A fascinating book! The mix of archaeology, history, medicine & genetics means that every angle of the stories included is covered, in Professor Roberts' inimitable style. Despite my interest coming from the archaeology/history side, the sciencey stuff is presented in an eminently readable & understandable way, proving that the author is unrivaled when it comes to public engagement in her field.

What a fascinating read, it's like she was in the room with me.

I'm a bit behind with Prof Alice's books and as there are two new ones out in 2026 I thought it was time to start catching up! Crypt is the third book of a trilogy looking at people's lives through the burial practices of the ages. In this book we find out about history, disease and life as Alice explores seven archaeology sites. The book is as ever with Alice very well written. I like her style, it's accessible but doesn't simplify things. I found this fascinating as we follow the research into the skeletons discovered in various locations. Another great read from Professor Alice.

I really enjoyed this book, perhaps more so because i could hear Professor Roberts' voice from Digging for Britain in my head. Call me morbid, but I particularly enjoyed the chapter explaining the lives and deaths of those with Leprosy, and the reference to the Time Team excavation at the Magdalene Hospital. Alice Roberts writes in such a charismatic and accessible way that this is sure to be a hit with all manner of readers.

Crypt takes the title of my first Alice Roberts, but it definitely won't be my last. Through seven varying (but all fascinating) case studies, Roberts uses the latest research to paint a vivid picture of life, death and disease in medieval England and beyond. One aspect of Crypt I especially appreciated was the reminder that the remains found by archaeologists were real, human people, with their own lives, stories and peculiarities. Roberts brings an - often lacking - compassion to these stories, and shows us that the past and the present are inexplicably linked. This is a great read for newbies to archaeology (like me!) but also has more than enough content to satisfy long term archaeology and history buffs. I can't wait to get my hands on Ancestors and Buried, and thank you so much to Simon & Schuster UK for sending me the physical copy!