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The Outcast Dead

The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries 6
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( 27,278 ratings, 1,861 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths, forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway discovers a skeleton during an excavation that might belong to a legendary Victorian murderess. As she delves deeper into the past, a contemporary case involving a missing child unfolds, intertwining with her findings and leading her into a world of historic intrigue and modern-day danger. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Norfolk, the story weaves together mystery, suspense, and the complexities of uncovering long-buried secrets.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a blend of historical mystery and contemporary crime set in a richly atmospheric location. The story explores complex characters and intertwines an intriguing archaeological discovery with a gripping murder investigation, making it a captivating read for fans of suspenseful crime thrillers.

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Historical crimes involving a Victorian child killer may hold the key to several contemporary deaths in this macabre outing for Dr Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Historical crimes involving a Victorian child killer may hold the key to several contemporary deaths in this macabre outing for Dr Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist. Perfect for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves.

'Told with a deepening sense of the unease, seasoned with a touch of the occult' Daily Mail

Ruth has excavated a body from the grounds of Norwich Castle, which was once a prison. The body may be that of Victorian murderess Jemima Green. Called Mother Hook for her claw-like hand, Jemima was hanged for the murder of five children.

DCI Harry Nelson has no time for long-ago killers. Investigating the case of three infants found dead, one after the other, in their King's Lynn home, he's convinced that their mother is responsible.

Then a child goes missing. Could the abduction be linked to the long-dead Mother Hook? Ruth is pulled into the case, and back towards Nelson.

Series: The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries

View all
  • A Room Full of Bones
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. Halloween night, and the dead are closer than ever for Dr Ruth Galloway. She is used to long-dead bodies, but a fresh corpse in the middle of a museum is a new challenge. The fourth beguiling Dr Ruth Galloway mystery. 'A wonderfully rich mix of ancient and contemporary' Guardian It is...
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  • The Dark Angel
    The Sunday Times Bestseller 'My favourite current crime series' Val McDermid Dr Ruth Galloway is flattered when she receives a letter from Italian archaeologist Dr Angelo Morelli, asking for her help. He's discovered a group of bones in a tiny hilltop village near Rome but doesn't know what to make of them. It's years since Ruth has had a holiday,...
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  • The Night Hawks
    'SET IN DIVINE NORTH NORFOLK. INTENSELY ATMOSPHERIC AND GREAT' โ€“ India Knight Dr Ruth Galloway returns to the moody and beautiful landscape of North Norfolk to confront another killer. A devastating new case for our favourite forensic archaeologist in this acclaimed and bestselling crime series. The Night Hawks, a group of metal detectorists, are searching for buried treasure when they...
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  • The Stone Circle
    'My favourite series' Val McDermid DCI Nelson has been receiving threatening letters telling him to 'go to the stone circle and rescue the innocent who is buried there'. He is shaken, not only because children are very much on his mind, with Michelle's baby due to be born, but because although the letters are anonymous, they are somehow familiar. They...
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    $2799
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  • The Crossing Places
    Start right here! Discover the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and become obsessed with one of the most popular crime series in Britain. 'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse' The Times 'I've never before read a crime novel in which archaeology and detection blend as successfully as in The Crossing Places' Shots Dr Ruth Galloway is called in...
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  • The Woman In Blue
    When Ruth's friend Cathbad sees a vision of the Virgin Mary, in a white gown and blue cloak, in Walsingham's graveyard, he takes it in his stride. Walsingham has strong connections to Mary, and Cathbad is a druid after all; visions come with the job. But when the body of a woman in a blue dressing-gown is found dead the...
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  • The Ghost Fields
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. A bullet-ridden body is unearthed from a buried WW2 plane, but the body isn't from WW2. Dr Ruth Galloway must discover who the victim was, and who put him there, in this atmospheric mystery for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves. 'An almost gothic plot, involving family feuds and a...
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  • The Last Remains
    The Sunday Times Bestseller and Final Instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries Ruth and DCI Nelson are working on a murder case in which their friend Cathbad emerges as the prime suspect. Can they uncover the truth in time to save him? 'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse' The Times When builders renovating a cafรฉ in...
    Paperback
    $2600
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    $2799
    In Stock
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  • The House at Sea's End
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. The shadow of the Second World War looms dark over the third chilling mystery for Dr Ruth Galloway. Some buried secrets shouldn't be uncovered. 'A melancholy setting, an eerie discovery, a lone investigator... perfect for the long winter evening' Financial Times Dr Ruth Galloway is called in by a team of...
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  • The Janus Stone
    A gruesome discovery at an old children's home lays bare terrible secrets from Norwich's past in the second gripping mystery for Dr Ruth Galloway. The setting is enticingly atmospheric . . . a really intelligent murder story' Independent Dr Ruth Galloway's forensic skills are called upon when builders, demolishing an old house in Norwich, uncover the bones of a childโ€”minus...
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  • The Chalk Pit
    I refuse to apologise for being in love with Dr Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson... one of my favourite current crime series... a pleasure from start to finish. Val McDermid WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. Boiled human bones have been found in Norwich's web of underground tunnels. When Dr Ruth Galloway discovers they were recently...
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  • The Lantern Men
    โ€˜My favourite current seriesโ€™ Val McDermid Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway. 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,...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Elly Griffiths' The Outcast Dead is praised for its deep sense of unease and touches of the occult, offering a compelling mix of forensics, history, and romance. The story includes a twist that will surprise readers and is lauded for its compassionate exploration of parental love and guilt. Additionally, it develops the complex relationships between recurring characters with great care.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786482167

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Quercus Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 320g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Elly Griffiths is the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and the Brighton Mysteries. She has won the CWA Dagger in the Library, has been shortlisted five times for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for The Lantern Men. Her new series featuring Detective Harbinder Kaur began with The Stranger Diaries, which was a Richard and Judy book club pick and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in the USA. It was followed by The Postscript Murders, shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and Bleeding Heart Yard. Elly has two grown-up children and lives near Brighton with her archaeologist husband.

Also by Elly Griffiths

View all
  • The Crossing Places
    Start right here! Discover the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and become obsessed with one of the most popular crime series in Britain. 'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse' The Times 'I've never before read a crime novel in which archaeology and detection blend as successfully as in The Crossing Places' Shots Dr Ruth Galloway is called in...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
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  • The Frozen People
    A brand new series about a police officer with an extraordinary gift, the ability to travel in time. From No. 1 bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries - sparks fly and love ignites when past and present meet. SOME MURDERS CAN'T BE SOLVED IN JUST ONE LIFETIME. Ali Dawson is a police officer working on crimes so old,...
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  • Marple: Twelve New Stories
    Marple: Twelve New Stories is a tantalising collection of short stories that reintroduces the legendary detective Jane Marple. This anthology, crafted by twelve bestselling and acclaimed authors, breathes new life into one of Agatha Christie's most beloved characters. Each author brings their unique voice and perspective to Miss Marple, whilst masterfully preserving the hallmarks of a traditional mystery. The tales...
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    Elsewhere:
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    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Janus Stone
    A gruesome discovery at an old children's home lays bare terrible secrets from Norwich's past in the second gripping mystery for Dr Ruth Galloway. The setting is enticingly atmospheric . . . a really intelligent murder story' Independent Dr Ruth Galloway's forensic skills are called upon when builders, demolishing an old house in Norwich, uncover the bones of a childโ€”minus...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Night Hawks
    'SET IN DIVINE NORTH NORFOLK. INTENSELY ATMOSPHERIC AND GREAT' โ€“ India Knight Dr Ruth Galloway returns to the moody and beautiful landscape of North Norfolk to confront another killer. A devastating new case for our favourite forensic archaeologist in this acclaimed and bestselling crime series. The Night Hawks, a group of metal detectorists, are searching for buried treasure when they...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Dark Angel
    The Sunday Times Bestseller 'My favourite current crime series' Val McDermid Dr Ruth Galloway is flattered when she receives a letter from Italian archaeologist Dr Angelo Morelli, asking for her help. He's discovered a group of bones in a tiny hilltop village near Rome but doesn't know what to make of them. It's years since Ruth has had a holiday,...
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • A Room Full of Bones
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. Halloween night, and the dead are closer than ever for Dr Ruth Galloway. She is used to long-dead bodies, but a fresh corpse in the middle of a museum is a new challenge. The fourth beguiling Dr Ruth Galloway mystery. 'A wonderfully rich mix of ancient and contemporary' Guardian It is...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Marple: Twelve New Stories
    A brand new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Crimeโ€™s legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by twelve remarkable bestselling and acclaimed authors. This collection of twelve original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author reimagines Agatha Christieโ€™s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Ghost Fields
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. A bullet-ridden body is unearthed from a buried WW2 plane, but the body isn't from WW2. Dr Ruth Galloway must discover who the victim was, and who put him there, in this atmospheric mystery for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves. 'An almost gothic plot, involving family feuds and a...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2699
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The House at Sea's End
    WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. The shadow of the Second World War looms dark over the third chilling mystery for Dr Ruth Galloway. Some buried secrets shouldn't be uncovered. 'A melancholy setting, an eerie discovery, a lone investigator... perfect for the long winter evening' Financial Times Dr Ruth Galloway is called in by a team of...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Stone Circle
    'My favourite series' Val McDermid DCI Nelson has been receiving threatening letters telling him to 'go to the stone circle and rescue the innocent who is buried there'. He is shaken, not only because children are very much on his mind, with Michelle's baby due to be born, but because although the letters are anonymous, they are somehow familiar. They...
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Last Remains
    The Sunday Times Bestseller and Final Instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries Ruth and DCI Nelson are working on a murder case in which their friend Cathbad emerges as the prime suspect. Can they uncover the truth in time to save him? 'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse' The Times When builders renovating a cafรฉ in...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
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