue. Keep me informed about your writing. by the way, what’s your son’s name? I know someone on Meadow Valley Terrace. She wanted to know if he might be a neighbor. I live on the other side of the reservoirs.