The Chalk Pit

The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries 9

By: Elly Griffiths

Narrated by: Jane McDowell

'My favourite current crime series . . . a pleasure from start to finish' Val McDermid

Boiled human bones have been found in Norwich's web of underground tunnels. When forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway discovers the bones aren't as old as originally thought, it's time for DCI Nelson to launch a murder inquiry. What was initially just a medieval curiosity has taken a much more sinister nature...

Meanwhile, DS Judy Johnson is investigating the disappearance of a local rough sleeper. The only trace of her is the rumour that she's gone 'underground'. This might be a figure of speech, but with the discovery of the bones and the stories both Ruth and the police have heard of a vast community of rough sleepers living in the old chalk-mining tunnels under Norwich, the clues point in only one direction. Local academic Martin Kellerman knows all about the tunnels and their history - but can his assertions of cannibalism and ritual killing possibly be true?

As the weather gets hotter, tensions rise. A local woman goes missing and the police are under attack. Ruth and Nelson must unravel the dark secrets of The Underground and discover just what gruesome secrets lurk at its heart - before it claims another victim.

(P)2017 Quercus Editions Limited©2017 Elly Griffiths

Critic reviews

The Chalk Pit is the most intriguing case written by the prolific Elly Griffiths to date. A five-star thriller

Griffiths has become a dab hand at plotting and cranking up the tension. The murders, and the muddled humanity of the characters, keep us turning the pages

Crime that doesn't sacrifice good writing and clever characterisation for the sake of the plot

Elly Griffiths writes ever-more ingenious detective stories with a powerful sense of place and a varied cast of sympathetic and unusual characters. Her heroine is a winner

Griffiths weaves superstition and myth into her crime novels, skilfully treading a line between credulity and modern methods of detection

Ruth Galloway is one of the most engaging characters in modern crime fiction (Kate Mosse)

Griffiths has mastered the art of combining bizarre plots with contemporary relationship issues beautifully

A spooky and gripping read

Proof that thrillers can increase the pulse rate while tackling more serious issues

Griffiths' great strength lies in her creation of a cast of returning characters that readers can and do care about

Excellent writing, excellent plotting, some utterly riveting detail and always a banging good story

Griffiths is a top drawer crime novelist, and Ruth Galloway is the most believable and likeable protagonist in modern crime fiction

Griffiths has become a dab hand at plotting and cranking up the tension. The murders, and the muddled humanity of the characters, keep us turning the pages

Crime that doesn't sacrifice good writing and clever characterisation for the sake of the plot (Sarra Manning)

Loved it

Once again she done it! And I love the narrator! So great to hear all the dialects out loud. Can't wait for the next book! 😄