My initial impressions of this book were centered around the main character, Ruth. I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness for her. It was disheartening to witness her constant self-deprecation and lack of confidence, especially regarding her age and weight. The way she put herself down numerous times within the first chapter left me wondering about the underlying reasons for her low self-esteem.

Ruth's thoughts, such as feeling too old for jeans at 40 and worrying about being too heavy for a car, deeply resonated with her struggle. It was difficult to overlook her lack of confidence and the recurring references to her weight throughout the narrative.

On a positive note, I was thoroughly impressed by the well-researched archaeological aspects of the book. The references to carbon 14 dating and geophysics made it more realistic, reminding me of my own studies in archaeology. The book was easy to read, and I appreciated the opportunity to delve into the subject matter further. The fast-paced storyline kept me engaged, and I was pleasantly surprised by unexpected twists and despite thinking I'd guessed the perpetrator, I was wrong in the end.

However, I must admit that I found Detective Inspector Harry Nelson to be a rather unlikable character. His demeanour came across as rude, sexist, and unfaithful, and I struggled to see him as a misunderstood hero. I couldn't help but feel that Ruth deserved better than his grating presence.

Overall, despite my mixed feelings about certain characters, I believe this book serves as a promising introduction to the series, and I am definitely going to delve more into this series.