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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
1098 people are currently reading
5368 people want to read
About the author
Elly Griffiths
75 books9,483 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 432 reviews
October 15, 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 23, 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.
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 17, 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 18, 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.
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.
October 15, 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!?!
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.
December 4, 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.
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.
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.
July 16, 2024
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads…
When you have a collection of short stories (regardless on it being a collection from one or multiply authors), it can go in one of two/three way: a strong and solid collection, a mixbag of good and bad stories or a collection that just highlights how the short story form isn't suitable for this author. Luckily, Elly Griffith's collection is strong and shows that Elly can write short stories and novellas.
More people really should write short stories collections and more publishers should publish them. But that's a discussion for another day...
I think my enjoyment comes mostly as I listened to the audiobook edition and, what's surprising is this collection of short stories, in audiobook form, you have several readers (each reading three or four each) and this really helps set the tone/vibe of the story. Yes, they all lean into the crime element but to differ degrees. Some are straight-up crime, others leans more into gothic ghost story and one or two have a mystery element, but it's very gentle/non-existence.
I will admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the title short story, as I felt a little underwhelmed but once I listened to the following story, I felt more confident. I think it's because I have never met Ruth before this collection and I need to try Ruth Galloway (I have several on my kindle that I need to attempt. Later books in the series, but I have plans to attack them soon!). I think once I am more aware of this world and these characters, I bet I would enjoy the story more.
Now, you'll want me to name some of my faves in this collection. I have several so let me pick a few off the top of my head: Flint's Fireside Tale jumps instantly to mind. So does What I Saw From The Sky and The Stranger by RM Holland, and yes, I did like Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur Story and Ruth's First Christmas Tree (which I think you can get for free on Amazon Kindle). I can easily point out a few more such as The Only Pebble on the Beach, Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act and Articulation but will stop. But all were strong and, barring the one novella - The Valley of the Queens - you can read or listen to in one sitting.
This is a solid short story collection with nods to fan favourites, or a nice place to start with Elly Griffiths. Now I need to push the eBooks on my kindle or request those library audiobooks that I keep putting off...
When you have a collection of short stories (regardless on it being a collection from one or multiply authors), it can go in one of two/three way: a strong and solid collection, a mixbag of good and bad stories or a collection that just highlights how the short story form isn't suitable for this author. Luckily, Elly Griffith's collection is strong and shows that Elly can write short stories and novellas.
More people really should write short stories collections and more publishers should publish them. But that's a discussion for another day...
I think my enjoyment comes mostly as I listened to the audiobook edition and, what's surprising is this collection of short stories, in audiobook form, you have several readers (each reading three or four each) and this really helps set the tone/vibe of the story. Yes, they all lean into the crime element but to differ degrees. Some are straight-up crime, others leans more into gothic ghost story and one or two have a mystery element, but it's very gentle/non-existence.
I will admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the title short story, as I felt a little underwhelmed but once I listened to the following story, I felt more confident. I think it's because I have never met Ruth before this collection and I need to try Ruth Galloway (I have several on my kindle that I need to attempt. Later books in the series, but I have plans to attack them soon!). I think once I am more aware of this world and these characters, I bet I would enjoy the story more.
Now, you'll want me to name some of my faves in this collection. I have several so let me pick a few off the top of my head: Flint's Fireside Tale jumps instantly to mind. So does What I Saw From The Sky and The Stranger by RM Holland, and yes, I did like Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur Story and Ruth's First Christmas Tree (which I think you can get for free on Amazon Kindle). I can easily point out a few more such as The Only Pebble on the Beach, Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act and Articulation but will stop. But all were strong and, barring the one novella - The Valley of the Queens - you can read or listen to in one sitting.
This is a solid short story collection with nods to fan favourites, or a nice place to start with Elly Griffiths. Now I need to push the eBooks on my kindle or request those library audiobooks that I keep putting off...
February 23, 2025
1/5
I've never read Elly Griffiths work before this and this collection didn't make me want to read her work after this. Her style is simple, not trying to be a super scientific scholarly type, but it comes off very dry. Some of the explanations made me feel like a sheltered hermit who has never read or watched a single crime show ever. It wasn't enjoyable. The cat one didn't help one bit either, and I truly believed it would redeem this collection for me. Maybe it appeals to the more general population, but these weren't for me.
I appreciated the legends and ghost stories but some were so short I had only just become interested when it ended. I'm 100% sure that anyone who has read her work before and enjoyed it will enjoy this collection.
I thankfully got this from the library and I personally don't know a single soul who I could recommend this to, but I know they're out there and I hope they find this book and love it.
I've never read Elly Griffiths work before this and this collection didn't make me want to read her work after this. Her style is simple, not trying to be a super scientific scholarly type, but it comes off very dry. Some of the explanations made me feel like a sheltered hermit who has never read or watched a single crime show ever. It wasn't enjoyable. The cat one didn't help one bit either, and I truly believed it would redeem this collection for me. Maybe it appeals to the more general population, but these weren't for me.
I appreciated the legends and ghost stories but some were so short I had only just become interested when it ended. I'm 100% sure that anyone who has read her work before and enjoyed it will enjoy this collection.
I thankfully got this from the library and I personally don't know a single soul who I could recommend this to, but I know they're out there and I hope they find this book and love it.
December 21, 2024
I'll be honest!
I never liked Ruth and Nelson! The series that features them might be Elly Griffith's most popular and the couple well liked, but I never liked the personal entanglement of them and all the drama until its final resolution! So that's mainly the reason I wasn't thrilled with this collection of short stories, which is perfect for fans of the Ruth Galloway series! I mainly enjoyed the stories without them, and I'm making an exception for the story, which was narrated by Ruth's cat, Flin!
I would have enjoyed it so much better if there was a story with Edgar Stephens from her Brighton mystery series.
In general, it was good!
I never liked Ruth and Nelson! The series that features them might be Elly Griffith's most popular and the couple well liked, but I never liked the personal entanglement of them and all the drama until its final resolution! So that's mainly the reason I wasn't thrilled with this collection of short stories, which is perfect for fans of the Ruth Galloway series! I mainly enjoyed the stories without them, and I'm making an exception for the story, which was narrated by Ruth's cat, Flin!
I would have enjoyed it so much better if there was a story with Edgar Stephens from her Brighton mystery series.
In general, it was good!
September 25, 2025
A clever collection of short stories - some returning characters of Elly's work , some new.
Enjoyable reading.
Enjoyable reading.
July 17, 2024
Short stories, some of them quite nice, some too short to really get going. Holiday reading.
October 31, 2024
I'm a big fan of Elly Griffiths' writing, so her newly released anthology of short stories, The Man in Black and Other Stories was a welcome addition to my reading list, despite having read a few of the included stories previously.
The Man in Black: Dr. Ruth Galloway visits the Jarrolds bookshop in Norwich on Hallowe'en, where she meets a strange character who professes to know Ruth's druid friend Cathbad. She buys a book for her daughter Kate on the man's recommendation, which leads them into the mystery of a number of local cats who have recently gone missing, the solution entwined in Norfolk folklore.
Articulation: A macabre story about a forensic anthropologist (not Ruth Galloway) who is called to attend the discovery of a skeleton on a building site.
Castles in the Air: A boy called Dylan starts a job at a bookstore in the summer after finishing school, despite not having any interest in books or reading. He develops a friendship with a beguiling red-headed customer named Jo, who broadens his horizons over the course of a few weeks.
Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act: A prequel to Griffiths' series featuring magician Max Mephisto as a central character. Max is just starting out as a magician and works with a chorus girl called Eileen to perfect a "disappearing woman" routine, detecting parallels with dark occurrences at the boarding house where he lives.
The Only Pebble on the Beach: A woman revisits the cliffside village where she grew up, recalling a suspicious death that occurred there when she was a child of ten. She makes a stunning realisation after recalling her father's demonstration of prehistoric tool-making techniques.
St Lucy's Day: Barbara, a newly-appointed vicar at an isolated church surrounded by marshland, discusses local legends surrounding Will-o-the-wisps and Jack-o-lanterns with her verger. Inspired, she decides to arrange a "Night of Light" festival on St. Lucy's Day (13th December), filling the church with candles and encouraging children to dress up. As the night approaches and the weather worsens, Barbara worries that nobody will want to turn out. A gentle story of hope and love.
The Red Handkerchief: Nancy is disapproved of by her teachers and teased by the other girls at her posh private school, because her father is an actor. He's appearing as Widow Twankey in the pantomime in Blackpool over Christmas, where Nancy joins him for the holiday season, longing for his love and approval.
Justice Jones and the Etherphone: It's 1945 and the protagonist from Elly Griffiths's series for younger readers is all grown up and running her own private detective agency. She's engaged by a new client, Alfred Mullen, who wants her to investigate a murder - his own! Her investigations take her to a medium in Dulwich and a funeral in Denmark Hill, where she uncovers a devilish conspiracy to bring about the death of the unfortunate Mr. Mullen.
The Farewell Boat: A woman faces a melancholy Christmas alone after the recent death of her mother. She finds solace after sighting a ship with red sails off the coast from her home, and finding a connection with a neighbour who tells her of local folklore.
Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur Story: A short prequel to Elly Griffiths' series featuring the clever woman detective. The story follows Harbinder's first day in her new job at Shoreham CID, having been elevated to the rank of Detective Sergeant. The mystery is part homage to Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Silver Blaze, in particular the detective's reference to "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time".
One is Silver: A couple of British "empty nesters" take a trip to Sorrento in Italy, where they encounter the many silver tokens left as offerings at the (real life) Basilica di Sant' Antonino, by grateful supplicants who credit the Saint's intercession for their relief from bodily ailments. The woman's irritation with her aging husband's complaints turn to gratitude, after a strange misunderstanding.
The Village Church: A woman and her teenage sons go for a stroll around the neglected church graveyard nearby her aging mother's home, where they encounter a helpful elderly couple who show them around the church and encourage them to take some photos. A warm story of love and loss with some gentle ghostly allusions.
Turning Traitor: A curious archaeology-inspired story spanning hundreds of millennia. The story explores the human condition, speculatively drawing parallels between the yearnings of young adults in the Pleistocene age with those of today. Up to 800,000 years ago, a young man stands on the mudflats that will one day form the coastline of modern Norfolk, considering the possibility of settling in this area year-round, rather than following the established nomadic timetable. In the present day, teenaged Skye assists the archaeological team that are excavating his preserved footprints. The experience causes her to reconsider her post-school ambitions, much to the chagrin of her friend, who has no interest in pursuing tertiary study.
Ruth's First Christmas Tree: Dr. Ruth Galloway is inspired to purchase a Christmas tree for her daughter Kate's second Christmas, and after a false start with an alternative associate of Cathbad's is assisted by Cathbad and Nelson, who rig up an appropriately folklore-consistent tree, an homage to Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life.
The Stranger by R.M. Holland: (I believe, but can't be sure, that this purported text formed part of the backstory for Elly Griffiths's xxx release The Stranger Diaries. A mysterious gothic story told by a Cambridge graduate about his experiences with a secret society, the Hell Club, while at university, and the mysterious occurrences that have reverberated from the night he was initiated.
What I saw from the Sky: An intriguing mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie's classic Miss Marple novel 4:50 from Paddington. A British tourist believes that she witnesses a drowned woman in a pool while riding the chairlift on the Isle of Capri, Italy. However, when she goes to the property to investigate, finds no trace of the corpse. A helpful tour bus driver assists her to solve the mystery.
Flint's Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story: Dr. Ruth Galloway's cat Flint narrates the story of a strange nighttime visitor to Ruth's cottage on the Saltmarsh. Along the way, we learn the inscrutable cat's attitude to the human characters in the series. Would be most appreciated by those who are familiar with the plot and characters of the first Ruth Galloway novel, The Crossing Places, as there are strong allusions to the events depicted in that story.
The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson Story Taking place approximately a year after the end of The Last Remains (the final Dr. Ruth Galloway novel), we find Ruth and Nelson living as a couple, with 14-year-old daughter Kate in Old Hunstanton, Norfolk. After winning a competition, Ruth and Nelson head off to Egypt for a Nile Cruise. What follows is an homage to Agatha Christie's classic mystery Death on the Nile, as semi-retired DCI Nelson is asked to keep watch over American heiress Tia, whose life is apparently in danger from another member of the tour group.
Ruth Galloway and the Ghost of Max Mephisto: This final story features characters from three of Elly Griffiths's series, as Ruth Galloway's teenaged daughter Kate is performing scenes from Shakespeare with Norfolk Youth Theatre at London's Firebird Theatre (fictional, but possibly inspired by the real-life Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road). While Kate is busy rehearsing, Ruth learns the history and folklore of the theatre.
The Man in Black: Dr. Ruth Galloway visits the Jarrolds bookshop in Norwich on Hallowe'en, where she meets a strange character who professes to know Ruth's druid friend Cathbad. She buys a book for her daughter Kate on the man's recommendation, which leads them into the mystery of a number of local cats who have recently gone missing, the solution entwined in Norfolk folklore.
Articulation: A macabre story about a forensic anthropologist (not Ruth Galloway) who is called to attend the discovery of a skeleton on a building site.
Castles in the Air: A boy called Dylan starts a job at a bookstore in the summer after finishing school, despite not having any interest in books or reading. He develops a friendship with a beguiling red-headed customer named Jo, who broadens his horizons over the course of a few weeks.
Max Mephisto and the Disappearing Act: A prequel to Griffiths' series featuring magician Max Mephisto as a central character. Max is just starting out as a magician and works with a chorus girl called Eileen to perfect a "disappearing woman" routine, detecting parallels with dark occurrences at the boarding house where he lives.
The Only Pebble on the Beach: A woman revisits the cliffside village where she grew up, recalling a suspicious death that occurred there when she was a child of ten. She makes a stunning realisation after recalling her father's demonstration of prehistoric tool-making techniques.
St Lucy's Day: Barbara, a newly-appointed vicar at an isolated church surrounded by marshland, discusses local legends surrounding Will-o-the-wisps and Jack-o-lanterns with her verger. Inspired, she decides to arrange a "Night of Light" festival on St. Lucy's Day (13th December), filling the church with candles and encouraging children to dress up. As the night approaches and the weather worsens, Barbara worries that nobody will want to turn out. A gentle story of hope and love.
The Red Handkerchief: Nancy is disapproved of by her teachers and teased by the other girls at her posh private school, because her father is an actor. He's appearing as Widow Twankey in the pantomime in Blackpool over Christmas, where Nancy joins him for the holiday season, longing for his love and approval.
Justice Jones and the Etherphone: It's 1945 and the protagonist from Elly Griffiths's series for younger readers is all grown up and running her own private detective agency. She's engaged by a new client, Alfred Mullen, who wants her to investigate a murder - his own! Her investigations take her to a medium in Dulwich and a funeral in Denmark Hill, where she uncovers a devilish conspiracy to bring about the death of the unfortunate Mr. Mullen.
The Farewell Boat: A woman faces a melancholy Christmas alone after the recent death of her mother. She finds solace after sighting a ship with red sails off the coast from her home, and finding a connection with a neighbour who tells her of local folklore.
Harbinger: A Harbinder Kaur Story: A short prequel to Elly Griffiths' series featuring the clever woman detective. The story follows Harbinder's first day in her new job at Shoreham CID, having been elevated to the rank of Detective Sergeant. The mystery is part homage to Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Sherlock Holmes story The Adventure of the Silver Blaze, in particular the detective's reference to "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time".
One is Silver: A couple of British "empty nesters" take a trip to Sorrento in Italy, where they encounter the many silver tokens left as offerings at the (real life) Basilica di Sant' Antonino, by grateful supplicants who credit the Saint's intercession for their relief from bodily ailments. The woman's irritation with her aging husband's complaints turn to gratitude, after a strange misunderstanding.
The Village Church: A woman and her teenage sons go for a stroll around the neglected church graveyard nearby her aging mother's home, where they encounter a helpful elderly couple who show them around the church and encourage them to take some photos. A warm story of love and loss with some gentle ghostly allusions.
Turning Traitor: A curious archaeology-inspired story spanning hundreds of millennia. The story explores the human condition, speculatively drawing parallels between the yearnings of young adults in the Pleistocene age with those of today. Up to 800,000 years ago, a young man stands on the mudflats that will one day form the coastline of modern Norfolk, considering the possibility of settling in this area year-round, rather than following the established nomadic timetable. In the present day, teenaged Skye assists the archaeological team that are excavating his preserved footprints. The experience causes her to reconsider her post-school ambitions, much to the chagrin of her friend, who has no interest in pursuing tertiary study.
Ruth's First Christmas Tree: Dr. Ruth Galloway is inspired to purchase a Christmas tree for her daughter Kate's second Christmas, and after a false start with an alternative associate of Cathbad's is assisted by Cathbad and Nelson, who rig up an appropriately folklore-consistent tree, an homage to Yggdrasil, the Norse tree of life.
The Stranger by R.M. Holland: (I believe, but can't be sure, that this purported text formed part of the backstory for Elly Griffiths's xxx release The Stranger Diaries. A mysterious gothic story told by a Cambridge graduate about his experiences with a secret society, the Hell Club, while at university, and the mysterious occurrences that have reverberated from the night he was initiated.
What I saw from the Sky: An intriguing mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie's classic Miss Marple novel 4:50 from Paddington. A British tourist believes that she witnesses a drowned woman in a pool while riding the chairlift on the Isle of Capri, Italy. However, when she goes to the property to investigate, finds no trace of the corpse. A helpful tour bus driver assists her to solve the mystery.
Flint's Fireside Tale: A Christmas Story: Dr. Ruth Galloway's cat Flint narrates the story of a strange nighttime visitor to Ruth's cottage on the Saltmarsh. Along the way, we learn the inscrutable cat's attitude to the human characters in the series. Would be most appreciated by those who are familiar with the plot and characters of the first Ruth Galloway novel, The Crossing Places, as there are strong allusions to the events depicted in that story.
The Valley of the Queens: A Ruth and Nelson Story Taking place approximately a year after the end of The Last Remains (the final Dr. Ruth Galloway novel), we find Ruth and Nelson living as a couple, with 14-year-old daughter Kate in Old Hunstanton, Norfolk. After winning a competition, Ruth and Nelson head off to Egypt for a Nile Cruise. What follows is an homage to Agatha Christie's classic mystery Death on the Nile, as semi-retired DCI Nelson is asked to keep watch over American heiress Tia, whose life is apparently in danger from another member of the tour group.
Ruth Galloway and the Ghost of Max Mephisto: This final story features characters from three of Elly Griffiths's series, as Ruth Galloway's teenaged daughter Kate is performing scenes from Shakespeare with Norfolk Youth Theatre at London's Firebird Theatre (fictional, but possibly inspired by the real-life Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road). While Kate is busy rehearsing, Ruth learns the history and folklore of the theatre.
April 5, 2025
I am an Elly Griffiths fan and adore Ruth Galloway but I would only recommend you read this if you were a big fan.
Most of the stories were a little ho-hum and forgettable, tbh. There were a couple of exceptions which lifted the collection to something a bit better than average. In particular, I liked the stories which were a bit more creepy.
I assume that is the general idea for an author releasing this type of collection is to make you want to read more of their works. And I will admit that after reading this, I now feel like doing a big re-read of all the Ruth books, so I guess Griffiths got something right.
3 out of 5
Most of the stories were a little ho-hum and forgettable, tbh. There were a couple of exceptions which lifted the collection to something a bit better than average. In particular, I liked the stories which were a bit more creepy.
I assume that is the general idea for an author releasing this type of collection is to make you want to read more of their works. And I will admit that after reading this, I now feel like doing a big re-read of all the Ruth books, so I guess Griffiths got something right.
3 out of 5
May 22, 2025
Confession time: before I picked up this book I hadn't read anything by Elly Griffiths. And why not, I hear you cry. Well, because there are so many great books out there, and so little time to read them all.
This collection of short stories seemed like a good way to acquaint myself with the author's work, and it was a good choice.
The Man in Black and Other Stories contains 18 short stories. Some feature characters that fans of Griffiths will be familiar with, such as Ruth Galloway and Harbinder Kaur. Others are ghost stories, one of which, The Village Church, was my favourite.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this book, but a few stood out for me:
Justice Jones and the Etherphone
The Village Church
The Stranger
What I Saw From the Sky
Flint's Fireside Tale. 🐱
All in all an exceedingly good read.
This collection of short stories seemed like a good way to acquaint myself with the author's work, and it was a good choice.
The Man in Black and Other Stories contains 18 short stories. Some feature characters that fans of Griffiths will be familiar with, such as Ruth Galloway and Harbinder Kaur. Others are ghost stories, one of which, The Village Church, was my favourite.
I enjoyed all of the stories in this book, but a few stood out for me:
Justice Jones and the Etherphone
The Village Church
The Stranger
What I Saw From the Sky
Flint's Fireside Tale. 🐱
All in all an exceedingly good read.
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