The Outcast Dead

The Outcast Dead by Elly Griffiths
374 Pages


There are two stories here, interweaving their theme of child minders.  First Ruth Galloway has uncovered the bones of what is believed to be an infamous Victorian murderess of children, Mother Hook.  At the same time a woman is charged with murder when her third child dies mysteriously.  As the police investigate this crime, Ruth is involved in the filming of her discovery for a series called "Women who Kill".  There may be evidence that Mother Hook was not guilty of the crimes she was hanged for and this theme is paralleled in the modern crime being investigated. 

When another child goes missing,  Ruth and the police race to find out the culprit before it is too late.

An easy-going mystery set in England.  The overall theme is the role of motherhood and childcare.