The Lantern Men cover art

The Lantern Men

Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries 12

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The Lantern Men

By: Elly Griffiths
Narrated by: Jane McDowell
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About this listen

 'My favourite current series' Val McDermid

Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway.

She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police's resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Ivor March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried - but only if Ruth will do the digging.

Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.

Is Ivor March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?

(P)2020 Quercus Editions Limited©2020 Elly Griffiths Crime Fiction Detective Historical Mystery Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Fiction Crime

Critic Reviews

Like its predecessors, The Lantern Men has a great sense of place and an awareness of the remorseless passing of time. The climactic bicycle race across the fens, foregathering all the suspects, will take your breath away
As ever, creepy Norfolk folklore is skillfully blended with the ongoing saga of the personal lives of Ruth, her friends and colleagues (and now, their children). Warm, but never cloyingly cosy, this is the most lovable of current crime series
Once again, Elly Griffiths delivers witty, insightful and brilliant storytelling as the redoubtable Dr Galloway burrows away to expose the Lantern Men's dark secrets
Elly Griffiths's great achievement in her Dr Ruth Galloway series has been to create an atmosphere as comforting as that of any traditional detective story and yet introduce to it credible crimes and lifelike characters with convincing preoccupations
A deftly plotted thriller, and most likeable entertainment
The writing is excellent. It puts me in mind of the late, great Ruth Rendell ... the characterisation is perfect ... a cracker of a book
All stars
Most relevant
I know there are better crime thrillers out there but I have grown accustomed to - and attached to - the characters and will read the next book when and if it appears.

Still enjoying the series

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Enjoyed the story continuation, love the narrators calm and serene voice. Can’t wait for more

Wonderful continuation of the series

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I am a big fan of Ruth and co, so it stands to reason that I loved this latest installment. LJ Ross's writing makes you feel as if you know these characters really well and as a result , like them immensely. I would love to visit that part of England one day, I think I love it already. Cannot wait for more of Dr Galloway

Long wait but so worth it

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Enjoyed this very much but regret i have reached the endof the series now! hope there's another book to come soon!

love this series...

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another fantastic storyline from a great writer and the best narrator ever. can't wait for the next one

how could you not love it

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one of my very favourite series. I love Ruth and Harry and their extended family and friends. Unattainable love is something most people have experienced. I love all the intermingled convoluted stories of love and children just sitting in the background. I hope we see more of all of them.

last book

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another great story with the well loved characters. Elly Griffith's continues to delve deeper into the character's personalities and relationships.

keep getting better

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I became interested in the Norfolk district and the descriptions of the characters as thought I knew them and had lived there

The characters

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Dreary for two reasons the narrator has such a one note voice and the story is so dreary. The story is filled with characters (so many names) and the main character constantly talks about what happened in books before. Who cares. I’m afraid I don’t. I got to an hour before the finish. I sort of wanted to find out the killer but the decided I really didn’t care.

Oh hell this is so dreary

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Very slow moving, so slow that I wasn’t bothered about the outcome. The involved relationships were unnecessary, they did not clarify the plot.

Disappointing

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