The Janus Stone

In this “chilling and entirely believable”* mystery, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson investigate a set of remains buried in the foundations of an old country manor—but as soon as they get close to cracking the case, Ruth becomes the killer’s next target. 
*Richmond Times-Dispatch

When the remains of a child are found at a demolition site—an old house in Norwich, once a children’s home—the construction workers call on forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway. Ruth examines the bones and quickly notes that the skull is missing. Is this a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?

She and DCI Harry Nelson seek out the Catholic priest who once served as the home’s operator, hoping he might be able to help. Father Hennessey reports that two children did go missing from the home forty years before—a boy and a girl. They were never found. Is this one of them, finally unearthed? Or another child altogether? Ruth is drawn ever more deeply into the case, but as spring turns to 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.

ELLY GRIFFITHS is the author of the Ruth Galloway and Magic Men mystery series, and the standalone novel The Stranger Diaries. She is a recipient of the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the CWA Dagger in the Library Award.