Elly Griffiths just oozes talent so as soon as I saw this I jumped at the opportunity to listen.
This is the second Dr Ruth Galloway story and its even better than the first. I loved the premise - this was something new and different and as soon as I thought I knew where the story was going Elly threw a bomb in and set me off thinking again.
This is absolutely outstanding writing and it's easy to see why Elly is having as much success as she has.
As an audio book this was really well done. From the music in the opening scene to the fantastic narration by Jane McDowell it kept me absorbed and hanging on every word.
5 out of 5 from me.

Elly Griffiths is one of my favourite authors. I would read the back of a cornflake box if she wrote it.

I have read the physical copy of this book so many times the cover is falling off so I was so curious to see what the audio book would be like.

My personal favourite when it comes to audio books is when you can hear the narrator turning pages. It makes me feel more connected to the the book. It reminds me of being a little girl and my mum reading to me at bed time. Within the first few chapters a heard the pages rustling so I was hooked.

It's beautifully narrated with different voices for each character.

This is a great audiobook for a long car journey because you won't want to stop listening!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.
This is the second book in the Ruth Galloway series written by Elly Griffiths, although I have not read the first I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The characters are interesting. Ruth Galloway lives in an interesting location (remote seaside Norfolk) and is an expert in bones—Roman, Celt and modern. I thoroughly enjoyed this Story and will go ahead and read the others.

This was a fantastic new find for me. I love a good police procedural and yet this book was written from a number of perspectives including the police and our heroine, an archeologist. This is the second in a series although plenty of backstory is added in this book if you wanted to read it as a stand alone or diving in from here. Me, personally? I'm headed to find book 1!!

I listened to the audiobook version and I cannot rave about the narrator and publisher enough. I think she did an amazing job with both male and female voices and the many varied accents involved with this set of characters. The other bits I loved were very atmospheric, including the way that any phone calls heard were differentiated between the normal voice of whichever character we were listening to in their point of view, to the tinny and far flung sound of whoever they were on the phone with. Very clever indeed! There were also other parts in the book told from the perspective of the villain of the piece that were read in echoey tones so we could tell immediately who we were listening to. Those production elements really made it stand out for me.

I loved the characters and their relationships and I was laughing out loud within the first few minutes of Nelson's character as he was telling his computer where to go. Grumpy and with the same accent as my own grumpy father, I could relate! I really enjoyed getting to know the flaws and foibles of Nelson from the police side and the charming Ruth from her perspectives too. It is refreshing to have a heroine with realistic flaws that doesn't look like a barbie doll/runway model. Really human and not fantasy characters. I appreciated the way the characters spoke their mind and didn't dodge around certain issues, for example Judy and her fear that she would be overlooked for promotion. I must admit that I am a little bit in love with Cathbad, too!

I don't know anything about Roman sites, Gods or their rituals but I found myself learning as each thing arose and not being overwhelmed by it. I enjoyed the pace of the book and the way that each new piece was revealed. It was a really good mystery and I'm thrilled that a few of the plot points made me say, 'Hang on...there's something in that', only to find out that I had guessed something that would come out later. There is plenty to enjoy, whether you are an armchair detective or just want to lay back and listen without initialising too many brain cells.

I would be thrilled to read another Dr Galloway book and I thank Netgalley, the author and publisher for the temporary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my second Ruth Galloway novel and I really enjoyed the audio version. The narrator was excellent and the past diary readings were quite spooky! Fantastic accents for the different characters but maybe some more Norfolk needed! I find Elly's writing so atmospheric and can really visualise the setting. Really looking forward to continuing this series. Thoughtfully written and not your average thriller.

I really liked the narration of this audiobook which really brought the story to life. I enjoyed listening to it. This is the first book by Elly Griffiths that I've read and I wouldn't mind reading some more. The characters were likeable, and there were some elements of humour in the interactions between the main characters, which gave some lighter moments to what could otherwise have been an overwhelmingly dark story about the death of a child. I found the characters likeably flawed and I was interested in their personal stories as well as just the case that was being investigated.

I really enjoyed this, it’s something a bit different, though the content is fairly disturbing and involves “ritualistic” murders.

This is way more than your average mystery, yes, Dr. Ruth Galloway and the team have a crime to solve but there’s something for everyone, archeology, philosophy, mythology and police work. The setting is absolutely steeped in atmosphere, and the writing is great. The audio production though is fantastic and immersive.

This is the 2nd in the series, and while I generally don’t love starting mid way, I felt that enough backstory was covered in order that it could work as a standalone and it certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment, infact I’ve added the rest to be endless tbr list. I note that the rest of the series appears to be published, I wonder is there perhaps a season finale afoot or a relaunch. Either way, I’m glad to have read it.

With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit (everything changes, nothing perishes)"

Usually, I save the narrator's comments to the end, but this one deserves to be out here at the front:
What an amazing narrative cast, sound effects, the echoes at the right moment and the background music - all scores for the perfect audiobook.

Now coming to the story,

As much as I enjoyed the eerie setting and horrors of the children's home, it was difficult to admire the protagonist (Ruth) because of moral differences. Nelson, who shamelessly cheats on his wife by going out with Ruth and thinks taking his wife to a stupid play later makes it all okay, Ruth who decides to keep his baby and accept the help from his wife despite what they did to her- just fires the gun in the wrong direction. I wish I could ignore this and focus on the main mystery, which I have to say is gripping. However, the constant underlying story accompanying the murders made it a little difficult, leaving me in an uncertain predicament.

Thank you @netgalley @quercusbooks @ellygriffiths17 for the Audiobook ARC.
Genre: #mystery #thriller #archaeology
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️

The Janus Stone is the second instalment in Elly Griffiths’ series featuring archaeologist Ruth Galloway and detective Harry Nelson. As the first book, this was a well-written story, with an atmospheric setting and interesting characters.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was good.

A really enjoyable audiobook from a series by Elly Griffiths featuring Dr Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist based in the university of North Norfolk. The story is set in Norwich and Norfolk and involves the discovery of a child’s skeleton on the site of a former children’s home in Norwich which is being demolished to make way for luxury flats. Ruth is pregnant with the child of the police detective investigating the case, DCI Harry Nelson, and is also getting close to an academic colleague, Dr Max Grey, who is leading a dig on a Roman site near Swaffham.

It’s a compelling story which is beautifully narrated. It should be noted however that the publication date of the book was 2010 and there are references which now feel a bit dated - Blackberrys rather than smart phones and Friends Reunited rather than Facebook - though I found that to be nostalgic rather than jarring and I thought it added to the charm of the whole piece.

With thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook.

I was excited to listen to The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths. I hadn’t read or listened to any books by Elly Griffiths, but had heard good things about her books.

A skeleton is discovered at a building site and so DCI Harry Nelson calls in forensic archeologist Dr Ruth Galloway to determine just how old the skeleton is and how long it had been buried. I found the backdrop of forensic archeology and more broadly archaeology fascinating. The archeology backdrop makes it different and interesting and separates it from the other crime books.

The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths is the second book in the Dr Ruth Galloway series and it didn’t disappoint. Despite being the second book, I was able to catch up on Ruth Galloway’s friendships and relationships. I really got to like Ruth Galloway, Harry Nelson and Cathbad. I will definitely continue reading the other books in this series.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Quercus, for making the e-audiobook available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Janus Stone is the second book in the Ruth Galloway series by award-winning British author, Elly Griffiths. The audio version is narrated by Jane McDowell. As Head of Forensic Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk, Ruth Galloway is called in by U of Sussex’s Dr Max Grey when a dig at Swaffham produces a small skeleton minus its skull, buried under a doorway: an offering to one of the Roman gods, Janus or Terminus?

She’s surprised when DCI Harry Nelson turns up there: she hasn’t yet told him she’s three months pregnant with his child. Ruth knows she will have to reveal her pregnancy before it becomes too obvious, and justifiably dreads the reaction of some.

Soon after, Ruth attends a demolition site at the request of the field archaeologist, when another small skeleton is found, again minus skull, again buried under a doorway, where a children’s home existed more than thirty years previous. Ruth calls in DCI Harry Nelson in case the bones prove to be more recent than Iron Age, as the burial looks more modern. The developer, Edward Spens is building seventy-five modern units, and is displeased when Nelson puts the work on hold citing a possible murder investigation.

Nelson’s sidekick, Sergeant Clough is convinced that in any home run by Catholic nuns and priests, there’s bound to be abuse, possibly foul play, but interviews with former staff and residents show no evidence of this. What might be significant is the mysterious disappearance of siblings Martin and Elizabeth Black, in 1973.

But post-mortem evidence eventually proves the bones too old to be children’s home residents, and Nelson’s investigation heads in a direction that is uncomfortable for some, not that that will stop him probing where he sees fit. He is distracted, though, when he learns that he is to be a father for the third time, and not quite sure how he feels about that.

Meanwhile, Ruth has the decidedly uncomfortable sensation that someone is watching, someone apparently fixated on her, who starts leaving vaguely sinister messages and objects both at the digs and on her doorstep. Nelson’s reaction is to assign DC Judy Johnson to watch over her. But after she has done some research into the former residents of the Woolmarket house, Judy needs to revisit her interview with Sister Immaculata: the ageing nun must know more than she’s told so far…

Griffiths uses Ruth and Harry as her main narrators, with occasional passages from the perspective of an anonymous person apparently making blood sacrifices to appease the gods. The plot is believable, the archaeology interesting and the characters, not all of whom are what they seem, are quite convincing for all their flaws and quirks.

It is certainly refreshing to read a female protagonist who is not slim and gorgeous. There are twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing right up to the final chapters, and a nail-biting climax in which Ruth fires a gun. Returning to this cast in The House At Seas End is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Quercus Audio.

This is the second novel by Elly Griffiths featuring Dr Ruth Galloway and it is an enjoyable listen/read, and Jane McDowell does an excellent job with her narration, The Janus Stone follows on almost directly from the first book but it isn’t really essential to have read this first maybe only to get to know the characters, the main ones being Ruth a forensic archaeologist, detective Harry Nelson who calls her when old bones are discovered and Cuthbad who is a eccentric Druid living near Ruth on the salt marshes of Norfolk. The stories are abit cosy crime meets time team but the characters are relatable and easy to get in to and I look forward to reading more.

It's the first time I went back in time, before Kate was born and Ruth was pregnant. It seems a long time ago but I was elated to listen to this story as I knew I liked but didn't remember who-did-it
The narrator is excellent and the plot kept listening for hours even if I had other things to do like sleeping.
Highly recommended as it's like meeting another side of the characters of this story
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Well the book I read over 2 days gripping in all different ways
I got inside a few of the characters which pulled you all over the place which made
me feel part of the book the place’s described where events took place I relayed to as
Iv been to a couple of them which made the book feel very real but all in all a great read.

Ruth Galloway, our favorite forensic archaeologist, returns after the recent events of Crossing Places.

The bones of a child are discovered at a construction site, so Ruth has to determine if it’s recent or of historical value. When they are discovered to be more recent, she has to work with DI Harry Nelson again to figure out who they belong to and who murdered the child.

The construction site used to be a children’s home so they have to talk to the priest and nuns that used to work there. Someone tries to scare Ruth off so there’s lots of action.

This is one of my favorite series. I love all of the characters and how they work together to solve the mysteries and are also like a found family.

I read this title a few years ago and have followed up with others in the series. But it was so long ago, I only half recalled the story and I was keen to hear an audio version and revisit the early part of Ruth’s story. I find her interesting as a central character as she’s a little different being a forensic archaeologist. So in addition to a police procedural, there’s another element and a very charming Norfolk setting. I’m not familiar with the area, but it feels very real. This is a mystery which involves the discovery of the bodies of two children. They’re buried in an unusual way and clearly something is amiss. There’s often a hint of the supernatural in these tales, but without it stretching into fantasy,

The relationship between the central characters is really well depicted and again, so plausible. Ruth is pregnant after a one night stand with her colleague who’s a married family man. Oh dear…what to do next as her pregnancy is becoming apparent? The human interest and relationships gives these books substance and I was delighted to revisit this mystic tale. Narration throughout is superb. Measured delivery and so relaxing. Really enjoyed the book and it’s not often I reread crime thrillers.

I have listened to this book before and really enjoy Elly Griffiths writing, so wasn't averse to re-reading.
The books are set in Norfolk and revolve around the forensic scientist and bone specialist, Ruth Galloway, and DI Nelson, Ruth's one night stand and father of the baby she carries in this book. The stories have a mystical air, revolving around archaeology and ancient myths, but also focus quite heavily on the relationships of those involved in looking at the murders. This one becomes really exciting and stress-inducing when Ruth is abducted after suffering a head injury at the site of the dig. A great read!

A really good audiobook, just as I expected. Beautifully narrated, this is a story that drags you in. I will definitely recommend this

This is the 2nd in Elly Griffith's forensic archeologist Dr Ruth Galloway Norfolk based series, and although I had read this many years ago, it is a series that I have followed and adored, so when the opportunity arose to listen to it, a reread, I simply could not resist. The audio is approximately 9 hours long, and is atmospheric, wonderfully, and ably narrated by Jane McDowell, so good that she allowed me once again to immerse myself in the drama, nostalgia, comfort, and mystery of this early case. Ruth finds herself drawn to a dig run by Max Grey of Sussex University, who grew up in the local area, and is disguising the fact that she is 3 months pregnant, not yet letting the father, a married man with a beautiful wife and children, DCI Harry Nelson, know.

The pregnancy is a product of a one night stand after a previous stressful case and events, she is 40 years old, overweight, yet she could not be happier. In Norfolk, an old property is in the process of being torn down for redevelopment purposes when a child's bones are uncoveredd under a doorway, and so investigations begin. The building site used to be a former children's home, run by a Catholic priest, Father Hennessy, from whom they discover that decades earlier, 2 children, a brother and sister had gone missing. As malign forces seek to block her looking further into the case, Ruth finds herself in grave danger, amidst the twists and turns of the narrative, until the truth rears its head in the thrilling conclusion.

This was such a pleasure to listen to, particularly as I had forgotten much in the intervening years, and whilst so many of the characters are so familiar to me. Griffiths weaves a well plotted and enthralling mystery, whilst simultaneously providing the engaging, in depth relationships, and interactions, to catch the interest of the reader and captivate the listener. I cannot help but hope that the publisher is planning to make more of the audios, having found such a perfect narrator for this series, available. I highly recommend this audio to crime and mystery readers. Many thanks to the publisher for the ALC.