Her mysteries are wonderfully detailed. Her character cast grows broader and more real with each book in the series. They are very realistic people facing real problems, people that you like and want to see succeed.

The mystery in this book is an intriguing one, as are the others in the series. But what makes Griffiths books most enjoyable are the very real - warts and all - characters who make up her cast. In the ability of these flawed people to face the issues in life with dignity and just the right touch of humor lies the real charm of these stories. Hooray for Grffiths. She has provided me many hours of enjoyment.

Actual rating 3.5.

Even though this book is entitled a Ruth Galloway investigation she doesn't do much in this book except worry. There's several things going on - a medieval bishop's coffin being opened, a drug ring operating in the area, a group wanting some aborigine bones to be returned and on top of all that rituals and curses abound and family secrets come out. It was interesting listening to all the threads being untangled but there was't really much anthropology or forensics going on although there was one interesting discovery by Ruth.

The narrator did a very good job.

I started the series with this book. And I will give it a go with book one, but I was disappointed. It's called a Ruth Galloway investigation, but she barely investigates anything, and doesn't know what is going on outside her egocentric world most of the time. it's generally accepted that the title character in a mystery book is going to be in the middle of all the action, or fully immersed in finding out what happened, but you're not going to get that with this book. I am hoping that this is an abberation in the series.

I love Ms. Griffith's writing style. She continually moves the listener through the story by maintaining a present tense narrative. She has also given us a gifted heroine who is not gorgeous or self-assured, but who has a fulfilling life in each stage she grows through. Ruth Galloway is quiet, reticent, caring and respectful of her friends and associates who, in turn, are quick to help her with her investigations and sometimes her personal life. I've enjoyed all 4 books in the series and am now required to wait for the 5th to be published.

No. I have not read Ms Griffiths previous books, nor could I finish this one. It is rare that I will put a book down before completion, but there was nothing - not the characters, nor story, nor narration, that held my interest. I selected this book because the prior reviews were positive and the Audible Summary was intriguing and similar to other favorite series of the mystery genre by Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear. Those series feature principled and cerebral protagonists tackling misdeeds and wicked acts in rural and picturesque settings populated with sympathetic and quirky characters. This novel disappointed on all counts.

I have already started Secret Daughter by Silpi Samaya Gowda. This is a totally different, but favorite genre - the complex, sweeping historical fiction set in distant and mysterious locales. I am hoping it lives up to other favorites including Kite Runner, Cutting for Stone and Shantaram.

No, I do have and follow favorite narrators: Orlaugh Cassidy, Anna Fields, Ralph Kosham, Joe Montegna, Scott Brick, Dick Hill and others.

Sadly, I connected with none of the characters.

No.

I am giving up on this series. I had high hopes with the first book, but for me, Ruth Galloway has become too much of a silly, weak, insecure character. One wonders how she managed to complete a terminal degree. I would have stopped after book 3 but had already bought #4. We spend entirely too much time in Ruth's head and she has really ridiculous imaginings and flights of fancy. Ridiculous moments of idiotic panic over nothing. A little is fine, but there is too much, almost like filler for filler's sake.
The reader (McDowell) does a fair job with general narration and most of the female voices. But in dialogue and if she has to use emphasis for any of the characters or be forceful/gruff for a male character, it just does not work. They sound hollow.

I like both her print and listening versions.

Her description of the salt marshes always fascinate me.

I would not change anything.

Archeology and Australia come together in an intriguing mystery. Rituals as old as bones reach out from the grave.

Yeah, sure, it was a good listen.

I really liked the archaeological bent, and the characterization of Ruth and her circle of friends.

Well, I would have liked a less 'uptight' sounding narration.

I was very impressed by the narrator. Ms. McDowell made this book great with her reading of a room full of bones. One of the best books I have had the pleasure of listening to this year. I look forward to other books in this series and I hope to find others that Ms. McDowell narrates.