First published 2023
Dr. Ruth Galloway faces mounting pressure as her archaeology department teeters on the brink of closure. When construction workers uncover a skeleton during café renovations, Ruth examines what she expects to be ancient remains. The bones belong to Emily Pickering, an archaeology student who vanished in 2002. DCI Nelson's investigation targets Emily's Cambridge tutor and members of an archaeology group present the weekend she disappeared. Among the suspects stands Cathbad, Ruth's close friend. Ruth must navigate her complicated relationship with Nelson while defending Cathbad against mounting evidence. The investigation reveals complex relationships within the archaeology community and mysterious connections to the café site. When Cathbad suddenly vanishes, Ruth follows clues to the ancient Neolithic flint mines at Grimes Graves. She races against time to locate her missing friend and prove his innocence before the case closes around him.
Genres: mystery, crime, archaeology, thriller, detective, academic
Vibes: atmospheric, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Cambridge, Grimes Graves
Period: 2002
384 pages · Paperback · Quercus
Content warnings: death