The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths (Review)

The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths

Blurb

The chilling discovery of a downed World War II plane with a body inside leads Ruth and DCI Nelson to uncover a wealthy family’s secrets in the seventh Ruth Galloway mystery.

Norfolk is suffering from record summer heat when a construction crew unearths a macabre discovery—a downed World War II plane with the pilot still inside. Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway quickly realises that the skeleton couldn’t possibly be the pilot, and DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat who had been reported dead at sea. When the remaining members of the Blackstock family learn about the discovery, they seem strangely frightened by the news.

Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk’s deserted air force bases, the so-called Ghost Fields, which have been partially converted into a pig farm run by one of the younger Blackstocks. As production begins, Ruth notices a mysterious man lurking on the outskirts of Fred Blackstock’s memorial service. Then human bones are found on the family’s pig farm. Can the team outrace a looming flood to find a killer?

Laced with dry humour and anchored by perennial fan favourite Ruth, The Ghost Fields will delight fans new and old.

Review

I recently had Covid and felt pretty rough and so I needed a comfort read. Elly Griffiths’ books are always my comfort reads. I truly believe that the Dr Ruth Galloway books just keep getting better and better and just when I think they can’t get any better they do.

I love catching up with my favourite characters in these books and seeing what they are up to. Each book in the series shows a progression in their lives and I just love watching them grow especially Kate. Cathbad as ever is my all time favourite character although I was disappointed that Thing his dog didn’t feature more in this book. Cathbad is such a magical soul and cares for everyone and all things. The world would definitely be a better place if we had more people like Cathbad. Nelson was his usual self in this book which I was pleased about but it still annoys me that he insists on calling Kate, Katie.

There were a few surprises for me in this book especially around certain relationships but I couldn’t help but think that maybe it was only fair in a certain case. The other surprise was found on a pig farm but I will say no more.

The historical research in this book was impeccable as per usual and it was really interesting to read about the RAF in WW2 and the different airbases in Norfolk. So much history is left in these abandoned airfields which are called Ghost Fields.

As usual the scene setting and imagery that Griffiths uses is just sublime and I always pester my best friend who lives in Norfolk about all the places that are mentioned in the story (I want to visit them all). I also thoroughly loved the dramatic weather that featured in this book and it really added to the intensity of the story, although the giant duck boat was an amusing surprise and definitely unexpected. Another 5 Dragon rating for a book from the Dr Ruth Galloway series.

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About the author

Elly Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly’s husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece’s head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.