You know when Ruth Rendell stopped writing her 'Wexford' novels, we all mourned the passing of a really good, sense-of-place police procedural that also covered contemporary issues and gave insights into the main character's personal life that felt integral rather than bolted-on? 

Fear not. In her 'Ruth Galloway' series, Elly Griffiths has taken up the mantle. Ostensibly, our protagonist is Ruth, an archaeologist called in to assist forensically with a range of bodies; in fact, we get equal focus on our policeman, Harry Nelson, who is in a kind-of relationship with Ruth and whose family set up is as much part of the story as the crimes.

Add a compelling cast of surrounding characters - including a practising Druid, rigorously-researched archaeology sub-plots, and a beautifully-realised sense of place with the coasts and plains of Norfolk appearing as characters in their own right, and you have a winning formula.

But all good things must end; Griffiths has teased that 'The Last Remains' may not be Ruth and Nelson's final hurrah so we can but hope.

Like most good character driven mystery series, you really must read them from the beginning, so start with 'The Crossing Places' and you're off. 

Did i mention she has two other series? The semi-comic 'Brighton Mysteries' with magician and policeman duo Max Mephisto and Edgar Stephens and he very promising DI Harpinder Kaur novels. There's also an excellent gothicky standalone, 'The Stranger Diaries' with more than an air of Barbara Vine about it.

See. We all miss Ruth Rendell - and no-one will ever replace her - but we can celebrate a worthy successor.