In this "chilling and entirely believable"* mystery, forensic
archaeologist Ruth Galloway and DCI Harry Nelson investigate a set of
remains buried in the foundations of an old country manor--but as soon
as they get close to cracking the case, Ruth becomes the killer's next
target.
*Richmond Times-Dispatch
When a child's remains are found at a demolition site--a former
children's home in Norwich--forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway is
called in to examine the bones. She quickly notes that the skull is
missing. Is this a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer
at hand?
Ruth and DCI Nelson seek out the priest who served as the home's
operator. Father Hennessey reports that two children had gone missing
there, about forty years earlier. They were never found. Is this one of
them, finally unearthed? Or another child altogether? Ruth is drawn into
the case, but soon it becomes clear that someone is trying very hard to
put her off the trail by frightening her, and her unborn child, half to
death.