The Outcast Dead

The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries, Book 6

By: Elly Griffiths

Narrated by: Clare Corbett

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway has excavated a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, a forbidding edifice that was once a prison. She believes the body may be that of infamous Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged in 1867 for the murder of five children in her care.

DCI Harry Nelson has no time for long-dead killers. Immersed in the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King’s Lynn home, he’s convinced that a family member is responsible, though others on his team think differently. Then a child goes missing. Could the abduction be linked to the long-dead Mother Hook? Ruth is pulled into the case, and back towards Nelson.

©2014 Elly Griffiths (P)2014 Quercus Publishing plc

Big fan of Ruth Galloway

Another good mystery in the Ruth Galloway series. I enjoyed some of the progression of the relationships among the characters in this book. Enjoyed the background story of Mother Hook, too. I'm a fan of this series and look forward to the next one, which is waiting for me in the form of an ebook. I think when I read it, I'll hear Clare Corbett in my head. She does a great job on the narration of this series.

the outcast dead

A great series. Listening to this brings the characters to life. I am ready for the next Ruth Galloway story.

You gotta understand, I love this series

Ruth Galloway is such a sympathetic character, not perfect, not beautiful, but intelligent and resourceful, determined and straightforward. She struggles to balance her life as a single mom with her job as a forensic anthropologist. This story continues her inquiries into the history of her North Norfolk home,along with a contemporary mystery that parallels the historical investigation. As with any book that is driven by character more than action, I am very pleased to have visited with Ruth for a spell. If you like Deborah Crombie, or Louise Penny, you'll be happy with this series by Elly Griffiths.

With each book, the series just gets better!

I love this series. The characters are real people - just more interesting than any I know. The stories have a ring of truth. Fascinating stories, but the continuing story of these people I really like is the best part of all. Start at the beginning of the series and enjoy them all. Can't wait for another!

Awful narration of good book

This book is one of several interesting stories of the indomitable Ruth Galloway. She is a great character, complemented by the other regulars. Each are unique and interesting.
The narration however did nothing to bring out these qualities. Harry Nelson sounds like Billy Goat Gruff. Cathbad sounds plain weird. And perhaps worst is little Kate, Ruth’s daughter. She has this loud irritating voice that makes you dislike the child… very unfair. So my rec is to read the book and skip the audible unless they get a new narrator.

Terrific Series

I really like Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway series. And for the most part I enjoyed the narrator. The one exception was the very loud, shrill, querulous voice used for the speaking voice of the child, Kate. I think Kate is supposed to be a nice little girl. She comes across as a brat.

Love Ruth Galloway

These books are all very well written. I like a series which features the development and growth of ongoing characters and their relationships. Each story has act intriguing plot which provides historical or scientific information. Win - win.

The best Ruth Galloway book yet!

What aspect of Clare Corbett’s performance would you have changed?

Corbett's male voices were colorless and one-dimensional, and I cringed any time I knew Kate was about to speak (not all children shriek that loudly). Also, who told her that Americans sounded like she voiced Frank and Dani?

Otherwise, a solid performance.

Any additional comments?

Elly Griffiths' writing has improved vastly from her early books to this one. I've been bingeing on Ruth Galloway, reading them in order over the last couple of weeks, and I can tell that the author has become a much better writer. This is the first one I've listened to though.

I highly recommend reading the books in order, as the characters have definitely developed over the six, and soon to be seven, books. You will enjoy them more if you read them in order, although The Outcast Dead is the best of the bunch.

Annoying narration

Actually I love the voice of Clare Corbett when she is simply narrating the voice of the main character, Ruth. The voice she gives Nelson, is so forced and so stiff, it is terrible. But the worst voice of all is that of Ruth's daughter Kate. Every time that child utters a word the volume is incredibly loud. Why is that? This is my fifth book and I fear I will not be able to listen to one more. Love the series, but the narration is painful.

Exciting all the way through

One day of her best stories - it’s interesting all the way through to the end