Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is a great book.
It is filled with twists and turns and has the correct amount of suspense.
Written really well
Part of a series and best read this way.

The Lantern Men is a so-so crime novel in the Ruth Galloway series. Although I enjoy this series, some books are hits and some are misses, and this was not one of my favorites. Even though I sometimes find the characters a bit annoying, I enjoy reading each book because I have become quite attached to them. The positive side is that I have read two more books since reading this one and they are so much better.

I recommend reading this series from the start. Even though each book is standalone, it is a plus to read from the very beginning as the lives of the characters are progressing in each book.

“She has a new job, home and partner, and is no longer North Norfolk police's resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Ivor March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this, and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried - but only if Ruth will do the digging.
Curious, but wary, Ruth agrees. March tells Ruth that he killed four more women and that their bodies are buried near a village bordering the fens, said to be haunted by the Lantern Men, mysterious figures holding lights that lure travellers to their deaths.
Is Ivor March himself a lantern man, luring Ruth back to Norfolk? What is his plan, and why is she so crucial to it? And are the killings really over?”

I mean it should be plain sailing for Ruth now she’s moved to Cambridge - a fresh start, new beginnings and all that and then, lo and behold she’s summoned back to Norfolk before you can yell the words DCI Harry Nelson! A serial killer will only reveal his secrets to Ruth which means she’s dragged back to Norfolk to help the police with another investigation and of course, in doing so, is back in the arms of Nelson. But will he manage to lure Ruth back to her old life or has Ivor March got more sinister plans for her himself? Again, like all of the Ruth Galloway novels, as much rests on the storyline as it does in the characters relationships with each other. Elly Griffiths does it again!

I love the Ruth Galloway series, and it is great to see the characters develop as the series continues. Also nice to see some space between Ruth and Nelson - he was beginning to annoy me with his have his cake and eat it attitude!

Thoroughly enjoyed this latest one from Elly Griffiths. I have read them all and follow the development of the characters with interest.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus for my copy. This series just keeps on getting better and I hope Elly Griffiths never stops writing them. Even more than the gripping plotlines, I love seeing the relationships between the characters develop / change over time. The books are also frequently hilarious and/or very moving. She is the most brilliant writer and I absolutely can't wait for the next one.

I love Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series and was delighted to be given the opportunity to review the latest novel. Forensic archaeologist Ruth is now living and working in Cambridge with her American boyfriend, daughter Kate and Cat Flint but she is drawn back to North Norfolk following a series of murders investigated by her erstwhile lover Nelson. Atmospheric, beautifully written, my five stars for this novel were awarded after reading the title. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is possibly one of the most compelling of Elly Griffiths' Dr Ruth Galloway series. I found it hard to put down! The story mixes the usual forensic archaeology elements with the mysterious Lantern Men, figures of dark folklore. This book sees Ruth having moved away, set up home with Frank and taking on a new job. These changes could have potentially altered the dynamics between Ruth and DCI Harry Nelson, but the book is none the worse for a change of location. Griffiths cleverly weaves a story which brings the usual, familiar characters back together, builds danger and tension, and keeps your attention to the very end. Twelve books into the series, Galloway and Nelson go from strength to strength!

One of the few authors I could depend on to distract me during this pandemic! I love this series and Elly has managed to bring her long running characters back while keeping the story completely fresh. It would be a good place for new readers to start too

This is one of those series that I am so in love with that the five stars I award are almost pre-ordained.

Why such a hit? Well I love the characters, all are well drawn and with believable interaction no matter how outlandish the set-up of the various relationships within the pages. The gentle humour that flits alongside without ever jarring at the key moments, is also incredibly appealing.

Ruth now lives in Cambridge with American historian, Dr Frank Barker, having moved away from the traditional setting of the Saltmarshes of North Norfolk. Of course this means she is further from DCI Harry Nelson, her daughter Kate's father.

With a Norfolk murderer wanting to give clues regarding two missing women to Dr Ruth Galloway, and only Dr Ruth Galloway she is compelled to return to her stamping ground. Some realistic and touching, but never mawkish scenes are spun around the women's grieving families. The mystery at the heart of the book is pleasingly complex and convoluted.

A superb addition to the series!

I love the books in this series and I was delighted to see that there was a new release - The Lantern Men - I can’t believe that this is already the twelfth book in this series, I think for me the series is actually growing from strength to strength!

I thought that the story was really well developed, I love books set in areas that I know and I have visited North Norfolk many times so they have a special feel for me. I loved the pace for the book, it was nice and steady and there was plenty going on in each chapter to keep me engrossed, and engaged with the story.

It was gritty where it needed to be and that helped add to the story, it is very well written and I found it really addictive too – the author has a fabulous way with words and she really brings Ruth to life for me.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – I thought it was a really well developed story and I thoroughly enjoyed it from cover to cover!! Very highly recommended and an addictive read!

I absolutely LOVE this series, and 'The Lantern Men' is another beautifully plotted, perfectly paced and character driven drive into literary escapism.
If you're not aware, Dr Ruth Galloway is a forensic archaeologist, who is often called in to help solve crimes with DCI Harry Nelson.
In this book, Ruth is caught up unexpectedly in a tricky murder investigation centred around missing bodies and mysterious Lantern Men...
Another top read from the talented Elly Griffith - I thoroughly recommended the entire series.

Another fabulous instalment in the Ruth Galloway novels. One of my favourite series and this one didn’t disappoint!

Things have moved on for the team as you'd expect as time rolls by, but Elly Griffiths still manages to make everything work and has all your favourite characters on the page in their full glory. Ruth is fabulous as the everyday woman we can all identify with. This entire series made my best of year list for 2019. (I couldn't name just one book!)

#TheLanternMen #NetGalley This is a superb series and I have loved every one of the books including this one. Although this is the 12th in the series it can be read as a stand alone but you would enjoy it even more if you had read at least some of the others to give you more background into Ruth and Nelson's past. A very easy read which I devoured in just over a day. Lots of action and tension and the return of old favourites including Judy, Cathbad and even Cloughie. My one gripe is still the same - please stop using hallo instead of hello - it really grates on me! But, this does not stop me giving a well deserved 5 stars and I cant wait for book number 13!

With thanks to Netgalley and Quercus this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

’I have long been a fan of the Dr Ruth Galloway series and have read all 12 books. I always look forward to reading the next instalment In the series.

In The Lantern Men Ruth had become Head of Forensic Archaeology at Cambridge University. Ruth and her daughter Kate had left Norfolk`s salt marsh and moved to Cambridge along with her partner Frank. Ruth felt happy in Cambridge and had managed to put her failed romance with Nelson to one side.

Ivor March had been convicted for murdering Jill Prendergast and Stacey Newman. Ruth`s old boss Phil Trent had gathered the evidence to support the prosecution. One day Phil visited Ruth because he had received a note that said call yourself an archaeologist? Ruth Galloway is worth 10 of you.

Her interest in the case was piqued when Ruth found out that March wanted her and Nelson to visit him in prison. March told Nelson he had buried two other victims in the garden of the Jolly Boatman pub. During the excavation Ruth found the bodies of three victims. The third may have been a young woman who was rescued by modern day Lantern Men and taken to stay at hippy retreat Grey Walls.

If you are new to the series this can easily be read as a standalone story, however I recommend you start with the first book to understand Ruth and DCI Harry Nelson`s chequered past. It was nice to read about druid Cathbad and his mysticisms. Judy and even Cloughie made a guest appeatance.

The plot was interesting with plenty of twists along the way. Although this is a mystery I enjoy it just as much for Ruth, Nelson and the other regular characters. I highly recommend this book.

Ruth Galloway has a new home and a new life. But when convicted murdered Ivor March does a deal with DCI Nelson, it brings her back to her old life & job to hunt for the alleged buried bodies

The protagonist of this series of books doesn't feature too heavily in this one and, I confess, I didn't really miss her. She has steadily lost any sympathy I had for her by way of her appalling treatment of other people - not least of all Michelle, Nelson's wife. He's not coming out of this smelling of roses either so a break from the pair of them helped push the crime to the forefront of this story. An enjoyable read.

This is my review of The Lantern Men by Elly Griffiths. The twelfth book in the Dr Ruth Galloway series.
Dr Ruth Galloway has relocated to Cambridge over the last couple of years with her daughter Kate and moved in with Frank. She is now teaching Forensic Archaeology at St Judes College and can walk Kate to school on her way to work. Frank and Kate have been to collect Ruth from her writing retreat at Grey Walls, set in the middle of nowhere, run by Crissy Martin. When they get home, Kate puts the TV on, Ruth goes to say, ‘No’, until she sees Nelson on the screen. ‘Daddy’, Kate says.
DCI Harry Nelson has been to court about Ivor March who is accused of murdering two women but Nelson believes he killed more but hasn’t got the evidence to prove it. The following Monday, Ruth’s former boss, Phil Trent goes to see her in her office on a surprise visit. He’s been sent a postcard stating, ‘Call yourself an archaeologist, Ruth Galloway is worth ten of you. She will find Nicola and Jenny.’ Ruth rings Nelson and lets him know about it. He goes to collect it
DCI Nelson receives a surprise call from Ivor March’s solicitor saying March will give the information Nelson wants but he wants Ruth to do the dig and to meet her. Ruth thinks about it for a second but then agrees as she knows it’s the only way to find the bodies. The next morning Nelson picks her up to take her to meet March at the prison. March tells them the bodies are buried in a village bordering on the fens which are possibly haunted by the Lantern Men, if the stories are true. The Lantern Men are mysterious figures in the distance holding their lights to lure unsuspecting travellers to their deaths.
Will Ruth be able to find the bodies? Why is she so crucial to his plan? Why is Ivor March coming clean now?
It was great to be back with Ruth again. The tempting threads Elly gives you as you are reading, makes the books a joy to read. I love this series which is so well written and very descriptive, it feels like you are there, living the story. Elly Griffiths is a great writer. 5 out of 5 stars from me.

I love every journey with Dr Ruth Galloway, it is like going on holiday with a dear friend. Ruth has moved from Norfolk and started a new life in Cambridge with Frank, Kate and of course her faithful cat Flint. All is well until Ruth receives a call from Nelson. Ivor March has just been convicted of murdering two women but Nelson is sure there are more. When March offers to tell Nelson where another two women are buried his one condition is that Ruth carries out the excavation - how can she refuse? Another amazing story from Elly Griffiths