The Woman In Blue: A Mystery (Ruth Galloway Series Book 8)

Most mystery series I follow tend to decline in enjoyment over the course of multiple books....this isn't always the author's fault, it's simply that I tend to start finding the books somewhat predictable. I don't blame the authors because who wouldn't keep to a successful formula? But for me, once I get into a rut (usually after about book five or so) with the same story lines, I lose interest. That's why I am so very grateful to Elly Griffiths and her fabulous Ruth Galloway mystery series. The Woman in Blue is the eighth book in the series and I am just as enthralled with this one as I was the first book (Crossing Places....start there! Don't skip around in the series!). Mostly this is due to Griffiths' ability to keep our recurring characters constantly evolving. While there is a formulaic feel to the books (a murder usually occurs and Ruth is somehow drawn into the police investigation where her skills as an anthropologist frequently help the police to solve the case), it's a damned good formula and I hope she doesn't ever change it. As a history major a long, long time ago, I am enthralled with Griffiths' ability to weave history and anthropology into the story line....not just a setting or as interesting asides, but she makes history integral to the story. Ultimately, it's Ruth Galloway that brings me back time and again (I always pre-order these books!). Flawed, both physically and emotionally, Ruth is every-woman. She is all of us. Damaged and flawed, but also brilliant, capable, and like most of us, she just keeps on keeping on. She is one of the best female characters out there today. I'm not going to reveal the plot or give spoilers, I'll only say that The Woman in Blue is a worthy installment to the series. All of our favorite (and not-so favorite....ahem, Phil I'm talking about you) characters are back. And they are evolving. Like all of us, their lives change over the years. Trials and tribulations make for interesting life changes. I'll always be rooting for Ruth, though. She doesn't need a man/husband to be happy, but I wish her the icing on the cake. If you haven't read any of these books, please please don't cheat yourself: start at the beginning. Read - devour - them all. They also, by the by, would make a great Mother's Day present for the moms who love to read! I'm buying my mom the complete series this year.

8 books in and I am still loving Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series. In this novel, the archeological aspect is almost nonexistent, and the mystery doesn’t necessarily make sense. Thankfully, the book is saved by the likability of our reoccurring characters. Even without an archeological focus, Ruth gets involved in a case about the murder of a blonde woman found outside a church, because an old school friend was in the area for a conference. Of course Cathbad is involved because he saw her in a churchyard shortly before her death. Nelson is less than pleased with this case, because the victim looks strikingly similar to his wife and daughters. Clough makes a point to mention it every chance he gets. The suspects range from patients in rehab, to priests. Everything has a religious undertone. Whether the characters are pondering their childhood experiences with church, or investigating mysterious relics, the stories of the Bible keep smacking you in the face. The ending is a bit odd and left me with so many questions. Do people really believe others will become better people if you just pray for them, rather than enforce consequences? What triggers dormant jealousy, and how does that jealousy manifest itself into homicide? Maybe the questions have a purpose though. Maybe the readers are supposed to realize the even with evidence and confessions, not all cases can be wrapped up with a little bow. The human mind is vast, and we don’t know what drives any of us.

I wait eagerly each year for the new Ruth Galloway book to be published. It is my favorite series. The characters are in part what draws me in. The characters have grown and developed over the past books. I have grown to care for them and want to know what is going on currently in their lives. The books have a sense of place and can be atmospheric. The mystery is always good and I didn't have it solved until the author decided to divulge it. I don't know what will happen to Ruth and Nelson's relationship (if anything) This is a series that should be read in order to know the history of the characters and their back stories. Of course Ruth is the main draw. I like her sense of humor and independence. As a reader, I want the best for her or what would make her happy. I am not so sure though that she knows what that would be either. The one drawback is now the book is finished and I have to wait another year for the next book. I love this series!

It's been a while since I've read a Ruth Galloway book, and diving into this just felt so familiar. Thought it is a series that is definitely more dark and somber, it still made me happy to see these characters again. I love how real Ruth is, she is smart and successful with a lovely daughter, but still riddled with self doubt sometimes. I am hoping that maybe she will become even more confident in herself in the future (and I wish she would let go of her attachment to Nelson, even though it might break her heart). This mystery involved a lot of images of women and motherhood and religion. How these all mix (or don't sometimes) and I loved how even though so many characters claim not to be religious, some of the symbolism or acts really start to get them thinking. There is a lot of introspection (both deep and shallow) in these characters throughout the series and I think that's why I feel so connected to them. The mystery had me stumped, because I suspected absolutely everyone. There seemed no motive for the murder and thus that made the field of suspects wide. Anonymous letters, links to the various clergy involved, and possible past grievances. Anyone could secretly harbor hatred for their own, not always rational reasons. I was surprised and thus very intrigued by the ending and the culprit. I keep returning to this series because I absolutely love all these characters. I would befriend Ruth and Judy (who I need MORE of) in a second. Especially when Clough makes me laugh, Cathbad has me smiling, or even when I'm shaking my head at Nelson's attitude. I also love this writing and the descriptions of everything are just so vibrant. I can't wait to see more of them and also what development hopefully happens down the road.

This series is beginning to feel a bit like the "old marriage cliché". It provides the comfort of a partner who has carried you through many of life's trials, but leaves you longing for the relationship's its early promise exciting, only partially fulfilled. The interpersonal dynamic between the two main characters has to be resolved more conclusively in the next installment, or it will damage the development of all characters in the story. The subplot involving Nelson's wife seemed to me like a half-hearted attempt at creating a temporary balance or solution. What is worse, the way this subplot was resolved wasted what promised to be an complex and series enriching secondary character. The atmospheric descriptions of place that where so important to the beauty of the early books are also largely missing. Finally, this series is intriguing for how it gently explores how contemporary society (mis) interprets historical episodes of (quasi) religious significance. The historical tie-in to this book had the promise to be as powerful as that of the Crossing Places, and was utterly wasted as a cursory storyline. I know the author has begun writing a new series, and I fear her heart is no longer in this one. It is too bad, because I simply cannot get excited by that new series at all. I will go back and re-read Crossing Places, which was such an exceptional book.

I have read 10 of the 11 books in this series since May, 2019. This is one series that you must read in order. Otherwise, I think you're going to be confused about some of the characters and their behaviors. I have become invested in the lives of all the main characters, and I always look forward to reading the next entry in the series. I love the historical tidbits and the archeological info that the author brings to the book. Some reviewers have said the series is a bit of a soap opera, but my life is a bit of a soap opera, so I don't mind at all! I love Ruth Galloway and her struggles with her career and single-motherhood. It's life, and she dealing with it!

Book #8 in Elly Griffiths’ Dr. Ruth Galloway Mystery series is entitled The Woman in Blue. “A vision of the Virgen Mary foreshadows a string of cold-blooded murders, revealing a dark current of religious fanaticism in the ancient medieval town of Walsingham.” Ever-evolving characters - interesting plots - compelling locations - all come together in this fantastic series featuring Dr. Ruth Galloway. *****

What I love best about this series are the characters. Each book brings about character growth, and getting to know each one more intimately. They are like one big family and I’m here for more!

Die Mischung aus etwas "gothic" - also düsterer Landschaft, verborgenen Gefahren, einem Druiden, einem alten Friedhof, einer Katze und der Jungfrau Maria - keiner kann das so gut! Habe mit Ruth-Galloway-Krimi Nr. 4 angefangen und dann ganz schnell alle gekauft, die bisher erschienen sind. Zum Glück lese ich Englisch so gut wie Deutsch, weil nicht immer alle Bücher in Deutsch erhältlich sind. Elly Griffiths wurde schon in früheren Bewertungen ein sehr guter Schreibstil bescheinigt, dazu skurrile, sehr gut beschriebene Orte, alte Kirchen, Burgen, etwas schaurige Moore und als Gegenpol Ihre Liebesgeschichte mit dem Inspektor, die gemeinsame Tochter, die Lehrtätigkeit von Ruth Galloway - das alles macht gute, spannende und nicht zu blutdürstige Krimis aus. Ich warte auf den nächsten, der leider erst 2019 erscheint. Aber E. Griffiths hat noch eine andere Krimireihe geschrieben, die in den 1950er Jahren spielt, die probiere ich jetzt auch aus!

The 8th book in the Ruth Galloway series is unusual in that she is not involved in an archaeological dig, but the reward is that we see more of her everyday life, as a mother, researcher and a woman with feelings. Meanwhile there is a crisis in Nelson’s personal life which might change everything for both of them. But these events don’t detract from another thrilling murder story with many likely culprits. Walsingham is one place in north Norfolk which I have never visited but its religious history is shown to us during the story and adds to the suspense and frightening atmosphere. It is a very visual account and would make a wonderful episode in a TV series. What makes Elly Griffiths’ books such a pleasure to read are her amusing observations and delightful characterisation “Cathbad has always enjoyed a psychic rapport with Ruth’s cat Flint. This cat, whose name is Chesterton, is a different proposition altogether. Whereas Flint is a large and lazy ginger Tom whose main ambition is to convince Ruth that he is starving at all times, Chesterton is a lithe and sinuous black creature, given to perching on top of cupboards and staring at Cathbad out of disconcertingly round, yellow eyes. He has ignored the food that Cathbad carefully weighed out according to instructions. He might be living on mice, but Chesterton does not look like an animal who is governed by his appetites. He’s an ascetic if Cathbad ever saw one.” The Woman in Blue deals with attitudes to women, especially in a religious context, contrasting worship of the Virgin Mary with disgust at the idea of women priests. Ruth’s independence and Nelson’s complex family situation demonstrate many different aspects of life today. This is definitely a book to be read after book 7, The Ghost Fields, and is a most rewarding read.

The setting in Walsingham is original. The story is pleasant reading for fans of this series. I do not think it is as good as some of the other stories. For a start the role of Ruth as an archaeologist takes second place. The medieval angle of the Madonna Lactans is frankly totally unbelievable. Then the marital problems of Nelson figure a bit too much. Cathbad becomes a bit tiresome rather than amusing. I quite enjoyed the book but not as much as others earlier in the series. I hope the author ups her game in the next one since I do enjoy the series and do not want to see it go into decline

Another 5 star book about Dr Ruth et al. This one completely fooled me and I never guessed whowas the real culprit. Lovely vivid scenes about the Passion were wonderfully done. Read this book!

上司の妻を思慕する若い警官と、多少の心の動きを齎す中年期の女の心理。女の司祭を嫌う集団からのRuthの友人への脅迫状。数百人ものフォスターペアレントをしていた女性の墓の周りで起きた金髪美女二人の殺人事件もあり、聖母マリアを祭る教会。母性や禁断の性などが幾重にも絡む。