The Last Remains

The unmissable new book in the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries

In the final installment of the Dr. Ruth Galloway mysteries, Ruth and DCI Nelson are working on a murder case in which their friend Cathbad emerges as the prime suspect. As they investigate, they uncover a tangled web of relationships within the student group and the adults leading them. The trail leads Ruth and Nelson to the Neolithic flint mines in Grime's Graves, and the race is on to find Cathbad and exonerate him before it's too late.

Format: Paperback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

In the heart of King's Lynn, a cafe renovation project takes a chilling turn when builders stumble upon an unexpected and unsettling discovery—a human skeleton concealed beneath layers of history and time. Urgently summoning the expertise of DCI Harry Nelson and Dr. Ruth Galloway, the accomplished Head of Archaeology at the University of North Norfolk, the enigmatic remains set in motion a series of events that intertwine past and present.

However, Ruth finds her attention divided between the arcane intrigue of the skeletal puzzle and the looming threat to her cherished department. The University's decision to potentially shutter her domain casts a shadow over her focus, exacerbated by the labyrinthine complexity of her relationship with DCI Nelson, a man whose presence in her life is as enigmatic as the mysteries she unravels.

Scientific analysis eventually pins down the identity of the skeleton to Emily Pickering—a vibrant young archaeology student who vanished into thin air during the tumultuous 1990s. The trail leads back to a course at Cambridge, the corridors of academia concealing secrets darker than any forgotten tomb. Suspicion blankets Emily's Cambridge tutor, casting him into the stark light of scrutiny. Ruth's loyal friend, Cathbad, another member of the same course, faces similar suspicions.

As DCI Nelson and his meticulous team probe deeper into the enigma, they unearth a labyrinth of connections that weave intricate threads among the student cohort and their enigmatic mentors. But the fleeting taste of progress soon turns bitter as Cathbad, the very man under suspicion, disappears without a trace. The mystery veers into high gear, propelling Ruth and Nelson on a frantic race against time.

Their quest leads them to the Neolithic flint mines of Grime's Graves—an evocative landscape where ancient secrets intermingle with contemporary enigmas. In a race against the inexorable march of time, they must first locate Cathbad to unveil the hidden truths that could exonerate him. With the clock ticking, the indefatigable duo is forced to navigate a maze of deception, betrayal, and unexpected alliances.

Each step forward reveals layers of subterfuge that complicate their mission and their own personal dynamics. Ruth's sharp intellect and Nelson's dogged determination drive them ever onward, while the ominous shadow of the past looms overhead, a stark reminder that the truth is both elusive and unforgiving.

As they forge through the labyrinthine paths of truth, Ruth and Nelson must confront their own vulnerabilities and the entangled emotions that have long simmered between them. The question of whether they can untangle the past in time to save their friend forms the spine-tingling crescendo of this intricate tale.

In a riveting narrative that seamlessly bridges the gap between the past and the present, this gripping tale ensnares readers in a web of suspense, unearthing not only the secrets hidden within the earth but also those concealed within the human heart. As Ruth and Nelson race against the ticking clock, the haunting atmosphere of discovery and danger captures the essence of their relentless pursuit of truth.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529409758