Book Review: The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths, thought provoking, full of little gems of knowledge and relevant

Available here

Opening a Ruth Galloway/ Harry Nelson book is like Christmas has come early.  I've followed this series for years and love the gentle blend of police procedural and archaeology with a dash of mysticism thrown in for good measure. 




In The Chalk Pit human bones are discovered in an underground tunnel in Norwich. When Ruth discovers they are recent bones with cut marks indicating possible cannibalism, it becomes a murder inquiry - enter DI Harry Nelson stage right.  

When a rough sleeper approaches Harry to report his friend, fellow rough sleeper, Babs, missing and then soon after is stabbed to death himself harry is involved in both a murder investigation and a missing persons one. All the trails seem to lead to the underground tunnels.

The things I enjoyed most about The Chalk Pit are:
1/ The way Griffiths weaves an entire thread of underground, references based in both fact and the world of fiction.  It makes the story all encompassing.
2/ The wonderfully complex relationship between Harry and Ruth always pulls me right in.  It's bitter sweet, beautiful and , at times raw.
3/ The cast off characters Griffiths has built over the years are believable, distinct and well rounded.  From brash, politically incorrect DC Clough, to steady, compassionate Judy, to eccentric empathetic Cathbad, to Nelson, a man who struggles to articulate his emotions.
The Chalk Pit is full of surprises, emotion and is well crafted.  Just loved it!