Book Review: The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths

The Janus Stone
Author: Elly Griffiths
Series: Ruth Galloway (Book 2)
Publication: Mariner Books; First edition (January 10, 2012)

Description: It’s been only a few months since archaeologist Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large old house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus its skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?

Ruth and Detective Harry Nelson would like to find out—and fast. When they realize the house was once a children’s home, they track down the Catholic priest who served as its operator. Father Hennessey reports that two children did go missing from the home forty years before—a boy and a girl. They were never found. When carbon dating proves that the child’s bones predate the home and relate to a time when the house was privately owned, Ruth is drawn ever more deeply into the case. But as spring turns into summer it becomes clear that someone is trying very hard to put her off the trail by frightening her, and her unborn child, half to death.

My Thoughts: Newly pregnant and dealing with morning sickness, Forensic Archaeologist Ruth Galloway is called to a dig to examine a headless skeleton to determine its age. She is also called to a construction site, a former children's home, to examine another headless skeleton of a child. Since this one is obviously recent, in archaeological terms, DCI Harry Nelson is called in with his team to investigate. 

Ruth hasn't yet told Nelson that the baby she's carrying is his, the result of a one-night stand. When she does, she has an interesting result. Nelson wants to be part of the baby's life but doesn't want to blow-up his marriage or his relationship with his two teenage daughters. Ruth and Nelson clearly have a lot of things to work out. It further complicates things when Nelson's wife develops a friendship with Ruth and wants to help her out with her pregnancy. I'm curious about how her attitude could change when she finds out that her husband is the father.

Religion from ancient Celtic head cults to Roman beliefs to the modern-day Catholic Church plays a part in this story. Nelson, a lapsed Roman Catholic, has his own prejudices to deal with when he interviews the priest who used to run the children's home. And Ruth who doesn't believe in religion perhaps because of her born-again Christian parents has prejudices of her own.

The mystery was intriguing as was the information about the Ancient Romans in Britain and archaeology in general. 

Favorite Quote:

'Why a diver?' asks Ruth. 'There's no water there now.'

'We can't be sure of that,' says Nelson. 'Because he's insured and we don't actually have a police wishing-well division.'

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.