The House at Sea's End: Book summary and reviews of The House at Sea's End by Elly Griffiths

The House at Sea's End Summary

Elly Griffiths's Ruth Galloway novels have been praised as "highly atmospheric" (New York Times Book Review), "remarkable" (Richmond Times-Dispatch), and "gripping" (Louise Penny). Now the beloved forensic archeologist returns, called in to investigate when human bones surface on a remote Norfolk beach.  

Just back from maternity leave, Ruth is finding it hard to juggle motherhood and work. The presence of DCI Harry Nelson - the married father of her daughter, Kate - does not help. The bones turn out to be about seventy years old, which leads 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?

The House at Sea's End Reviews

"Starred Review. Griffiths's third offers not only an excellent mystery but a continuing exploration of the lives of complex, sometimes unlovable characters." - Kirkus Reviews

"Gripping... [Ruth Galloway] is solitary plump and smart and self-assured, and very, very likeable." - Globe and Mail (UK)

"After just two books in this gripping series the central characters, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson, have the allure of old friends, and it's great to find that the third title is just as enthralling as its predecessors." - The Guardian (UK)

"This is the third in the quirky, compelling series starring British forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway..." - Booklist

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Elly Griffiths Author Biography

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. Though not her first novel, The Crossing Places is her first crime novel.

Series order to date
The Crossing Places (2009)
The Janus Stone (2010)
The House at Sea's End (2011)

Author Interview

Other books by Elly Griffiths at BookBrowse