The Night Hawks

Ruth Galloway Mysteries, Book 13

By: Elly Griffiths

Narrated by: Jane McDowell

There's nothing Ruth Galloway hates more than amateur archaeologists, but when a group of them stumble upon Bronze Age artifacts alongside a dead body, she finds herself thrust into their midst - and into the crosshairs of a string of murders circling ever closer.

Ruth is back as head of archaeology at the University of North Norfolk when a group of local metal detectorists - the so-called Night Hawks - uncovers Bronze Age artifacts on the beach, alongside a recently deceased body, just washed ashore. Not long after, the same detectorists uncover a murder-suicide - a scientist and his wife found at their farmhouse, long thought to be haunted by the Black Shuck, a humongous black dog, a harbinger of death. The further DCI Nelson probes into both cases, the more intertwined they become, and the closer they circle to David Brown, the new lecturer Ruth has recently hired, who seems always to turn up wherever Ruth goes.

©2021 Elly Griffiths (P)2021 Recorded Books

Returning to Form

A plot that moves along at a good pace, with a sense of the characters moving along too; except, alas, Ruth and Nelson’s star-crossed romance, which is getting a little tedious. I don’t share the opinions of some that Ruth is a failed feminist, and Nelson seems to me a relatively enlightened male of his class, age, and profession. But at some point the “will they or won’t they?” becomes annoying. As is the cellphone calling voice.
I got a little confused with so many characters popping in and out. The motivations of the killers are right out of Law and Order on tv: unoriginal.
It’s hard to keep a long-running series fresh, and this is a middling effort. These books are like a bag of “ crisps”. Hard to put down but not brain food. I picked up this series on Deborah Crombie’s Facebook feed. Go try her.

More than I expected

Many paths converged affecting Ruth and Nelson’s lives. Unexpected, eerie, far-reaching. Familiar characters highlighting that life continues whether you want it to or not.

great series

I love the setting, characters and storylines of all the Ruth Galloway books! I never miss one

My favorite so far

My favorite of the series so far. Although I was going to give up before this book. Ruth’s inability to cope really has started to irritate me

Elly Griffiths doesn't disappoint

This is another solid mystery from Elly Griffiths, and I still adore Ruth Galloway and Nelson and the rest of the gang. Narration is spot on as usual.

I’m a Fan

The characters feel like friends. Interesting ending when Ruth and Michelle are forced together. Jane McDowell is the best for these stories.

Spooky Plot

These books combine old British history and mythology, a modern complicated love story and well crafted supporting cast of characters.

Loved so much

I really loved this book. Waiting for it was worth the wait. I hope this series continues forever

loved the Series

I will miss Ruth, and all the colorful characters in this series. Narrating was excellent.

I dig the stories, couldn't handle the performance

This is just a warning to anyone like me who struggles with tolerating mouth noises. I was constantly picturing the mouth movements being made to produce the sounds. I could o my listen in the car with other sounds to distract me. If you're someone who has this very real reaction, you're warned. If you're not, you wouldn't understand so you'll probably be just fine. 🙂