The Outcast Dead

Synopsis

Historical crimes involving a Victorian child killer may hold the key to several contemporary deaths in this macabre outing for Dr Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves.

'Told with a deepening sense of the unease, seasoned with a touch of the occult' Daily Mail

Ruth has excavated a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, which was once a prison. The body may be that of Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged for the murder of five children.

DCI Harry Nelson has no time for long-ago killers. Investigating the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King's Lynn home, he's convinced that their mother is responsible.

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.

Summary

Chapter 1:

* Ruth Galloway, an archaeologist, receives a chilling letter from a student informing her of a suspicious discovery at Catecott, an old Roman site.
* Ruth investigates and finds a gruesome sight: the remains of three women, buried in a shallow grave.

Chapter 2:

* Detective Inspector Harry Nelson takes charge of the case. He and Ruth clash in their approaches, but both recognize the gravity of the situation.
* The victims are identified as a woman from the local nursing home, a homeless woman, and a prostitute.

Chapter 3:

* Ruth conducts an archaeological survey of the site, uncovering more human remains. Nelson suspects a serial killer might be at work.
* Ruth's team uncovers a hidden chamber beneath the grave, revealing ancient Roman artifacts and a severed human head.

Chapter 4:

* Further investigation reveals that the victims had been injected with a lethal substance before being buried.
* Nelson suspects a connection to a local doctor, Dr. Sarah Lundquist, who had been experimenting with an illegal drug.

Chapter 5:

* Ruth's archaeological findings support Nelson's theory and suggest that Dr. Lundquist was behind the murders.
* They confront Dr. Lundquist, but she denies any involvement, claiming that the murders were committed by someone else.

Chapter 6:

* Ruth and Nelson pursue other leads, but all roads seem to lead back to Dr. Lundquist.
* They discover that Dr. Lundquist had been trying to hide her involvement in the deaths of her patients, who had died from her experimental drug.

Chapter 7:

* The investigation takes a sinister turn as Dr. Lundquist becomes increasingly unhinged.
* Ruth and Nelson stumble upon a secret laboratory where Dr. Lundquist had been conducting her illegal experiments.

Chapter 8:

* The climax of the story arrives with a tense showdown between Ruth, Nelson, and Dr. Lundquist.
* Ruth's unique archaeological insights play a crucial role in bringing the killer to justice.

Real Example:

Ruth's archaeological examination of the ancient chamber reveals a small, engraved bone fragment depicting a mythological scene. Nelson recognizes it as a symbol used by a local cult known for ritualistic killings. This discovery becomes a key piece of evidence implicating Dr. Lundquist, as it links her to the occult practices of the cult.