Elly Griffiths Books
Ali Dawson Series
The Frozen People – 2025
The Frozen People introduces Ali Dawson, a cold case investigator with the unique ability to travel back in time. Tasked with clearing the name of Cain Templeton, an ancestor of a contemporary politician, Ali journeys to 1850s London. There, she uncovers a sinister group called The Collectors and becomes entangled in a dangerous mystery. As she delves deeper, Ali finds herself trapped in the past, racing against time to solve the case and return to her present life.
Brighton Mysteries Series
The Zig Zag Girl - 2014
The Zig Zag Girl is set in 1950s Brighton. Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens investigates the murder of a young woman found cut into pieces, reminiscent of a magician's trick. With magician Max Mephisto, Stephens delves into the dark world of magic and deception to solve the case.
Smoke and Mirrors - 2015
Smoke and Mirrors is set in 1950s Brighton. It follows DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto as they investigate the murder of two children. With echoes of fairytales and theatre, the mystery unveils dark secrets and the chilling truth behind the grim crime.
The Blood Card - 2016
The Blood Card is a historical mystery set in 1950s London. Detective Harold Lowe investigates the murder of a former police officer, uncovering a tangled web of criminal activities. As the investigation deepens, it links to political conspiracies and past betrayals, testing Lowe’s resolve.
The Vanishing Box - 2017
The Vanishing Box features DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto in 1950s Brighton. They investigate the murder of a young woman found staged like a famous magic trick. As secrets unravel and danger looms, the duo must uncover the truth in this gripping, suspenseful mystery.
Now You See Them - 2019
In 1960s Brighton, former detective Edgar Stephens is pulled into a chilling investigation when several girls go missing. Edgar and magician Max Mephisto uncover sinister secrets linking the disappearances to the glamorous world of magic and deception.
The Midnight Hour - 2021
The Midnight Hour revolves around Brighton's theater scene in the 1960s. When legendary performer Bert Billington is found dead, private detective Emma Holmes and her team investigate. They navigate secrets, rivalries, and scandal to uncover the truth behind Bert's mysterious death.
The Great Deceiver - 2023
The Great Deceiver is set in 1960s Brighton. Magician Max Mephisto returns to investigate the murder of Cherry Underwood, a fellow performer's assistant. With Edgar Stephens and Emma Holmes, they uncover dark secrets within a boarding house linked to a sinister radio personality.
Ruth Galloway Series
The Crossing Places - 2009
The Crossing Places introduces forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway, who aids Detective Harry Nelson in investigating a child's remains found in Norfolk marshlands. As Ruth uncovers links to an ancient ritual, the case intertwines with Nelson’s search for a missing girl, revealing secrets and danger close to home.
The Janus Stone - 2010
In The Janus Stone, forensic archaeologist Dr. Ruth Galloway investigates the discovery of a child’s skeleton at a demolished orphanage. As secrets about the past emerge, Ruth uncovers sinister connections, putting herself in danger. Detective Harry Nelson aids her, unraveling a chilling mystery intertwined with betrayal and murder.
The House at Sea's End - 2011
In The House at Sea's End, Ruth Galloway investigates six skeletons found in a coastal cliff. The case links to World War II and secrets of betrayal. As Ruth balances her career and new motherhood, danger looms, revealing dark truths and testing her resilience.
A Room Full of Bones - 2011
In A Room Full of Bones, Ruth Galloway investigates the death of a museum curator, found dead near a bishop's ancient coffin. Uncovering a web of secrets tied to Aboriginal artifacts, family legacies, and a deadly curse, Ruth faces danger while balancing her personal struggles.
Ruth's First Christmas Tree - 2012
In Ruth's First Christmas Tree, Ruth Galloway navigates the challenges of celebrating her first Christmas with her young daughter, Kate. Balancing festive preparations, her non-traditional lifestyle, and unexpected mysteries, Ruth discovers new traditions while reflecting on family, relationships, and the true meaning of the holiday season.
A Dying Fall - 2012
Ruth Galloway investigates a mysterious death and a shocking archaeological discovery linked to King Arthur. Set in Lancashire, Ruth faces danger as someone tries to silence her, while navigating tensions with DCI Nelson and protecting her daughter, Kate, from hidden threats.
The Outcast Dead – 2014
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway discovers the remains of an executed Victorian woman, "Mother Hook," accused of child murder. Meanwhile, Detective Nelson investigates modern child deaths, including abductions. As past and present intertwine, secrets emerge, leading to suspenseful revelations and a race against time.
The Ghost Fields - 2015
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway uncovers a WWII-era plane buried on a Norfolk farm. Inside is a skeleton that doesn't match the pilot's identity. As secrets of the wealthy Blackstock family emerge, Ruth and DCI Harry Nelson investigate murder, betrayal, and hidden truths.
The Woman In Blue - 2016
In The Woman in Blue, Ruth Galloway is drawn into a chilling mystery when a woman in a blue cloak is found murdered in a graveyard. Detective Nelson investigates, uncovering links to threatening letters sent to female priests. Ruth’s friend Cathbad offers crucial insights into the case.
The Chalk Pit - 2017
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway investigates human bones discovered in an underground chalk tunnel. As the case unfolds, it connects to missing persons, homelessness, and urban myths about secret tunnels. Meanwhile, DCI Nelson faces danger, and Ruth navigates her complex personal life amidst rising tension.
The Dark Angel - 2018
The Dark Angel follows archaeologist Ruth Galloway as she investigates the discovery of a body in an ancient Etruscan tomb in Italy. Ruth uncovers dark secrets linking the past to the present while navigating personal and professional challenges, including her complicated relationship with DCI Nelson.
The Stone Circle - 2019
Ruth Galloway investigates a series of mysterious deaths tied to ancient stones in Norfolk. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers disturbing secrets linking the past to the present, all while navigating personal and professional challenges involving her colleagues.
The Lantern Men - 2020
In The Lantern Men, forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway investigates a series of mysterious deaths connected to an ancient ritual. She works alongside DCI Harry Nelson to uncover the truth about a man who might be a serial killer, while grappling with her own personal challenges.
The Man in Black - 2020
The Man in Black follows forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway as she investigates a cold case involving a mysterious figure, the "Man in Black," linked to a murder in a small coastal village. As Ruth delves deeper into the case, she uncovers chilling secrets and connections.
The Night Hawks - 2021
The Night Hawks is a mystery novel featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway. Ruth is drawn into a case when a group of metal detectorists discover a body near an ancient burial site. As she uncovers secrets from the past, Ruth faces personal and professional challenges.
The Locked Room - 2022
In The Locked Room, Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist, faces a complex case when a long-missing woman's body is found in a sealed room. As Ruth investigates, she uncovers dark family secrets and confronts her own personal challenges, all while balancing her professional and emotional life.
The Last Remains - 2023
The Last Remains is the final book in the Ruth Galloway series. Ruth, a forensic archaeologist, is drawn into solving a mystery involving ancient remains found near a coastal site. As secrets from the past surface, Ruth must confront personal and professional challenges, leading to unexpected revelations.
Justice Jones series
A Girl Called Justice - 2019
A Girl Called Justice follows 12-year-old Justice Jones, a smart and inquisitive girl at an elite boarding school. When a teacher is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Justice uses her keen observational skills to solve the mystery, uncovering secrets hidden within the school.
The Smugglers' Secret - 2020
The Smugglers' Secret is the second book in the Justice Jones series. Set in 1930s England, young detective Justice Jones investigates the mysterious death of Mr. Arthur at Smugglers' Lodge1. As she uncovers secrets and navigates school life, Justice is determined to solve the case and reveal the lodge's hidden past.
The Ghost in the Garden - 2021
The Ghost in the Garden follows young detective Justice Jones at Highbury House boarding school. Justice uncovers a mysterious ghostly presence linked to a long-buried secret in the school's garden. As she investigates, she navigates friendships, school challenges, and unravels the truth behind the haunting.
The Spy at the Window - 2022
In The Spy at the Window, set in 1939, Justice Jones returns to Highbury House school amidst wartime changes. With a boys' school sharing their building, she investigates mysterious voices and a face at a high window, suspecting a spy among them.
Harbinder Kaur Series
The Stranger Diaries - 2018
The Stranger Diaries follows DS Harbinder Kaur investigating the murder of a high school teacher, Clare Cassidy’s colleague. The case intertwines with Clare’s obsession with a Gothic author, whose work eerily mirrors the crime. Narrated through multiple perspectives, the mystery deepens, blending literary intrigue with suspenseful twists.
The Postscript Murders - 2021
In The Postscript Murders, Detective Harbinder Kaur investigates the suspicious death of an elderly woman, Peggy, who had a peculiar talent for devising crime novel plots. Teaming up with an unlikely group, Harbinder uncovers secrets, connections to murder mysteries, and a deeper, darker truth hidden in plain sight.
Bleeding Heart Yard - 2022
In Bleeding Heart Yard, Detective Harbinder Kaur investigates the murder of an MP during a school reunion. As secrets from their past resurface, the suspects—once classmates—grapple with guilt and betrayal. The complex web of relationships and lies challenges Harbinder, revealing unexpected truths and a haunting conclusion.
The Last Word - 2024
In The Last Word, private investigators Natalka and Edwin probe the suspicious death of author Melody Chambers. Their inquiry leads them to a writers' retreat, uncovering a series of mysterious author deaths. With assistance from DI Harbinder Kaur, they unravel a complex plot where words become deadly.
Standalone Novels
(writing as Domenica de Rosa)
The Italian Quarter - 2004
The Italian Quarter follows Sophie, who, upon a journalist's inquiry into her grandfather Cesare's wartime past, delves into her family's Italian heritage. Her journey spans from 19th-century Naples to London's Italian community, uncovering secrets and self-discovery.
The Eternal City - 2006
The Eternal City follows Gaby de Angelis, who, after her father Enzo's death coinciding with her daughter's birth, travels to Rome to fulfill his wish of returning his ashes. There, she confronts family dynamics and reunites with a past love, challenging her certainties.
Villa Serena - 2007
Villa Serena follows Emily Robertson, who faces life upheaval after her husband leaves her. Stranded in rural Italy with her children, Emily navigates personal challenges, forms new friendships, and rediscovers herself.
Summer School - 2008
Summer School follows Emily, an aspiring writer who spends the summer in Tuscany. Amidst the picturesque landscape, she attends a writing course, makes new friends, and grapples with personal and professional challenges.
Non-Fiction
The Little Book of Shakespeare and Food - 2001
The Little Book of Shakespeare and Food, authored by Elly Griffiths under the pseudonym Domenica de Rosa, is a charming collection that pairs 59 of Shakespeare's food-related quotations with corresponding recipes. Each recipe reflects the essence of the Bard's era, offering readers a taste of Elizabethan cuisine.
Short Story Collections
The Man in Black and Other Stories - 2024
The Man in Black and Other Stories is a 2024 collection by Elly Griffiths featuring beloved characters like Dr. Ruth Galloway, Harry Nelson, Max Mephisto, and Detective Harbinder Kaur. The anthology includes ghost stories, cozy mysteries, psychological suspense, and a tale narrated by Ruth's cat, Flint.