The Janus stone

When a child's headless skeleton turns up during an archeological dig in Griffiths's compelling second Ruth Galloway mystery (after 2010's The Crossing Places), Ruth's determination that the bones are of recent origin spurs her special friend, Det. Chief Insp. Harry Nelson, to investigate the Catholic orphanage run by Fr. Patrick Hennessey that once occupied the Norfolk, England, site. Two children disappeared from the orphanage in 1973, though Ruth's study of the bones suggests that the murderer might have ties not to the orphanage but to the site's Roman's origins. Complicating matters are her pregnancy-the result of a one-night stand with Nelson in Crossing-and an escalating series of dangerous pranks meant to scare her off the case. Griffiths nimbly weaves the mythological aspects of her story-particularly the Roman god Janus, who represents doorways as well as beginnings and endings-with the complicated life of her feisty heroine. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway helps investigate when a child's partial skeleton is unearthed beneath an old mansion. Mixing gothic elements with a pulse-pounding British procedural, the case captivates. (LJ 11/1/10) (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A forensic archaeologist's murder investigation puts her and her unborn child in mortal danger.Ruth Galloway is intelligent, independent, overweight and pregnant. She has not yet told DCI Nelson that she fell pregnant after the one night of stress-relieving passion stemming from their partnership in another murder case. Ruth is called to a building site where bones have been discovered in the wreckage of a mansion built on Roman ruins, a site in the process of being turned into luxury apartments by Spens and Company. The body is that of a girl whose head is missing. Nelson has the task of digging into the history of the house, formerly a Catholic children's home, looking for clues. An interview with the priest who ran it turns up the story of a brother and sister who went missing and were never found. Assuming that the murdered child is the missing girl, Nelson is amazed when forensic evidence shows that the two must be different, and even more astonished when he realizes the Spens family used to live in the house. Already dealing with morning sickness, disapproving parents and the knowledge that Nelson is married with two girls of his own, Ruth starts to get cryptic threats from an unknown source. In fact, far too many people are not what they seem in this labyrinthine case.Ruth's second appearance (The Crossing Places, 2009) is an enthralling page-turner that delights in complex characters.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In her second outing, archaeologist Ruth Galloway must determine whether the skeleton of a child-found when a house in Norwich is torn down-represents long-ago ritual sacrifice or contemporary danger. Griffiths's debut, was "strong, well plotted...suspenseful [and] highly recommended" (LJ 9/1/09). Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

British forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway is called to investigate the headless skeleton of a child, found beneath the doorway of an old mansion, once an orphanage, which is now a target for redevelopment. Could the body be a part of the Roman ruins being excavated nearby or could it be the remains of one of two siblings who disappeared from the orphanage 40 years ago? DCI Harry Nelson and his sidekick, Clough, approach the case as a routine crime scene, while Galloway uncovers a tangled web of Roman mythology, family secrets, and insanity that endangers her own life and that of her unborn child. Following Griffiths's wonderfully successful debut, The Crossing Places, this is an equally compelling and suspenseful sequel with just the right touch of the gothic. Galloway is an outspoken and engaging character who is now faced with balancing her career as an anthropologist with life as a single mom. VERDICT Fans of Erin Hart and Aaron Elkins will be delighted by this series. With just the right balance of suspense, tight plotting, and wonderful British seaside scenery, this is sure to be hugely popular. [See a Q&A with the author on p. 50.—Ed.]—Susan Clifford Braun, The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA

When a child's headless skeleton turns up during an archeological dig in Griffiths's compelling second Ruth Galloway mystery (after 2010's The Crossing Places), Ruth's determination that the bones are of recent origin spurs her special friend, Det. Chief Insp. Harry Nelson, to investigate the Catholic orphanage run by Fr. Patrick Hennessey that once occupied the Norfolk, England, site. Two children disappeared from the orphanage in 1973, though Ruth's study of the bones suggests that the murderer might have ties not to the orphanage but to the site's Roman's origins. Complicating matters are her pregnancy--the result of a one-night stand with Nelson in Crossing--and an escalating series of dangerous pranks meant to scare her off the case. Griffiths nimbly weaves the mythological aspects of her story--particularly the Roman god Janus, who represents doorways as well as beginnings and endings--with the complicated life of her feisty heroine. (Jan.)