The Last Remains

Final instalment of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries

The Plot

In The Last Remains, the gripping conclusion to the beloved Dr Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, a routine construction project takes a dark turn when builders uncover a human skeleton in the heart of King’s Lynn. DCI Harry Nelson and forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway are summoned to investigate this chilling discovery, which they soon learn belongs to Emily Pickering, an archaeology student who mysteriously vanished in the 1990s.

As Ruth and Nelson delve deeper into the case, they are drawn into a web of secrets and lies, where past and present collide. The investigation becomes increasingly complex, particularly when suspicion falls on Cathbad, Ruth's friend and a key figure in her life, who is now grappling with the aftermath of a serious illness. With time slipping away, Ruth and Nelson must race against the clock to unravel the truth and exonerate Cathbad, all while confronting their own personal dilemmas.

Themes

• The impact of past actions on the present
• Friendship and loyalty
• The intersection of archaeology and crime

Griffiths’ hallmark writing style combines rich character development with intricate plotting, making this final chapter both an emotional and thrilling read. Fans of the series will appreciate the resolution of long-standing character arcs, while newcomers may find themselves drawn into Griffiths’ atmospheric world, reminiscent of other works in the crime fiction genre.

"A masterful blend of mystery, history, and emotion." - Literary Review