"Bones" meet Ruth Galloway

The Janus Stone -by Elly Griffiths

This book caught my attention because there seemed something familiar about it. A woman who digs up bones for a living and has a “thing” for her police-officer/co-worker. It had a very familiar sound to it...Oh yeah! It sounded like the show I love to watch every week “Bones!” But this was by a Brittish author, not Kathy Reichs, so could it be better? To be honest, I'm a huge “Bones” TV show fan, but the books I have found boring and predictable. This is one of those rare occasions I thank screenwriters for working with authors. So could this Elly Griffiths keep my interest?

Well, I must say, I have found my “British Bones,” Ruth Galloway. She is bright, savvy, and the cast of characters that join her in The Janus Stone, are all very colorful bunch! The book is extremely well written and covers a variety of areas from Roman archeology to Druid rituals. It wasn't overly predictable, and it was overall, very interesting. This is the second Galloway book by Griffiths, and hopefully the series will continue.

I think I have found a new calling...

The Girl Who Would Speak for the Dead by Paul Elwork

This was a rather creative idea put into writing, and turned into a fun and entertaining read! The book is about a scheme two precocious thirteen year old’s concoct to entertain, and spook the neighborhood children, by convincing them that the main character, Emily, can contact the dead. Like most childhood schemes, adults eventually find out, and Emily finds herself in predicaments deceiving adults and learning some of their deepest secrets. It is told from a thirteen year old's point of view, for the most part, with some historical flashbacks, as Emily begins to uncover some of her own family secrets.

The book was not exactly what I thought it would be about, instead it was more about family bonds, secrets, deceit, love, and lessons learned. Though, the title and description may have been a bit misleading, I will admit, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it in one afternoon. I love being surprised by books I normally would not read!