X-Book

The Chalk Pit

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

'My favourite current crime series . . . a pleasure from start to finish' Val McDermid

Boiled human bones have been found in Norwich's web of underground tunnels. When forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway discovers the bones aren't as old as originally thought, it's time for DCI Nelson to launch a murder inquiry. What was initially just a medieval curiosity has taken a much more sinister nature...

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 stories both Ruth and the police have heard of a vast community of rough sleepers living in the old chalk-mining tunnels under Norwich, 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.

(P)2017 Quercus Editions Limited

Critics Review

The Chalk Pit is the most intriguing case written by the prolific Elly Griffiths to date. A five-star thriller
Daily Express
Griffiths has become a dab hand at plotting and cranking up the tension. The murders, and the muddled humanity of the characters, keep us turning the pages
Independent
Crime that doesn't sacrifice good writing and clever characterisation for the sake of the plot
Red Magazine
Elly Griffiths writes ever-more ingenious detective stories with a powerful sense of place and a varied cast of sympathetic and unusual characters. Her heroine is a winner
The Times
Griffiths weaves superstition and myth into her crime novels, skilfully treading a line between credulity and modern methods of detection
Sunday Times
Ruth Galloway is one of the most engaging characters in modern crime fiction
Kate Mosse
Griffiths has mastered the art of combining bizarre plots with contemporary relationship issues beautifully
Sussex Life
A spooky and gripping read
Woman
Proof that thrillers can increase the pulse rate while tackling more serious issues
Guardian
The Chalk Pit is the most intriguing case written by the prolific Elly Griffiths to date. A five-star thriller
Daily Express
Griffiths' great strength lies in her creation of a cast of returning characters that readers can and do care about
Mail on Sunday, Thriller of the Week
Excellent writing, excellent plotting, some utterly riveting detail and always a banging good story
Liz Loves Books
Griffiths is a top drawer crime novelist, and Ruth Galloway is the most believable and likeable protagonist in modern crime fiction
Crimesquad
Griffiths has become a dab hand at plotting and cranking up the tension. The murders, and the muddled humanity of the characters, keep us turning the pages
Independent
Crime that doesn't sacrifice good writing and clever characterisation for the sake of the plot
Red magazine
Elly Griffiths writes ever-more ingenious detective stories with a powerful sense of place and a varied cast of sympathetic and unusual characters. Her heroine is a winner
The Times
Griffiths weaves superstition and myth into her crime novels, skilfully treading a line between credulity and modern methods of detection
Sunday Times
Author Elly Griffiths
Narrator Jane McDowell
Series The Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries
Duration 10 hours
Release Date
ISBN 9781784297398
Format Audiobook
Publisher Quercus
Genre Crime and mystery fiction, Crime and mystery: women sleuths
Availability AU, GB, IE

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.