“Nothing in this world is hidden forever.” – Wilkie Collins, NO NAME

The above quote is so appropriate for a mystery series where the lead character is an archaeologist. Elly Griffiths’ books featuring Ruth Galloway are always engaging and provide a different look at the forensics of murder, specifically cold cases. Her latest, THE LAST REMAINS, is no exception.

In the prologue, which takes place in 2002, a group of college students gather by a bonfire chanting pagan ritual mantras. Not long after, a hooded figure suddenly emerges from the woods. It is the last time that Emily Pickering is ever seen.

"This series is always stellar and is a must-read for serious mystery fans who enjoy cases that hark back to the writings of Dame Agatha Christie."

Flash forward to 2021. A human skeleton is found during the renovation of a café. Ruth is called in, along with her married lover, DCI Harry Nelson. The remains initially point to Emily, a young archaeology student who disappeared 19 years ago. Ruth and Nelson are surprised to find their close friend, a druid called Cathbad, on the list of names who took part in that earlier outing. He nearly lost his life during the pandemic, which was detailed in the prior installment, THE LOCKED ROOM.

Meanwhile, the university where Ruth teaches has made the unpopular decision of shutting down the archaeology department. While she and her colleagues face that battle, Ruth needs to dive deep into the Emily Pickering case, if for no other reason than to take her mind off of this development and ensure that Cathbad is cleared of any wrongdoing.

At the top of the suspect list is Leo Ballard, the professor who organized the field trip. Both Ruth and Nelson’s team of investigators question Leo, who is now retired but is still irascible. Ruth even accepts an invitation to revisit the site of the excursion, which is known as Grime’s Graves. This area contains underground tombs and tunnels, as well as a prehistoric flint mine. It also has been rumored to be an infamous spot for pagan rituals.

Ruth doesn’t get much from Leo, but another member of the group confesses to the police that he saw the much older Leo kissing Emily. Cathbad also owns up to having had feelings for Emily, and Nelson observes that Cathbad’s wife, Judy, somewhat resembles her. Cathbad admits to Ruth that he did have a brief affair with Emily and promises to share this revelation with Judy to keep his conscience clean.

Everything spins wildly out of control when Cathbad goes missing without warning. Ruth now must attempt to locate him and hope that his disappearance isn’t tied to any feelings of guilt or complicity in the decades-old case. Getting to that point is what drives the latter part of this twisty novel and will keep readers guessing right up to the denouement. Griffiths' series is always stellar and is a must-read for serious mystery fans who enjoy cases that hark back to the writings of Dame Agatha Christie.