I actually had a hard time getting into this story at first. It ended up being a great book it just took a little while for me to hit the good parts

Signe Gates is a reporter. This is one heck of a wild adventure to finding the truth about what happened to her. There are some triggers to watch out for so beware.

There is a lot to unpack in this book. I was drawn in from the first page and it was hard to put down. I read it every chance I got and found myself thinking about the book throughout the day when I wasn't able to read it. The story is suspenseful and intriguing. I wasn't sure who to trust for the majority of the book, and I love stories like that. While this book is fiction, it highlights serious issues with human trafficking and rape. The author includes resources at the end of the book. I think this is an important issue to address and the author did a wonderful job with a delicate topic. With that being said, it was difficult to read at certain times because of a horrible event that happens to our lovely main character, Signe. I found myself wanting to read this with all the lights on. The characters were great and I was fully invested in the story. I loved the setting in Yosemite and the author does a fabulous job at describing actual areas in the park as well as trails. There was an outdoor adventurous aspect to it as Signe has to venture into the wilderness to find answers to who previously kidnapped and drugged her. The story also has a side romance story and one that I loved. There was also a bit of spice added in. At times there was a lot of different stories going on within the book, but by the ending all loose ends are tied up very nicely. This book really has it all and I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend! Just be aware of the triggers of rape and trafficking as it is discussed throughout the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Follow Signe through her journey to figure out who is tormenting her. This unpredictable thriller keep me engaged as I rushed to finish to find the answers. Action packed, the storyline is captivating and characters are well developed. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend to others who enjoy thrillers.

The Buried Hours is packed full of so many sharp turns I could barely hold on! R.S. Grant puts the reader right on the trail in Yosemite with this dark thriller, and it’s a journey that will keep you reading all night.

The Buried Hours by R.S.
Grant (Mystery with Rom, WW/WM, ARC, 12/5/23)

Intense & gripping twisty mystery.
Desperate for answers she won't be deterred.

CWs: murder, abduction, brutal rape, gaslighting, coercion, human trafficking, betrayal, suicidal ideation, violence, PTSD

Wow. This book was incredible. I literally read it in 1 day. I couldn’t put it down. The suspense was so intense. 10/10 stars

wow. just wow! I was full of questions with every turn of the page. There was so much mystery, and suspense. I was kept on the edge of my seat.

I was BEYOND excited when I opened this book and started reading. The plot was unique from what I'd been reading and the maikncharacter seemed likeable. I got about 15% into this and that's when the leftist talking points started. And it wasn't even subtle. I read to escape, not to be bombarded with political opinions.

Very disappointing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I gained some insight into the darker side of what men can do to women and drug trafficing.

For several years now I have tuned it out because various news channels have had the same content fillers on everyday and sometimes more than once a day. Along comes this book and figuratively smacked me in the face. I appreciated how the author described various events, sometimes clinically and other times from the victim's perspective.

And then, betrayal of the worst kind. How to come back from that?

I am and have been a fan of Rachel Grant/RS Grant's books, so far there isn't one book that not failed to deliver an entertaining and insightful read.

I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy and this is my honest opinion.

I have been a huge fan of Rachel Grant’s Fiona Carver adventure thrillers and knowing she has written The Buried Hours under the pen name of R S Grant had me adding this to my TBR without any doubts and what a stroke of luck that the author has another winner in her kitty.

The Buried Hours follows crime reporter Signe Bates as we are plunged into the nightmare that her life is from the word go. 48 hours of her life have gone missing but the trauma is endless as she is refused the freedom to talk about it to anyone and the one person she hopes would support her and give her the strength required leaves her in a lurch and divorces her.

The story packs a punch in both the execution and the emotional turmoil. The twists and turns in the story cause a whiplash so much that for a time like Signe, the reader is unaware of what other lies are waiting to blow up like an atomic bomb. Signe’s characterization is impressive, I loved the fact that in spite of the torture she is subjected to, her thoughts on how there are even worse situations borne by the people around and getting strength thinking about them and deriving comfort is one heck of a character graph. The romance between Cole and Signe develops naturally and aids in subtly moving the story forward and each plot twist brings about a different facet of the lies that surround Signe including the real motives of Cole.

The surprising revelations that spring upon the reader was superbly woven connecting a murder mystery in the national park to the events that had taken place in Signe’s life. Utterly compelling and unputdownable kinda book for all who love an action packed thriller.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published on my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Buried Hours is mind-blowing, intense, all-consuming book filled with plenty of suspense, danger, healing and redemption. It's everything I want / love in a mystery thriller. Such an emotional read with enough unpredictable twists and turns, full of danger delivering with every page. The book is not lacking lies, deceit or questionable characters. The darkness and plot twists are so skillfully interwoven and crafted masterfully with slow-building tension and suspense that will keep a reader glued to the pages.

This book was twisty, fantastic, edgy and fast paced, full of tension thriller. Secrets, obsession, traumatic past, missing hours, revenge and deadly discovery are wrapped up in a dark masterpiece. The characters were suspicious and unreliable which made me suspicious and untrusty of them. The story developed in the best possible way so the theories / assumptions could be made.
Signe is an investigative journalist. Her show focuses on crimes and in depth stories. Two years ago her life became a nightmare when she was kidnapped and drugged. After forty-eight missing hours, she woke up unsettling, not remembering anything except the threat: tell anyone what happened and they’ll die. Still, Signe embarks on a journey into the wilderness to solve a crime, get justice for the crimes committed against her, and overcome her demons.
The story included witty dialogue, engaging storyline, character driven plot that kept me guessing until the end.

R. S. Grant weaved compelling and tantalizingly twisted mystery thriller with her well known signature.

R.S. Grant is bestselling author Rachel Grant. This is the first book she has written under a different pen name because it is darker and a thriller rather than her usual romantic suspense. I am not going to reveal any details of the plot, cause that would be a pity. But she had me on the hook after just a few pages! There is so much suspense. So many surprising twists and turns. You think you've figured it out, but then everything changes. There's no black and white, all the characters are multi-layered in all different shades of grey. And you really don't know who to trust until the very end.
Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy I received.

An entertaining book with a good plot and great characters, but the storytelling is too slow with too many repetitions.

As a crime journalist, Signe Gates never expected to be on the receiving end of her own reporting. But after being kidnapped and drugged for couple of days nearly two years ago, she is still reeling from the trauma.

To make matters worse, Signe has only limited and very garbled memories of what actually happened to her during those buried hours. Her captors made it clear, when they released her, that any sharing on her part would lead to dire consequences.

Nevertheless, Signe is haunted by a sense of whatever she saw and did at that time. So when a cryptic tip-off from an informant gives her the opportunity to find out more about those lost hours, she feels that she has no choice but to follow it up.

Unfortunately, that will involve trekking into the forest to where two dead men's corpses were found. Signe decides to go with a seasoned hiker who can guide her through Yosemite more quickly, so that she has a better chance of investigating further.

Her ex-husband recommends an archaeologist with whom he is working on a documentary, so Signe agrees to go with Cole. But as small things start to add up, Signe cannot entirely rid herself of the feeling that her guide is not to be trusted...

This is a gripping story and hard to put down at times. Grant maintains a high level of suspense throughout, and with a relatable MC in Signe, the reader feels for her plight and is invested in the outcome. Recommended to those who are looking for a compelling thriller.

What a fantastic read. I devoured it in one sitting. I always enjoy all the twists and turns in Rachel Grant's books, but she is writing this book under a pen name: R.S. Grant. And dare I say, this is my favourite book of hers so far. Thoroughly recommend.

Wow, what a thrilling novel. Very enjoyable, great plot, believable characters in an exciting story. An excellent read.

I have read several of Rachel Grant’s books, but this is the first one under her name R.S. Grant. What I love about Grant’s books is that she uses her education and experience to write a suspenseful novel that exposes the reader to specific places – in this case, Yosemite National Park.
Signe Gates is an investigative crime journalist who is dealing with an experience that happened two years previously. At that time, she was abducted, drugged, and abused and is desperately trying to recover her missing memories. When an informant arranges to meet her to share information, she heads out with a guide to a place in Yosemite.
What I love about this book is that every time I think I have the situation figured out, new evidence arises that throws doubt on who Signe can trust. This was an exciting book with many twists and turns. I highly recommend it.

I was drawn to THE BURIED HOURS for two reasons: I’ve enjoyed the talent of author R.L. Grant as she wrote books under the Rachel Grant name. I’m a former journalist so identified with main character Signe Gates.

Based on the detail Grant includes in her series that rely on her background as a professional archaeologist, I knew the characters and plot of THE BURIED HOURS would be top-notch. THE BURIED HOURS exceeds the earlier titles I’ve read.

I could not put this book down. I could feel Signe’s pain and uncertainty as she chases answers to what happened to her two years before as well as redemption for actions she took then.

I can’t say anymore without risk of spoilers, so I will just say this: If you enjoy psychological thrillers, like following clues in a well-crafted mystery and want to lose yourself in the story for a few hours, then pick up this book and dive in. I guarantee you will read it in one sitting (even if you have to hire a babysitter and call in sick to work)!

Signe Gate is an investigative reporter who was raped by three men. Threaten to not speak a word about what she knows or people she cares about will be killed. She has been lured to a remote area to find answers. She is walking into a trap. A very suspenseful drama with twists and turns to keep you interested.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.