The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths

Ruth is invited by an old friend to visit Italy and look over some unusual bones he's found in an archeological dig.  She and her daughter and a lady friend and her son decide to go together.  It's a very old body with few signs to identify its age but it was buried upside down and with a stone in its mouth.  That's an oddity that might make it easier to age.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 15th.

This is a tale of past history, politics and murder in Italy, one man's desire to be powerful and important in his world, and several star-crossed lovers.  The historical information was interesting.  It appears Italy's political world has differences just like US does.

Ruth's child's father is Nelson, the chief in the police district at home.  He's angry when she takes off without telling him where she is going and when an earthquake happens in the area she's staying, he goes to see how they are.  His wife is not happy but she knows he loves his child.  She also knows he loves Ruth but he loves her, too.  She can't say much because she's pregnant again and she doesn't know if Nelson's or if it's Tim's.  She loves Tim but she loves Nelson, too.  What a mess.

With a new murder in Italy and more trouble at home, Nelson is torn between cases as well as women.

I have to say with all that was going on I never expected the ending this author wrote.  I'm almost afraid to read the next book.  Who knows what new troubles she will bring to Ruth and Nelson...