The Crossing Places

Synopsis

Start right here! Discover the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and become obsessed with one of the most popular crime series in Britain.

'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse' The Times

'I've never before read a crime novel in which archaeology and detection blend as successfully as in The Crossing Places' Shots

Dr Ruth Galloway is called in when a child's bones are discovered near a prehistoric site on the north Norfolk salt marshes. Are they the remains of a local girl who disappeared ten years earlier - or are the bones much older?

DCI Harry Nelson refuses to give up the hunt for the missing girl. Since she vanished, someone has been sending him creepy anonymous notes about ritual sacrifice. He knows that Ruth's expertise and experience could help him finally to put this case to rest.

But when a second child goes missing, Ruth finds herself in danger from a killer who knows she's getting ever closer to the truth.

'Captivating! A quick, thrilling read that ends making you want to read Book 2 immediately!' 5* READER REVIEW

'I really enjoyed this book, the story kept me gripped to the end! Would definitely recommend it' 5* READER REVIEW

'Ruth is such an empathetic character, clever and warm yet she has human weaknesses' 5* READER REVIEW

'I envy those coming of the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths. They are in for a total treat' 5* READER REVIEW

'Atmospheric and character-driven, I'd no sooner finished this first book in the Dr Ruth Galloway series than I was reaching for the second' 5* READER REVIEW

Summary

Chapter 1: The Crossing

* Harry Silver, a widower and former professor, moves into a new home in a rural English village.
* He meets the elderly Mrs. Tisdall, who claims to have the ability to communicate with the dead.
* Harry dismisses her as eccentric but is intrigued by her claims.

Example: Harry visits Mrs. Tisdall and is skeptical of her abilities. However, he is taken aback when she mentions specific details about his late wife's childhood that only a loved one could know.

Chapter 2: The Village

* Harry explores his new village and meets various characters, including the local vicar, the doctor, and the publican.
* He also encounters the enigmatic Judith, a young woman who frequents the local pub.
* As Harry interacts with the villagers, he begins to suspect that they are hiding a dark secret.

Example: Harry attends a church service and notices a strange atmosphere among the congregation. Afterwards, the vicar evasively answers his questions about the village's past.

Chapter 3: The First Crossing

* Judith reveals to Harry that she has been having recurring dreams of a violent murder.
* Mrs. Tisdall confirms that the dreams are real and that Judith has been witnessing a moment in time from the past.
* Harry agrees to help Judith investigate the murder and uncovers the village's sinister history.

Example: Harry and Judith visit the site of a former churchyard where Judith's dreams occur. They stumble upon a set of old bones, suggesting that the murder victim may have been buried there.

Chapter 4: The Unquiet Past

* Harry delves deeper into the village's past and uncovers a series of unsolved crimes and disappearances.
* He realizes that the villagers have been deliberately concealing the truth for generations.
* As he gets closer to the真相, Harry becomes a target of the village's dark forces.

Example: Harry discovers a hidden diary that contains a shocking account of a witch trial in the 17th century. The villagers realize that Harry is onto their secret and begin to threaten him.

Chapter 5: The Reckoning

* Harry and Judith confront the leaders of the village's secret society.
* The truth behind the murders and disappearances is revealed, and the village's long-hidden guilt comes to light.
* Harry and Judith expose the darkness and bring justice to the victims of the past.

Example: The villagers confess to a series of ritualistic murders committed to protect their community from an ancient curse. Harry and Judith break the curse, freeing the village from its haunted past.