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Ruth Galloway #12.5
The Man in Black: Stories
From the internationally bestselling author of the Ruth Galloway Mysteries, an eclectic, thrilling collection of short stories, featuring many characters that readers have come to know and love.
Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume.
There are ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense, and poignant vignettes of love and loss.
In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk.
Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in “Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.”
In “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London.
A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI.
To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in “Flint’s Fireside Tale.”
And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile.
The Man in Black illustrates the breadth and variety of Elly Griffiths’s talent for blood-chilling, page-turning stories all with her trademark humor and heart.
Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume.
There are ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense, and poignant vignettes of love and loss.
In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk.
Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in “Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.”
In “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London.
A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI.
To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in “Flint’s Fireside Tale.”
And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile.
The Man in Black illustrates the breadth and variety of Elly Griffiths’s talent for blood-chilling, page-turning stories all with her trademark humor and heart.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2024
About the author
Elly Griffiths
81 books9,921 followersElly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway novels take for their inspiration Elly's husband, who gave up a city job to train as an archaeologist, and her aunt who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece's head with the myths and legends of that area. Elly has two children and lives near Brighton. Though not her first novel, The Crossing Places is her first crime novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 532 reviews
September 2, 2024
Author Elly Griffiths writes short stories to experiment with different voices and genres.
And, I can’t think of a better way to sample an author’s work, than to read a collection such as this one! It’s a great way to figure out which of her many series might be a fit for you.
Will you choose the 15 book series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and her cat Flint? Perhaps, magician Max Mephisto will capture your fancy? Or girl detective, Justice Jones?
I have only read the Harbinder Kaur books, but two of my favorite stories in this collection were “ Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.” which takes place in 1920’s Leeds and “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” which introduced me to her “witty girl detective” as she investigates the ominous prediction of a fortune teller in postwar London.
Of course, I was also partial to “Flint’s Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story narrated by her cat Flint. 😻
But, my FAVORITE was “What I Saw from the Sky” which transported me back to one of my favorite places-Italy.
Some of these stories have been in print before, but most are new, and I discovered that Elly Griffiths’ characters often move between her various series-so it was nice to make the acquaintance of them all!
Although, I can’t say that any of the stories WOWED me- they were all entertaining enough, and I am glad to have read them.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Mariner Books for the invitation to read an early copy provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
And, I can’t think of a better way to sample an author’s work, than to read a collection such as this one! It’s a great way to figure out which of her many series might be a fit for you.
Will you choose the 15 book series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and her cat Flint? Perhaps, magician Max Mephisto will capture your fancy? Or girl detective, Justice Jones?
I have only read the Harbinder Kaur books, but two of my favorite stories in this collection were “ Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.” which takes place in 1920’s Leeds and “Justice Jones and the Etherphone,” which introduced me to her “witty girl detective” as she investigates the ominous prediction of a fortune teller in postwar London.
Of course, I was also partial to “Flint’s Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story narrated by her cat Flint. 😻
But, my FAVORITE was “What I Saw from the Sky” which transported me back to one of my favorite places-Italy.
Some of these stories have been in print before, but most are new, and I discovered that Elly Griffiths’ characters often move between her various series-so it was nice to make the acquaintance of them all!
Although, I can’t say that any of the stories WOWED me- they were all entertaining enough, and I am glad to have read them.
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Mariner Books for the invitation to read an early copy provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
September 20, 2024
This is a wonderful collection of short stories by one of my favorite authors!
You most definitely need to be familiar with her Ruth Galloway series as many of the stories involve archeologists that Ruth has worked with along with her family and Cathbad who is a Druid. If you don't know what a Druid is you will be introduced to Cathbad in her Ruth Galloway series.
Several stories involve DS Harbinder Kaur who is the main character in her other series, which includes "The Stranger Diaries" my favorite in this series. Kaur is a hard nosed, clever and witty detective and I enjoy those novels immensely.
A few of my favorites include:
"Flint's Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story" narrated by Flint, Ruth's cat!! Of course I love this one.
"The Valley of the Queens" A Ruth and Nelson story" This story takes place while Ruth and Nelson are on a cruise along the Nile. The descriptions of various archeological sites was very interesting and well done. The mystery was very good.
"Ruth's First Christmas Tree" This story is about Ruth's daughter Kate and their first time really celebrating Christmas. A fun and heartwarming story.
I definitely recommend this collection if you are a fan of Ms. Griffiths - you won't be disappointed.
The collection is set to publish on October 15, 2024
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this collection of stories.
You most definitely need to be familiar with her Ruth Galloway series as many of the stories involve archeologists that Ruth has worked with along with her family and Cathbad who is a Druid. If you don't know what a Druid is you will be introduced to Cathbad in her Ruth Galloway series.
Several stories involve DS Harbinder Kaur who is the main character in her other series, which includes "The Stranger Diaries" my favorite in this series. Kaur is a hard nosed, clever and witty detective and I enjoy those novels immensely.
A few of my favorites include:
"Flint's Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story" narrated by Flint, Ruth's cat!! Of course I love this one.
"The Valley of the Queens" A Ruth and Nelson story" This story takes place while Ruth and Nelson are on a cruise along the Nile. The descriptions of various archeological sites was very interesting and well done. The mystery was very good.
"Ruth's First Christmas Tree" This story is about Ruth's daughter Kate and their first time really celebrating Christmas. A fun and heartwarming story.
I definitely recommend this collection if you are a fan of Ms. Griffiths - you won't be disappointed.
The collection is set to publish on October 15, 2024
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this collection of stories.
May 13, 2021
I looked multiple ways to find a copy of this very short story and I finally messaged the author on Goodreads. She very kindly sent me a file copy. I was thrilled to read it! Thanks to Elly Griffiths after unsuccessfully trying so hard in so many locations to get a copy to read!
I loved the story. 4-1/2 stars This story and many of the series novels probably deserve 5 stars. I think I do the same thing with this author that I do with Patricia Polacco which is compare them with themselves and that’s not entirely fair.
It’s whetted my appetite even more to read the next novel in the series, The Night Hawks. I find the series to be addictive. I read the first 11 books in about half a year. I wanted to space them out but I could not stop reading. I had a short wait for book 12 and now a much longer wait for the next book, number 13.
It was so great to be back with these characters and these places. Ruth, Kate now 10, Cathbad, Nelson, Flint, Clara, Kate’s school whose motto I love, and I think a new character I loved. I really love Kate and Ruth and all the gang.
There is a book theme and I’ll bet there is for all the Jarrolds short stories. It was wonderful and I got a kick out of it.
The mystery, which could have been really scary and really sad, was told with humor and great wit and so it wasn’t too painful to read. It also helped that because this is a short, short story it didn’t take long to get to the happy resolution.
Thoroughly enjoyable. I wish it was longer just so I would have had more to read but it was a successful short story and very well written and told. A complete story despite its short length.
If (only if) you already know my email address, I’m happy to send you the file or even do a copy and paste if the file doesn’t work for you. I’d hate to have the author inundated with requests. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy the Ruth Galloway series. As with the Christmas short story, this story is meant to be read between certain books, in this case between books 12 and 13.
ETA on 10/12/22: Still hard to find online:
https://web.archive.org/web/202011031...
I loved the story. 4-1/2 stars This story and many of the series novels probably deserve 5 stars. I think I do the same thing with this author that I do with Patricia Polacco which is compare them with themselves and that’s not entirely fair.
It’s whetted my appetite even more to read the next novel in the series, The Night Hawks. I find the series to be addictive. I read the first 11 books in about half a year. I wanted to space them out but I could not stop reading. I had a short wait for book 12 and now a much longer wait for the next book, number 13.
It was so great to be back with these characters and these places. Ruth, Kate now 10, Cathbad, Nelson, Flint, Clara, Kate’s school whose motto I love, and I think a new character I loved. I really love Kate and Ruth and all the gang.
There is a book theme and I’ll bet there is for all the Jarrolds short stories. It was wonderful and I got a kick out of it.
The mystery, which could have been really scary and really sad, was told with humor and great wit and so it wasn’t too painful to read. It also helped that because this is a short, short story it didn’t take long to get to the happy resolution.
Thoroughly enjoyable. I wish it was longer just so I would have had more to read but it was a successful short story and very well written and told. A complete story despite its short length.
If (only if) you already know my email address, I’m happy to send you the file or even do a copy and paste if the file doesn’t work for you. I’d hate to have the author inundated with requests. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy the Ruth Galloway series. As with the Christmas short story, this story is meant to be read between certain books, in this case between books 12 and 13.
ETA on 10/12/22: Still hard to find online:
https://web.archive.org/web/202011031...
June 17, 2024
I usually have no interest in reading short stories, but since Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors, I decided to try this collection, and I'm so glad I did. Some of the stories feature characters from her novels, like Harbinder Kaur, Max Mephisto, and Ruth Galloway (whose cat Flint even has a story to tell). Others are completely new characters, but every story was enjoyable, and the book was impossible to put down. I will definitely have to reevaluate my previous opinion of short stories. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
November 15, 2024
I’m not a fan of short stories, but I am a fan of Elly Griffiths. So, once again, I decided to go with an author I admire. But once again, I was mostly disappointed. It wasn’t that the stories were bad, they were just too short for me to become invested in either the characters or the story. Several of the stories involved characters from Griffith’s series, including Ruth Galloway, Max Mephisto and Harbinder Kaur. Even Ruth’s cat, Flint, gets a story.
The few exceptions that truly worked for me were Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act, St. Lucy’s Day, Justice Jones and the Etherphone, Ruth’s First Christmas Tree and The Stranger.
This collection is best if you are already familiar with the various characters. I can’t see this working well for someone just looking to sample her writing. It’s definitely an eclectic collection, mixing mystery, drama, horror and ghost stories.
Each story has a different narrator. They all did good jobs, but the narrator for Flint won my heart.
The few exceptions that truly worked for me were Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act, St. Lucy’s Day, Justice Jones and the Etherphone, Ruth’s First Christmas Tree and The Stranger.
This collection is best if you are already familiar with the various characters. I can’t see this working well for someone just looking to sample her writing. It’s definitely an eclectic collection, mixing mystery, drama, horror and ghost stories.
Each story has a different narrator. They all did good jobs, but the narrator for Flint won my heart.
January 7, 2025
EXCERPT: From the title story - The Man in Black.
Ruth is not looking for anything in particular. She is killing time before a meeting at Norwich Museum but, somehow, she finds she is holding two new crime novels and a book about stone circles. She'll buy the books and sit in the café reading for ten minutes. The coffee is very good, she remembers.
Ruth moves towards the till. It's nearly Hallowe'en and the children's section of the shop is decorated with giant spiders' webs and glowing arachnids. There's even a scarecrow propped up in an armchair. Should she buy a book for Kate, her daughter? Nothing supernatural. Kate's birthday is on November the first and Ruth thinks that she was lucky to avoid All Hallows' Eve and land on All Saints' Day instead. But Kate likes all sorts of books, from grim dystopian fantasies to 'The Princess Diaries'. She has even shown a rather worrying interest in the lives of the saints. Besides, Kate will definitely say, 'Have you bought anything for me?' when she sees the Jarrolds bag.
Ruth pushes through the web and then stifles a small shriek. The scarecrow has risen out of its chair and is addressing her.
'Dr Galloway?'
The use of her title reassures Ruth. She sees now that the pile of clothes has transformed itself ito a tall, bearded man in black.
'Yes,' she says, backing into Middle Grade Fiction.
'I'm a friend of Cathbad's,' says the apparition.
This doesn't surprise Ruth. Cathbad is a druid and one of Ruth's best friends. He also has a habit of popping up where he is least expected. Clearly this living scarecrow is one of his emissaries.
'Pleased to meet you,' says Ruth.
'Likewise.' The man grins, showing discoloured teeth. Despite this, he is younger than Ruth first thought, with dark hair only lightly streaked with grey.
'Are you looking for a children's book,' says the man.
'Yes. For my daughter. She's ten.'
'Try this.' The man is holding a book which he passes to Ruth. It's called Land of the Hyter Sprites and has a rather beautiful cover, green with blue snakes meandering across it. The title sounds a bit childish but when Ruth opens the book, the type is small and she catches sight of the words 'Subterranean' and 'surreal'. This will do for Kate.
'Thank you,' she says.
'Be sure to tell Cathbad you've seen me.'
'I didn't catch your name.'
'People call me Raven.'
Of course they do.
ABOUT 'THE MAN IN BLACK AND OTHER STORIES': Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume.
There are ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense, and poignant vignettes of love and loss.
In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk.
Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.
In Justice Jones and the Etherphone, a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London.
A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI.
To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in Flint’s Fireside Tale.
And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile.
MY THOUGHTS: I love a good collection of short stories and The Man in Black certainly satisfied. Elly Griffiths’ collection of page-turning stories is written with her trademark humor and heart. I found myself reading this collection almost greedily, despite my good intentions to sample just one story a day. It's like eating a box of my favorite chocolates - I showed the same lack of restraint.
I was already familiar with 'Ruth's First Christmas Tree', 'Max Mephisto's Disappearing Act' and 'The Man in Black', but the other stories were all new to me. They vary in length from the very short 'The Red Handkerchief' to the solid 'The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson story' and I rated none of them less than 3.5, most of them being 4+ stars.
If you enjoy any of Elly Griffiths series - Dr Ruth Galloway or Harbinder Kaur - you will find plenty to keep you amused between the covers. I particularly enjoyed Ruth's and Harbinder's worlds colliding in one of the stories! But there are also plenty of stories independent of these well-loved characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheManinBlack @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: My name’s Elly Griffiths, except it’s not really. My real name is Domenica de Rosa and I’ve written four books under that name. I was born in London in 1963 and my family moved to Brighton when I was five. I loved Brighton and still do – the town, the surrounding countryside and, most of all, the sea. I went to local state schools and wrote my first book when I was a 11, a murder mystery set in Rottingdean, near the village where I still live. At secondary school I used to write episodes of Starsky and Hutch (early fan fiction) and very much enjoyed making my readers cry.
I did all the right things to become a writer: I read English at King’s College London and, after graduating, worked in a library, for a magazine and then as a publicity assistant at HarperCollins. I loved working in publishing and eventually became Editorial Director for children’s books at HarperCollins. All this completely put me off writing and it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave in 1998 that I wrote what would become my first published novel, The Italian Quarter.
Three other books followed, all about Italy, families and identity. By now we had two children, and my husband Andy had just given up his city job to become an archaeologist. We were on holiday in Norfolk, walking across Titchwell Marsh, when Andy mentioned that prehistoric man had thought that marshland was sacred. Because it’s neither land nor sea, but something in-between, they saw it as a kind of bridge to the afterlife. Neither land nor sea, neither life nor death. As he said these words the entire plot of The Crossing Places appeared, full formed, in my head and, walking towards me out of the mist, I saw Dr Ruth Galloway. I didn’t think that this new book was significantly different from my ‘Italy’ books but, when she read it, my agent said, ‘This is crime. You need a crime name.’
And that’s how I became Elly Griffiths.
Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.
(source:ellygriffiths.com)
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Ruth is not looking for anything in particular. She is killing time before a meeting at Norwich Museum but, somehow, she finds she is holding two new crime novels and a book about stone circles. She'll buy the books and sit in the café reading for ten minutes. The coffee is very good, she remembers.
Ruth moves towards the till. It's nearly Hallowe'en and the children's section of the shop is decorated with giant spiders' webs and glowing arachnids. There's even a scarecrow propped up in an armchair. Should she buy a book for Kate, her daughter? Nothing supernatural. Kate's birthday is on November the first and Ruth thinks that she was lucky to avoid All Hallows' Eve and land on All Saints' Day instead. But Kate likes all sorts of books, from grim dystopian fantasies to 'The Princess Diaries'. She has even shown a rather worrying interest in the lives of the saints. Besides, Kate will definitely say, 'Have you bought anything for me?' when she sees the Jarrolds bag.
Ruth pushes through the web and then stifles a small shriek. The scarecrow has risen out of its chair and is addressing her.
'Dr Galloway?'
The use of her title reassures Ruth. She sees now that the pile of clothes has transformed itself ito a tall, bearded man in black.
'Yes,' she says, backing into Middle Grade Fiction.
'I'm a friend of Cathbad's,' says the apparition.
This doesn't surprise Ruth. Cathbad is a druid and one of Ruth's best friends. He also has a habit of popping up where he is least expected. Clearly this living scarecrow is one of his emissaries.
'Pleased to meet you,' says Ruth.
'Likewise.' The man grins, showing discoloured teeth. Despite this, he is younger than Ruth first thought, with dark hair only lightly streaked with grey.
'Are you looking for a children's book,' says the man.
'Yes. For my daughter. She's ten.'
'Try this.' The man is holding a book which he passes to Ruth. It's called Land of the Hyter Sprites and has a rather beautiful cover, green with blue snakes meandering across it. The title sounds a bit childish but when Ruth opens the book, the type is small and she catches sight of the words 'Subterranean' and 'surreal'. This will do for Kate.
'Thank you,' she says.
'Be sure to tell Cathbad you've seen me.'
'I didn't catch your name.'
'People call me Raven.'
Of course they do.
ABOUT 'THE MAN IN BLACK AND OTHER STORIES': Elly Griffiths has always written short stories to experiment with different voices and genres as well as to explore what some of her fictional creations such as Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto might have done outside of the novels. The Man in Black gathers these bite-sized tales all together in one splendid volume.
There are ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense, and poignant vignettes of love and loss.
In the title story, Ruth Galloway crosses paths with a mysterious man in a bookstore, setting in motion a rescue mission that hinges on the legends and lore of Norfolk.
Looking into the past, a young magician in 1920s Leeds wonders just what happened to his missing landlady in Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act.
In Justice Jones and the Etherphone, a witty girl detective investigates the dire prediction of a fortune teller in dreary postwar London.
A flashback in time reveals Harbinder Kaur as a Detective Sergeant surviving her first day on the job at Shoreham DCI.
To celebrate the holidays, Ruth gets her very first Christmas tree, and her beloved cat narrates his own seasonal story in Flint’s Fireside Tale.
And readers can armchair travel with stories set on the Amalfi Coast, in Capri, and in Egypt as Ruth and DCI Nelson experience their very own version of Death on the Nile.
MY THOUGHTS: I love a good collection of short stories and The Man in Black certainly satisfied. Elly Griffiths’ collection of page-turning stories is written with her trademark humor and heart. I found myself reading this collection almost greedily, despite my good intentions to sample just one story a day. It's like eating a box of my favorite chocolates - I showed the same lack of restraint.
I was already familiar with 'Ruth's First Christmas Tree', 'Max Mephisto's Disappearing Act' and 'The Man in Black', but the other stories were all new to me. They vary in length from the very short 'The Red Handkerchief' to the solid 'The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson story' and I rated none of them less than 3.5, most of them being 4+ stars.
If you enjoy any of Elly Griffiths series - Dr Ruth Galloway or Harbinder Kaur - you will find plenty to keep you amused between the covers. I particularly enjoyed Ruth's and Harbinder's worlds colliding in one of the stories! But there are also plenty of stories independent of these well-loved characters.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheManinBlack @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: My name’s Elly Griffiths, except it’s not really. My real name is Domenica de Rosa and I’ve written four books under that name. I was born in London in 1963 and my family moved to Brighton when I was five. I loved Brighton and still do – the town, the surrounding countryside and, most of all, the sea. I went to local state schools and wrote my first book when I was a 11, a murder mystery set in Rottingdean, near the village where I still live. At secondary school I used to write episodes of Starsky and Hutch (early fan fiction) and very much enjoyed making my readers cry.
I did all the right things to become a writer: I read English at King’s College London and, after graduating, worked in a library, for a magazine and then as a publicity assistant at HarperCollins. I loved working in publishing and eventually became Editorial Director for children’s books at HarperCollins. All this completely put me off writing and it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave in 1998 that I wrote what would become my first published novel, The Italian Quarter.
Three other books followed, all about Italy, families and identity. By now we had two children, and my husband Andy had just given up his city job to become an archaeologist. We were on holiday in Norfolk, walking across Titchwell Marsh, when Andy mentioned that prehistoric man had thought that marshland was sacred. Because it’s neither land nor sea, but something in-between, they saw it as a kind of bridge to the afterlife. Neither land nor sea, neither life nor death. As he said these words the entire plot of The Crossing Places appeared, full formed, in my head and, walking towards me out of the mist, I saw Dr Ruth Galloway. I didn’t think that this new book was significantly different from my ‘Italy’ books but, when she read it, my agent said, ‘This is crime. You need a crime name.’
And that’s how I became Elly Griffiths.
Elly has two children and lives near Brighton.
(source:ellygriffiths.com)
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 8, 2024
The Man In Black And Other Stories is a collection of nineteen short stories by Elly Griffiths. Some stand alone, others are part of her various series, featuring Ruth Galloway, Max Mephisto, Harbinder Kaur or Justice Jones.
The Man in Black is a short story in the Ruth Galloway series, which begins with Ruth encountering a man in black in the Jarrold’s book department, features Kate and Flint, Harry Nelson and Cathbad, and half a dozen missing cats. Delightful!
Articulation: a forensic archaeologist is called to a building site when bones are uncovered. When she explains the process, the owner builder’s reaction is not the usual exasperated annoyance. A very dark final twist.
Castles In The Air: a young man who doesn’t read gets a job in a bookshop managed by a man who hates Readers because “Readers aren’t Buyers”. But one Reader catches the young man’s eye – she’s not the snooty cerebral type, but gets him talking and thinking – and maybe reading?
Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act: in 1928 in Leeds, Max Mephisto has begun to make his name as a magician, his act involving making a woman disappear. With the assistance of Eileen, his act goes well. But when a woman really does disappear, it’s nothing to do with Max, although he has his suspicions about her fate.
The Only Pebble On The Beach: when revisiting a seaside town from her childhood, the daughter of an archaeologist recalls a murder that took place when she was just ten - the wife of a couple her parents knew, an heiress, had her throat slit, but no weapon was ever found. Remembering what her father spoke of then suddenly presents a grisly clue.
St Lucy’s Day: that woman vicar, five years a widow, is unsure she’s made any impact on her congregation, but is determined to have the mid-December Night of Light for them, and especially for her fatherless son. But as the snow begins to fall, will anyone turn up?
The Red Handkerchief: the daughter of a widowed actor, Nancy feels like a misfit at the boarding school to which she’s been sent. Not permitted to withdraw from her savings account for a Christmas gift for her father, she is told to make something instead. But will he like it?
Justice Jones and the Etherphone: her war service over, Justice Jones has set up as a private detective and is quite pleased when a client is recommended to her by the Scotland Yard she knew in her school days. The case is quite unusual: Alfred Mulle is convinced he is about to be murdered, all very intriguing. And when a certain prediction comes true, Justice and her colleague L Blackstock find out the how and the why.
The Farewell Boat: in her own on Christmas Eve, her mum passed on, her son with his family in Germany, Noelle tries to make the best of her lonely Christmas – some festive food and a card for her elderly neighbour. Invited in for a Tio Pepe, she mentions seeing a ship with red sails, learns the story of the ghost ship and discovers that she’s thought of by more than she realises.
Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur story that gives the reader a taste of early Harbinder – her first encounter with Neil and Donna at Shoreham CID. Dogs - gone over the rainbow bridge, missing, and providing a clue to a murder – feature.
One Is Silver: a week in Sorreento with a husband complaining about his sore knee – it all changes after a trek up to Sant’Antonio’s church – perhaps a silver knee will need to be commissioned.
The Village Church: a visit to her mother’s village always includes a round of the graveyard, but with two bored teens? Yet, they encounter an elderly couple tidying up the church – the pair clearly care deeply for the place. Her son’s photos, later examined, hint at something paranormal…
Ruth’s First Christmas Tree: While Ruth doesn’t believe in Christmas, her daughter, Kate is now a year old and she realises she will have to do something to mark the holiday in the way of gifts and decorations. She buys a Christmas Tree, her very first, but it ends up being not quite the one she wanted, and further mishaps occur. On December 23rd, she reluctantly attends her boss, Phil’s party, but makes a discovery that allows her to do a good deed for a friend, to set right a wrong.
The Stranger: a short story by RM Holland, is a dark and eery tale about a university college ritual that leads to a number of deaths. This story features in the first Harbinder Kaur novel.
What I Saw From The Sky: Leanne is on vacation on the Amalfi Coast when, going up in the chairlift, she spots a woman floating facedown in a pool. But there’s no sign of her on the way back down – has she imagined it? The image refuses to leave her mind, and her professional brain demands further investigation.
Flint’s Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story. Flint, Ruth and Kate are on their own on Christmas Eve when there’s a knock at the door. Ruth is wary, but convinced to invite the stranger in; Flint is much warier, and ready to defend his people, tooth and claw. The tale the stranger tells, though – have they been visited by a ghost?
The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson Story. The letter says that Nelson has won the Police Benevolent Society’s lottery, a trip to Egypt. But all is not as it seems, and a luxury Nile cruise with ten other guests begins to take on an Agatha Christie feel. When a guest dies, is it an accident? Ruth has it worked out well before Nelson does.
Ruth Galloway and The Ghost of Max Mephisto: a delightful little story in which Ruth, Kate and Nelson travel to London’s West End. The story also manages to feature Harbinder Kaur and Max Mephisto. A tiny but very enjoyable dose of Ruth Galloway and company.
The wide variety of the stories in this collection proves that Griffiths has a talent for short form fiction, and more than one string to her bow: there are tales to make you laugh, cry, to give you chills, and make you wonder. A must-read for fans of her series.
The Man in Black is a short story in the Ruth Galloway series, which begins with Ruth encountering a man in black in the Jarrold’s book department, features Kate and Flint, Harry Nelson and Cathbad, and half a dozen missing cats. Delightful!
Articulation: a forensic archaeologist is called to a building site when bones are uncovered. When she explains the process, the owner builder’s reaction is not the usual exasperated annoyance. A very dark final twist.
Castles In The Air: a young man who doesn’t read gets a job in a bookshop managed by a man who hates Readers because “Readers aren’t Buyers”. But one Reader catches the young man’s eye – she’s not the snooty cerebral type, but gets him talking and thinking – and maybe reading?
Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act: in 1928 in Leeds, Max Mephisto has begun to make his name as a magician, his act involving making a woman disappear. With the assistance of Eileen, his act goes well. But when a woman really does disappear, it’s nothing to do with Max, although he has his suspicions about her fate.
The Only Pebble On The Beach: when revisiting a seaside town from her childhood, the daughter of an archaeologist recalls a murder that took place when she was just ten - the wife of a couple her parents knew, an heiress, had her throat slit, but no weapon was ever found. Remembering what her father spoke of then suddenly presents a grisly clue.
St Lucy’s Day: that woman vicar, five years a widow, is unsure she’s made any impact on her congregation, but is determined to have the mid-December Night of Light for them, and especially for her fatherless son. But as the snow begins to fall, will anyone turn up?
The Red Handkerchief: the daughter of a widowed actor, Nancy feels like a misfit at the boarding school to which she’s been sent. Not permitted to withdraw from her savings account for a Christmas gift for her father, she is told to make something instead. But will he like it?
Justice Jones and the Etherphone: her war service over, Justice Jones has set up as a private detective and is quite pleased when a client is recommended to her by the Scotland Yard she knew in her school days. The case is quite unusual: Alfred Mulle is convinced he is about to be murdered, all very intriguing. And when a certain prediction comes true, Justice and her colleague L Blackstock find out the how and the why.
The Farewell Boat: in her own on Christmas Eve, her mum passed on, her son with his family in Germany, Noelle tries to make the best of her lonely Christmas – some festive food and a card for her elderly neighbour. Invited in for a Tio Pepe, she mentions seeing a ship with red sails, learns the story of the ghost ship and discovers that she’s thought of by more than she realises.
Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur story that gives the reader a taste of early Harbinder – her first encounter with Neil and Donna at Shoreham CID. Dogs - gone over the rainbow bridge, missing, and providing a clue to a murder – feature.
One Is Silver: a week in Sorreento with a husband complaining about his sore knee – it all changes after a trek up to Sant’Antonio’s church – perhaps a silver knee will need to be commissioned.
The Village Church: a visit to her mother’s village always includes a round of the graveyard, but with two bored teens? Yet, they encounter an elderly couple tidying up the church – the pair clearly care deeply for the place. Her son’s photos, later examined, hint at something paranormal…
Ruth’s First Christmas Tree: While Ruth doesn’t believe in Christmas, her daughter, Kate is now a year old and she realises she will have to do something to mark the holiday in the way of gifts and decorations. She buys a Christmas Tree, her very first, but it ends up being not quite the one she wanted, and further mishaps occur. On December 23rd, she reluctantly attends her boss, Phil’s party, but makes a discovery that allows her to do a good deed for a friend, to set right a wrong.
The Stranger: a short story by RM Holland, is a dark and eery tale about a university college ritual that leads to a number of deaths. This story features in the first Harbinder Kaur novel.
What I Saw From The Sky: Leanne is on vacation on the Amalfi Coast when, going up in the chairlift, she spots a woman floating facedown in a pool. But there’s no sign of her on the way back down – has she imagined it? The image refuses to leave her mind, and her professional brain demands further investigation.
Flint’s Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story. Flint, Ruth and Kate are on their own on Christmas Eve when there’s a knock at the door. Ruth is wary, but convinced to invite the stranger in; Flint is much warier, and ready to defend his people, tooth and claw. The tale the stranger tells, though – have they been visited by a ghost?
The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson Story. The letter says that Nelson has won the Police Benevolent Society’s lottery, a trip to Egypt. But all is not as it seems, and a luxury Nile cruise with ten other guests begins to take on an Agatha Christie feel. When a guest dies, is it an accident? Ruth has it worked out well before Nelson does.
Ruth Galloway and The Ghost of Max Mephisto: a delightful little story in which Ruth, Kate and Nelson travel to London’s West End. The story also manages to feature Harbinder Kaur and Max Mephisto. A tiny but very enjoyable dose of Ruth Galloway and company.
The wide variety of the stories in this collection proves that Griffiths has a talent for short form fiction, and more than one string to her bow: there are tales to make you laugh, cry, to give you chills, and make you wonder. A must-read for fans of her series.
November 26, 2023
EXCERPT: ‘Try this.’ The man is holding a book which he passes to Ruth. It’s called The Land of the Hytersprites and has a rather beautiful cover, green with blue snakes meandering across it. The title sounds a bit childish but when Ruth opens the book, the type is adult-sized and she catches the words ‘subterranean’ and ‘surreal’. This will do for Kate.
‘Thank you,’ she says.
‘Be sure to tell Cathbad that you’ve seen me.’
‘I didn’t catch your name.’
‘People call me Raven.’
Of course they do.
ABOUT 'THE MAN IN BLACK': A Ruth Galloway short story available free at the Jarrolds website https://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments...
MY THOUGHTS: A wonderful ten-minute read introducing Raven, whom we will meet again later in the Dr Ruth Galloway series. This is a mystery about disappearing cats which Kate manages to solve thanks to the book Raven recommended to Ruth for Kate.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
‘Thank you,’ she says.
‘Be sure to tell Cathbad that you’ve seen me.’
‘I didn’t catch your name.’
‘People call me Raven.’
Of course they do.
ABOUT 'THE MAN IN BLACK': A Ruth Galloway short story available free at the Jarrolds website https://www.jarrold.co.uk/departments...
MY THOUGHTS: A wonderful ten-minute read introducing Raven, whom we will meet again later in the Dr Ruth Galloway series. This is a mystery about disappearing cats which Kate manages to solve thanks to the book Raven recommended to Ruth for Kate.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
September 15, 2025
4 Stars for The Man in Black and Other Stories: Ruth Galloway, Book 12.5 (audiobook) by Elly Griffiths read by Jane McDowell and Luke Thompson.
This was a nice mix of interesting short stories. It’s sometimes fun to go back to a short and to the point kind of writing.
This was a nice mix of interesting short stories. It’s sometimes fun to go back to a short and to the point kind of writing.
August 16, 2024
From the author who has brought the literary world characters such as Ruth Galloway, Justice Jones, Harbinder Kaur, and Max Mephisto, comes a selection of short stories, many of them featuring these beloved players.
I was recently introduced to Elly Griffiths and am familiar only with Ruth Galloway whose adventures as an archeologist I enjoy. The stories in The Man in Black include mysteries, suspense, folklore, different kinds of love, grief, loneliness.
Well written, some new characters are introduced. I particularly liked the Ruth Galloway tales, especially since the timelines went back and forth so that I learned some of her history as well as what happens in the future.
I am not a huge short story fan, but I couldn’t put this book down. My favorites in this collection were Ruth’s First Christmas Tree, What I saw from the Sky, and Flint’s Fireside Tale A Christmas Story, told from the perspective of Ruth’s cat, Flint. Regarding the second story, how can you go wrong with the Amalfi Coast, Capri and references to Aperol!?!
May 16, 2021
This short story was meant to be available in my local department store which was mentioned in the story, it wasn’t so ironically my goodreads friend in San Francisco sent me a PDF!
Short stories are hard to pull off, especially in a handful of pages like this one was. I enjoyed being back with these characters who have started to feel like I’m reading about friends. I enjoyed the mystery although I do feel that cats in danger have featured in one too many Ely Griffiths book. I do love the way local folklore is blended into the story, it’s great from a historical point of view and it always seems plausible if you’ve heard it somewhere else first.
This has made me eager to check if my place has moved from the hundreds of people ahead of me for the latest Ruth Galloway book!
Short stories are hard to pull off, especially in a handful of pages like this one was. I enjoyed being back with these characters who have started to feel like I’m reading about friends. I enjoyed the mystery although I do feel that cats in danger have featured in one too many Ely Griffiths book. I do love the way local folklore is blended into the story, it’s great from a historical point of view and it always seems plausible if you’ve heard it somewhere else first.
This has made me eager to check if my place has moved from the hundreds of people ahead of me for the latest Ruth Galloway book!
August 2, 2024
I received a free copy of, The Man in Black, by Elly Griffiths, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book has many short stories, across different genres. This was an interesting read, so many different stories, and new and old characters. This book has something for everyone.
January 5, 2024
I needed something familiar, fun and magical and this short read did it. Well written, a little gem of a story. The master storyteller in Elly Griffiths did it again.
December 3, 2024
Having discovered the fabulous books of Elly Griffiths last year, I was really happy to have a collection of short stories. I think I picked the perfect time to read it as there were quite a few Christmas themes stories here too.
There are stories with some of our favourite characters.. for me Harbinder. I am only a few books into the Ruth Galloway series, and it was nice to have some stories with her and a lesson, and Flint the cat too!! Other stories of suspense and some supernatural themes were fun too.
A great collection of stories from one of my new favourite authors, would be a great Christmas gift for the crime lover in your life.
There are stories with some of our favourite characters.. for me Harbinder. I am only a few books into the Ruth Galloway series, and it was nice to have some stories with her and a lesson, and Flint the cat too!! Other stories of suspense and some supernatural themes were fun too.
A great collection of stories from one of my new favourite authors, would be a great Christmas gift for the crime lover in your life.
December 20, 2024
It's funny, I just read a set of short stories recently and concluded that short stories are not really for me. But this set proves that is not true. I love all these stories from Elly Griffiths, one of my favorite writers.
All of these stories are interesting and do not feel unfinished. They seem just right, which is rare for short stories. What I love most is that they do not come across as pretentious or force you to grasp for meaning.
The stories in THE MAN IN BLACK often center around Griffiths' series -- so we see Ruth Galloway, Max Mephisto, Justice Jones, and Harbinder Kaur. I believe they all stand alone if you don't know these folks, but will mean more if you know their backstories. For instance, we see Ruth and Nelson on a cruise in the nearly present day, allowing us to know what they are up to post the most recent book. We even hear from Ruth's beloved cat, Flint.
But there are plenty of other "regular" tales, too, featuring bits of crime or archaeology or little snippets of everyday life. Many are centered around various holidays. They cover parts of mysteries or daily life, are easy to read, and keep your interest.
I loved reading about Harbinder's first day as detective and meeting Neil! I also very much enjoyed a story with a brief Nelson/Ruth and Harbinder crossover!
As always, Griffiths is a wonderful writer who brings you into her character's lives, whether for two pages or an entire novel. This is an excellent collection for devout fans and a great introduction for new ones.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Mariner Books in return for an unbiased review.
All of these stories are interesting and do not feel unfinished. They seem just right, which is rare for short stories. What I love most is that they do not come across as pretentious or force you to grasp for meaning.
The stories in THE MAN IN BLACK often center around Griffiths' series -- so we see Ruth Galloway, Max Mephisto, Justice Jones, and Harbinder Kaur. I believe they all stand alone if you don't know these folks, but will mean more if you know their backstories. For instance, we see Ruth and Nelson on a cruise in the nearly present day, allowing us to know what they are up to post the most recent book. We even hear from Ruth's beloved cat, Flint.
But there are plenty of other "regular" tales, too, featuring bits of crime or archaeology or little snippets of everyday life. Many are centered around various holidays. They cover parts of mysteries or daily life, are easy to read, and keep your interest.
I loved reading about Harbinder's first day as detective and meeting Neil! I also very much enjoyed a story with a brief Nelson/Ruth and Harbinder crossover!
As always, Griffiths is a wonderful writer who brings you into her character's lives, whether for two pages or an entire novel. This is an excellent collection for devout fans and a great introduction for new ones.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Mariner Books in return for an unbiased review.
September 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️’s
I really enjoyed reading these short stories.
I really enjoyed reading these short stories.
October 3, 2024
I have read the first three books in the Harbinder Kaur series as well as a couple novels featuring magician Max Mephisto, so I was eager to read this book of short stories. Max and Harbinder are each featured in a couple of stories and those are among my favorites in this collection. I also enjoyed the stories with archeologist Ruth Galloway as the main character. I have heard great things about the Ruth Galloway series, but I've never read any of those novels. After reading these stories, I definitely want to start that series! Another of my favorite stories features Justice Jones, a young woman who has her own detective agency in post-WWII England. The story was engaging and clever.
The other stories in this collection are a mixed bag and I was surprised that not all were mysteries. There are a couple of touching holiday stories that I enjoyed, but some of the others have vague endings and weren't my favorites. Overall, I enjoyed the collection and spending time with characters I already liked and meeting new ones.
I received an advance copy of this ebook courtesy of NetGalley and Mariner Books.
The other stories in this collection are a mixed bag and I was surprised that not all were mysteries. There are a couple of touching holiday stories that I enjoyed, but some of the others have vague endings and weren't my favorites. Overall, I enjoyed the collection and spending time with characters I already liked and meeting new ones.
I received an advance copy of this ebook courtesy of NetGalley and Mariner Books.
December 18, 2024
This is a collection of 19 short stories, some of which feature Elly Griffiths’ usual protagonists: Ruth Galloway, Harbinder Kaur, Max Mephisto. There are a range of genres here, from ghost stories and psychological suspense through to poignant tales of love and loss. There is even one narrated by Ruth Galloway’s cat, Flint.
Overall, a tasty mixture of sad and funny stories. Ideal for the festive season.
Overall, a tasty mixture of sad and funny stories. Ideal for the festive season.
July 24, 2024
I'm not a fan of short stories in general, but I really enjoyed this collection by one of my favourite authors. There wasn't one disappointing story in the whole collection, and it was great to read snippets about all the old characters from previous books. I do miss Nelson and Ruth!
December 7, 2024
Elly Griffiths is one of the most loved crime writers today and this collection of short stories brings together more tales from her band of characters - Ruth and Nelson / Max Mephisto and Harbinder
Tightly plotted and great stories to dive into …a book that can be read over a period of time
Another winner
Tightly plotted and great stories to dive into …a book that can be read over a period of time
Another winner
August 1, 2024
Hmm. Having really loved all of the Norfolk and Brighton books, these stories felt rather thin.
December 5, 2024
4.5 Stars
I loved these stories! The end of the Ruth Galloway series left me heartbroken, so it was lovely to get a few glimpses of Ruth, Cathbad, Kate, and Nelson.
I loved these stories! The end of the Ruth Galloway series left me heartbroken, so it was lovely to get a few glimpses of Ruth, Cathbad, Kate, and Nelson.
August 26, 2024
3.5 stars. Not the strongest collection of short stories, some are quite “blink and you miss it” or no real mystery or twist, but I think the stories featuring Griffiths’ series characters like Ruth and Nelson, Harbinder and Max, help lift it. My 100th book of 2024.
September 6, 2023
A short story of a mere 12 pages that lift a corner for a brief insight into the magical world in Norfolk that Ruth inhabits with her daughter Kate and pet cat Flint.
There is still room for Nelson and Cathbad is never far away.
With humour about the whole promotion of their books that author’s undertake, and an appreciation for the work of local bookshops. These few pages became part of the Ruth Galloway legacy and was available on Jerrold’s website.
After my initial reading of this piece in November 2020 I wrote this to the author.
“Loved your short story; wonderfully woven together with humour and space for all your well drawn characters.
Who’d have thought Kate was a budding detective? Even in a few pages you managed to produce an intensity in Ruth and Nelson’s close proximity.
Above all, the sense of special places, the mystical and religious margins, that make your writing vibrant and akin to some of those Scandinavian folklore and traditions.”
Leaves you wanting more, fortunately there are 15 excellent novels in this series, none of which would be a disappointment we’re you to read them.
Paws for thought - ‘who writes these short stories?’
Postscript: So sorry to hear Jarrolds bookstore is closing and that Gus is no more, but never forgotten.
There is still room for Nelson and Cathbad is never far away.
With humour about the whole promotion of their books that author’s undertake, and an appreciation for the work of local bookshops. These few pages became part of the Ruth Galloway legacy and was available on Jerrold’s website.
After my initial reading of this piece in November 2020 I wrote this to the author.
“Loved your short story; wonderfully woven together with humour and space for all your well drawn characters.
Who’d have thought Kate was a budding detective? Even in a few pages you managed to produce an intensity in Ruth and Nelson’s close proximity.
Above all, the sense of special places, the mystical and religious margins, that make your writing vibrant and akin to some of those Scandinavian folklore and traditions.”
Leaves you wanting more, fortunately there are 15 excellent novels in this series, none of which would be a disappointment we’re you to read them.
Paws for thought - ‘who writes these short stories?’
Postscript: So sorry to hear Jarrolds bookstore is closing and that Gus is no more, but never forgotten.
November 24, 2020
The Man in Black is a free short story in the Ruth Galloway series, which begins with Ruth encountering a man in black in the Jarrold’s book department, features Kate and Flint, Harry Nelson and Cathbad, and half a dozen missing cats. Delightful!
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed catching up with Ruth—I’m always a sucker for any story that weaves archaeology into its plot. Like most collections of short stories, some stood out more than others, but overall it was a lovely read.
The one told from the cat’s perspective, though? Absolutely brilliant—I loved it! 😊
The one told from the cat’s perspective, though? Absolutely brilliant—I loved it! 😊
December 6, 2024
This is a book of short stories by the author of the Ruth Galloway and Harbinder Kaur mysteries. I went off short stories a good many years ago, but I like the author and mysteries in any form are usually a pretty good bet for me so I thought I'd give it a try.
The first few stories reminded me why I had stopped reading short stories in the first place. You just get involved with the characters and the plot and the story is over. After that though, I found myself enjoying the format once again. Not sure why; maybe it was nice to have a break from having to wait to see what happens next.
Either way, I can definitely recommend this book unless you are currently only partway through the Ruth Galloway series. There are major spoilers for it here.
The first few stories reminded me why I had stopped reading short stories in the first place. You just get involved with the characters and the plot and the story is over. After that though, I found myself enjoying the format once again. Not sure why; maybe it was nice to have a break from having to wait to see what happens next.
Either way, I can definitely recommend this book unless you are currently only partway through the Ruth Galloway series. There are major spoilers for it here.
January 10, 2024
The Man in Black is an entertaining short story that slots chronologically between The Lantern Men and The Night Hawks in Elly Griffiths' much loved and acclaimed Ruth Galloway series.
Ruth and her daughter Kate, aged ten, have returned to their isolated home on the Saltmarsh in north Norfolk. While shopping in Jarrolds bookshop for a gift for Kate's upcoming birthday, Ruth encounters a curious man, who she initially mistakes for a Hallowe'en decoration. The man introduces himself as Raven, a long-lost friend of Cathbad's, and recommends a book, The Hytersprites, for Kate, which Ruth duly purchases. The book opens dialogue between the characters about the mythical creatures featured in the story, who are the subject of Norfolk legend, malignant sprites who inhabit underground tunnels.
Their new knowledge enables Ruth, Kate and Cathbad to assist local police in solving a recent spate of cat-thefts (as opposed to cat burglaries!).
This short story was available for a time on the Jarrolds website, however it's no longer accessible. My sincere thanks to Elly Griffiths (Domenica De Rosa) for very kindly emailing a copy to enable me to complete the Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Read-a-Series Challenge.
The Man in Black will be included in a new compilation of short stories by Elly Griffiths, featuring several of her series characters, entitled The Man in Black and Other Stories, which is scheduled for publication on 4 June 2024.
Ruth and her daughter Kate, aged ten, have returned to their isolated home on the Saltmarsh in north Norfolk. While shopping in Jarrolds bookshop for a gift for Kate's upcoming birthday, Ruth encounters a curious man, who she initially mistakes for a Hallowe'en decoration. The man introduces himself as Raven, a long-lost friend of Cathbad's, and recommends a book, The Hytersprites, for Kate, which Ruth duly purchases. The book opens dialogue between the characters about the mythical creatures featured in the story, who are the subject of Norfolk legend, malignant sprites who inhabit underground tunnels.
Their new knowledge enables Ruth, Kate and Cathbad to assist local police in solving a recent spate of cat-thefts (as opposed to cat burglaries!).
This short story was available for a time on the Jarrolds website, however it's no longer accessible. My sincere thanks to Elly Griffiths (Domenica De Rosa) for very kindly emailing a copy to enable me to complete the Aussie Lovers of Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Read-a-Series Challenge.
The Man in Black will be included in a new compilation of short stories by Elly Griffiths, featuring several of her series characters, entitled The Man in Black and Other Stories, which is scheduled for publication on 4 June 2024.
July 10, 2024
I'm a big fan of Elly Griffiths, I tend to pre-order books as they feel like a sudden treat as I forget they are coming. Started this the day it arrived and it's taken nearly 3 weeks to read. I tend to read EG books in 3 days or usually less as once get sucked in...
This didn't do it for me, could be the short story element didn't have the time to build up the stories. However, I think it was even the Ruth stories felt tired and the last one that linking the 3 series felt slightly like rolling story cubes and having to come up with a story that interweaves 3 random things.
This didn't do it for me, could be the short story element didn't have the time to build up the stories. However, I think it was even the Ruth stories felt tired and the last one that linking the 3 series felt slightly like rolling story cubes and having to come up with a story that interweaves 3 random things.
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