THE NIGHT HAWKS

5 stars out of 5

Archeologist and University of North Norfolk professor Dr. Ruth Galloway seems like such an old friend that I was surprised to learn I've read only one other book in this series - and after reading this one, I know I don't want to miss any more. As it opens, a group of local metal detectorists who call themselves the Night Hawks find a dead body on a North Norfolk beach. Ruth wants to learn more about the suspected Bronze Age weapons found near the body, but detective inspector Harry Nelson - Ruth's former paramour and the father of their young daughter Katie, who lives with Ruth - leans toward determining whether the young man's death actually is a murder.

Later, the same group of Night Hawks find two more bodies - this time at the remote Black Dog Farm, also the site that spawned the legend of Black Shuck, a huge dog that is believed by some to be sighted by people right before they die. The dead bodies, though, are a man and wife - and it appears to have been a murder-suicide. 

The investigation, understandably, includes looking into a connection between the dead bodies, members of the Night Hawks and that mythical (or not!) pooch. All the while, Ruth must deal with her feelings for the still-married Nelson and her distaste for the new guy in the Archeology Department - the one she hired to replace her when she was named department head. Not only is he a know-it-all pain in the you-know-what, but his behavior makes her suspicious of what he's really up to.

I never really bought into the Black Shuck notion (a little too other-worldly for me, I guess), but on the other hand, it added some interest, albeit offbeat. The end brought at least one surprise and wrapped up loose ends - except one: A cliffhanger that has the potential to change the course of books to come. I, for one, will be waiting. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, June 2021); 368 pp.