Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
This week my opening comes from The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths the ninth in the Dr Ruth Galloway series which will be published on 23 February 2017.
Blurb
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’. This might be a figure of speech, but with the discovery of the bones and the rumours both Ruth and the police have heard that the network of old chalk-mining tunnels under Norwich is home to a vast community of rough sleepers, the clues point in only one direction. Local academic Martin Kellerman knows all about the tunnels and their history – but can his assertions of cannibalism and ritual killing possibly be true?
As the weather gets hotter, tensions rise. A local woman goes missing and the police are under attack. Ruth and Nelson must unravel the dark secrets of The Underground and discover just what gruesome secrets lurk at its heart – before it claims another victim. Amazon
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
Chapter 1
‘Today our acronym is COAST. Concentration, observation, anticipation, space and time.’
The speaker, a woman in her fifties, with short hair and keen-looking spectacles, beams around the room. DCI Harry Nelson, in the back row, stares back, stony faced. In his head he works on another acronym: crap, outrageous, abysmal…
‘You might be saying to yourself,’ says the woman, ‘why am I wasting a morning at a speed awareness course? The answer is because it can save lives.’
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Well I’m with Harry on this one, I hate acronyms and doubt very much if they help to save lives – but why is he on a speed awareness course?
It’s more or less a forgone conclusion that I will enjoy this book as it Ruth Galloway is definitely my favourite forensic archaeologist but what do you think?
Would you keep reading?
I like the books where you start out thinking one thing then realise you are looking at a crime. I’d definitely keep reading.
Yes I prefer my crime novels to open in this way rather than a dead body straight off!
I’m half and half. I like to be grabbed but there is something about the slow build that makes for more tension I think.
I love finding new meanings to acronyms! But I’d like to know why our character has ended up there!
Yes, I had to cheat and read a few more pages…
I think I’ll have to start from book one! Thanks Cleo 🙂
Good thinking Cathy 🙂
I like the sound of this one. I’ve been meaning to read this series … enjoy
Thank you – I really love this series
Ha! I’ve already read this one, so I know the answer to the question about why he’s there. But I’ll not tell. It’s a good beginning and if you know that character, you can easily imagine how frustrated he was to be in that class. LOL
I have to admit although I’m not reading this one yet.. I did read on a bit to see if it gave a clue – haha yes not his favourite habitat.
Oh, I’d definitely keep reading, Cleo! I really like this series, as you know. And I do love that bit of wit in the snippet that you shared. I’m very much looking forward to your review of this one.
Yes I can’t imagine Nelson is to happy about being there!
Great intro. I too like to make up my own words to fit acronyms 🙂
Yes mine are usually far more entertaining – well to me anyway!
I would keep reading…I kinda like Harry already:) This series is on my tbr as one I’d like to start this year
Always great to read the latest in a favorite series!
Isn’t it just?
I have this one my Kindle and from that intro — wow–curious for more.
I really enjoy this series and can’t wait to find what all my favourite characters are up to now.
I hate acronyms, too, and books that use them before they tell you what they stand for….well, those books annoy me.
But this is not one of those books, I can tell. I love the Ruth Galloway characters…and Harry, too. Thanks for sharing. Here is mine: “PRETTY LITTLE WORLD”
I meant to say the “Ruth Galloway CHARACTER”…LOL. Although she is interesting enough to be two people.
Haha – I knew what you meant Laurel – thanks for visiting and leaving your link 🙂
I would keep reading! I have been wanting to try this series for some time now. I’ve heard such good things about it. Not to mention reading a series featuring a forensic archaeologist sounds really intriguing.
I admit I am not a huge can of acronyms either. I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t know what some of the ones we use at work stand for any more. There are too many.
It is a great series Wendy – Your workplace sounds suspiciously like mine!!
Enjoy, it does sound good.
Thank you 🙂
I’m with Harry too – acronyms irritate me. I always think they’ll help me remember things, but it never works. I’d like to keep going with Harry. Looks like I’ll have to find this book.
I think we’re all pretty much in agreement over those acronyms!
Well, after moaning about the last couple, I’ve actually resisted this one so far. So it’ll be up to you to convince me I was wrong… or right! 😉
Haha I’ll let you know!
Anything to do with archaeology and I’m in. Here’s my link for this week: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1ti
Like the rest of the series, this is a great book. My advice to everyone is read on!