Best Detective Fiction Books December 2024

The Stone Circle

Archaeologist Ruth Galloway returns in this gripping mystery, set against the haunting backdrop of Norfolk’s windswept coast. When a young girl’s bones are unearthed near an ancient stone circle, Ruth is drawn into a complex web of secrets and lies. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a chilling connection to a decades-old disappearance. With her keen insight and dry wit, Ruth must navigate personal dilemmas while racing to solve the case before another life is lost. Griffiths masterfully weaves together history, suspense, and human drama in this atmospheric page-turner.

The Lantern Men

In “The Lantern Men,” Elly Griffiths weaves a chilling tale that kept me up late into the night. Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist extraordinaire, is drawn back to Norfolk by a convicted killer’s tantalizing offer. As she unearths long-buried secrets, the line between past and present blurs. Griffiths’ knack for atmospheric storytelling shines through, making the marshlands feel alive with whispered mysteries. I found myself holding my breath during tense moments, completely immersed in Ruth’s world. A gripping read that’ll haunt you long after the last page.

The Dark Angel

Ruth Galloway’s life is upended when an Italian archaeologist seeks her help with a medieval skeleton. Reluctantly drawn into a web of ancient secrets and modern danger, Ruth finds herself in the picturesque Italian town of Castello degli Angeli. As she unravels the mystery, she grapples with her feelings for DCI Nelson back home. Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of murder, history, and romance that kept me up late, savoring every twist. Her vivid descriptions transported me to sun-drenched Italy, and I found myself rooting for Ruth’s personal and professional triumphs.

The Chalk Pit

In “The Chalk Pit,” Elly Griffiths weaves a gripping tale that had me on the edge of my seat. Set in Norwich, this atmospheric mystery follows forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway as she uncovers a network of underground tunnels and a chilling secret. Griffiths’ vivid prose brings the eerie chalk mines to life, and I found myself holding my breath during the tense cave scenes. With its complex characters and unexpected twists, this book kept me guessing until the very end. A perfect read for a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea.

The Woman in Blue

Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, finds herself drawn into a chilling mystery when a woman’s body is discovered near the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies in the quiet Norfolk town. With her old friend DCI Nelson by her side, Ruth must navigate local legends, religious fervor, and personal demons to solve the case. Griffiths weaves a haunting tale that kept me up late, turning pages and second-guessing every character. Her vivid descriptions of the misty coastline had me shivering, even on a warm night.

The Ghost Fields

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway unearths a chilling mystery in Norfolk’s desolate marshlands. When a World War II plane emerges from a field, Ruth is called to investigate the pilot’s remains. But something’s amiss—the body isn’t what it seems. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers long-buried secrets and a web of lies that threatens to unravel the present. With her keen eye for detail and knack for unearthing the truth, Ruth races against time to solve a decades-old puzzle that’s haunted the ghost fields for far too long.

The Outcast Dead

Ruth Galloway’s latest archaeological dig unearths a grim discovery: the bones of a Victorian murderess. As Ruth delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in a modern mystery that echoes the past. With her keen eye for detail and knack for uncovering secrets, Ruth races against time to solve both cases. Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of history, murder, and the thin line between justice and revenge. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish just one more chapter!

Dying Fall

Ruth Galloway’s peaceful summer is shattered when a former university colleague is murdered. Drawn into the investigation, she finds herself entangled in a web of ancient secrets and modern dangers. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers a connection to a legendary king’s burial site. With her own life at risk, she must race against time to solve the mystery. Griffiths’ masterful blend of archaeology and suspense kept me up all night, turning pages and second-guessing every character. A gripping read that’ll leave you craving more.

A Room Full of Bones

Ruth Galloway’s life is upended when she’s called to examine a set of bones found in a small museum. As she delves into the mystery, she uncovers a web of secrets that stretch back centuries. With her keen eye for detail and knack for unraveling the past, Ruth finds herself caught between ancient curses and modern-day murder. I was captivated by the way Griffiths weaves together archaeology, history, and suspense. The damp Norfolk setting adds an eerie atmosphere that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The House at Sea’s End

Nestled on the windswept Norfolk coast, a crumbling cliff reveals a grim secret: six bodies, buried for decades. Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, is called in to investigate. As she unearths clues from the past, Ruth finds herself entangled in a web of wartime mysteries and present-day dangers. With her keen intellect and dry wit, Ruth must navigate treacherous waters, both literal and figurative, to solve a case that hits uncomfortably close to home. Griffiths’ atmospheric prose brings the coastal setting to life, making you feel the salt spray on your face and hear the haunting cries of seabirds.