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The Janus Stone
- Narrated by: Jane McDowell
- Series: Ruth Galloway, Book 2
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense
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It is Halloween night, and the local museum in King's Lynn is preparing for an unusual event - the opening of a coffin containing the bones of a medieval bishop. But when Ruth Galloway arrives to supervise, she finds the museum's curator lying dead beside the coffin. It is only a matter of time before she and DI Nelson cross paths once more, as he is called in to investigate. Soon the museum's wealthy owner lies dead in his stables, too. These two deaths could be from natural causes - but Nelson isn't convinced.
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Shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library. Ruth Galloway receives a phone call that bears shocking news. A friend of hers from college, Dan Golding, has been killed in a fire at his Lancashire home. Her shock turns to alarm when she gets a letter from Dan. He has made a discovery that will change archaeology forever but he needs Ruth's advice. Even more alarming, he sounds vulnerable and frightened. DCI Harry Nelson is also rediscovering his past. Up north for a holiday, he meets his former colleague Sandy MacLeod, now at Blackpool CID.
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Norfolk is experiencing a July heat wave when a construction crew unearths a macabre discovery - a buried World War II plane with the pilot still inside. Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway quickly realizes that the skeleton couldn't possibly be the pilot, and DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat who had been reported dead at sea. When the remaining members of the Blackstock family learn about the discovery, they seem strangely frightened by the news.
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When she's not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth Galloway lectures at the University of North Norfolk. She lives happily alone in a remote place called Saltmarsh overlooking the North Sea and, for company; she has her cats Flint and Sparky, and Radio 4. When a child's bones are found in the marshes near an ancient site that Ruth worked on ten years earlier, Ruth is asked to date them.
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The murder of women priests in the shrine town of Walsingham sucks Dr. Ruth Galloway into an unholy investigation. Ruth's friend, Cathbad, is housesitting in Walsingham, a Norfolk village famous as a centre for pilgrimages to the Virgin Mary. One night, Cathbad sees a strange vision in the graveyard beside the cottage: a young woman dressed in blue.
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Boiled human bones have been found in Norwich's web of underground tunnels. When Dr Ruth Galloway discovers they were recently buried, DCI Nelson has a murder enquiry on his hands. The boiling might have been just a medieval curiosity - now it suggests a much more sinister purpose. Meanwhile, DS Judy Johnson is investigating the disappearance of a local rough sleeper. The only trace of her is the rumour that she's gone 'underground'.
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Dr Ruth Galloway is flattered when she receives a letter from Italian archaeologist Dr Angelo Morelli, asking for her help. He's discovered a group of bones in a tiny hilltop village near Rome but doesn't know what to make of them. It's years since Ruth has had a holiday, and even a working holiday to Italy is very welcome!
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5 out of 5 stars
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A great listen, excellent work!
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DCI Nelson has been receiving threatening letters telling him to 'go to the stone circle and rescue the innocent who is buried there'. He is shaken, not only because children are very much on his mind, with Michelle's baby due to be born, but because although the letters are anonymous, they are somehow familiar. They read like the letters that first drew him into the case of The Crossing Places, and to Ruth. But the author of those letters is dead....
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4 out of 5 stars
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NARRATION
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Shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library. When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, Ruth Galloway lectures at the University of North Norfolk. She lives happily alone in a remote, wild place called Saltmarsh overlooking the North Sea under Norfolk’s vast skies. When a child’s bones are found in the marshes near an ancient site that Ruth worked on 10 years earlier, she is asked to date them....
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5 out of 5 stars
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A great listen!
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Everything has changed for Dr Ruth Galloway. She has a new job, home and partner and is no longer North Norfolk police's resident forensic archaeologist. That is, until convicted murderer Amyas March offers to make DCI Nelson a deal. Nelson was always sure that March killed more women than he was charged with. Now March confirms this and offers to show Nelson where the other bodies are buried - but only if Ruth will do the digging.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Does the author not proof-listen to these?
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The Night Hawks, a group of metal detectorists, are searching for buried treasure when they find a body on the beach in North Norfolk. At first Nelson thinks that the dead man might be an asylum seeker but he turns out to be a local boy, Jem Taylor, recently released from prison. Ruth is more interested in the treasure, a hoard of Bronze Age weapons. Nelson at first thinks that Taylor's death is accidental drowning, but a second death suggests murder.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Satisfying for fans
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 772
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 697
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Story4 out of 5 stars 691
Brighton, 1950: When the body of a girl is found, cut into three, Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens is reminded of a magic trick: the Zig Zag Girl. The inventor of the trick, Max Mephisto, is an old friend of Edgar's. When the dead girl turns out to be known to him, Max decides to help Edgar investigate.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Uninvolving mystery
- By Sal on 20-11-14
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Now You See Them
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 291
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Brighton, 1963. Edgar Stephens has been promoted to Superintendent and is married to his former sergeant, Emma Holmes. Edgar's wartime partner in arms, magician Max Mephisto, is a movie star in Hollywood, while his daughter Ruby has her own TV show. The funeral of an old friend highlights just how much the gang's lives have changed in the last nine years. Edgar is struggling with fresh responsibilities and the new swinging Brighton of rioting mods and rockers; Emma is chafing against the restrictions of life as a housewife.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Total Disappointment. Nothing Like the Others.
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The Body in the Marsh
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Criminologist Martin Knight lives a gilded life and is a thorn in the side of the police. But then his wife, Liz, goes missing. There is no good explanation and no sign of Martin.... To make things worse, Liz is the ex-girlfriend of DCI Craig Gillard who is drawn into the investigation. Is it just a missing person or something worse? And what relevance do the events around the shocking Girl F case, so taken up by Knight, have to do with the present? The truth is darker than you could ever have imagined.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Tired old tropes.
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The Blood Card
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Elizabeth II's coronation is looming, but the murder of their wartime commander, Colonel Cartwright, spoils the happy mood for DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto. A playbill featuring another deceased comrade is found in Colonel Cartwright's possession, and a playing card, the ace of hearts: the blood card. The wartime connection and the suggestion of magic are enough for him to put Stephens and Mephisto on the case.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Mephisto gets his 3rd outing
- By Alexander James Hawley (Hawley Reviews) on 07-06-17
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Smoke and Mirrors
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- Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 438
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 395
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 390
Brighton, 1951. Pantomime season takes a dark turn when two missing children are found dead under the snow, surrounded by sweets - a macabre, real-life Hansel and Gretel. DI Edgar Stephens, has plenty of leads to investigate. The missing girl, Annie, used to write plays and perform them with her friends. Once again Edgar enlists magician and ex-wartime comrade Max Mephisto's help in penetrating the shadowy theatrical world that seems to hold the key. But is this all just classic misdirection?
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5 out of 5 stars
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Another first rate crime novel from Elly Griffiths
- By peter on 27-11-15
Summary
Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is called in to investigate when builders, demolishing a large old house in Norwich to make way for a housing development, uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway - minus the skull. Is it some ritual sacrifice or just plain straightforward murder? DCI Harry Nelson would like to find out - and fast.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Janus Stone
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-11-15
I still can't get on with this reader....
Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Jane McDowell?
Personal opinion but I think the reader of the later books, Jane Corbett, is better than Jane. She has problems with Norfolk accents and everyone sounds Irish, whether it mentions they are - or not! Really got on my nerves by the end.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Elly writes with a lovely sense of humour, and I do laugh at many things throughout the book.
Any additional comments?
I have enjoyed several Elly Griffiths "Ruth Galloway" books, although I am only now reading them in order! But I do worry at how dangerous an archaeologist's job is, as Ruth has suffered more than once at the hand of the "perpetrator" and I would be wary of being friends with her! But I like the "spooky" bits and they are an enjoyable listen. Yes, it may be in the present tense, but I like that, and it you only took 5 minutes to listen to the sample, then you would know how it is written, and choose accordingly.
25 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- A. Newton
- 14-01-12
A real page turner!
A great story that has likeable characters and enough twists and turns to keep me listening. Now have the full set of this author and all are good!
15 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Flint
- 12-04-15
Very enjoyable
I haven't read these books in order but it doesn't seem to matter. This was a good story and the interaction between characters was fascinating. The narrator read well but some of the accents were a bit off and she doesn't read male voices very well. It seemed a bit odd to have a number of Irish accents in Norfolk, but it didn't spoil the story. The ending was over dramatic but I enjoyed the book.
14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fontofknowledge
- 11-01-15
Excellent
Elly Griffiths is a brilliant story teller. Living in Norfolk, I recognise the places in her books, which make it come alive.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Perranmaid
- 11-12-14
A very British 'Bones', ( that is meant in a good
If you could sum up The Janus Stone in three words, what would they be?
History, present and intrigue
What other book might you compare The Janus Stone to, and why?
I don't know of another author with quite the same characters. I suppose Kathy Reichs but that is only because of the reference to bones.
Have you listened to any of Jane McDowell’s other performances? How does this one compare?
Yes, I have heard Jane McDowell before and I find her voice easy to listen to with good narration, accents are realistic. I am able to distinguish between the characters and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes it was and I almost had it on continuously until I'd finished it
Any additional comments?
Already have her next book, just pacing myself with another style and author before I start my next marathon read.
8 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Salter
- 04-04-19
Janus Stone
Another good instalment in the very enjoyable Ruth Galloway series. Bones are found dating back decades, and the find prompts the killer to attempt to cover their tracks once again.
Very enjoyable murder/mystery, and vey well narrated by Jane McDowell
7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- R. J. Gladden
- 22-09-15
Gripping story
This story had me guessing right up until the end with quite a few twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed the first of book of this series "Crossing Places" but this is better again. The characters are developing nicely with good resonance between Ruth and the other main protagonists. I found myself listening until 4.30am one morning because I just had to find out what was happening next. I will be buying the third book in the series and I am looking forward to seeing where Ruth's private life develops too!
14 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kirstine
- 10-04-17
Another pacy and interesting story in the series
A few weeks ago I listened to Crossing Places, the first book in the series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and enjoyed hearing about iron age burial rites, scientific methods in archeology coupled with the detection of recent crimes. The life and loves of the main characters adds a human touch. Janus Stone is the second in the series and follows the same formula but this time the archeology is Roman. Most of the characters from the first novel reappear and I think that one gets more from following the series in order, otherwise some of the suspense of the previous novels is lost. I enjoyed both books but hope that the same formula isn’t repeated again and again ending up with a finale in which the heroine’s life is threatened. Otherwise the books will become clichéd as has happened with the Kathy Reiches series featuring forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan who invariably gets attacked near the end of the stories.
I shall continue listening to this series as Ruth is an engaging creation, the main characters are well-drawn and so far the stories are gripping. The combination of old and a modern crimes makes the series more unusual and interesting than the plethora of other crime novels.
The narrator is excellent and can turn her voice to many accents.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Irene
- 10-08-15
More please
Good story and excellent narration. .action speeded up. characters. Becoming more rounded.Skillfully left wanting to hear more
12 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lesleyv
- 11-04-15
Good story bad northern accent
What made the experience of listening to The Janus Stone the most enjoyable?
The story is quite good and interesting and follows on directly from the last one. It's fairly compelling and I listened to it very quickly.
What did you like best about this story?
The main character is interesting and the history is good.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
The narrator has slightly changed her northern accent in this book and she has got it all wrong, if he comes from Blackpool he should have a Lancashire accent but the reader seems to be doing a really bad impression of a flat Yorkshire accent. I know this may seem pedantic but it's just really bad to listen to especially as he is a prominent character and when all the other accents are much better.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I did like it and I was emotionally involved
13 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sara
- 22-08-14
Return to Salt Marsh & Mysterious Archeology
I just love the way Griffiths brought the characters back from book one in the series as old friends. They are people that have been changed by their experiences together in the previous book. Often I find in a series that the main characters are too static as personalities. Not so with this author. Even better, this book continues to develop these interesting, flawed but fascinating people without missing a beat. This installment picks up just months after book one finished. Probably best to start with book one if you are new to the series. The books do build on one another and it is assumed that the reader already knows much detail that is not reviewed. A good thing-- as I dislike a great deal of recap in a series.
The mystery and backstory were as well thought out, engaging and as spooky as they were in book one. It was also funny in spots! I really enjoyed this listen and loved how the whole tale played out. Creepiness, brooding wild sea coast, archeology and history all perfectly intertwine to make a really enjoyable listen. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Really good and recommended if you enjoy a good mystery.
48 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- adrienne
- 02-09-13
My favorite of the series.
I've listened to all of this series but not in order. Now I await each new episode.
It's easy listening, there's always a mystery, Ruth Galloway is a very independent woman, and there are complicated interactions in a rural setting.
The narration is well done.
12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alexis
- 13-06-12
Interesting Development
Although it was obvious from very early on in the book who the "culprit" was in this book, it was extremely interesting to see how the author brought it to the attention of the characters in the book. She developed it exceptionally well, fitting the responses and thoughts of her characters around it. It is very well written and a joy to read or listen to! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery.
9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MARINA
- 28-08-12
I'm a big fan
Where does The Janus Stone rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Well written, story is excellent, characters realistic. Hoping for many more in the series
6 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- S. Yates
- 09-02-18
Ruth a bit off her game
This was in the 3-3.5 star range. I generally enjoy the mix of science and the academic world with that of the criminal one, and the characters are given some roundness and manage not to be merely stereotypes. But in this one, there is a bit too much obliviousness foisted upon Dr. Ruth Galloway -- she seems to miss connections and be utterly naïve to the ways of courtship (constantly querying herself about a certain man's interest in her, even when he makes he a home cooked meal on his boat she still wonders whether he might be romantically inclined). This undercuts the character Griffiths built in the first book and triggers eye rolling by the reader. This is compounded by Ruth's pregnancy, which should have been an interesting way to develop character and explore relationships and a woman's challenge of balancing a rewarding and acclaimed career with impending single motherhood. Instead, we get a lot of clichés and some bending over backward in those clichés to point out that Ruth never thought she'd feel that way. And there is incessant mention of "her baby" - over and over again. In that way, Ruth's thoughts and motivations become repetitive and act as a drag to the entire book. I still enjoyed it, but hope that things pick up again with richer characterization and dialog (both interior and exterior) in the next book.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Faye
- 31-08-12
plot and character entrancing
What made the experience of listening to The Janus Stone the most enjoyable?
the plot and locale kept my interest. Loved Ruth's character as she came across as real though somewhat flawed. Her relationships are complicated but she always manages to stay true to herself. She continually struggles with the values and ideologies of Catholicism, and "born again Christian" as these enter her relationships with family and friends. I feel like I'm learning something about science but never bored with detail.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Janus Stone?
So many memorable moements, learning about the sex of her baby, sharing it with Nelson, and the final boat scenes. Though I worried about the blows to her head...not just for her sake but for the unborn baby.
What about Jane McDowell’s performance did you like?
Mostly Jane's voice was appropriate for the characters, except I felt Nelson was harsher than necessary. Sometimes made it uncomfortable to listen seemingly "overdone" as I didn't feel his character really was as coarse as Jane made him out to be.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I could have listened to this at one sitting as the story line was compelling. But I also looked forward to taking a break and think about the plot and especially Ruth Galloway who seemed so genuine. She would make a good and trusting friend mainly because she lacked pretention.
Any additional comments?
I love Elly Griffiths' writing and intend to read all the books she puts out. So happy to have found her. I love the mixing of religion, archaeology, friendship and suspense.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Chelsea
- 25-08-11
Very nice narration, but...
I found the narration to be exquisite, just like the first book in this series. Unfortunately, this book revolves more around the danger to the main character, Ruth, and not any active crime. I found the struggles between the heroes and villains to be a bit contrived since the point of real conflict was several decades old. Will still get the third book, and the first one is a real gem!
9 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 09-10-20
christian bashing
first book was more focused on the crimes. but this is all hate for born again christians and mixing up truth lies. to bad might have followed the complete crime story but not with all the hate for people of faith. and i dont mean the self righteous parents portray in this book
1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- TR
- 16-09-17
Couldn't take it and stopped listening
This. Ask and performance annoyed me on every level. The staccato, grating voice of the narrator was the final straw. Had to stop listening after forcing myself to give it 15 chapters hoping it would get better. It didn't. I'm
Done with this series. Too many well written bookies out there to waste time on this.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 23-04-17
And yet she persisted
I love that she is fierce and unrelenting. I enjoy the myths and stories of old religions
1 person found this helpful