Book Review: The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths

The Ghost Fields
Author: Elly Griffiths
Series: Ruth Galloway (Book 7)
Publication: Mariner Books; Reprint edition (May 19, 2015)

Description The chilling discovery of a downed World War II plane with a body inside leads Ruth and DCI Nelson to uncover a wealthy family’s secrets in this Ruth Galloway mystery.

It’s a blazing hot summer in Norfolk when a construction crew unearths a downed American fighter plane from World War II with a body inside. Forensic archeologist Ruth Galloway determines that the skeleton couldn’t possibly be the pilot, and DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat long presumed dead—news that seems to frighten his descendants. Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk’s deserted air force bases, the so-called ghost fields, which the Blackstocks have converted into a pig farm. As production begins, Ruth notices a mysterious man loitering at Fred Blackstock’s memorial service. Then human bones are found on the family’s pig farm and the weather quickly turns. Can the team outrace a looming flood to find the killer?

My Thoughts: When a digger clearing land for a new bunch of luxury beach homes discovers a buried airplane with the pilot still on board, both DCI Nelson and Forensic Anthropologist Ruth Galloway are called in. 

Ruth is quick to note that things aren't as they appear. Besides the fact that the condition of the remains isn't right, there is a gunshot wound in the body's temple. Nelson isn't sure that a death that occurred during the Second World War is a high priority, but he sends samples for DNA testing to identify the body.

Once the identity comes back indicating that the DNA matches that of the prominent Blackstock family, the case gets more interesting. Fred Blackstock was supposed to have died over the sea with his body lost at sea. How did this tail gunner wind up in the cockpit of a plane buried in a chalk pit?

The investigation raises a bunch of questions and the Blackstocks aren't all that forthcoming. Some of them are eager when a US television company wants to do a program about American flyers in Britain during WWII and wants to include Fred Blackstock's story since he moved to the US but came back to fight for Britain. Of course, the TV company includes Frank - the historian with whom Ruth had a brief relationship in an earlier book in the series which adds some romantic complications in Ruth's life.

Then another body is found. This one was eaten by pigs on Chaz Blackstock's farm leaving only a few bones and teeth. DNA indicates that he too is related to the Blackstocks and research finds that he is the son of the long-lost oldest brother who disappeared shortly after WWII. 

Along with the mystery, there are some romantic complications. Ruth and Nelson share a five-year-old Kate but have an undefined relationship. He's married to Michelle who seems to be working her way into a relationship with one of Nelson's subordinates. Then there is Clough, another of Nelson's subordinates, who falls in love with the Blackstock daughter who is set to inherit the estate. 

This was another entertaining and intriguing episode in the Ruth Galloway series. The romantic complications were as much of the plot and as interesting as the mystery. 

Favorite Quote:

"There are lots of these abandoned airfields in Norfolk," says Clough. "They call them the ghost fields."

The ghost fields. Nelson's not a fanciful man but, just for a second, he imagines the sky full of lumbering Second World War planes, rising into the clouds and heading out to sea. He thinks of the men inside the control tower listening to their final briefing, not knowing whether they'll ever come back.

I bought this one April 27, 2023. You can buy your copy here.