The night before last, the Mystery Writers of America celebrated agents, editors, and writers everywhere with its annual pre-Edgars “Agents and Editors Party” at the Lighthouse in NYC. Included in the festivities was the presentation of the Mary Higgins Clark Award, which honors books that feature a female protagonist who isn't looking for trouble but finds it and solves it herself. It’s no surprise, then, that this year’s winner is our Elly Griffiths for her much-loved, quirky forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway in THE CROSSING PLACES!

When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient

objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk, land that was sacred to its Iron Age inhabitants — not quite earth, not quite sea.

When a child’s bones are found on a desolate beach nearby, Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson calls Galloway for help. Nelson thinks he has found the remains of Lucy Downey, a little girl who went missing ten years ago. Since her disappearance, he has been receiving bizarre letters about her, letters with references to ritual and sacrifice.

As the letter writer moves closer and the windswept Norfolk landscape exerts its power, Ruth finds herself in completely new territory — and in serious danger.

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It’s been only a few months since archaeologist

Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large old house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus its skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?

Ruth and Detective Harry Nelson would like to find out—and fast. When they realize the house was once a children’s home, they track down the Catholic priest who served as its operator. Father Hennessey reports that two children disappeared from the home forty years before—a boy and a girl. They were never found. When carbon dating proves that the child’s bones predate the home and relate to a time when the house was privately owned, Ruth is drawn ever more deeply into the case. But as spring turns into summer, it becomes clear that someone is trying very hard to put her off the trail by frightening her half to death.

Available wherever books and e-books are sold, including:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Borders | Powells

THE HOUSE AT SEA’S END
ISBN: 978-0-547-50614-2
E-ISBN: 978-0-547-50696-8

The beloved forensic archeologist returns,

called in to investigate after human bones surface on a remote Norfolk beach.

The bones turn out to be about seventy years old, which leads Detective Nelson and Ruth to the war years, a desperate time on this stretch of coastland. Home Guard veteran Archie Whitcliffe reveals the existence of a secret that the old soldiers have vowed to protect with their lives. But then Archie is killed and a German journalist arrives, asking questions about Operation Lucifer, a plan to stop a German invasion, and a possible British war crime. What was Operation Lucifer? And who is prepared to kill to keep its secret?

Praise for the Ruth Galloway mystery series:

"Galloway is an everywoman, smart, successful, and little bit unsure of herself. Readers will look forward to learning more about her in The Janus Stone, which arrives in the fall." — USA Today

"A remarkable debut, The Crossing Places will keep you up late and perhaps haunt your dreams." — Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Elly Griffiths draws us all the way back to prehistoric times...Highly atmospheric."— New York Times Book Review

"Bursts with colorful suspects."— Chicago Sun-Times

Congratulations to Elly Griffiths for winning the Mary Higgins Clark Award at this year's Edgars!

Available Now

When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient

It’s been only a few months since archaeologist

Coming in January 2012

The beloved forensic archeologist returns,

Praise for the Ruth Galloway mystery series: