Book Review: The Woman In Blue by Elly Griffiths

                                 

Release Date 4th February 2016

Cathbad sees a vision of a woman in a blue cloak in a cemetery in Walsingham.  The next day, a young woman in a blue dressing gown is found murdered nearby.  Meanwhile an ex-student friend (now priest) of Dr Ruth Galloway is receiving threatening s letters from an anonymous misogynist, who is opposed to women in the clergy.  Ruth’s friend, Hilary is in Walsingham on a course for women hoping to become Bishops.  For Ruth and DCI Nelson the coincidence is too much to be ignored.

Elly Griffiths has created a fantastic character in Dr Ruth

Galloway.  Ruth is the sort of hero I admire tremendously.  From her no nonsense attitude to her slightly plump physique, and from her love of cake to the fact that, unlike many contemporary fictional female characters, she actually breaks a sweat.  She is down to earth, independent and feisty - wonderful!

In The Woman In Blue, Griffiths brings Walsingham to life with it’s many religious connotations whilst

exploring the issue of women in the clergy and their right to become Bishops (in any other employment there is no cap on how far a woman can progress why should the clergy be different?)  Having spoken to a vicar who marched for the right to enter the clergy I think it’s wonderful to highlight these issues.  Unlike previous Galloway novels, Ruth’s archaeological expertise in The Woman In Blue is confined to research in the library.  I have to admit I did slightly miss the getting down to the dig with Ruth, but this didn’t detract

from the novel as a whole.  The dynamics between DCI Nelson (who is the father of Ruth’s daughter) and Ruth also change with the prospect of more intrigue and umpteen possibilities for the next book.

As usual, Griffiths presents us with a wonderful cast of characters from the mysterious Cathbad to the prosaic, verging on Neanderthal, Clough.  The plot was interwoven deliciously, incorporating the Passion of Christ re-enactment during Easter and snowdrops in Walsingham in February.  Links between the past and various ministerial characters seemed authentic.  All in all an enjoyable, well researched read with plenty of excitement and intrigue.

Buy on Amazon HB £11.89, Kindle £8.49 or free on audible trial
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-Blue-Ruth-Galloway-Mysteries/dp/1784292370/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1454496751&sr=1-1&keywords=the+woman+in+blue